Jul 8 - Jul 19, 2024
Iceland
Fire and Ice: A Circumnavigation of Mystical Iceland
Program No. 21877RJ
On an expedition cruise ship, discover Iceland’s natural fjords, geysers, glaciers and fascinating human history during a voyage around this dramatic country.
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At a Glance
Turquoise thermal pools. Otherworldly waterfalls. Towering blue icebergs. Iceland is an astonishing package of the planet’s natural wonders. Discover them on colorful display — fjords, geysers, glaciers, volcanoes — during an extraordinary learning voyage around this dramatic country. From Reykjavik on the southwest coast, sail clockwise around the island and navigate pristine fjords, setting foot on a glacier and soaking in soothing hot springs.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles daily over rough, rocky and uneven terrain. This program includes an excursion by Zodiac; the final step to board this vessel is 14 to 18 inches.
What You'll Learn
- Have opportunities to observe birds and whales up close.
- See "Pompeii of the North" — a volcanic crater
- Soak in the geothermal heated waters of the Sky Lagoon where you can relax with a view of the sea.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
David Crowe
David Crowe worked in education for more than 40 years teaching history, physical education, and serving as vice principal of his school. He has a degree and PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) in history. Following retirement in 2014, he returned to the classroom to teach history in the International School of Monaco. David lives between the UK and the south of France, following his passion for adventure, skiing, climbing, sailing, kayaking, and cycling. David has led Road Scholar programs in Scotland and Scandinavia.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
David Crowe
View biography
David Crowe worked in education for more than 40 years teaching history, physical education, and serving as vice principal of his school. He has a degree and PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) in history. Following retirement in 2014, he returned to the classroom to teach history in the International School of Monaco. David lives between the UK and the south of France, following his passion for adventure, skiing, climbing, sailing, kayaking, and cycling. David has led Road Scholar programs in Scotland and Scandinavia.
Suggested Reading List
(16 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Fire and Ice: A Circumnavigation of Mystical Iceland
Program Number: 21877
Letters from Iceland
Written with fellow poet Louis MacNiece, this quirky, under-appreciated masterpiece captures the spirit of Iceland, its people and landscapes.
The Arctic, A Guide to Coastal Wildlife
An essential handbook for the ship-based traveler, this compact guide to the plants, marine mammals and birds of the Circumpolar North features handsome watercolor illustrations and lively text. This new edition includes a section on the Bering Sea.
Insight Guide Iceland
This guide emphasizes culture and history, with wonderful photographs, maps and essays from experts.
Ring of Seasons, Iceland, Its Culture and History
A longtime resident of Reykjavik, Lacy weaves tales of family life, anecdote, lore and history into this illuminating personal portrait of Iceland.
Song of the Vikings, Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths
Brown brings to life not just the great Norse tales of medieval Iceland but also the life and times of the worldly Icelandic chieftain, known as the "Homer of the North."
A Naturalist's Guide to the Arctic
A primer on Arctic climate, geography, plants, birds, mammals and insects in a single nicely written book. It's a highly recommended, enthusiastic guide to natural history throughout the Circumpolar North.
Names for the Sea, Strangers in Iceland
A stranger in a strange land, British novelist Sarah Moss captures the spirit of Iceland in this tale of a year in the Reykjavik with her husband and two children.
Burial Rites
Setting her story against Iceland's stark landscape, Hannah Kent reimagines the final days of a young woman who was accused of murder in Iceland in 1829.
Iceland Adventure Map
A detailed map at a scale of 1:465,000, printed on handy tear- and water-resistant paper.
Independent People, An Epic
Rich in local color, this great mock-epic by the Icelandic Nobel Prize-winner features the indelible Bjartur of Summerhouses, a hard-headed, independent-minded sheep farmer.
Birds of Europe
Featuring 3,500 glorious paintings by Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstrom, the second edition of this exquisite guide features updated text and maps.
The Almost Nearly Perfect People, Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia
Guardian journalist Booth writes with laugh-out-loud humor and brutal candor about the Scandinavians, mixing history and his own experiences in Nordic regions in this searing cultural portrait.
Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings
This history of the Vikings tells their story through a series of innovative maps and excellent photographs. It traces the routes of 9th-century Viking merchants and explorers throughout Europe and the New World.
North: The New Nordic Cuisine of Iceland
Catering to a rising interest in Nordic cuisine, this cookbook celebrates Iceland’s food alongside its haunting landscapes, portrayed in starkly beautiful, full-color photos.
The Sagas of Icelanders
Nine sagas and six tales composed between the years 1000 and 1500, including an account of Leif Eriksson's voyage to North America, all newly translated.
Hrafnkel's Saga and Other Icelandic Stories
This collection of the most famous of Icelandic sagas includes stories with titles like Thorstein the Staff-Struck and Ale Hood. Dating from the 12th century, these tales vividly recreate the society of medieval Iceland.
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