Iceland
The Best of Iceland: A Country of Beautiful Contrasts
Program No. 3342RJ
Traverse the wonders of Iceland with locals and scholarly experts, delving deep into a landscape of stunning geological features, glaciers and bubbling thermal pools.
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800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
May 11 - May 21, 2025
Starting at
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11 days
10 nights
27 meals
10B 9L 8D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
3
Borgarnes
Borgarnes
4
Reykholt, Borgarfjördur Region
Borgarnes
7
Lake Mývatn
Akureyri
9
Akureyri, Fly to Reykjavik
Reykjavik
At a Glance
Named by a Scandinavian explorer inspired by the beauty of icebergs bobbing through a fjord, Iceland is in fact not very icy at all, boasting abundant vegetation, a veritable menagerie of wildlife and stunning geological features. Journey through Iceland’s north, south and west with native experts who introduce you to their country’s history, music, food and traditions. Learn about the sagas of Icelanders and explore a dramatic landscape, from the coast to the Blue Lagoon.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 3 miles per day, most days on uneven and hilly terrain.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Witness geology in action in the “Land of Fire and Ice” and visit a geothermal power plant.
- Enjoy a scallop fishing demonstration on a boat excursion in the Breiðafjörður and take a bite out of another Icelandic delicacy: shark.
- Experience 1,000 years of Icelandic history at the Borgarnes Settlement Center.
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.
The Best of Iceland: A Country of Beautiful Contrasts
Program Number: 3342
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.
The History of Iceland
A history of Iceland from the Viking-era through colonization, independence and the 20th century. Karlsson draws on the sagas and rich literature of Iceland in presenting this comprehensive history.
Letters from Iceland
Written with fellow poet Louis MacNiece, this quirky, under-appreciated masterpiece captures the spirit of Iceland, its people and landscapes.
Butterflies in November
Scorned by love, a quirky, unapologetically independent 33-year-old woman takes a spontaneous trip along Iceland’s Ring Road, her best friend’s 4-year-old deaf-mute son in tow. Evocative of the Icelandic spirit.
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.
Iceland Adventure Map
A detailed map at a scale of 1:465,000, printed on handy tear- and water-resistant paper.
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.
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.
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.
Insight Guide Iceland
This guide emphasizes culture and history, with wonderful photographs, maps and essays from experts.
Iceland, Land of the Sagas
Krakauer and colleague Roberts hike and climb around Iceland in this classic travel narrative, reissued as a paperback and featuring Krakauer's color photographs. The book interweaves the natural and cultural history of the island with the authors' own adventures.
Jar City
Indridason's first moody police procedural finds Reykjavik detective Erlendur Sveinsson investigating the brutal murder of a lonely pensioner and the man's connection to the deaths of a number of young women. Made into a darkly superb film.
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.
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.
Last Places, A Journey in the North
Millman explores the culture and history of the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland in this hilarious account of his travels in the wake of the ancient Vikings.
Island on Fire: The Extraordinary Story of a Forgotten Volcano That Changed the World
Two science writers discuss the political and natural ramifications of the 1783 eruption of Iceland’s largest volcano, Laki, which led to global death, famine and even revolution. Great for the geologically minded but accessible to all with an interest in volcanoes.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Reykjavik
Program Concludes
Reykjavik
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
27
| 10B |
9L |
8D |
Activity Level
Named by a Scandinavian explorer inspired by the beauty of icebergs bobbing through a fjord, Iceland is in fact not very icy at all, boasting abundant vegetation, a veritable menagerie of wildlife and stunning geological features. Journey through Iceland’s north, south and west with native experts who introduce you to their country’s history, music, food and traditions. Learn about the sagas of Icelanders and explore a dramatic landscape, from the coast to the Blue Lagoon.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Witness geology in action in the “Land of Fire and Ice” and visit a geothermal power plant.
- Enjoy a scallop fishing demonstration on a boat excursion in the Breiðafjörður and take a bite out of another Icelandic delicacy: shark.
- Experience 1,000 years of Icelandic history at the Borgarnes Settlement Center.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 3 miles per day, most days on uneven and hilly terrain.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(16 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
27 meals | 10B | 9L | 8D |
3 expert-led lectures
21 expert-led field trips
1 flight during the program
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
9 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Iceland, Blue Lagoon, Check-in, Orientation
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel
Activity Note
Walking from the airport terminal with luggage to the coach to driving 10 minutes to Park Inn by Radisson. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 15 miles to Blue Lagoon, approximately 50 min; about 35 miles to hotel, approximately 1 hour. If you wish to swim in the Blue Lagoon, please remember to pack your bathing suit in your carry-on luggage. Towels will be provided. Slippers, bathrobes and spa treatments are available at an additional cost.
Breakfast:
At Park Inn by Radisson. If you plan to meet at Park Inn and eat breakfast with the group, please allow enough time to sit down and eat before the group departs.
Morning:
After meeting our group at the Park Inn by Radisson we will depart via motorcoach at approximately 10:00 a.m. to the Bridge Between Continents to see where Europe and North America meet.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will board a motorcoach and continue our Icelandic adventure with a soak in the mineral-rich, geothermally heated waters of the Blue Lagoon. (Entrance fee and towels included at Blue Lagoon; slippers and bathrobes available at additional cost.) There are other “blue lagoons” but this one is truly unique. The stark volcanic terrain that surrounds it creates an otherworldly feeling. The lava field is surely natural, but in fact the lagoon owes its existence to a geothermal power station built in 1975. Superheated water from a nearby lava flow feeds into the power plant system and finally flows into the lagoon, where the temperature stays between 98°-104°F (36°-40° C). Minerals from the underground geological layers account for the coloration. Not only is lounging in the waters delightfully comfortable, the minerals and white silica mud are reputed to provide benefits for skin conditions. After, we'll continue our transfer to the hotel. After check-in, take some time to freshen up and relax before we meet for our Orientation session followed by dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Meals will feature local cuisine. Water is included with all meals. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The remainder of the evening is free to continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars. Then settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
3
Borgarnes
Location:
Borgarnes
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Borgarnes
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles; standing in the museum.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we’ll attend a lecture on Iceland’s past and present. Then we will board our motorcoach and start our transfer to Borgarnes En route, we will stop in Hvalfjarðarvegur for a farm visit. Bjarteyjarsandur farm is located by the beautiful Whale Bay just outside of Reykjavik. The farm is jointly owned by three families who work together to raise animals, grow produce, and offer meals based on local food sources and ingredients. Upon our arrival at the farm, we will enjoy a short film about life on the farm. After the film, the owners will offer a question and answer period along with a tasting of some of the products they produce.
Lunch:
At the farm.
Afternoon:
We'll visit the Borgarnes Settlement Center which is devoted to recreating Iceland's history over the last 1000 years. The Settlement Center uses the meticulously written Book of Icelanders and The Book of Settlement, both from the 13th century, as the resource for creating this exhibition. We will then walk a short distance to our hotel for check in. Take some time to relax and freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
Hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Reykholt, Borgarfjördur Region
Location:
Borgarnes
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Borgarnes
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking up to 3 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll depart by motorcoach for Reykholt, homestead of the famous Saga writer, Snorri Sturluson. Here we’ll learn how Snorri’s poetic and political lives intertwined in medieval Iceland’s turbulent parliament and royal court.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch we’ll take a field trip by motorcoach through the Borgarfjördur region. Stops include Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most prolific hot spring, and Hraunfossar, rare and beautiful waterfalls. We will return to the hotel mid-afternoon. Enjoy some time to relax before dinner and our evening entertainment.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At the hotel we’ll enjoy an evening of traditional Icelandic fold music and dance.
Day
5
Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Breidafjördur Boat Ride
Location:
Borgarnes
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Borgarnes
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 130 miles, approximately 3 hours. Walking up to 3 miles; uneven, hilly terrain. Getting on/off a boat, assistance provided as needed. The boat ride is approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out by motorcoach for Stykkisholmur, a fishing village on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. From here, we’ll take a two-hour boat ride among the islands of Breidafjördur, watching locals fishing for scallops and tasting some of their catch!
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We'll visit the Bjarnarhöfn shark farm and museum to learn about shark processing, where we'll have the chance to taste this special Icelandic delicacy.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
6
Textile Museum, Horse Farm, Glaumbær Folk Museum
Location:
Akureyri
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel KEA
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 210 miles, approximately 4 hours. Walking and standing up to 3 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out by motorcoach to transfer to Akureyri, North Iceland. En route we will stop at the textile exhibition at Heimilisiðnaðarsafnið, to see its beautiful collection of wool, national costumes, and tools of the trade including looms and spinning wheels.
Lunch:
At a country restaurant.
Afternoon:
As we continue our transfer by motorcoach, we’ll visit a horse farm, where we will become acquainted with the Icelandic horse, enjoying an informative talk from the farmer about life at the farm, and meeting the remarkable breed during a "horse show." We’ll then enjoy an expert-led visit of the Glaumbær Folk Museum, located on an old turf farm that was inhabited until 1947. The farmhouse is a great example of the typical building method used in Iceland for centuries, and the exhibition focuses on rural life in Iceland in the 18th and 19th centuries. After, we will stop by the Vidimyri Church. The church was built in 1836 and is one of the six turf churches still preserved in Iceland. We’ll then continue to Akureyri, and check in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Lake Mývatn
Location:
Akureyri
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel KEA
Activity Note
Did you know that the word "myvatn" means "midge" in Icelandic? Please be aware that you may encounter midges (small flies) at Lake Myvatn. If you do, it is better to be prepared. We recommend bringing insect repellent and a mosquito head net. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 2.5 hours. Walking and standing up to 3 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach for a short ride to our lecture venue where we will enjoy a lecture on Iceland’s geology. We’ll then set out by motorcoach to Lake Mývatn, for a full day's exploration of one of the richest nesting grounds for water birds in the world.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our full-day field trip to Lake Mývatn. The pseudocraters, solfataras, craters and volcanoes of the surrounding landscape make for a fascinating geological study. We’ll return by motorcoach to our hotel in Akureyri.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Whale Watching Excursion, Akureyri Exploration
Location:
Akureyri
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel KEA
Activity Note
If weather permits you to embark on the Whale Watching excursion, please be aware that you will be required to stand for most of the time. There are only some seats on the boat. Getting on/off a motorcoach; walking up to 2 miles on paved streets.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Weather permitting, we’ll embark on a whale-watching excursion in the beautiful Eyjafjördur bay to get a closer look at the gentle giants inhabiting Iceland's waters.
Lunch:
At a family-owned restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll spend some time getting to know Akureyri, Iceland's second largest city, with a sightseeing excursion through Akureyri by bus and on foot. We’ll walk through the Botanical Garden, explore Akureyri's church, and view the distinctive architecture of the Hof Cultural Center.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll attend a music performance at the Minjasafnið Museum church. Afterwards, prepare for an early check-out the following morning for our flight to Reykjavik.
Day
9
Akureyri, Fly to Reykjavik
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel
Activity Note
Please note that today's internal flight is an Iceland Air flight, and is approx. 45 minutes long. The luggage limit is 50 pounds, and the hand luggage limit is 13 pounds. Please see Internal Flight Luggage Note for further luggage information.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and transfer by motorcoach to the Akureyri Airport for our flight to Reykjavik. Upon arrival we'll board a motorcoach for a panoramic field trip through Reykjavik, first seeing the historic Höfði House, site of the 1986 summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev that precipitated the end of the Cold War. We will also drive by Lake Tjornin, a small lake in downtown Reykjavik known for its birdlife, as well as the Parliament House and City Hall, worth a visit for its large topographic map of Iceland.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll board a motorcoach and enjoy an expert-led field trip to the National Museum of Iceland. In addition to a permanent exhibition on the making of a nation, there are special exhibits on a variety of history and culture topics. Next we'll head to an amazing site called Perlan. Here, we will have unforgettable 360-degree views of the city from the observation deck atop the museum, that is itself situated on gigantic tanks filled with geothermal hot water. After our visit, we will transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
10
Hellisheiði, Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 3.5 hours aboard motorcoach. Walking distances up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out from the hotel on a full-day field trip by motorcoach, beginning at the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant. The largest in Iceland, it’s the second largest in the world, situated in the Hengill volcano area. Here we’ll learn about this renewable resource and how geothermal energy is used in Iceland. We’ll then visit Espiflot and learn about how flower greenhouses work.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Our full-day field trip will also take us to the fascinating sites of Iceland’s “Golden Circle”. þingvellir National Park, site of the original parliament, is known as the most sacred place in Iceland due to its geological and historical significance. The Althing, or General Assembly, was established here in 930 CE and is the world’s oldest existing parliament. Not only historically significant, the site is located on the meeting point of the American and European continental plates. Gullfoss — golden falls — is the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Water from the Langjökull glacier flows into the Hvítá (White) River. When it reaches the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon, it falls in two stages more than 100 feet (32 meters). We’ll experience the stillness and beauty of the wintry countryside and the frozen waterfall. At Geysir, the site from which all geysers take their name, the active Strokkur geyser bursts forth every few minutes in a cloud of steam. We’ll return to our hotel late in the afternoon by motorcoach.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant to enjoy a farewell meal. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
11
Program Concludes, In Transit from Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
Free time depending on departure flight time.
Lunch:
On your own based on departure flight time.
Afternoon:
Staggered transfers to Keflavík International Airport based on final flight times. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
27 Meals
10 Breakfasts
9 Lunches
8 Dinners
LODGING
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Participant Reviews
Based on 44 Reviews
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Great way to see a large part of Iceland and learn about its geological past and present and green power projects to harness geothermal power. Beautiful country, friendly people, fascinating geography.
— Review left October 5, 2024
This program provides a great exposure to the wonders of Iceland! The outings to see the geological wonders and the cultural aspects were fun and varied. I loved the whale watching, waterfalls, food and seeing the Northern Lights! Prepare to be inspired by this awesome country!
— Review left October 5, 2024
Primordial landscapes. Free range sheep. Whale watching. Sagas, local cuisine and culture in one package. Do it.
— Review left October 4, 2024
The Best of Iceland trip was excellent - I highly recommend this trip for first-timers or repeat travelers alike!
— Review left October 3, 2024
Iceland is an interesting country. It has great educational opportunities plus many options for outdoor activities.
— Review left September 14, 2024
Fantastic opportunity to experience Iceland and it's nature, culture, and heritage. Was on my bucket list.
— Review left August 28, 2024
This trip is amazing! Our leader was superb! The island is so clean and the landscape is beautiful!
— Review left August 18, 2024
This program exceeded my expectations. What a wonderful experience
— Review left August 10, 2024
Excellent program. Wonderful guide, Anna Toher. She was both personable and professional. Comprehensive itinerary. I think we could skip Perlan--too commercial, too crowded, and more for people who will not get out into the countryside. The Settlement should be included instead. The National Museum was too dark and not well laid out. There wasn't much free time because the days were packed with activities and we often didn't return to the hotel until 4:30pm. A little more free time. The morning lectures and evening programs were both information and enjoyable. In general the meals were tasty with lots of soups and fish. However, there was too much chicken and too many "buffet" meals. Sometimes, I felt like I was eating at Denny's. I would have like more Icelandic lamb and their national dishes. Beraya Marina Hotel is a very nice hotel and well-located at the Old Dockyards. Shopping, museums, Harpa, excursions are within a few blocks. Bring waterproof jacket and shoes. The rain can be very heavy.
— Review left August 9, 2024
Our guide, Anna Tober, enhanced the program in every way, giving us insight into all aspects of the places we visited.
— Review left August 4, 2024
The land of Fire and Ice did not disappoint. What a magical place Iceland is with our group leader, Einar being its informational cornerstone!
— Review left July 24, 2024
There is so much more to Iceland than I ever imagined! My Road Scholar tour of this "Country of Beautiful Contrasts" taught me about and showed me the most amazing geological features. Additionally, it gave me the opportunity to personally get to know the Icelandic people whom I admire so very much.
— Review left May 30, 2024
Iceland is a fascinating little country with a lot to share with the world. We can all learn from their use of geo thermal energy. For a country of 400,000 with over 2,500,000 visitors a year, they still manage to have a unique culture and a joy of sharing it with others. If you like waterfalls, hot springs, horse, whales, birds such as puffins and interesting geology and topography, then Iceland is the trip for you.
— Review left May 19, 2024
Program was great and I learned a lot about this beautiful and interesting country and our tour leader was EINAR ARMASON and he was the very best.
— Review left May 18, 2024
The trip was outstanding. Inga, our guide, shared her wealth of knowledge about Iceland; the country she loves; its history, political-economy, geology, flora and fauna, culture, and so much more such as sharing ghost stories and teaching us traditional songs. The trip provided us with endless opportunities to learn, meet new people, and discover new things. We never had a bad meal and the service was impeccable. I had such a good time, I would love to return some day and see the rest of the country.
— Review left November 28, 2023
What a different environment. Scientists study Iceland to understand how the Earth itself evolved. It was wonderful to see the island in person. I stood on the Mid-Atlantic rift and saw an aurora and many waterfalls, glaciers, etc. The horses and wildlife were remarkable.
— Review left October 29, 2023
I loved my trip to Iceland the program and instructors were fabulous. But would appreciate LESS advertising mailings and emails.
— Review left October 8, 2023
This was a fabulous trip, carefully designed to include geographic balance within Iceland (south, west, north) as well as city/town/rural. Einar Arnason was an exemplary group leader. I learned so much from the program as well as fellow travelers. Five stars!
— Review left October 8, 2023
Fantastic learning experience with an amazing guide and excellent subject matter experts. Very enjoyable!
— Review left October 7, 2023
Beautiful country but cold, cold, cold. Wind didn't stop.
— Review left September 24, 2023
Excellent trip, one of the best. Caution about the first hotel. My room was infinitesimal. I thought they were all like that and dreaded the return stay at the end of the trip. However, my room at the end was a little bigger and the desk clerk said I could change if I asked. It was adequate, so I didn’t have to put up with a very tiny room. Look at the room map at the back of the room door to see the variation. There was lots of variation in dinners, so be brave and try new stuff.
— Review left September 6, 2023
Iceland is a magnificient country. The sights are extraordinary. The Icelandic people are friendly, proud and helpful. Our Tour leader, Tryggvi Felixson was experienced, very knowledgeable, passionate about his country and very patient. This trip was a nice discovery. Johanne and Denis Belzile.
— Review left September 5, 2023
I have taken 15 Road Scholar trips, and I would rate this one and the civil rights trip as the top two. The program and the program leader were absolutely fantastic!!
— Review left August 18, 2023
Iceland will blow you away!
— Review left August 14, 2023
This was an excellent program that educated us on history, culture, geography and people of Iceland. The scenery is fantastic. The meals were delicious. Tryggvi, the tour guide was knowledgeable & cordial. A fine representative of his country! This was the 7th Road Scholar program and the best so far.
— Review left August 14, 2023
Based on our Road Scholar experience in Iceland, we are going to investigate the Grandparents Road Scholar program.
— Review left August 14, 2023
Extraordinary beauty and landscape, more than I imagined and expected... excellent guide ,Erikur, excellent food, friendly Icelanders, good presentations on history, folklore, etc... I highly recommend this trip!
— Review left July 13, 2023
Our trip to Iceland was wonderful and was greatly enhanced by our Group Leader, Harpa who trained as an artist but had many other talents including geology, natural history, ornithology, storytelling, history and disk jockey sessions on the bus. She was the best overall Group Leader of the five Road Scholar trips I have been on. Walt A. May 2023
— Review left June 14, 2023
We had a fabulous time in Iceland and recommend everyone take a trip there! The Northern Lights are more beautiful than you can imagine. People aren't kidding when they say it is expensive, but it's worth your time and effort. Once we got to Iceland, we were very happy with all the tours, the food, and especially our Group Leader, Einar. We can't forget to mention his bus driver/side kick, Morton! The people at the hotels were all very friendly, with a shout out to Kevin at the Hotel Marina in Reykjavik.
The only downside to our Road Scholar experience (our first international trip with them) was dealing with their travel people. Not being able to get anyone to answer a phone (unless you call the emergency line) is not OK. The awful routing they chose got us to Iceland with 2 stops (way too many travel hours). They paid no attention to the flights we asked for, with 1 stop. It was like dealing with a bunch of 'newbies' to the travel booking industry - very painful - not a good introduction to Road Scholar!
Except for the travel agency difficulties, Iceland was everything we hoped for and more!
— Review left October 17, 2022
This trip had never been on my bucket list, but it definitely should have been! It truly was an amazing and incredible experience capped off by luckily getting to see the Northern Lights on two occasions. Even without that, the trip should not be missed!
— Review left October 4, 2022
This program is perfect for people who like to learn about the history, culture, food and natural beauty of a country that is beginning to attract the attention of tourists.
— Review left September 30, 2022
We were able to see and enjoy the Best of Iceland!!!!!Food and accommodations were the best we have had on any RS trip.
— Review left September 24, 2022
While my trip to Iceland was amazing in many ways, I feel compelled to relay that our leader was not the best at his game. Although he answered all direct questions, solved some challenges along the way, and offered sightseeing information, overall he seemed disorganized and detached from the group. He rarely interacted with group members, and many of us agreed that by the end of the trip we believed that he did not even know our names. At times, also, he did a cursory count before a number of our field trips, and if individuals had not raised objection, the bus would have left with some of us missing.
Meanwhile, let me reiterate.....the Road Scholar trip itself was excellent! We all experienced so many varied and interesting things, and I, for one, will definitely recommend this trip to others. Thank you for planning such an awesome travel experience for all of us!
— Review left August 6, 2022
When you see Iceland on a map, it appears small, but when you're on the ground it's amazing just how large this little island is. Finding out just how these Icelanders survived and thrived is a real eye opener. Trust me, if you like history, this program is for you and if you enjoy nature, this program is for you.
— Review left July 29, 2022
Iceland is an interesting and exciting place to visit.
— Review left July 23, 2022
Wonderful beautiful country with very helpful people. I would highly recommend this adventure.
— Review left June 18, 2022
The Best of Iceland is a spectacular trip, and our leader was wonderful. But Iceland is a rugged, demanding country, and getting a close-up look at its natural wonders takes some physical energy. Make sure you are up to it.
— Review left June 17, 2022
Best of Iceland provided a great overview of most famous cultural and natural sites in Iceland and will have you wanting to come back and stay longer.
— Review left June 17, 2022
You MUST put this trip on your list. Culturally fascinating and the land is stunning. The variety of places we visited and learned about were just right. Our group leader, Inga was the absolute best. I would follow her anywhere! I'm still dreaming about it.
— Review left October 19, 2021
A great overview of Iceland! It's not very strenuous so you can leave the walking poles at home unless you need them for mobility. And no need to get any cash at the airport as credit cards really are used for everything. Do bring the recommended layers. We had mild weather and almost no rain, yet often layered up and down during the course of a day.
— Review left August 27, 2021
Highly recommend this trip.
— Review left September 30, 2019
We had some trouble coordinating our travel with the start and finish of the trip, but once we were there, all went well. We had to join the rest of the group already at the Blue Lagoon, and it would have been better if the whole group could have gone at the same time. However, once that was over, the rest of the tour was fantastic. Eirikur, our guide, was great, knowledgeable on everything, birds, history, politics, life style, anything we asked him. I especially enjoyed the entertainment we had, and seeing the dairy, the tomato greenhouse, the fish processing plant, the sod house, the puffins, the whales, oh heck, I loved everything! I would have liked an earlier plane from Akureyri to Reykjavik, as we had more free time in the former than we needed and less in Reykjavik. However, our schedule depends on the airlines, of course. Maybe one more day in Reykjavik. so we could have enjoyed more of the Pearl than just the restaurant.
And that reminds me, the food was fantastic! And the desserts! One of our group was lactose intolerant and everyone was so helpful with her.
I hated to leave. I love Iceland (in the summer, anyway!)
— Review left June 30, 2019
I do not usually travel with Road Scholar but found this trip to be especially diverse in its activities with lectures, farm visits, scenic waterfalls, historical locations, whale watching and the Blue Lagoon among others. There were so many opportunities to learn all about Iceland which is one reason I travel!
— Review left June 30, 2019
My wife and I recommend the Best of Iceland tour very strongly, although we are glad we went in shoulder season as crowds were never a real problem. The trip itself was an engrossing mixture of experiences. We came away much impressed with Iceland and (again) much impressed with Road Scholar.
— Review left June 10, 2019
