EXOTIC HIDEAWAYS – WINTER

On arrival at Keflavík Airport you will be greeted by your private driver and driven to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, the perfect place to refresh after your flight and celebrate the beginning of your Icelandic adventure. After a relaxing soak, your driver will take you to your hotel in Reykjavík, where you find our welcome gift of champagne and chocolates from Iceland’s finest confectioner in your room. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city centre its narrow streets of colourful houses, cosy coffee houses, fine restaurants and other entertaining highlights. Spend the night at a quality hotel in central Reykjavík. Due to scheduled renovations to the facilities, the Blue Lagoon will be closed from 5 through 21 January 2016 inclusive.

Start the day in the Icelandic countryside on a thrilling super-jeep tour with a knowledgeable driver/guide. Sights include Deildartunguhver—the largest hot spring in Europe, the beautiful Hraunfossar ‘lava waterfalls’ and the Kaldidalur valley. During the tour, you will also enjoy a hearty bowl of Icelandic meat soup. On the way back, your driver will take you through the beautiful Hvalfjörður with its stunning scenery before arriving back in the city. Spend another night in Reykjavík.

After collecting your rental car, start your journey to Snæfellsjökull National Park on the Snæfellsnes peninsula—a nature lover’s paradise with sweeping mountain vistas and otherworldly lava fields. The main attraction here without a doubt is the 1446m (4745 ft) glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano, said to be one of Earth’s seven major energy centres and the setting of Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The coastline of this area also offers numerous other scenic points worth a visit. Spend the night in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula area. Driving distance approx. 280 km / 173 mi.

Today your journey takes you to some of the best-known natural phenomena in Iceland, on what is commonly called the "Golden Circle". The first stop on this popular route in south-western Iceland is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its natural beauty, unique geology and historical significance. Other attractions on your drive include the frequently bursting Strokkur geyser at the Geysir geothermal area, the majestic Gullfoss waterfall and the Kerið implosion crater. Spend the next two nights in the Golden Circle area of South Iceland, a great place for spotting auroras on a clear night.* Driving distance approx. 260 km / 162 mi.

Start the day with a visit to the graceful Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can follow a path behind its misty cascade—a wonderful photo opportunity! The next waterfall you come to, Skógafoss, is just as impressive and also has a trail running alongside it up the hill. Nearby is the Skógar Folk Museum, where we recommending exploring the old turf farm or checking out the historical exhibits inside. Further along, you can take part in a guided glacier hike (optional) at Sólheimajökull before reaching the volcanic black sand beach near Vík—one of Iceland’s most beautiful places with the dramatic Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar rock formations in the background. Driving distance approx. 270 km / 168 mi.

Drive along the scenic south coast on your return to the capital city. We suggest a short optional detour to the charming little seaside village of Stokkseyri for lunch at its renowned lobster restaurant. Back in Reykjavik enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring more of the city centre, perhaps with some last-minute shopping, a visit to a museum or a break at one of the city's refreshing thermal pools. And if you’d like one last chance to get a glimpse of the northern lights, various guided evening tours are available from the city centre. Spend the night at a quality hotel in central Reykjavík. Driving distance approx. 100 km / 62 mi.

When it's time for you and your sweetheart to head home, private transfer will be provided to Keflavik Airport for your departure flight.