Iceland
Land of Fire & Ice: Iceland With Your Grandchild
Program No. 10584RJ
Take a fantastic quest through the real-life magic of Iceland, where tales of Vikings combine with a wondrous landscape to make this the perfect adventure for you and your grandchild.
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8 days
7 nights
18 meals
7B 6L 5D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Birds & Islands Adventure, Dairy Farm
Borgarnes
At a Glance
With bobbing icebergs and bubbling mud, elusive elves and real-life reindeer, Iceland is a seemingly magical world for grandparents and grandchildren to discover together. Embark on a quest to embrace Iceland’s bounty. Whale watching, glacier trekking, fishing and horseback riding excursions are complemented by lessons on geology, the Vikings and the Sagas. Interact with Icelanders to learn about the daily lives of the people who inhabit this fascinating land.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles daily over varied terrain. Elevations up to 4,500 feet.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Ride a glacier vehicle to the top of Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier.
- Discover amazing geological features like the Gullfoss waterfall and the Great Geysir.
- Find out if huldufólk, or "hidden people" of trolls, elves and dwarves — of which the Nordura is said to harbor a large population — truly exist.
General Notes
The age range for this program varies by departure date. Please make sure that you are attending a departure date that meets the correct age requirement.
Suggested Reading List
(22 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.
Land of Fire & Ice: Iceland With Your Grandchild
Program Number: 10584
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Polar Explorers for Kids
The history and adventures of 16 polar explorers, including Erik the Red, Henry Hudson, Robert Peary, Roald Amundsen, Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton, are brought to life in 21 puzzles, games, projects and activities for kids ages 9 and up.
Insight Guide Iceland
This guide emphasizes culture and history, with wonderful photographs, maps and essays from experts.
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.
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.
Iceland Adventure Map
A detailed map at a scale of 1:465,000, printed on handy tear- and water-resistant paper.
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.
Iceland, A True Book
A slim, illustrated introduction to Iceland for younger readers (ages 6-8). With a nice selection of photographs showing the landscapes, cities, people and archaeological sites of Iceland.
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.
Everything Vikings
Subtitled "All the Incredible Facts and Fierce Fun You Can Plunder!" this title in the National Geographic Kids series is packed with color visuals and interesting info that introduce the exciting world of the Vikings. Written for readers ages 8 to 12.
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.
The Problem with Chickens
A delightfully illustrated tale for young readers about a flock of chickens that overruns an Icelandic village.
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.
Puffling Patrol
Lewin details the annual rescue of baby puffins by the children of Heimaey, the largest island in the Westman Islands off the coast of Iceland.
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.
Lonely Planet Iceland
This concise guide to Iceland includes short essays on history, culture and attractions and plenty of practical travel information.
The Control of Nature
In the classic McPhee tradition, these sparkling essays explore our generally feeble attempts to combat all-powerful nature, including valiant efforts by Icelanders to control the flow of a volcano across the harbor at Heimaey in the Westman Islands.
Eyewitness Viking
Ships, weapons, artifacts, colonies, music and kings are all explored in this illustrated family friendly portrait.