Iceland
Long Weekend in Iceland for Women: Reykjavik to the Golden Circle
Program No. 25122RJ
Fit an exploration of Iceland’s natural wonders into a long weekend as you venture from Reykjavik to the countryside on a special adventure just for women.
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Itinerary
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.
Read More.
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
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
12 meals (
5B, 4L, 3D
)
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Iceland, Hellisheiði Power Plant, Orientation
Location:
Hella
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Laekur
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 120 miles, approx. 2.5 hours aboard motorcoach. If you wish to swim at the lagoon, please remember to pack your bathing suit where it is easily accessible. Towels will be provided.
Breakfast:
At Park Inn by Radisson. If arriving independently, plan to arrive at the Park Inn by Radisson no later than 9:00 a.m.
Morning:
Upon all participants arrival in Iceland, we will board the motorcoach to ride to an enchanting lagoon. Take in the stunning views and relax with a soak in the geothermal heated waters, just like the locals!
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll board the motorcoach and head to the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant. The largest in Iceland, it’s the second largest in the world, situated in the Hengill volcano area. We’ll learn about this renewable resource and how geothermal energy is used in Iceland. After, we’ll continue our transfer to Hella and check-in to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free time to relax before meeting the group for our Orientation meeting, followed my 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.
Day
3
South Coast, Lava Centre
Location:
Hella
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Laekur
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Boarding our motorcoach, we’ll set out for a field trip along the scenic south coast of Iceland. We will start the day with a visit to the new Lava Centre, a high-tech interactive exhibit depicting volcanic activities, earthquakes, and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. We will then continue riding along the coast, stopping by the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and glimpsing the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano on our way.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
En route to the Skógar Museum, we will stop to see the impressive Skógafoss Waterfall, one of the largest in Iceland that drops 200 feet (60 meters) and is nearly 50 feet (15 meters) wide. On sunny days, there is a good chance of catching a rainbow thanks to the spray. The Skógá River and its waterfalls play a central role in local folk stories of magic and hidden treasure, about which we’ll learn more. The Skógar Museum focuses on three areas of Icelandic history and culture. The folk museum displays a large collection of artifacts representing aspects of agriculture, fishing, and natural history — some dating back to the Viking age. There is also a technical area that traces the country’s development in the 19th and 20th centuries, and an open-air museum with rebuilt turf houses representing how Icelanders lived centuries ago. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that cosmic conditions will permit us to see the magical northern lights in the quiet and remote location of our hotel. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
The Golden Circle of Landscape & History
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Center Hotel Plaza
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 185 miles, approximately 4 hours aboard motorcoach. Walking distances up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach for a field trip around the Golden Circle. Our field trip will begin with a visit to Gullfoss — golden falls — 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. We’ll then continue our ride to Geysir, where the active Strokkur geyser bursts forth every few minutes in a cloud of steam. Next, we’ll ride to the Friðheimar tomato farm and learn about greenhouse horticulture.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Moving on, we’ll reach the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, site of the original parliament, which 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. We'll then continue on to Reykjavik for check-in.
Dinner:
Explore local fare on your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Reykjavik
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Center Hotel Plaza
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain and paved city sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out by motorcoach and see highlights of the city including Hofdi house, Lake Tjornin, City Hall, and the old Parliament as we ride. We’ll also have 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
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Reykjavik. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant to enjoy a farewell meal. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.
Day
6
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.
Morning:
Staggered transfers to Keflavík International Airport based on final flight times. This concludes our program. 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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