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Winter Wonders & Delicious Detours Self Drive

7 days
6 nights

Rates

Dates

Rates:

USD
EUR

PER PERSON :
$ 1,100.00 (2 adults in car (cat.1)
$ 1,180.00 (2 adults in car (cat.2)
$ 1,235.00 (2 adults in car (cat.3)
$ 1,290.00 (2 adults in car (cat.4)
$ 1,345.00 (2 adults in car (cat.5)
$ 1,405.00 (2 adults in car (cat.6)

Cat 1: Suzuki Swift 4wd or similar
Cat 2: Skoda Octavia 4wd Station or similar
Cat 3: Skoda Octavia Intermediate 4wd Station Automatic
Cat 4: Toyota RAV4 4wd, Suzuki Grand Vitara 4wd or similar
Cat 5: Toyota RAV4 4wd Automatic, Suzuki Grand Vitara 4wd Automatic, Hyundai ix35 4wd Automatic or similar
Cat 6: Toyota Land Cruiser GX 4wd Automatic or similar

 

Dates:

Daily during the following periods:
Oct 01 - Apr 30 

Hotels:

Throughout the tour you'll stay in quality hotels and guesthouses where all rooms have private facilities. Your final night will be in a 4 star hotel in Reykjavik.

Our economy self-drive is $50 per person lower, staying in accommodation with private facilities without stretching your budget. Throughout your stay you'll be residing in a combination of standard hotels, farmhouses and guesthouses. Your final night will be in a 3 star hotel in Reykjavik.

Upgrade your comfort car rental holiday to the best possible accommodation with premium amenities, either for the full duration of your stay or only selected nights. The upgrade can either be to a superior room in a comfort hotel, or a standard room in an upscale hotel. The cost for a superior upgrade is $105 per room per night (on prices in comfort category). This upgrade is only available upon request. Let us know during the booking process just how superior you want your holiday to be, and we'll customize your trip!

Included:

 

  • 2 nights in Reykjavik, including breakfast
  • 4 nights in countryside hotels, including breakfast
  • Rental car for 6 days with unlimited mileage, CDW, theft protection and VAT**
  • GPS system with car and additional authorised driver
  • Car pick-up/drop-off at Keflavík international airport
  • Airport service charge
  • Access to our emergency phone line, open 24 hours
  • One SIM card worth ISK 2000: Unlimited text and talk for local calls + 1 GB of data. (StandardMicro and Nano cards available). (Please note that the included SIM  Card does not function with locked phones. To find out if your phone is locked, please check with your service provider)
  • Tablet with a new travel app called Iceland Travel Companion 

    The app includes:
    • Thousands of points of nature sites, historic places, and road side services
    • Safety guidelines and the apps of the Icelandic Meteorological Office and The Icelandic Road Administration
    • Detailed description of the customer´s journey, including hotel itinerary and GPS road guide to each hotel
    • A map view of the Iceland road trip 
    • Detailed pdf travel book about Iceland in English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and French

**Please note that the package price is based on 6 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 7, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 6- day rental is up and use Flybus transfer

Highlights & Experience:

What's in it for you?

  • Worry free travelling
  • Electronic version of Iceland Travel Booklet. Prior to your arrival we will send you an electronic version of our Iceland Travel Guide booklet. You can start preparing yourself for your upcoming Iceland trip and be prepared for your Iceland adventure!
  • Safety first! Free SIM card worth 2000 ISK to phone us in case of a travel hiccup or an emergency. It also gives you the opportunity to phone your friends and family at home and share your Iceland experience through social media.
  • FlexibilityWith comprehensive maps and your own vehicle, drive at your own pace. Choose your preferred stops during the day and hunt for northern lights in the evening.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a variety of optional culinary stops and excursions, including baking bread underground using geothermal heat, visiting a dairy farm and joining a tasting tour through Reykjavik.
  • Discover the famous natural wonders of the Golden Circle route.
  • Walk along the banks of the famous Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, with its blue-tinted icebergs floating among curious seals.
  • Explore Iceland’s literary heritage in the areas where the most dramatic events of the Sagas took place centuries ago.
  • Relax in the warm, healing waters of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

Itinerary:

A winter self drive tour through West and South Iceland with an array of Icelandic landscapes in a prime Northern Lights season, with an introduction to Iceland’s culinary scene. Iceland’s dramatic southern coastline provides a stunning backdrop to discover this active volcanic zone. West Iceland highlights include unique lava formations, the inspiring Snaefellsjokull glacier-volcano, and historical sites from the Sagas. A number of stops and tasty excursions are offered as optional along the way to experience Iceland’s wholesome culinary culture.

Day 1  : Arrival (62 mi)

Arrival in Iceland - The world’s northernmost capital city - Reykjavik’s best restaurants

Approximate distance: ca 100 km / 62 miles
Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport in Iceland, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel in Reykjavik. The rest of the day is yours to rest and use at your own leisure. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Culinary suggestions:

Enjoy Local in Focal, an hands-on late morning cooking lesson in English, where you learn about Iceland’s unique culinary culture and the New Nordic cuisine using fresh, Icelandic ingredients. The course is led by professional chefs from Salt Kitchen (this course must be pre-booked).

Pop by Café Loki, a small and friendly family-run café located across from Hallgrimskirkja Church in the centre of Reykjavik. Its location offers a beautiful view across the city, the church and the Blafjoll Mountains. The restaurant’s cuisine is inspired by traditional Icelandic home recipes that have been passed on from one generation to the next. Café Loki offers a variety of combination platters for a great overview of the best food that Iceland has to offer.

Fish Shops & Restaurants: Iceland is known for its fresh seafood and specialized seafood shops and restaurants. At the shops listed here, you can choose your own fish and sauces, and have it served as a meal for you. Our fish shop recommendations include Fylgifiskar, Gallery Fiskur, and Fiskbudin Hafberg. Saegreifinn restaurant, located in a former fisherman‘s hut in the Old Harbour, serves excellent lobster soup and fresh-grilled fish skewers in an informal setting.

Options: Cook and Dine - Exclusive Cooking Class
Day 2  : Gullfoss, Geysir and the South Coast (200 mi)

Thundering waterfalls - Exploding geysers - Cliffs & stone arches - Black sand beaches of the South Shore

Approximate distance: ca 330 km / 200 miles
Head out of the city and drive to Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot spring, highlights of Iceland’s famed ‘Golden Circle’. Continue your trip, stopping at highlights such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and the infamous Eyjafjallajokull and surrounding area, where the volcanic eruption of 2010 took place. Overnight in Vik area.

Culinary Suggestions:

This particular region of Iceland is known as a breadbasket of Iceland, as there are many farms here. This means you have many excellent dining options:

The small café at Fontana Geothermal Baths bakes traditional sweet rye bread using the earth’s natural geothermal heat. At 14:30 (2:30pm) every day, you can watch as the bread is removed from its cooking tins in the ground and taste it fresh with plenty of Icelandic butter (this experience must be pre-booked). If you don't have time to wait for the tour we still recommend you try a slice of the cafe‘s rye bread topped with smoked trout from the lake.

The Efstidalur II traditional cattle farm is just a 10-minute drive from Gullfoss waterfall. The restaurant, overlooking the cow barn, offers local beef and vegetables, and homemade milk products such as ice cream, feta cheese and skyr (a thick, nutritious yogurt-like product). During your stop, you can watch the dairy cows through a big window in the dairy barn. The Ice Cream Barn and restaurant are open daily 11:30-20:00 (11:30am – 8:00pm)

Fridheimar is a charming horse farm and greenhouse facility near Fludir. Clean geothermal and hydroelectric energy provides resources to grow many types of organic fruits and vegetables. The farm is most famous for tasty tomatoes. An on-site restaurant specializes in delicious tomato-based dishes like tomato soup and green tomato and apple pie. The restaurant is open daily between 11:00 and 16:00 (11:00am – 4:00pm). In order to guarantee a table, please call ahead in advance for a reservation.

•Get to know Icelandic town life and hospitality with the new Walk and Dine with the Locals experience in Selfoss. Join a local couple for a guided walk around their pretty town and visit their home for dinner, coffee and conversation. (This experience should be booked in advance)

Day 3  : Skaftafell - Jokulsarlon - Vik (295 mi)

Skafatell National Park - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest Glacier

Approximate distance: ca 479 km / 295 miles
Visit the majestic Skaftafell area, which is located between two glaciers and offers many hiking possibilities. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon before returning to the charming village of Vik in the afternoon. Overnight in Vik area.

Culinary Suggestions:

Thorbergur Cultural Centre & Café offers homemade cakes and specialties such as farm-raised arctic char (trout) from a nearby farm, as well as other traditional local food, free-range Icelandic lamb and traditional lamb meat soup with bread. Please call ahead to make sure they are open.

Day 4  : Thingvellir - Borgarfjordur (208 mi)

Approximate distance: ca 335 km / 208 miles
Drive to the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. The park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flowsm on the edge of Iceland's largest lake. Continue to Borgarfjordur fjord and visit the historic site of Reykholt, the remarkably beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls and Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Overnight in Borgarnes area.

Culinary Suggestions:

The Settlement Centre in Borgarnes offers a fascinating insight into the history of the Icelandic settlement and the Saga era. After taking a look at the exhibits, continue your sensory journey through time at the Settlement Centre’s popular restaurant. The large windows, stripped wooden floors and modern furniture give it a wonderfully- stylish vibe. Choose from an assortment of traditional Icelandic dishes such as fish soup and grilled lamb. Don’t forget to leave room for a slice of homemade cake.

The Ljomalind Country Market in Borgarnes is open six days a week from 13:00 – 18:00 (1:00pm – 6:00pm). This sustainable country market was created by women from the region. Discover home-made treats like ice cream, candy, cheese and jams, as well as handicrafts and herbal remedies. This is a nice stop for getting picnic lunch ingredients and tasty souvenirs for friends at home. It´s a good idea to call to reconfirm opening times at 437 1400.

Day 5  : Snaefellsnes peninsula (200 mi)

Sea Cliffs - Rock Formations - Quaint Fishing Villages

Approximate distance: ca 330 km / 200 miles
Explore the countless natural wonders of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, which also happens to be a national park. With mountains to one side and the sea to the other, visit the wind-tangled Arnarstapi sea cliffs and the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur before driving along the north coast through bustling fishing villages. Overnight in Borgarnes area.

Culinary Suggestions:

Anyone with an interest in Iceland’s culinary heritage should not miss the Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum, run by the country’s last shark farmer. You’ll learn about this unique delicacy — and, if you’re brave, have a taste. Please call ahead to make sure they are open.

Day 6  : Reykjanes Peninsula - Blue Lagoon (128 mi)

Volcanic Landscapes - Bubbling Mud Pools - Active Fishing Community - Geothermal Spa

Approximate distance: ca 207 km / 128 miles
Drive to the Reykjanes peninsula and visit the moonlike lava fields around Lake Kleifarvatn and stop at the Krysuvik geothermal area with bubbling mud pools. Visit Grindavik fishing village, famous for its heritage of producing saltfish (bacalao). Saltfish is undeniably responsible for the prosperity of the Icelandic nation, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th century when the industry was at its peak.

Relax at the famous Blue Lagoon with a refreshing dip in the pleasantly-warm geothermal waters, rich in silica and minerals that are great for the skin.
Overnight in Reykjavik.

Culinary Suggestions:

Vitinn Seafood Restaurant in the small town of Sandgerdi offers a delicious crab feast, as well as other seafood options. Their speciality is rock crab; this is one of the few restaurants in Europe offering this treat fresh from the sea.

Day 7  : Departure

Return to Keflavik International Airport.**

We recommend departing the hotel approximately 3 hours prior to the departure of your international flight.

**Please note that the package price is based on 6 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 7, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 6- day rental is up and use our FlyBus plus departure transfer.

Please note: The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings, therefore, cannot be guaranteed.

Please visit our blog for more information.

Notes:

Children rate

Valid when one child shares a double room with 2 adults:

  • Children 2-11 years old: EUR 54/ GBP 41/ USD 62/ CAD 83 per night. Add the total to the rate for 2 adults in car.
  • Children 12 years and older pay full price as adults.
  • Children's accommodation consists of an extra bed/mattress on the floor.

 

Child Seat 0-13 kg approx. EUR 27 / GBP 22 / USD 33 / CAD 41 per rental. Child Booster 9-25 kg approx. EUR 11 / GBP 9 / USD 14 / CAD 17 per rental. Payable on spot.

Important:

Must be 21 years of age to rent a car, 23 years of age to rent car cat. 5.0 or higher.