Perfect & Relaxing 5-Day Family Vacation in Iceland
Description
Summary
Description
Take a relaxing five-day winter vacation to Iceland and experience the country's wonders at your own pace, visiting the Golden Circle, South Coast, and Blue Lagoon. This vacation package is perfect for travelers who want to take a relaxed approach and explore the highlights of Iceland with a combination of relaxation and adventure.
With this great itinerary and all-in-one package, you don't need to worry about planning or organizing your trip — we'll take care of that for you. Your transportation, tours, and accommodation will be coordinated, leaving you free to focus on having a good time. You'll also receive a detailed itinerary and information about each attraction.
Driving in Iceland can be tricky in winter, especially if you aren't used to driving in icy conditions. A package like this lets you get around without stress, as you'll participate in tours with transportation included. Your guide will keep you safe and give you the information you need for a fun and engaging trip.
You'll also get access to a personal travel agent who can help you with any aspect of your trip. They'll be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If your plans change, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure and receive a full refund.
This five-day adventure lets you experience some of the most breathtaking sights of Iceland. Marvel at the towering Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Gullfoss waterfalls. Watch erupting hot springs at the Geysir geothermal area. Walk along black-sand beaches and admire the dramatic Atlantic coastline.
You can also enjoy the sights of Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital city. It's packed with fascinating cultural and historical attractions, allowing you to learn more about Icelandic settlement or the country's geography.
Don't forget to visit the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Enjoy a long, tranquil bath in the mineral-rich waters to start or end your vacation in the most relaxing way possible. Bathing in warm geothermal pools in a volcanic landscape is one of Iceland's most celebrated treasures.
If you want to add more adventure to your trip, you can select a bundle of extra activities during the booking process. Take a horseback-riding tour through the wintery Icelandic terrain, go snowmobiling across a glacier, or admire the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. You could even visit a spectacular sapphire-blue ice cave, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity only available in winter.
Enjoy the wonders of Iceland at a comfortable pace this winter with this five-day vacation package. Check availability now by choosing a date.
Included
Map
Attractions
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Iceland!
Start your five-day winter vacation in Iceland with sightseeing in Reykjavik and a stop at the Blue Lagoon.
As soon as you land and collect your bags at Keflavik International Airport, you'll hop aboard a shuttle bus outside the terminal that will take you to the capital city of Reykjavik.
On your way to Iceland's capital city, you can choose to stop at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. This world-renowned spa is known for its healing waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious treatments. It's located in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere.
Your travel agent can book your Blue Lagoon entry ticket for today if your flight times allow. Alternatively, you can come on day four or five of your trip. If you aren't visiting today, you'll still have plenty to do in Reykjavik.
On arrival in the city, you can check in to your accommodation and drop off your luggage.
You'll now be free to explore Reykjavik's attractions at your own pace. Museums, art galleries, boutiques, and souvenir shops are dotted around the city center. Check out the Laugavegur shopping street, Hallgrimskirkja church, or Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center by the Old Harbor.
Alternatively, if you want to try a local cultural pastime, you can take a dip in a geothermal outdoor pool. Many Icelanders like to spend time relaxing and swimming, so join them!
Spend your evening at a local restaurant to try some traditional Icelandic food. After dinner, you'll get your first chance to hunt for the northern lights, with two options available.
You can take a bus tour into the Icelandic countryside or take a boat tour from the harbor to see if you can spot the aurora borealis from the water. Marvel at the natural display of greens, whites, pinks, and yellows as you enjoy the views.
You'll spend the night in comfortable accommodation in Reykjavik — this will be your base for the next four nights, so feel free to unpack and make yourself at home.
Day 2 - The Golden Circle
Discover Iceland's most famous sights with a small-group tour of the Golden Circle.
You'll start the day by meeting the expert local guide in central Reykjavik and boarding the minibus. The driver will take you out of the city to the day's first stop, Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This breathtaking attraction sits between two tectonic plates (the North American and Eurasian plates), which are drifting apart a little each year. The park is one of the best places in the world to see tectonic activity, as the plates are usually below sea level.
You can even go snorkeling here with an optional excursion that takes you down into the Mid-Atlantic Rift — add the Silfra Fissure snorkel tour when booking. Snorkeling participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.
Thingvellir National Park is also a site of cultural and historical significance for Iceland. It's the place where Iceland's parliament, the Althingi, first formed in 930 A.D. Your guide will tell you about the history, and you'll have time to explore the waterfalls, canyons, forests, and lakes dotted around the park.
Next, you'll continue your adventure at the otherworldly Geysir geothermal area in the Haukadalur Valley. The site has bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and spouting hot springs. Walking through the sulfur-smelling mist, you'll witness the explosive Strokur geyser shooting boiling water into the air.
The final stop of the day is the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.
The word "Gullfoss" translates to "Golden Falls," and this is where the Golden Circle route gets its name. The waterfall is a stunning two-tiered cascade, roughly 100 feet (about 30 meters) high. It's incredibly powerful and creates a spectacular display, especially in winter when ice and snow surround it.
When you've finished admiring the view and taking photos, you can participate in a thrilling snowmobiling tour as another optional extra. You'll go from the Gullfoss visitor center to a towering glacier. An experienced guide will give you the necessary safety gear, and you'll zoom across the untouched snowy landscapes of an ice cap.
Afterward, you'll return to Reykjavik to enjoy the city's nightlife for another evening. You'll spend the night in your central accommodation.
Day 3 - The South Coast
Explore the majestic beauty of Iceland's South Coast on day three of your relaxing five-day vacation. You'll journey past mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, and black-sand beaches.
Today, you'll join another small-group minibus tour in the morning. Your driver will take you along the Ring Road to your first stops, the Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. Both falls stand at almost 200 feet (about 60 meters), but that's where the similarities end.
Seljalandsfoss is gentle and narrow. It's probably best known for the open cavern behind the cascade. You'll get some great photos here before continuing to Skogafoss for an interesting point of comparison.
Skogafoss is much broader and more powerful than Seljalandsfoss. You'll have time to take some good photos here — but stand well back from the plunge pool if you don't want to get wet.
As you continue along the coast, you can enjoy a view of the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers. Eyjafjallajokull became famous in 2010 when its eruption produced an enormous ash cloud, disrupting worldwide air travel.
If you want to get up close and personal with a glacier, add a glacier-hiking tour to your package vacation. Scale the caverns of the nearby Solheimajokull glacier with an expert guide and admire a vast snowscape.
Alternatively, you could enjoy an ice cave tour today.
Departing from Vik (a fishing village on the South Coast), you'll go up onto the Myrdaksjokull glacier and enter a natural ice cave within the ice cap. As you delve into the ice, you'll see spectacular ice formations and bright colors. Each trip to an ice cave is unique due to the constant movement of the glacier, so this is a fantastic opportunity.
Other stops today include the infamous Reynisfjara black-sand beach. It's known for its volcanic beauty, basalt caves, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks out in the ocean. Walk along the volcanic sands and admire the ocean views — just watch for the dangerous sneaker waves.
If you want to explore the South Coast further, you can add an extra tour to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. It's a significantly longer journey, but it's one of the best natural attractions in Iceland. Witness the floating icebergs drifting in the glacial lake and see them up close as you walk along the magnificent Diamond Beach.
You'll now start the journey back to Reykjavik for another night in your accommodation. Remember to watch out for the aurora borealis as you go.
Day 4 - Free Day in Reykjavik
Enjoy a relaxed day in Reykjavik on your penultimate day in Iceland, or enjoy a variety of optional tours to make your vacation even more special.
You can spend the day wandering the city streets, sampling local delights in cozy cafes, or exploring the bohemian art galleries and historical museums dotted around the city. If you'd like to step off the tourist track, check out the Iceland Family Zoo, the botanical garden, or the peaceful peninsula of Seltjarnarnes that hosts the poignant Grotta Lighthouse.
With such variety in the city, you can easily take the day at your own pace suited to your interests. However, you can also add extra excitement to your day by joining an optional tour.
Take a whale-watching tour from Reykjavik's Old Harbor to see if you can spot any gentle giants swimming in the waters near the city. Alternatively, head into the Icelandic countryside on a friendly horse with a horseback-riding tour (suitable for riders of all levels, including beginners). Riding through a winter wonderland on horseback is a lovely way to spend a few hours.
If you want to see more of Iceland, you could also take a day tour to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, often called "Iceland in miniature." A local guide will take you out of Reykjavik to explore waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes, scenic fishing villages, and the Snaefellsjokull National Park.
If you haven't taken your chance to visit an ice cave yet, a full-day ice-caving tour of the Langjokull ice tunnel which is an artificial tunnel carved beneath the surface of a glacier. There are dozens of tunnels to explore, making this an excellent way to go deep into an ice cap.
The final option is a perfect choice for thrillseekers. Book a two-hour ATV adventure to zoom through the Icelandic wilderness, crossing streams and icy landscapes.
Whichever option you choose, whether it's relaxation, nature-loving thrill-seeking, and adrenaline-pumping, you can fully customize this day to suit you.
You'll spend the rest of your evening making the most of Reykjavik's nightlife before your final night in your downtown hotel or hostel.
Day 5 - Farewell
It's time to say goodbye to Iceland!
As your Icelandic journey draws to a close, it's time to prepare for your departure by packing your belongings and making your way to Keflavik International Airport. To ensure a seamless transition, our team will arrange a convenient shuttle bus service that will transport you to the airport, ensuring that you arrive in good time for your departing flight.
For those fortunate enough to have later flights, consider extending your Icelandic experience for a few more hours. You can explore more of the vibrant streets of Reykjavik, savoring its unique blend of culture and cuisine.
Alternatively, if you haven't already experienced its magic, a visit to the Blue Lagoon awaits you. This iconic geothermal spa offers the chance to unwind in its warm, mineral-rich waters, providing the perfect setting for relaxation and contemplation. It's a fitting finale to your extraordinary adventure in this land of fire and ice.
As you embark on your journey home, we extend our warmest wishes for a safe and pleasant trip. We hope that the memories of Iceland's breathtaking landscapes, its friendly people, and the indelible experiences you've had here will stay with you always.
We eagerly anticipate the day when we can welcome you back to this enchanting country for more adventures and discoveries. Until then, safe travels!
What to bring
Good to know
Some optional activities might require that you have a valid driver's license, and some might require you to send additional information to your personal travel agent. Please note that you may need to present medical documents should you choose to go snorkeling. Snorkeling participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and, therefore, cannot be guaranteed. This itinerary is designed to maximize your chances to see them if the weather allows.
In the event of extreme weather, certain activities may be canceled at short notice. If your chosen activity is canceled, you can contact your personal travel agent to help you with rearranging your activity or booking another. Any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the winter. We recommend bringing shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers, which you can purchase in many supermarkets and gas stations around Iceland.
Accommodation
See our accommodation levels below and our preferred accommodation partners under each day in the daily itinerary. Super budget level accommodations will be arranged in hostel dorm beds. For budget and comfort levels, bookings for one person will be arranged in single rooms, and bookings for two or more people will share a twin/double or triple room(s). For quality level, odd number groups will always be allocated a single room. If you are travelling in a group, but prefer a single room, please make separate bookings. Teenagers and children will be arranged in the same room with parents. If additional room(s) is needed, additional costs will incur. Guide to Iceland will provide you with the best available accommodation at the time of your booking from our preferred partners. If our preferred partners are fully booked at the time of your booking, we will find another suitable accommodation for you of similar level. We always do our best to accommodate special requests, which may incur additional costs. Press choose a date to find availability.
Dormitory beds with shared bathrooms in guesthouses or hostels, such as HI Hostels. Located in the capital region. Breakfast is not included.
Private rooms with shared bathroom in guesthouses or hostels such as Capital Inn Guesthouse. Located in the capital region. Breakfast is not included.
Rooms with a private bathroom at three-star hotels such as Hótel Klettur, or quality guesthouses. Located in the city centre or in close vicinity. Breakfast is included.
Rooms at four-star design hotels in the city centre with a private bathroom at the absolute best locations downtown such as Hotel Alda. Breakfast is included.
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