THEMATIC TOURS
There are so many themes to explore in Iceland. Not just the obvious ones, such as nature, volcanism or tours off the beaten path, but also other aspects of culture, not associated with Iceland, at the first mention of the country’s name. Literature tours, touching both ancient and modern literature, art tours with visits to artwork in churches (often naive) historical tours of the the settlement of Iceland, vikings, and the discovery of the west. Botanical tours will show you how small is beautiful and geological tours show you the variable face of geology – not just volcanoes. But if you are interested, take a look at our volcano special tour.
PLEASE NOTE: Your guide for these tours has university degrees in biology, theology and archaeology, as well as extended knowlegde in geology, literature and history.
- THE LIVING EARTH
- THE COAST AT THE OUTERMOST SEA
- GOLDEN STRING OF CHURCHES
- SAGAS AND STORIES IN VOLCANIC SHADOWS
- RISE OF THE NAIVE
- EXPLORING AREAS
- LITERARY TRAILS
- BLOOMING ICELAND
An exciting tour into the realm of geologi.
An in – depth tour explaining the roots of the bizarre landscape and volcanism in Iceland. Get to know the background of the story, and travel along a part of the famous Mid – Atlantic ridge. See geothermal action in various forms, solfataras, fumaroles, water springs and small geysers. Learn about their use for horticulture, heating and electrical power. Visit various volcanic craters,lava flows and learn to “read” the landscape. Finish by visiting the exciting Thingvellir National Park where the diverging Eurasian and American plates can best be seen across the singular canyons and ravines, that once held the national parliament. Duration 7 – 8 hrs.
This tour is, if weather permits, available most of the year although some route changes may be necessary in winter.
THE COAST AT THE OUTERMOST SEA
Vikings and other residents at the shores of the South – west peninsula.
The south – west peninsula has more to offer than just lava flows and volcanoes. Go on this tour and learn about the settlers of the country and their life on the coast. Drive through a former region of fishermen and see the transformation of the fishing communities towards modern life. Visit the center of the vikings, with an exhibition originally from the Smithsonian institute of Washington D.C. and the modern viking ship “Íslendingur” a replica of the famous Gokstad ship, that crossed the Atlantic in the year 2000. Visit a lighthouse on the shore, a nature center and finally an 19th century church on a lonely stretch of land. Duration 6 – 8 hrs. Whole day tour, operating all year round. INCLUDED IN TOUR: Museum entrances
Take a cultural version of the Golden circle.
This is an alternate version of the Golden circle, visiting small countryside churches as well as the famous nature sights of Gullfoss and Geysir waterfalls. The Icelandic countryside churches are real treasures, these small houses offering a unique view on simple faith with some naivistic art to boot. In a country with no knowledge of art whatsoever except from some lithographies in the odd book, artists tried to express their feelings as well as they could. On this tour visit some small churches – and one large – confirming this. Duration 8 – 9 hrs.
This tour is offered according to weather – all year round.
SAGAS AND STORIES IN VOLCANIC SHADOWS
A geo – historical tour in the south.
On this tour you shall learn of the famous Icelandic sagas, created in the vernacular as the rest of Europe wrote in latin, and offering a rare narrative style. But first we shall travel in the shadow of the mighty Mt. Hekla into the desolated Thjórsárdalur valley where we shall get to know the medieval lifestyle in Iceland. From there we travel through the southern countryside down to Keldur farm, where the oldest existing house in Iceland can be visited. Keldur is also one of the locations mentioned in the most famous Icelandic saga, “The saga of Burnt Njáll” and we shall visit a historic center in the town of Hvolsvöllur dedicated to this literary masterpiece. Returning we get to know some more sites of this famous saga as we turn back to Reykjavík. Duration 10 hrs. Offered april – october. INCLUDED IN TOUR: Museum entrances
Visit small churches and look at naive art in the south.
This special tour is designed for those interested in art and architecture. We shall visit several small 19th century churches in the south of Iceland, harboring works of Icelandic naive painters and carvers, especially the works of the painter and carver Ámundi Jónsson, af self- educated master, who made the most unusual altar pieces in the 18th century – a true naive artist. Some of his works are displayed in museums, but some are still in their original locations. Visit also, en route, other old buildings, among them the oldest house in Iceland, at Keldur farm and an old fishing hut, actually belonging to a fisherWOMAN. This is a really special tour for the connaisseur who wants to explore off the beaten track. Duration 8 hrs.
Get to know the Iceland – Greenland – Vinland connection
Follow the story of the settlement of the west. Visit the areas in western Iceland connected to the discovery of America in the year of 1000 A.D. Start with the new settlement center in Borgarnes and get to know about the norse vikings and their historic heirs in the 10th century. Then travel to Stykkishólmur town, a pictoresque 19th century style town and visit their local museum. Drive along the coast where Eric the red lived and planned his tour to Greenland and then visit a replica of one of his farms, where his son Leifur, discoverer of America most liklely was born. Learn all about the settlement of America. Return via an inland route. Duration 10 – 11 hrs. INCLUDED IN TOUR: Entrances to exhibitions and museums
A scenic introduction to Icelandic literature
On this extraordinary tour we shall introduce you to Icelandic literature – no preknowledge necessary, just step in and enjoy – we shall focus on three writers from different times, who connect to each other in many ways. Learn about the old Sagas, Snorri Sturluson, the literary giant, who definately wrote one of them, his hero, the mighty Egill Skallagrimsson, a viking who killed his enemies by biting their throat, the pious 17th century religious poet Hallgrímur Pétursson, who also was connected to dramatic events and the literary 20th century giant, the nobel prize winner Halldór Laxness, who wrote novels both taking place in the 17th century and sagatimes as well as living in the valley, where the viking Egill died. Vist Mr. Laxness memorial museum, Pétursson church and farm, Reykholt where Snorri lived and many other sites connected to their novels on this unusual tour. All in the most beautiful scenery. Duration 10 - 11 hrs. INCLUDED IN TOUR: Museum and exhibition entrances.
For lovers of botany
Iceland is perhaps not the first place one thinks of practising botany in, but here on this tour we shall teach you a little bit of arctic and boreal botany. Visit different eco systems – see the wild geraniums at Thingvellir National park, the lack of vegetation in the highlands and a birch forest spiked with pine in the west. See a rare water species by a hot spring and some beach vegetation as well. Then plant a tree and take an active role in the reforestation of the country as you learn about the erosion, which is the worst ecological problem in Iceland. Flexible itinerary. Duration 10 – 11 hrs, but shorter versions are also available. This tour is best taken late June – middle of July, after that we cannot promise you that all the plants will be in bloom.