Trip to Iceland - Exotics beyond the Arctic Circle!

Departure from Sofia Airport at 18:45 on a Polish Airlines flight to Warsaw. Arrival at 19:40 and continuation to Iceland at 21:35. Landing at 23:35 at Keflavik airport, transfer and check in at Hotel Reykjavik Grand 4*.
LO 634 01SEP SOFWAW 1845 1940
LO 499 01SEP WAWKEF 2135 2355
(Airfare is included in the trip package price).

Breakfast and walking tour to the centre of the capital Reykjavik, where our city tour starts. Reykjavik is located in the southwest of the country, in the Faksafloi Bay of the Atlantic Ocean. It is small, tidy and has a cosy central area. It's a scene of exciting cultural and nightlife, with many first-class restaurants and offbeat museums. Its name translates to „the smoking bay“, and that's because thermal waters abound here, providing industrial and domestic heating. Our walk will start from the harbour towards the centre of Reykjavik, reminiscent of a maze of narrow streets with old wooden houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Small shops, cafes, galleries and quaint courtyards will slow our progress. We will see the Town Hall, Lake Tjörnin, the harbour, the Harpa concert hall, the Sun Wanderer, a sculpture on the shore resembling a Viking ship. We will also visit the symbol of the city - the huge cathedral Hallgrímskirkja(Hatlgrímskirkja),whose architecture resembles erupting lava, and from its bell tower offers a panoramic view of the city and the bay. We'll also see the world's oldest parliament, the still active Althingi Parliament House, established in 930 AD. We'll continue on to the ancient Hofdi House - made popular by the famous meeting of Reagan and Gorbachev in 1986.

Optionally ( at an additional cost) we will embark on a three hour adventure in search of and whale watching. We'll hop on a boat and head out into open water. Along the way we will see the beautiful shores of the bay and majestic mountains, here and there a town with colorful roofs, peninsulas with beautiful lighthouses. Because of the plankton-rich waters , up to 11 different species of whales come here in summer (humpback whale, blue whale, dwarf whale, weighing as much as several elephants). The ship's crew will tell us all about these giants and Iceland's amazing wildlife. In the late afternoon, we will dock at the port.
Free afternoon for independent walks of interest:
The Old Harbour, where fishing boats once docked, and today houses cozy cafes, art galleries and restaurants with local cuisine. Walk along the main shopping Laugavegur Street", as well as some of the city's museums - National Museum of Iceland, which tells the story of the country from the time of the Vikings; Museum of the Sagas, featuring legendary Icelandic legends, the only one of its kind Phallus Museum.
„Fly Over Iceland“ is an interactive 3D flight that features a six-degree-of-freedom motion system, multi-sensory special effects including wind, fog and smells, combined with fluid motion and impressive realistic visual effects. You'll fly touching waterfalls, mountains with snow-capped peaks, glaciers, beautiful green fields with horses galloping free.
Perlan /Perlata/. This building has an amazing dome with an amazing view. In Perlan there is a planetarium, also ice cave - the first of its kind in the world, made from over 350 tons of snow from the Icelandic mountains. In the planetarium we can visit the magic show „Aurora.“ and blast off into space, fully immersing ourselves in the mysterious auroras. We will also watch lava show for the volcanic eruption of Geldingadalir, which began on 19 March 2021 on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
     Free time for rest and dinner. Overnight in Hotel Reykjavik Grand 4*.

Breakfast at the hotel.
“The Golden Circle” is a panoramic route that reveals some of Iceland's most iconic natural phenomena and today we are about to discover them. Breathtaking and eye-popping panoramas await us, where we will feel the volcanic power of an ancient and changing land. Our first stop is at Kerid Crater, formed after a volcanic eruption 6,500 years ago.
Our next stop is Geysir, that gave its name to all the world's erupting hot springs. Its eruptions can reach 70 m high, but with varying frequency and intensity . Part of the bizarre area with trickling waters and sky-blue ponds, due to their colours from mineral deposits, is also the Strokkur, „brother“ of Geysir and one of the emblems of Iceland.
We will sit by it and watch its gradual rises, and every 5 minutes its impressive eruption, when the waters „climb“ over 30 m in the air. On this day we will not miss the mighty cascades of the huge waterfall. Gullfoss /Gullfoss/. A majestic waterfall whose mighty waters of the Hvita River plunge into a deep canyon with a deafening roar. Literally translated, the name Gullfoss means „Golden Waterfall” because of the way the sunlight is reflected in its waters, which fall into a 32m deep crevice. In sunny weather, many small rainbows appear above the spray, giving an almost magical effect to the landscape. The area captivates with the unbridled power of nature and the glow of the icy water coming directly from the glacier.
Time for lunch. We are in Iceland! Nothing is ordinary here and our lunch venue today will be unexpected. We are going to a real tomato farm. Although thin, Iceland's volcanic soil is rich in minerals that give the tomatoes their incredible flavour and the island's hot interior provides natural heating for the greenhouses on the tomato farm. Friðheimar farm. The restaurant attached to it serves delicious food and the main ingredient is tomatoes. The tomato soup is a culinary landmark, and the different types of fresh bread are even more appetizing with butter.
Our last stop for today is Tingvellir National Park. Here the North American and Eurasian plates meet in the Great Atlantic Rift, which is slowly - from a human point of view, but inexorably - from a geological one, separating Iceland from Eurasia. Iceland is the only place in the world where this rift is above sea level, and nowhere can you see the edges of the two plates as clearly as in Tingvellir. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognition of its outstanding natural and cultural significance, and its role as the place where the world's oldest democratic parliament was founded on the shores of a beautiful lake in the early 10th century - the Althingi.
Photo-stop on the way back in Skalholt- Iceland's most important spiritual and educational centre. Overnight at Hotel Reykjavik Grand 4*.

Breakfast and hotel check-out.
We depart for the picturesque southern Coast of Iceland - a route known for its changing landscapes and beauty. First stop is a 60m waterfall Seljalandfoss. A trail passes behind the falling water, offering a rare view. The route continues east with a photo break at the foot of the volcano Eyjafjallajokutl, and then to Skogafoss) - one of the most recognizable waterfalls in Iceland. Wide and powerful, it drops 60 metres like a curtain of water. In sunny weather, across its entire 25-metre width, water spray breaks into a beautiful rainbow. A staircase leads to a viewing platform at the top, and at the foot you can feel the water moving up close. According to local legends, a treasure is hidden behind the waterfall, guarded by the spirit of the waterfall, who does not allow greedy creatures to take it. On our way we will see Eldhraun) - one of the largest lava flows (with an area of about 565 km2).
Departure for Reynisfjara - beach with black volcanic sand. The unreal landscape of the tarry volcanic sands and the dazzling white sea foam broken by the basalt black columns of the rocks in the water amazes with its raw, as if impossible beauty. The black beach is absolute surrealism! According to legend, the columns- called Reynisdrangar by the locals, were actually Icelandic trolls who tried to pull a ship from the sea to shore before sunrise, but failed - and so were petrified by the first rays of day. Many scenes from movies like „‘Game of Thrones‘' and others have been filmed on the beach. Thousands of dunlin, a species of exotic bird, also nest here.
From Rainisfjara there is a magnificent view of the Cape Dirhale, a series of rock arches that intertwine and sink into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The journey continues through the hamlet Vic and further east, along a stretch of road surrounded by black sand plains, mossy lava fields and views of the Vatnajokutl - the largest glacier in Europe. We'll stay in a remote hotel, away from the city lights, with ideal conditions for viewing the Northern Lights, when the sky is clear. Weather conditions permitting, we will have the opportunity to observe the Northern Lights. This remarkable natural phenomenon is often described as a strikingly beautiful dance of multicoloured lights in the sky. „The “Northern Lights' are particularly pronounced in Iceland during the autumn and winter months.
Accommodation in Hotel Katla by Keahotels 3*.

Breakfast.
We continue past the largest glacier in Europe - Vatnajökull. The unreal colours of the glacier, changing from dazzling white, through sapphire blue and bottomless black leave us breathless.
We travel to the glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón /- one of the most impressive natural attractions in Iceland. The glacial lake is about 200 metres deep and was formed by the melting of the huge Vatnajokull glacier. Massive icebergs of dazzling white or crystal blue colour float in it, slowly moving towards the ocean. The lagoon creates an almost unreal atmosphere - mirror-like calm waters, silence and majestic ice chunks breaking off the glacier with a roar. Seals are often seen swimming between the icebergs or resting on them. We will board an amphibious boat to pass among the maze of floating ice floes.
Lunch at the local Frost restaurant.
Near the lagoon is located Diamond beach /Diamond beach/, our next stop. His name says it all. Some of the ice chunks are sanded off by the water and sand. They manage to reach the pitch-black beach through the waves and freeze waiting for us to find them. The contrast between the bluish ice and the dark shore creates one of Iceland's most memorable coastal views. True Icelandic diamonds of ice!
Return back to the hotel. Second opportunity to observe the Northern Lights.

Breakfast and hotel check-out.
We head east towards the peninsula Reykjanes with a few photo breaks along the way and a free time stop for lunch near Selphos.
The road leads us to Seltún Geothermal Area - the high-temperature geothermal zone, which contains a variety of hot springs: bubbling mud, boiling streams and steaming vapours. The multi-coloured field surprises with shades from yellow to bright red, turquoise to deep green.
In the late afternoon we will visit The Blue Lagoon/. The Blue Lagoon is a unique geothermal source located among the black lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, which impresses with the contrast between the dark rocks and the milky-blue waters rich in silicon and minerals. An opportunity to bathe in the naturally warm waters, renowned for their beneficial properties for the skin, or simply relax amidst the stinging clouds of steam and the silence of the volcanic landscape. Spa treatments, mineral clay masks and a cosy water bar are available on site. This is everyone's favourite outdoor spa, so named for the unique colour produced when a rare combination of fresh and sea water is used. It's time for some well-deserved relaxation, drinks and great vibes.
Optional dinner in Lava restaurant. Transfer to the airport and late flight to Sofia.

Flight from Keflavik airport at 01:00 to Warsaw, landing at 07:00. Continuation to Sofia at 10:50 . Landing in Bulgaria at 13:55.
LO 500 07SEP KEFWAW 0100 0700
LO 631 07SEP WAWSOF 1050 1355
End of program.
(Airfare is included in the trip package price).