A Real-Life Fantasy World: Iceland With Your Grandchild, By Sea and On Foot

13 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews  
85%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Ship Cruise
This trip has been discontinued. Instead see Iceland Trekking in Iceland Iceland Express   Pack your hiking boots and your sense of adventure for this two-generation voyage around a real-life world of ice and fire. Circumnavigate Iceland and go ashore for expert-led walking excursions to glaciers, around massive volcanic craters and through ...

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Walk through Iceland’s otherworldly lava fields and green mountain valleys, around turquoise lakes and even hike on a glacier.
    • Keep an eye out for wildlife like reindeers, whales, Atlantic puffins (Iceland has 10 million of them!) and more.
    • Discover incredible natural formations like Gullfoss (“Golden Waterfall”) and Geysir and take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon.

What's this trip about?

    This trip has been discontinued. Instead see Iceland Trekking in Iceland Iceland Express   Pack your hiking boots and your sense of adventure for this two-generation voyage around a real-life world of ice and fire. Circumnavigate Iceland and go ashore for expert-led walking excursions to glaciers, around massive volcanic craters and through magnificent mountain valleys. Learn the stories of the Sagas of Icelanders and see the aftermath of a volcanic eruption. After your invigorating walks, relax and learn onboard the ship as you navigate beautiful coastlines and bays.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range11 to 15 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityReykjavik
End CityReykjavik

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Iceland

Attractions

  • Blue Lagoon
  • Gullfoss
  • Lake Myvatn
  • Reykjavík
  • Skaftafell National Park
  • Snaefellsnes Peninsula
  • Thingvellir National park

Activities

  • Educational/ learning
  • Hiking
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Whale watching

Trip includes

    • 11 nights of accommodations
    • 31 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
    • 2 Expert-led lectures
    • 13 Field trips
    • Enroll by Dec. 31, 2014 and receive free round-trip airfare from JFK. Other cities available at low cost
    • Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
    • An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
    • Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
    • The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant and provides 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance services coverage.
    • Taxes
    • State-of-the-art QUIETVOX listening devices

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Flights depart the U.S.              

Depart From: Flights depart North America.

Day 2: Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland / Program Orientatio...    

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Natura

Arrive To: Flights arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check-in for 2 nights.

Afternoon: Meet with your group at 5 PM for introductions, a review of the program itinerary, and site orientation.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: Reykjavik / The Golden Circle            

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Natura

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.

Morning: This morning you will depart on a full day journey from Reykjavik on this popular route which covers over 185 miles fr...

Day 4: Reykjavik / The Blue Lagoon / Embark Ocean Diamon...           

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Note: If you wish to swim in the Blue Lagoon, please remember to bring your bathing suit. Towels will be provided. Slippers, bathrobes and spa treatments are available at an additional cost....

Day 5: Stykkisholmur / Hiking in Berserkjahraun / Zodiac...  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Close to Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula are the rugged 4,000 year old lava fields of Berserkjahraun. It is named after two Berserk...

Day 6: Isafjördur          

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Depart by coach for the small village of Hnifsdalur to hike the nearby valley up to the Pjofatindar Peaks on this Road Scholar exclusive field ...

Day 7: Siglufjördur / Hedinsfjordur / Akureyri        

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: The next fjord east of Siglufjördur is Hedinsfjördur. Inhabited until 1951, this deserted fjord is named after its first settler, Hedinn Karlss...

Day 8: Akureyri / Hike in the Lake Myvatn Area        

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Note: Cave exploration equipment, including a helmet, headlights and rubber boots, will be included. This field trip is not suitable for people who suffer from claustrophia or have limited m...

Day 9: Flatey Island / Whale Watching by Zodiac     

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Today, the ship’s Zodiacs will take you into Skjalfandi Bay – the whale watching capital of Iceland – to enjoy the stunning views on the snowca...

Day 10: Seydisfjördur / Borgarfjördur Hiking   

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Today's hike takes you through majestic landscapes while keeping a lookout for wildlife. The field trip is focused on reindeer watching, geolog...

Day 11: Höfn / Glacier Lagoon and Glacier Hike      

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: En route to Skaftafell National Park, stop at the magnificent Glacier Lagoon of Jökulsarlon and float past ethereal icebergs. Arriving at Skaft...

Day 12: Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) / Heimaey Island...    

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: From the harbor, walk up through brand new lava fields all the way to the volcano Eldfjall, which erupted in 1973. On this walking exploration,...

Day 13: Reykjavik / Departures    

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Ocean Diamond is scheduled to arrive in Reykjavik at 8:00 AM. Wrap up your immersion into Iceland with a stop at the National Museum of Iceland.

Lunch: Free time for lunch on your own.

<...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $0
Price per day$0
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Road Scholar Reviews & Ratings

4.4/5  Great
Excellent
233
Great
7
Average
2
Disappointing
8
Terrible
34
Write a Review

Other Road Scholar Reviews

M

Michael

Dec 2023

Written on

Not a good bicycle trip

Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, th...

M

Marsha

Nov 2023

Written on

Travel Section Incompetent, Unhelpful, and Won't correct error

I booked a tour to Italy for May 2024. I cancelled in Oct. for a lot of reasons. Before I enrolled, I asked if Road Scholar would book the flights so that on the las...

J

Jane Johnson

Sep 2023

Written on

There is a nonrefundable deposit

Please know that Road Scholar will always keep a nonrefundable $100 deposit. I cannot find that buried in all the paper and fine print but they state it is there???...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Road Scholar

preferred
View Profile

Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value: Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends: When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs: Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour: The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't: We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases: From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan: The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need: Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors: Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

What they’re known for
Popular global tours with a unique focus on educational experiences for mostly senior travelers.

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • Passport and visa charges
    • Any kind of insurance
    • Personal Expenses
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 10 Dinners

Age Requirements
11 to 15 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
roadscholar-AreLifRoa

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!