Viking Paradox
Full Circle Iceland (Greenland option)
August 4 - 12, 2008
CLEVER MARKETING
Iceland is a rather unfortunate name for this land of exquisite beauty
and sharp contrasts. The reason the Norsemen who first came here gave
such a bleak name to such a green country is a mystery. In the Viking
Sagas, though, there is a legend that the first explorer to discover
the island wanted to keep it all to himself, so he named a green country
“Iceland” and a frozen wasteland “Greenland,”
hoping that future immigrants would chart their course further north.
Who knew Vikings were such practical jokers?
Iceland is a large island in the North
Atlantic Ocean, just skirting the southern boundaries of the Arctic
Circle. Borne from spewing volcanoes still shaping the island, it has
a wild landscape full of jagged coasts, raging rivers, bubbling mudpots,
erupting geysers, and wind-swept hills.
Even hardier than the scenery, the native
Icelanders have a no-nonsense approach to life, which is probably necessary
in a place that is cold and dark for more than half the year. As a result,
they are efficient, courteous, and they get the job done. Yet life is
not so serious that they can’t enjoy themselves as well, which
they do whole-heartedly—especially when the wintry weather releases
its grip on the island. Summer offers the Icelanders bounteous pleasures,
from delightful temperatures to nearly 24 hours of daylight. They are
more than happy (even eager) to share it with us.
Once you experience Iceland, you’ll
understand what early settlers were eager to protect. Iceland holds
an aura not found elsewhere in the world. Majestic landscapes, twisting
coastlines, deep fjords, intricately carved mountains, belching mud
pools, steaming hot springs, blinding glaciers, heavenly waterfalls
and hellish volcanoes all contribute to the sense that the land has
just emerged from Mother Nature’s forge.
Seven years ago, Toto Tours offered an
introduction to some of the most exciting adventures Iceland offers,
and the tour sold out quickly. In 2008 we return to some of our favorite
places in Iceland, but expand the adventure far beyond the southwestern
quadrant of the island and the capital city of Reykjavik. This tour
makes a full circuit of Iceland, taking in many gorgeous locations not
included during our first visit..
Iceland is one of Europe’s most
expensive destinations. Iceland’s geographic isolation and harsh
climate make it virtually 100 percent dependent on imports for everything
except meat, potatoes, fish and dairy products. While you can find everything
available here, import tariffs inflate retail prices considerably. We
are also visiting in high season where everything from hotels to meals
to tour activities is at a premium. Nevertheless, Iceland is one of
the most beautiful destinations on earth, and it is without a doubt
absolutely worth the expense!
This magnificent country is perfect for
a summer fling! The sun will be shining almost around the clock. Everyone
speaks English, so you won’t have translation problems when you
plunge into the gay social scene. Revel in an electric green landscape,
full of wide-open spaces, and discover Europe’s best kept secret—Iceland.
To make this special tour even more unique,
we have paired Iceland with an optional two-day excursion to Greenland.
Take a two-hour flight from Reykjavik to the eastern edge of Greenland.
Here we see glaciers, icebergs and abundant arctic marine wildlife during
jeep and helicopter safaris. And don’t forget the bragging rights!
How many of your friends have actually set foot on Greenland? Let Toto
Tours take you on an epic journey of Viking proportions to see the green
of Iceland and the ice of Greenland!
ITINERARY
Monday, August 4, 2008
Leave Home / Travel Day
Today is a travel day. You will want to book your airfare using Icelandair.
All Icelandair flights depart this evening from five cities in the US:
Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), Baltimore (BWI), Minneapolis-St. Paul
(MSP), and Orlando (ORL). You will need to arrange a flight from your
home city this morning to arrive in one of Icelandair’s gateway
cities by late afternoon.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Arrival in Reykjavik
Arrive at Keflavik International Airport early this morning. All inbound
Icelandair flights from the U.S. arrive at roughly the same time, close
to 6:30 am. Once all participants have gathered, we board a motorcoach
for a 45-minute transfer to Reykjavik across the extensive lava fields
just south of the city.
Since hotel rooms are not ready at this early
hour, we take a leisurely morning sightseeing tour of the city by motorcoach,
making several photo stops and visits to important sites. Old Reykjavik
has narrow cobblestone streets, a Parliament building, historic churches
(including the country’s largest) and a beautiful harbor. Our
panoramic tour gets us oriented to the city, and also highlights the
location of its gay venues.
Our touring time includes a break for lunch
(on our own) in an area of the city that offers several dining options.
At the conclusion of the tour we check in at our hotel and the afternoon
is free for napping or personal exploration. This evening Toto Tours
hosts a festive Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (Welcome
Dinner included)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
South Iceland
Today we begin our discovery of the scenic natural wonders for which
Iceland is justly renowned. Leaving Rejkjavik, we head to the south
coast of Iceland, driving past the Nesjavellir geothermal area, Lake
Thingvallavatn (Iceland’s largest) and the point where North America
meets Europe across the Continental Rift. We visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
before stopping for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit another magnificent
waterfall, Skogarfoss, and tour the Skogar Folk Musuem with its 6,000
piece collection of native art, history, and architecture. The curator
of this museum is himself a national treasure!
We continue on to Dyrholaey, a protected
nature area with sheer cliffs and a natural rock arch out to sea with
a large population of sea puffins. Our final stop for the day is the
little village of Vik, set along a dramatic stretch of coastline, where
we spend the night. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel in Vik. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Southeast Coast
After breakfast we depart for the South East Coast, stopping at the
Dyrholaey Bird Cliffs to snap photos of the adorable puffins, and the
Reynisfjall Cave, from where we catch a glimpse of the towering fingers
of black rock jutting out of the sea. Our drive today takes us along
the southeast coast through a luxuriantly green landscape dotted with
tiny farms and historic settlements, among them Kirkjubaejarklastur,
a green oasis in the volcanic desert of this region, where we stop for
lunch (on your own).
In the afternoon, visit Skaftafell National
Park, marked by three large glaciers wedged between the rugged mountains.
At our next stop, we will experience what is sure to be one of the trip’s
highlights—a short boat cruise on the iceberg-filled Lake Jokulsarion.
A short drive further brings us to our final stop for the day, the harbor
town of Hofn located on the picturesque Hornafjordur fjord. Dinner is
included at our hotel. (Breakfast /
Dinner)
Friday, August 8, 2008
The East Fjords
After breakfast, we depart Hofn to an area often overlooked by most
tourists and organized tours. Iceland’s Route 1 takes us from
Hofn along the curvy east coastline. Crossing over the Almannaskaro
pass, the majestic mountains come into view as they plunge dramatically
into the sea, forming the magnificent East Fjords. Our route cuts back
inland over the rolling landscape to the town of Egilstaddir, situated
on the northern tip of the pencil-thin Logurinn Lake. Dinner is again
included at our hotel this evening. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Lake Myvatn / Akureyri
After breakfast we proceed tot he northwest through the empty vastness
of the highland desert plateau, Moorudalsoaerfi, and on to beautiful
Lake Myvatn. Our drive takes us within view of the powerful waterfall,
Godafoss, the vast 2,000-year-old lava fields of Dimmuborgir with its
towering pinnacles, arches, caves and tunnels, a geothermal area, and
the forested promontory of Hofdi. We enjoy lunch together at a hotel
in Myvatn.
Our day of amazing outdoor adventures concludes
upon arrive at our hotel in Akureyri, located at the southern tip of
the Eyjafjord. Dinner is included at the hotel. (All
Meals)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Northern Traverse / Return to Reykjavik
After breakfast, depart Akureyri for a full day of cross-country touring
with plenty of stops along the way to take photos and get out to stretch
our legs. We traverse the northern reaches of the country, across the
Holtavorouheioi Plateau, passing Hraunfossar, a multitude of tiny cascades
forming a continuous waterfall into the Hvita River. Our journey continues
through the verdant green countryside past tiny hamlets, another geothermal
field, plus countless streams and lakes.
Arriving back at our original hotel in Reykjavik,
we enjoy a free evening for rest, relaxation and perhaps a healthy sampling
of the local nightlife! (Breakfast)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Golden Circle / Langjokull
After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion which includes the famous
Golden Circle Tour and the Langjokull Glacier. We visit the 10th century
open-air Viking parliament, the powerful Gullfoss (golden waterfall),
which falls nearly 150 feet into the White River canyon, and Geysir
Park. The Icelandic word Geysir is used internationally for “spouting
hot springs,” and there is one here that is just a regular as
Old Faithful in Yellowstone.
We make a stop for lunch (on your own) before
arriving at Langjokull Glacier. Enjoy a trip onto the Glacier by 8-wheel
glacier truck, followed by an hour of snowmobiling (2 persons per snowmobile,
valid driver’s license required). Returning to Reykjavik, enjoy
some free time before the group meets for our Farewell Dinner at a local
restaurant. (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Blue Lagoon / Departure
The morning is free to relax or sleep in after a night of revelry.
We leave the hotel at noon and head to the amazing Blue Lagoon, to luxuriate
in the volcanically-heated, mineral-rich waters. After a shower and
time for a snack, we transfer to the Keflavik Airport in time to check
in for our return flights to the United States. (Breakfast)
Please click on the link above to read the full details about our exciting
tour extension to Greenland.
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