FAM trip highlights

√ Visit the most famous and popular attractions in Iceland

√ Hotel inspection (3*, 4* & 5* hotels)

√ Experience the unique and special activities that you can introduce to your guests

Itinerary

18 Mar : Pre-Arrival

Upon arrival to Iceland, you will check-in to Aurora Star Airport Hotel. Have a good rest and get ready for an exciting week ahead. Hotel is walking distance from the airport.

Pre-arrival accommodation cost is an add-on (EUR168 per twin room, EUR158 per single room). Lunch & dinner not included.

*Note: This day is only for those whose flight arrives after 08:00 on 19 Mar 2024, you need to arrive on 18 Mar, one day before the start of the FAM trip.

19 Mar : Arrival – Blue Lagoon – West Iceland (B/L/D)

If your flight arrives in Iceland before 08:00, you can arrive on this day and we pick you up from the airport directly. For those who arrive one day before, after breakfast, your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel lobby. Your Iceland adventure starts from here.

The first attraction of the day is the famous Blue Lagoon of Iceland. We will start with hotel inspection visiting both the Silica Hotel and The Retreat Hotel. Followed by an experience at the Blue Lagoon itself and lunch at the Lava Restaurant. These are experience that your guests cannot miss when they are in Iceland.

After Blue Lagoon, we will drive towards west Iceland, along the whale fjord.

The next attraction of the day is Akranes Old Lighthouse. The picturesque setting and its stories make this place even more beautiful than it already is.

The next attraction of the day is Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Hraunfossar is a series of rivulets that stream through the dark lava field. Barnafoss waterfall is a light blue waterfall that rushes through a narrow gorge.

You will then head to Hotel Hamar where you will enjoy a hotel inspection by the Hotel. You will also be having your dinner here. Spend the night in Hotel Hamar.

20 Mar – Snæfellsnes Peninsula

After breakfast, you’ll be headed to all the wonders that the Hidden Gem of the West, the peninsula of Snæfellsnes has to offer.

Start the day with the dramatic “North Wall” in Game of Thrones.

Búdakirkja, the Black Church of Búdir. On the south coast of the peninsula, there’s a village with only a hotel and a tiny black church called the Búdakirkja that sits alone among a field of lava rocks. Búdakirkja was built on the spot in 1703 and reconstructed in 1987 after a claim by a single member that lobbied to have it back. It has a historic graveyard, a bell and a chalice from the time it was erected. It is a listed building, owned by the National Museum of Iceland, but it is in the care of the Búdir parish. Without a doubt, this picturesque chapel has a romantic air about it and is a real attraction to the site.

Arnarstapi Fishing Village, Hellnar & Arch. This tiny fishing village has picturesque coastal cliffs derived from glowing magma hitting the wild waves of the Atlantic. Known in Iceland as the most beautiful harbor in the country. Thousands of years later erosion has formed beautiful stone arcs and a remarkable marine geyser. Enjoy a walk along the coastline and a lunch by the waters.

Inspection Arnarstapi Hotel & Cottages.

Kirkjufell, “The Church Mountain”, and Kirkjufellfoss waterfall. This iconic narrow mountain has become the landmark of Snæfellsnes in recent years. It became famous after being presented as the “Arrowhead Mountain” on Game of Thrones. The erosive powers of the glaciers during the last ice age about 12,000 years ago gave this mountain its shape. Due to this unique look, it is one of the most photographed sights in Iceland and just across you will see the beautiful waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss which completes your perfect shot of the mountain. There are numerous vantage points for the perfect photograph and we know them all!

Enjoy a dinner at Hotel Hamar where you will spend the night.

21 Mar – The Golden Circle

Þingvellir National Park

We visit the place where the two tectonic plates, the North American and the Eurasian plate, are moving away from each other. Few places in the world offer a better and clearer view of this massive geographic activity. The biggest natural lake in Iceland is also located at Thingvellir National Park and hosts a great variety of fish and birdlife. Thingvellir is also an important place for Icelandic national history. At Thingvellir Icelanders founded their parliament in 930 a.d. where the chieftains had their annual meeting every summer. The name “Thingvellir” translates to “Parliament Plains”.

Inspection Hotel Grimsborgir.

Kerið Volcano Crater

This 3000 year old extinct volcano is so beautiful it has attracted many from near and far. There is a path where you can go around the crater, the scenery from the top is amazing. There is also a stairs where you can go down to the crater lake.

Enjoy a lunch in a greenhouse and see how plantation is made possible in this land where harsh weather conditions make it almost impossible to plant anything outdoors.

Geysir Geothermal Area

The Geysir geothermal area hosts hundreds of colorful hot springs and two geysers, erupting hot springs. One is called “Geysir” and name giving for all the geysers in the world. Today, however, it erupts very seldom. The other geyser is called “Strokkur” and erupts every 5 minutes up to 40 meters.

Inspection Hotel Gullfoss.

Gullfoss Waterfall

The melting water from Iceland´s second biggest glacier, Langjökull, falls into a deep canyon forming the majestic “Golden Falls”. On a sunny day, you can see the glacier Langjökull in the distance and enjoy a rainbow in the mist of the waterfall, an Instagram blockbuster waiting to happen!

Head to Stracta Hotel for the night, inspection Stracta Hotel and enjoy dinner there.

22 Mar – The South Coast

Seljalandsfoss

The adventure begins when your arrival is announced by the powerful theatrics of Seljalandsfoss. Bring a raincoat and you’ll be able to make the short hike behind the falls. The scene behind the fall and the trembling ground from the power of the falling water makes for an automatic Instagram blockbuster!

Skogafoss

Further west along the coast is Skógafoss waterfall. Skógafoss is an incredibly picturesque sight. Tucked in a little gorge, the river Skógá tumbles down a 60 meter cliff before continuing down the landscape towards the Atlantic Ocean. Alongside the gorge a staircase can take you to the shelf above the waterfall for stunning views. See if you can count your steps on your way up.

Enjoy the traditional Icelandic Meat Soup with the view of Skogafoss.

Reynisfjara, the Black Sand Beach

Heading further west, we visit the black sand beach of Reynisfjara where the massive waves of the Atlantic meet the unique basalt columns in the cliffs above the sand. Rock pillars in the water and the cliffs of Dýrhólaey are seen in the distance. This area of the south is also a paradise for bird lovers, as Puffins and dozens of other unique species nest on top of these cliffs in the summertime from June to August.

Inspection Hotel Vik, Hotel Kria and Hotel Katla.

Inspection Fosshotel Nupar. Dinner at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon. Spend the night at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon.

23 Mar – Vatnajokull National Park

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Starting this day by heading to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a 200m deep glacial lagoon fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest glacier. Enormous icebergs come from Breiðamerkurjökull all year round so the lagoon is usually filled with ice that floats south. We will give you the opportunity to walk alongside the glacier lagoon enjoying the magnificent views and dead silence of Icelandic nature.

Diamond Beach

On the other side of the road the icebergs from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon float into the Atlantic Ocean where they are quickly thrown back to shore by the tide and winds. This black sand beach is full of smaller ice rocks in all shapes and sizes, sparkling like diamonds in the daylight. The ice itself comes in all shades of white and blue forming beautiful contrasts, guaranteed to make your Instagram account pop!

Blue Ice Cave Tour – You will get the opportunity of a lifetime to enjoy one of the world’s greatest wilderness, Iceland’s largest glacier. You are driven in a specially modified Super Jeep to the glacier, where you get to explore the glacier environment, enjoy a view out of this world, go into and underneath the glacier and experience the glacier’s beauty from the inside! Blue Ice Cave Exploration is truly a unique experience. An experienced local guide leads the way and shares a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers, icefields and their impact on our environment during our journey, making sure everyone enjoys themselves to the fullest. Our guides provide you with safety equipment (helmet and crampons) and the fun begins!

Enjoy lunch at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon and hotel inspection.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a 2 million year old canyon with a walking path & panoramic views. A small hike from the parking place will bring you to such spectacular view of the canyon whose beauty mesmerised all who comes.

Head back to Stracta Hotel where you will have your dinner and spend the night.

24 Mar – Reykjavik City Tour

The Reykjavik city tour covers the city‘s top attractions, interesting facts, and stories that relate to history and culture in Reykjavik and throughout Iceland. Traveling the Reykjavik area and surrounding municipalities provides an excellent opportunity to discover various things to see or to do in Reykjavik during your stay in Iceland.

On this tour you will visit the Perlan glass dome where a 360 viewing platform provides some of the best places for sightseeing in Reykjavik. You will also get to inspect the Perlan exhibition  – Wonders of Iceland & the aurora Planetarium.

After enjoying the spectacular view over Reykjavik city and its surroundings the tour proceeds to go to Reykjavik’s seafront to the old Höfði building where an important summit between former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and former U.S.S.R. Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev took place in 1986.

Hotel inspection at Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Grand Hotel Reykjavik, Centerhotel Laugarvegur and The Reykjavik Edition.

Enjoy a lunch at Messinn Reykjavik.

The next stop is Hallgrímskirkja church who’s design was inspired by basalt lava columns, a common volcanic rock formation in Icelandic nature. From Hallgrimskirkja church, the tour explores Reykjavik city center in and around the Parliament building by Austurvöllur which, sometimes is referred to as “the Old town”.

From here, we will also be checking out the shopping street and downtown Reykjavik.

Inspection Sky Lagoon. If you want to try out the Sky Lagoon, entrance fee (SKY Pass) EUR51.50 at own cost.

Enjoy a farewell dinner at The Fish Company.

Spend the night at Hotel Konvin Keflavik Airport.

25 Mar – Departure

The hotel will arrange complimentary airport shuttle for you to the airport. Have a safe trip back home.

**For trip extension or if you have a late flight, please contact Lyn to make alternative arrangements.

Price: EUR1000 per person (twin sharing)
Includes:-
– 6 nights accommodation with breakfast and private bathroom (twin sharing)
– 6 lunch & 6 dinner
– Entrance to Blue Lagoon
– Entrance to Perlan – Wonders of Iceland & Aurora Planetarium
– Blue Ice Cave tour
– Entrance to Kerid Volcano Crater
– National Park fees

Excludes:-
– Flights to & from Iceland
– Optional activities (i.e. Sky Lagoon)
– Any other expenses not included
– Single room supplement (EUR336.70)

Limited to 2 participants per company.

Registration Closing dates:
March 2024 FAM trip – registration closes 20 December 2023 (payment made by 31 December 2023)

For any enquiries, please kindly contact lyn@marinatravel.is or elena@marinatravel.is.

Register for your FAM trip to Iceland now!