LITERARY ADVENTURES. Literary Iceland Island of Awe. August 30 September 8, Quote: Blind is the bookless man Icelandic proverb.

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1 LITERARY ADVENTURES Literary Iceland Island of Awe August 30 September 8, 2014 It s a rare visitor to Iceland who is not touched by its desolate beauty. This wild island boasts some of Europe s most impressive natural wonders massive glaciers, barren highlands, rumbling volcanoes, vast lava fields, deep gorges and fjords, geysers, thermal pools. It s a land of extremes that begs to be explored. What thrills the traveler, though, has made living in Iceland a challenge for much of its history. Until World War II, a struggle for subsistence was the main feature of life for most inhabitants. Icelanders have clung to the bits of arable land along the island s coast, scraping a living from farming, fishing and herding. Several times during Iceland s 1100-year inhabited history, Icelanders have considered abandoning the island as the most viable option for their survival. Centuries of isolation and hardship have bred a nation of tough, hardy, self-reliant Norse individualists. Icelanders are also, remarkably, among the most literate and literary people in the world. Icelanders have long defined themselves as a literary nation. From the time the first Vikings settled this northerly island in the late ninth century, they began recounting their story in folktales, poems, oral histories and song. Two centuries later, those stories began to be captured in writing in the prose and poem Eddas, the Book of Icelanders, the Book of Settlements, and, most notably, in the great Icelandic Sagas. Near-mythic prose tales that dwell midway between ancient epic and modern novel, the Sagas form the very core of the nation s literary heritage and cultural identity. Today, with life in Iceland far more secure, literature, art and design are thriving. The capital city Reykjavik bustles with theater, concerts, readings, galleries and boutiques. Literary output is remarkable for a nation of only 300,000 people, with more books published per capita than perhaps any other place in the world. We ll explore the Icelandic love of language and storytelling first with discussion of two works from the catalogue of Icelandic sagas. We ll then get a more recent take on life in Iceland through discussion of novels by the 20th-century Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness and by the best-selling current-day crime writer Arnaldur Indriðason. Quote: Blind is the bookless man Icelandic proverb. Leader: Mark Cwik is a long-time leader of discussions of great literature, a lover of epic tales and a big fan of Icelandic sagas. He is a designer and maker of wood furniture, and would move to Iceland in a heartbeat except that it has no trees. Reading: Two Icelandic sagas The Fish Can Sing by Halldór Laxness Jar City by Arnaldur Indriðason 491 King Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1L9 TEL: FAX: TOLL-FREE: travel@worldwidequest.com

2 THE WORLDWIDE QUEST EXPERIENCE What is a Literary Adventure? The brainchild of Ann Kirkland, founder of Classical Pursuits, our literary adventures are created to offer unique opportunities to share ideas about great works of literature, art and music in the location in which they were created or where they take place. On a literary adventure, you will visit key sights in more depth, engage in active learning by meeting locals, and participate in shared inquiry discussions on assigned readings. Travel is an art and a craft. It s a combination of special unforgettable experiences and flawless technical proficiency. Making sure you travel well is a skill that comes with insider knowledge, know-how and imagination. It s something we ve been doing since 1970; creating unique itineraries for inquisitive travellers to some of the world s most intriguing destinations. Every trip we create features these essentials: Customization. We design each and every itinerary we offer. Take a look around and you ll see this is far more unusual than you would imagine. It s the reason we can control the quality of the experience on our tours and Private Journeys. It s the reason we know where to go, when to go and the best way of experiencing every destination. Discovery and enrichment. Our expert leaders and hosts, both North American and local, bring scholarship, specialized knowledge, and congeniality. They ensure not just that all the details of your travels are flawlessly taken care of but also provide a grass roots understanding of the context of what you re seeing. Small Group Size. Small is beautiful. Small means you can gather around, hear what your leaders are saying, ask questions, and delve deeper. Small means you can all sit around a table for meals and get to know each other. Small allows you to get up close and personal with every part of your travel experience. Responsibility. We consider the impact of our travels on the places we visit and travel small to reduce our footprint. We connect with local resources to support communities where we travel. Value. We respect the investment you make in your travels. Your time, your budget and your dreams are precious. We know we must be doing something right because over 70% of our business comes from past travellers. Those who enjoy the Experience come back for more because they know where ever they go around the world or whichever trip type they choose, we deliver what we promise. These are just a few words about what s important to us. But it s what comes next that really matters. We invite you to call us and experience. 2

3 Itinerary IN in DETAIL Detail Literary Iceland Island of Awe August 30 September 8, 2014 Saturday, August 30: Arrive Reykjavik Wielding the energy and edginess of a city 100 times its size, Reykjavik has seized a spot among the world s cultural capitals. Reykjavik is one of the first cities in the world to be named a UNESCO City of Literature and the first non-native English speaking city to receive this title. We ll be met at the airport this morning and proceed directly to breakfast as most flights arrive in the very early morning. We ll meet our local guide and set off for first look at the city, checking into our hotel in the early afternoon. After a rest, we ll have a guided walk to get to know the neighborhood before our welcome dinner this evening. Sunday, August 31: Reykjavik Wielding the energy and edginess of a city 100 times its size, Reykjavik has seized a spot among the world s cultural capitals. Reykjavik is one of the first cities in the world to be named a UNESCO City of Literature and the first non-native English speaking city to receive this title. We ll be met at the airport this morning and proceed directly to breakfast as most flights arrive in the very early morning. We ll meet our local guide and set off for first look at the city, checking into our hotel in the early afternoon. After a rest, we ll have a guided walk to get to know the neighborhood before our welcome dinner this evening. Monday, September 1: Reykjavik We ll hold our second literary discussion this morning, joined by local friends, and then continue our exploration of the city. The Icelandic design tradition is young in the 1950s, the Icelandic language did not even have a word for design. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in design in Iceland, as local designers establish a strong, new identity. Today we ll discover some key features of Icelandic art and design. We ll start the day at the Asmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum. The modernist sculptor designed and built this unique house which is showcases a collection of his work, inspired by Icelandic folktales and literature. We ll visit the Gljufrasteinn Museum in Mosfellsbær, home of the Nobel Prize winning author Halldor Laxness and his family, today a museum dedicated to his life and work. Our discovery continues at the Museum of Design and Applied Arts in the town of Gardabaer; the curator will explain how the Museum collects and preserves the part of Icelandic cultural history encompassing design from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. We ll enjoy a stroll in the suburb of Gardabaer to get a feel for everyday life here. Tuesday, September 2: Fljotshlid Today we leave the Reykjavik area, following the Golden Circle route where Iceland s dramatic scenery comes to life. Our first stop is at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park where the North-American and Eurasian tectonic plates are separating and find out more about Iceland s unique geology. We 3

4 Itinerary IN in DETAIL Detail continue on to Geysir, the hot spring that gave its name to the phenomenon world-wide and Strokkur, one of the world s few natural geysers that erupts on a regular basis or every 5-10 minutes. We ll explore the Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland s most famous waterfall, and a national monument. Our drive takes us onward through bucolic Icelandic farmland to the beautiful Fljotshlid area where the most famous of the Icelandic medieval sagas took place. We re staying for three nights at a country inn located on a working farm. We ll enjoy great meals here courtesy of the chef, an expert at using local ingredients for gourmet meals.overnight: Hotel Fljotshlid, Smaratun Wednesday, September 3: Fljotshlid Today we leave the Reykjavik area, following the Golden Circle route where Iceland s dramatic scenery comes to life. Our first stop is at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park where the North-American and Eurasian tectonic plates are separating and find out more about Iceland s unique geology. We continue on to Geysir, the hot spring that gave its name to the phenomenon world-wide and Strokkur, one of the world s few natural geysers that erupts on a regular basis or every 5-10 minutes. We ll explore the Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland s most famous waterfall, and a national monument. Our drive takes us onward through bucolic Icelandic farmland to the beautiful Fljotshlid area where the most famous of the Icelandic medieval sagas took place. We re staying for three nights at a country inn located on a working farm. We ll enjoy great meals here courtesy of the chef, an expert at using local ingredients for gourmet meals. Overnight: Hotel Fljotshlid, Smaratun Thursday, September 4: Fljotshlid We ll start the day with a literary discussion. After lunch at the farm, we ll join our guide for an easy hike in the area, giving us another chance to enjoy the splendid scenery. We ll have dinner at Café Langbrok named for Hallgerdur Langbrok, one of the main characters in Njals Saga and one of the most famous female characters in the Icelandic sagas; a great example of strong women in Icelandic literature. We ll be joined at dinner by a culturalist for a discussion about feminism in Iceland, past and present. Overnight: Hotel Fljotshlid, Smaratun Friday, September 5: Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik We ll start the day with a literary discussion. After lunch at the farm, we ll join our guide for an easy hike in the area, giving us another chance to enjoy the splendid scenery. We ll have dinner at Café Langbrok named for Hallgerdur Langbrok, one of the main characters in Njals Saga and one of the most famous female characters in the Icelandic sagas; a great example of strong women in Icelandic literature. We ll be joined at dinner by a culturalist for a discussion about feminism in Iceland, past and present. Saturday, September 6: Reykjavik We ll explore the Borgarfjord region today; the most important region in the literary history of Iceland. We ll start at the Settlement Centre in Borgarnes to see the exhibition focusing on the Settlement of Iceland and the Saga of Egill, one of Iceland s most famous Viking warriors and poets. From here we set off for Reykholt, the home Snorri Sturluson, a chieftain and the most important medieval Icelandic writer some would argue that he was the most influential writer of the Middle Ages. This afternoon in Reykjavik, we ll amble through the Kolaportid Flea Market, on 4

5 Itinerary IN in DETAIL Detail the hunt for treasures. We ll find local families passing the time, ladies in fur coats, hipsters looking for second hand clothing and immigrants visiting food stalls catering to their cuisines. It s a great way to get a feel for the city. Sunday, September 7: Reykjavik We ll explore the Borgarfjord region today; the most important region in the literary history of Iceland. We ll start at the Settlement Centre in Borgarnes to see the exhibition focusing on the Settlement of Iceland and the Saga of Egill, one of Iceland s most famous Viking warriors and poets. From here we set off for Reykholt, the home Snorri Sturluson, a chieftain and the most important medieval Icelandic writer some would argue that he was the most influential writer of the Middle Ages. This afternoon in Reykjavik, we ll amble through the Kolaportid Flea Market, on the hunt for treasures. We ll find local families passing the time, ladies in fur coats, hipsters looking for second hand clothing and immigrants visiting food stalls catering to their cuisines. It s a great way to get a feel for the city. Monday, September 8: Depart Reykjavik The morning is at leisure before we are transferred to the airport for homeward bound flights. Meals: Breakfast Note: The itinerary and accommodation described in this tour brochure are subject to change due to logistical arrangements and to take advantage of local events. 5

6 ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION DETAIL Tour Cost (per person): Approx. US$4995 Tour Cost Includes: Arrival and departure transfers at destination Accommodation based on double occupancy in hotel listed or similar Meals as specified in the itinerary Internal transportation by comfortable coach Sightseeing with qualified English-speaking guides All entrance fees All gratuities for group services Books and readings Fully escorted Tour Cost Does Not Include: Roundtrip airfare from your home Cancellation / Interruption and Medical Insurance Visa fee (approx. C$75) Items of a personal nature Additional arrangements required due to any emergency or other situation Single Supplement If you wish to have guaranteed single accommodation, the single supplement for this trip is an additional US$595. If you are travelling alone and you are willing to share, we will try to match you up with an appropriate roommate. If we can t, the single supplement will apply. This will be collected at 90 days prior to departure. Level of Difficulty This tour involves walking on city sidewalks and in museums and galleries. There are also opportunities for hikes and walks while we are staying in the countryside. If you are not able to hike or walk over rough terrain, you will be staying at our farm location or be on your own in a small town while the group walks. You should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain and be able to walk for periods of up to three hours. Should you have any questions about your ability to take part in this tour, please give us a call. Travel Documents You will require a passport for your trip to Iceland. Please ensure it is valid for at least six months beyond your scheduled return home. Payment Details A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve a space on this tour. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payments by VISA and MasterCard. We would also like to let you know that we offer a 1% discount when the balance of payment is paid by cheque. Please let us know if you would like to take advantage of this discount. Group Size participants 6

7 ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION DETAIL Flights Roundtrip international flights are not included in the cost of your tour and must be arranged separately. would be pleased to arrange your flights. Contact our office for suggested routing and a quote on airfare. If you are making your own flight arrangements, please check with our office to ensure the trip has been confirmed as operating and that your schedule fits our program prior to confirming your arrangements. Cancellation Policy All deposits are non-refundable, however you may transfer your deposit to another trip 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are nonrefundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must notify immediately and in writing. Travel Insurance Please note that all payments are nonrefundable. We urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip. We will offer you RBC insurance coverage. Should you decline this coverage, you must sign a waiver and provide details of your own medical coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. Pre Departure Information Once this tour is confirmed to operate, we will send you detailed Pre-Departure Information including information on health and travel documents, a suggested packing list and a suggested reading list. Terms and Conditions For additional information about our terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or our website. All participants booking with are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act ( International, Ontario - License # ). Explorers Club We d like to make sure that you know about our Worldwide Explorers Club. Travel twice with us and we ll say a special thank you with a 5% discount on your third trip. The discount applies to our brochure trips only and you ll find many there to choose from. International Worldwide quest offers a variety of small group tours led by experienced leaders designed to enrich and inform. We create exceptional and thoughtful journeys. Created in 1970 (as Quest Nature Tours and Worldwide Adventures), we are Canadian owned and operated with offices in Toronto, Canada and New Delhi, India. Our portfolio includes: Cultural Explorations explore societies, beliefs, and traditions The Arts immerse yourself in great works of literature, art and music Food and Wine pursue the pleasures of the palate Polar discover the Arctic and Antarctic Private Journeys tailored itineraries for independent travellers Quest Nature Tours experience our natural world We are all about experiential travel. Visit us at WorldwideQuest.com 7