New Year's Celebration

Transcription

1 New Year's Celebration Join the fun, fireworks and festivities around Reykjavik. New Year s eve in Iceland certainly goes out with a bang! The sky at midnight lights up with fireworks as the Icelanders enjoy their celebration. 5 days/4 nights ITINERARY December 29: Keflavik Reykjavik Arrival in Iceland. Non-guided transfer from Keflavik International Airport to accommodation in Reykjavik. December 30: Golden Circle-Greenhouse Visit-Horse Show Tour starts at 09:30. Our fist stop is the national park of Þingvellir. This UNESCO world heritage site is the most important historical place in Iceland. It was in the year 930 that Icelanders gathered from all over the country and formed the Althing the world s first democratic parliament. While it now meets indoors in Reykjavik, this same kind of national assembly operates today. The park has some wonderful spots to walk through to sense the atmosphere of long past times. Þingvellir is not only important for Icelandic history, but also it is a place of unique geological interest, where the two continental plates can be seen slowly drifting apart. The Great Atlantic rift is clearly visible in Þingvellir; it is a rift that is slowly pulling Iceland apart along tectonic plates and you can literally walk between the American and Eurasian continental plates. From there we continue to Geysir, passing the village of Laugarvatn. We will explore the hot spring area of Geysir with its multi-coloured pools of water and mud. Strokkur, the Great Geysir s little brother, is spouting to a height of about 25 meters and erupts at about 5-7 minute intervals. After lunch (included) we drive to the mighty Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall), perhaps the most beautiful in the country. We walk around Gullfoss Falls, where the river Hvitá tumbles 32 meters in a double cascade. After Gullfoss we head to Fridheimar a geothermal greenhouse farm where they grow fresh tomatoes all year around. We continue to the Eldhestar riding centre to watch the popular horse show about the Icelandic horse, which has light feet, amazing balance, and ability to master five gaits rather than just the traditional three. We reach Reykjavik around 18:30. Dinner on your own. December 31: Reykjavik City Tour Whale and Folk Museum Viking Lunch New Year s Celebration in Harpa We start at 09:00 with a Reykjavik city tour and see the highlights of Iceland s exciting capital including the Whales of Iceland museum that features models of dolphins and whales in their life sizes. Then we head to the lava town of Hafnarfjörður where we experience a Viking lunch while listening to traditional Icelandic folk songs at a famous local restaurant. After that we visit the open-air museum of Árbæjar and learn about the way how Icelanders lived in the past. We return to the hotel around 15:30. Please note that during this tour our guides give out individual tickets for the Gala dinner in Harpa showing your table number, and the GJ-Travel badge which allows you the following: participation in the bonfire tour, re-entrance to the Harpa concert hall, and the return transfer back to the hotel (scheduled for 00:30, 01:00, 01:30 or 02:00). Harpa Festive Dinner and Bonfire Tour After the city tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Transfer from hotels to Harpa starts at 17:30. There will be a

2 welcome drink upon arrival to Harpa. The Gala Dinner is served in the conference area on the ground floor between 18:15-20:15 (starter, soup and main course). After the main course, which is around 20:15, our guides expect you outside the main entrance door for the transfer to the evening Bonfire & Christmas Light Tour. Departure to the bonfire is at 20:30. You visit one of many bonfires all over the city of Reykjavík and experience how many Icelanders celebrate New Year s Eve. The bonfire tour takes about two hours. Good shoes, warm clothing, head-wear and gloves are needed. After the tour you go back to Harpa. A live band will be playing between 22:30-23:30 and 00:30-01:30/02:00. Dessert & a coffee are served around 23:00. At 23:45, doors open to go outside to view fireworks and celebrate the New Year by following the countdown that is lit up on the building of the concert hall. At midnight, sparkling wine will be served. For those who would like to dance their night away, the transfer back to the accommodation is at 00:30 / 01:00 / 01:30 and 02:00. January 1: Blue Lagoon Reykjanes Peninsula At 10:30 we leave Reykjavik and explore the Reykjavik peninsula with its dramatic sea shores, fascinating geology, moonscapes, lava fields and fishing villages. The guided tour starts in Bessastaðir, the residence of the Icelandic president, and continues to the Viking World Museum in Reykjanesbær to visit an authentic Viking ship model that sailed across the Atlantic ocean to New York in year After a light lunch (all-you-can-eat soup) that is included, we continue to the bridge over the continents and a light house located at the edge of the Reykjanes peninsula. During this time we also visit a geothermal power plant that explains how Icelanders benefit of clean geothermal energy in their daily lives. We reach the Blue Lagoon for photographs at 16:00 or 17:00 (depending on the group you are in), to experience an oasis in the lava that owes its existence to a nearby geothermal power plant, looming large over the aqua tinted waters. We stop for 2 hours for a refreshing bathe or a swim in the pleasantly warm mineral-rich water, reputed for its healing properties. A dinner will be served in the LAVA restaurant (part of Blue Lagoon) between 19:30-21:00. Starters and deserts are brought to the table but main course is served buffet-style. After dinner, we continue to Reykjavik. Depending on weather, we will do a northern light hunt by bus on the way from the Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik. Arrival to your hotel is between 22:00-24:00. January 2: Reykjavik Keflavik Transfer to Keflavik Airport for departure. Details 2017 Departure: December: Pricing: Hotel Klettur US$2.315 twin US$2,315 triple US$2,725 single Centerhotel Plaza US$2,330 twin US$2,330 triple US$2,979 single Fosshotel Lind or Fosshotel Baron US$2,359 twin US$2,900 single Radisson Saga US$2,379 twin or US$2,559 twin business class US$2,559 triple business class US$2,929 single or US$2,935 single business class

3 Hotel Skuggi US$2,569 twin US$3,085 single Fosshotel Reykjavik US$2,619 twin US$3,405 single Hotel Holt US$2,635 twin US$3,210 single City Park Hotel US$2,640 twin US$4,819 single Hotel Reykjavik Centrum US$2,825 twin US$3,705 single Grand Hotel US$2,835 twin US$3,655 single Prices are shown in US$ per person based on three people sharing a triple room, two people sharing a twin room and one person in a single room. Additional hotel nights in Reykjavik may also be available to add on please inquire for pricing of the property of your choice. Rates vary depending on the date of stay and availability of rooms. Trip Code: R15 INCLUDED 4 nights of accommodation at hotel chosen Breakfast daily at hotel Bonfire & Christmas Lights Tour 4-course Gala Dinner at Harpa with a welcome drink, 1/2 bottle of wine with dinner, tea and coffee with dessert, glass of sparkling wine at midnight, party with live music and return transfers between your hotel and Harpa Golden Circle Tour Blue Lagoon & Reykjanes Tour Entrance to Blue Lagoon, towel rental and a Blue Lagoon cocktail Entrance to Whales of Iceland Museum Entrance to Árbæjar open-air Museum Entrance to Viking World Museum Entrance to Energy for Life exhibit in Reykjanes Icelandic Horse Show Visit to Friðheimar geothermal greenhouse farm Lunch during the Reykjavik Grand City Tour and the Golden Circle Tour Light lunch and 3-course dinner during the Reykjanes & Blue Lagoon Tour Use of snow & ice gripper spikes during nature excursions NOT INCLUDED Airfare to/from Iceland Optional Excursions Beverages and meals not listed Travel insurance, gratuities and items of a personal nature Nature Fees which may be charged for entry to privately owned sites TOUR NOTES

4 This exclusive tour package includes 4 nights in Reykjavik. During your stay a number of excursions and activities are included, such as the Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot springs, Reykjavík city tour, visit to a traditional Icelandic open-air village museum, Viking restaurant with an experience of traditional medieval music, Icelandic horse show, geothermal greenhouse visit at a local farm, a geothermal power plant exhibition and the Blue Lagoon. The New Year s Gala Dinner is enjoyed at the spectacular Harpa concert and conference hall, which is located in the city centre close to the old marina harbour. The square in front of Harpa is an ideal location for viewing fireworks over Reykjavik downtown, and it is the only place in town with a countdown to midnight that appears on the glass facade of the famous building. NOTE: Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be cancelled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible. You may choose to extend your stay in Iceland by adding in extra nights either at the beginning or end of this program. Just ask! The Dinner Menu Starter: Marinated arctic char with cauliflower terrine, capelin roe and dill mayonnaise Second starter: Icelandic wild mushroom soup with cream and parsley Main course: Herb-baked saddle of lamb, mashed potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes, olive oil glazed vegetables and port wine sauce Dessert: Valrhona chocolate truffle cakes, whipped cream and spun sugar. Caramelized lemon tart Drinks included: 1 welcome drink, ½ bottle of wine, 1 glass of sparkling wine at midnight, tea & coffee served with dessert Vegetarian Menu Starter: Tomato salad with black olive crumb, basil oil and burrata Second starter: Icelandic wild mushroom soup with cream and parsley Main course: Vegetable tart with quinoa, goat s curd and espelette pepper Dessert: Valrhona chocolate truffle cakes, whipped cream and spun sugar. Caramelized lemon tart Drinks included: 1 welcome drink, ½ bottle of wine, 1 glass of sparkling wine at midnight, tea & coffee served with dessert Change of menu EUR 30. Vegetarian meals and change of menu due to food allergy is free of charge. Please note that you need to inform us about your special meal plan or the change of menu in advance. The dinner is a set menu, changes on the spot will not be possible. Seating arrangements: In general tables of persons European casual dress code is recommended but not required: For the gentlemen: Suit and tie or trousers with blazer jacket. For the ladies: Dress (long or short), suit or skirt with a top (gala dress is not required). Please note that it is advisable to bring warm shoes, a scarf and gloves along for the Bonfire & Christmas Light Tour that can be kept in the wardrobe at Harpa during dinner. Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that information posted on our website is correct at the time of publication, however trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however, we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators. ROUTE MAP

5 Powered by TCPDF ( Contact Winnipeg 164 Marion Street Winnipeg, MB, Canada R2H 0T4 Phone: Fax: Toll Free: Edmonton (formerly Butte Travel Service) th St. NW Edmonton, AB, Canada T5G 1M1 Phone: Fax: Toll Free: