University of Louisville Best of Iceland Tour (+ Optional 3 night/4day Greenland Post-Tour) July 23 31, 2015 Dear University of Louisville Travelers and Friends, Thank you for your past support of our University of Louisville travel programs. After years of requests from previous travelers, we are pleased to offer a spectacular land tour of Iceland with an optional post-tour to Greenland. We feel this U of L custom land tour includes the BEST that this wonderful country has to offer, and at the best time of the year. Iceland is the ultimate nature trip; it's difficult to remain unmoved by the amazing diversity of the Icelandic landscape. The country is about the size of England but with barren lunar landscapes, congealed lava flows, windswept tundra, 22 active volcanoes, 250 geothermal areas, 780 hot springs, and the world's 3rd largest icecap (only Antarctica and Greenland are larger). In each city, you will tour with expert English-speaking guides to see the major highlights. You will also have free time to explore on your own and participate in the attractions that most interest you. Discover this exotic arctic island while enjoying the fellowship and comfort that traveling with the University of Louisville provides. The tour begins and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland and includes 9 days in the best centrally located hotels Iceland has to offer, making it easy to explore on your own. Enjoy 8 breakfasts, 7 dinners, and all included tours. Transportation is provided in a deluxe motor coach, and is designated only for our group. Also included are all group transfers to and from the airport, a Tour Manager and driver, and luggage handling throughout the tour. The cost also covers all hotel taxes, service charges, and gratuities. Attached is a brochure of the itinerary and costs. As a past U of L traveler, you are first to be notified before general promotion begins. If you are interested in joining the group for this magnificent travel experience, we suggest reserving your space now. If you have friends or family that would like to join you on this trip, they also have the benefit to reserve with you at this time. We have to limit participation to the first 34 passengers that reserve since there will only be one motor coach touring. There is a non-refundable $250 per person deposit to reserve your space. Confirmed passengers will be notified later regarding airline options. Blocked air space from Louisville will be arranged. Platinum Travel can also make individual airline reservations departing from your home city. The Greenland post-tour is based on availability of flights to Greenland and hotel availability at the time of booking. It will be confirmed on a first come first serve basis. Once the flights to and from Greenland sell out, passengers will be placed on a waitlist. If interested, you are encouraged to confirm this optional tour as soon as possible. THIS WILL BE THE ONLY DIRECT MAILING YOU WILL RECEIVE ON THIS TOUR. We hope you will join the University of Louisville for this spectacular travel experience!! The University of Louisville & Platinum Travel To make a reservation or inquiry, please contact the :
BEST OF ICELAND TRAVEL ITINERARY Wednesday, July 22: Depart the USA, for your international flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. DAY 1 Thursday, July 23: Arrive Reykjavik Upon arrival at the Reykjavik-Keflavík International Airport, you will be greeted by your private driver and guide. Drive to Reykjavik for check-in at the Hilton (approx. 50 min.). The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow U of L travelers and tour director. Overnight stay at the Reykjavik Hilton Hotel Nordica. (D) DAY 2 Friday, July 24: Geysir Gullfoss Skógar Vík Today see Exploding geysers, a massive waterfall, a puffin colony and black sand beaches. Travel to Icelands Gullfoss (Golden Falls) and the nearby Geysir hot springs area to see the famous Geyser, numerous hot springs, and boiling mud pools. Continue along the south shore, and stop to admire Seljalandsfoss and skoga foss waterfalls before continuing to Dyrholaey nature To make a reservation or inquiry, please contact the Platinum Travel Group reserve. Department: Conclude today s journey in the charming village of Vik. This evening enjoy a Group dinner and overnight say at the Edda Hotel Vik. (B,D)
DAY 3 Saturday, July 25: Vík Skaftafell National Park Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon Hofn DAY 4 Sunday, July 26: Höfn East Fjords Egilsstaðir Today travel to Europe's largest National Park, Glacial Lagoon with icebergs & Europe's largest glacier and lava fields. Cross Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava to ever flow on the face of the Earth, before reaching the small town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur; a former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The tour continues over Skeiðarársandur sands to Skaftafell National Park. Observe the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon & see floating icebergs & curious seals. Enjoy a boat tour on the Lagoon, sailing among the majestic icebergs. Throughout the day we are afforded magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier. This evening, enjoy a group dinner & overnight stay in the Höfn Hotel. (B,D) Today see narrow fjords, steep mountains, and picturesque coastlines. Drive from Höfn through Almannaskarð pass. Stop and admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. Explore Petra s renowned collection of local stones and minerals. This evening enjoy a Group Dinner and overnight stay in Egilsstaðir at the Herod Icelandair Hotel. (B,D) DAY 5 DAY 6 Monday, July 27: Egilsstaðir Lake Mývatn Area Akureyri Tuesday, July 28: Akureyri Today see the Highland Desert, bizarre lava formations, geothermal & volcanic activity. Visit the majestic Dettifoss waterfall & Námaskarð pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area, including the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the craters at Skútustaðir and Laxá Salmon River & more ducks than any other place on Earth, with very diverse birdlife in general. Travel to the bustling northern port of Akureyri, stopping at the magnificent Goðafoss waterfall. Akureyri has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. This evening enjoy a Group Dinner and 2 nights at the Kea Hotel in Akureyri. (B,D) Today there is time to unwind and enjoy some free time in this fascinating city. To make a reservation or inquiry, please contact the Platinum Travel Group Optional Department: tours will be offered, such as: whale watching, horseback riding, local food tour (meeting with farmers, fishermen and brewers and taste the local produce), or an exclusive art & design walk. Dinner is on your own tonight to try a different restaurant of your choice in Akureyri. (B)
DAY 7 Wednesday, July 29: Akureyri Skagafjörður Borgarfjörður Today see farmlands and Viking horses. Majestic mountains and narrow passes lead to Skagafjörður, an area famous for horse breeding. On this day you will be given an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse that has a special fifth gait the tölt. Cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau to reach Borgarfjörður. This evening enjoy a Group Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel Borgarnes in the Borgarfjörður area. (B,D) DAY 8 Thursday, July 30: Borgarfjörður Þingvellir Reykjavík Today see picturesque waterfalls, Europe's most powerful hot spring, and a UNESCO National Park with geological wonders. In the early morning, visit the spectacular Settlement Centre in Borgarnes, where you can learn about the saga of the Viking heritage. Continue to explore the fertile region of Borgarfjörður, visit the picturesque Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. See Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Travel on to Þingvellir National Park and explore the grounds of the ancient parliament site, Alþingi, on the shores of Iceland s largest lake. Here see the dramatic continental drift between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Continue to Reykjavík. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Group Dinner at a local restaurant to share all the memories. Overnight stay at the Reykjavik Hilton Hotel Nordica. (B,D) DAY 9 Friday, July 31: Depart for home or fly to Greenland for optional 3 night post tour. Transfer to Reykjavik-Keflavík International Airport for your return flight home or continue on to GREENLAND for an OPTIONAL 3 night post tour. (B) B,L,D = Included group meals that day. (If traveling to Greenland, leave any unnecessary luggage at the Hilton until your return 2 days later.) To make a reservation or inquiry, please contact the :
University of Louisville Best of Iceland Tour July 23 31, 2015 COST: $ 3499 per person, double occupancy COST UNCLUDES COST EXCLUDES 9 days/8 nights in Iceland s best hotels. 8 breakfast and 7 dinners. All sightseeing and tours referenced in the attached itinerary including: - A boat tour on Jokulsarion Glacial Lagoon - Entry into Petra's stone collection - A horse show at the Gauksmyri farm - Entrance into the Settlement Center in Borgarnes Airfare to and from Reykjavik. Personal items and purchases. Extra gratuities for the Tour Manager, driver, and local guides. Meals and beverages not included in the above itinerary. Excess baggage fees. Travel insurance. Deluxe motor coach transportation, designated only for the U of L group during the entire tour. Transfers to and from the airport for those on the group airfare. A Tour Manager & driver throughout the tour. University of Louisville/Platinum Travel escorts. All luggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person. All hotel taxes and service charges. Gratuities to the porters and hotel staff. Special group gifts, amenities, and dinners. To make a reservation or inquiry, please contact the :
Optional Greenland Post-Tour July 31 August 3, 2015 The Greenland post-tour is based on availability of flights to Greenland and hotel availability at the time of booking. It will be confirmed on a first come first serve basis. Once the flights to and from Greenland sell out, passengers will be placed on a waitlist. If interested, you are encouraged to confirm this optional tour as soon as possible. DAY 1 July 31: Fly to Ilulissat, Greenland for an optional 3 night post tour Transfer to the Reykjavik Domestic Airport (city center) for your Air Iceland flight to Ilulissat, Greenland. (Please note that you need to take care of your own transfer to the Reykjavik Domestic Airport, but it is easy to take a taxi). The flight is about 3 hours and the time difference is 2 hours. Meet and greet at the airport and short transfer to the Arctic Hotel with a breathtaking iceberg view room. This evening enjoy an included dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D) DAY 2 Saturday, August 1: Free day in Ilulissat for optional tours Free day for optional excursions. Times and dates of each excursion vary from day to day, and can only be confirmed upon request. Optional tours: Ilulissat: Cultural and Historical City Walk Ilulissat: Hike to the Old Settlement at the Icefjord/Sermermiut Ilulissat: Sailing among the Icebergs (day trip) Whale Safari in the Disco Bay (4 hours) Boat trip to Eqi the calving glacier (6-12 hours) Kangia Classic with helicopter (90 min) DAY 3 Sunday, August 2: Return to Reykjavik Transfer to the Ilulissat, Greenland Airport for your flight to the Reykjavik Domestic Airport (city center) for 1 more night at the Reykjavik To make a Hilton reservation Hotel Nordica. inquiry, please contact the : DAY 4 Monday, August 2: Depart for home Transfer (not included) to Reykjavik-Keflavík International Airport for your return flight home. (B)
Optional Greenland Post-Tour July 31 August 3, 2015 COST: $ 1999 per person, double occupancy COST INCLUDES COST EXCLUDES Roundtrip airfare to and from Greenland. 2 nights at the Arctic Hotel in Greenland in an iceberg view room. 3 breakfasts and 1 dinner. 1 additional night at the Reykjavik Hilton Hotel Nordica. Transfers to and from the airport in Greenland. All hotel taxes and service charges. All gratuities Transfers to/from the Reykjavik Domestic airport. Greenland Airport taxes (approx. $188). Personal items and purchases. Meals and beverages not included in the above itinerary. Luggage handling Excess baggage fees. Travel insurance. To make a reservation or inquiry, please contact the :