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This self-drive tour includes opportunities to discover Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, plus experience a whale hunt – for photos only of course!
This lovely relaxed break allows you to enjoy some of the stunning volcanic highlights of Iceland at your own pace, as well as have the excitement of a Northern Lights Hunt.
Being remote and away from any artificial light, Aurora watching is excellent in the countryside around the family run hotel that we have chosen based on a working farm.
With two dinners included this is a great value break.
Fly to Reykjavik, pick up your 4WD hire car and drive to Hotel Smaratun (@ 2hr drive). This hotels remote setting away from all artificial light makes it a pristine spot for Northern Lights viewings.
Tonight dine at Hotel Fljotshlio Smaratun on a 3 course dinner with local ingredients, many grown/reared on the farm that the hotel is situated on.
Seeing the magical Northern Lights is something you will not so easily forget. The stunning display of this delicate sheet of white, green, yellow or even red lights dancing across the starry sky is a true wonder of nature.
We want to give you every chance of seeing the Northern Lights and so tonight you will hunt for the Northern Lights in a Superjeep with guide. The guide knows all the good spots and his experience will be put to use as he drives for an evening of exciting hunting in your super jeep. This tour is 3 – 4 hours long depending upon conditions.
Return to overnight at Hotel.
More about the Hotel Fljotshlio Smaratun– our personal experience
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Enjoy breakfast before a self drive adventure exploring Iceland’s famous Golden Circle including the beautiful UNESCO Site of Þingvellir National Park and Lake Thingvallavatn. Self drive through these stunning areas to visit the Golden Circle.
During the day experience the dramatic mini rift valley created by tectonic plate movement, gaze at the thundering Gullfoss waterfall which can totally freeze in winter, look down at the beautiful Kerio Crater, and marvel at the Strokkur Geyser which erupts every 5 minutes. We would also recommend a visit to Thingvellir, the location where the first democratic government in the world was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century.
Tonight dine at Hotel Fljotshlio Smaratun on a 3 course dinner with local ingredients, many grown/reared on the farm that the hotel is situated on, and keep a look out for the Northern Lights as you relax at the hotel. As the hotel is situated in an isolated area there are no artificial lights around to spoil the show if the Northern Lights comes out.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning drive into Reykjavik (@ 1½ hrs) and spend some time in the old town and chose one of the excellent restaurants in which to enjoy an early lunch. It is a quirky old town with lots of unusual shops and museums.
Afterwards head down to Reykjavik harbour to join the afternoon whale watching boat tour. The south coast of Iceland is host to a wide selection of sea life and various whale species are present including killer whales who hunt herring off the coast of Iceland.
The captain and crew take you to their favourite spots and give interesting information about the different kinds of whales and seabirds you can expect to see.
The guides also take specimens from the ocean on each tour and show them to the passengers via an on-board screen using special microscopes. Here the ocean comes to life as you get to see and feel objects such as baleen plates, whale teeth and whale bones. Warm overalls are provided to keep you warm and dry.
Afterwards drive to the Blue Lagoon Silica Hotel set in the heart of a stunning lava landscape just ten minutes’ walk from Iceland’s most famous attraction the Blue Lagoon. Overnight at the Blue Lagoon Silica Hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast you have time to enjoy your complimentary entrance to the Blue Lagoon, and benefit from the warm geothermal waters which are particularly good for the skin.
Bathe in the warm bright blue waters, put Silica mud on your face or try out the Sauna and Steam rooms which are carved into the lava.
You can easily while away a couple of hours soaking up the atmosphere or have a meal in a choice of restaurants with lovely views of the Lagoon. We would also recommend the in-water massage treatments which are just heavenly!
Drive to the airport (20 minutes) drop off the hire car and catch your flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
If this is not perfect for you try the Northern Lights Paradise Break or we can tailor-make a Northern Lights Holiday for you.
We have an extensive Northern Lights Information Hub if you need further information on anything from What are the Northern Lights? to Where can I see the Northern Lights? and when is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
Hotel Fljótshlíð Smáratún is based on a working traditional family farm of around 300 hectares that has been managed by the same family for 3 generations. This charming hotel offers a real "home to home" environment with a really quirky and fun feel - including a tractor in the middle of the restaurant, and partly finished jigsaws put out for you to finish!
As it is in an isolated area it is great for Northern Lights as there are no artificial lights around to spoil the show.
This small hotel has a lovely personal feel and we are particularly pleased that the hotel has agreed to offer it exclusively to Weekend a La Carte Aurora Nights guests for our New Year Break.
The meat and produce produced on the farm are served in the restaurant, and the hotel is certified by the Nordic Swan Eco Label meaning it is a role model for sustainability in Icelandic tourism. The hotel takes its ecological credentials very seriously with some wonderful initiatives such as being able to plant your own tree yourself to help offset your carbon footprint from your trips, though sadly practicalities mean this is only possible in the summer.
Set in the heart of a stunning lava landscape the Blue Lagoon Silica Hotel is just ten minutes’ walk from the Blue Lagoon, and 1 admission is included in your room price.
The hotel has 35 bright and spacious rooms. All rooms offer a veranda with breath-taking views of the surrounding lava fields.
All rooms are equipped with private bathrooms and a shower and the hotel has its own private bathing lagoon, available only to guests at certain hours of the day.
The Blue Lagoon Silica Hotel has won several design awards as it is built in harmony with the surrounding landscape, offering an oasis of calm, relaxation and healing.
Grimsborgir hotel was built in 2009 and extended in 2013, and is in an ideal location in the heart of the Golden Circle, being very close to some of Iceland’s most amazing attractions in the Golden Circle - Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir National Park. It's secluded location is also excellent for Northern Lights viewing.
The hotel is spread over 10 buildings with the reception and restaurant being in a separate building to the various rooms.
The superior rooms are 24 sqm big and have a private bath with bathtub/shower. Every room has a nice terrace and access to hot tubs in a common area.
“We watched the sun rise above the blue mist and it was beautiful and exhilarating being in the hot baths surrounded by snowy mountains. We will certainly recommend you company. What a great 50th Birthday Celebration. Thank you very much”
“Honestly what a great time- the Blue Lagoon was fabulous. I cannot say anymore than we had a really great time and wish to go back, sooner rather than later. ”
Departure
For international clients we can organise just ground arrangements so they can book their own flights if they would prefer.