Luxury Iceland Tours & Travel

Iceland sits on one of Earth’s hottest ‘hot spots’, with a constant churn of geothermal activity taking place just below the surface. Hot springs are a natural feature of Iceland – and a key part of Icelandic culture and recreation! The ‘Blue Lagoon’ is the most famous, and most  popular, where you can bathe in warm, milky waters containing enriching natural minerals. In-water massages are offered, and there is even a bar and restaurant to complete your visit! A little off-the-beaten-path, but equally enjoyable, are the Lake Myvatn Nature Baths, Hellalaug in the Western Fjords, and Hveravellier right in the heart of the central highlands.

The ‘Golden Circle’ is Iceland’s most famous, and most spectacular tourist route. This 300km route takes in Iceland’s three most spectacular sights: the Geysir Geothermal Area, with a host of natural springs and hot spots; dramatic Gullfoss Falls, also known as Golden Falls; and Thingvellir National Park, where you can stroll through the continental crack between Eurasia and North America. As the Golden Circle sits entirely within southwest Iceland, close to the capital, the most important attractions can be explored as a series of day trips from the capital Reykjavik. More intrepid travelers can take in the entire route as a multi-day round trip with a private driver, or by yourself in a rental car. 

Due to its far northern location, Iceland is one of the world’s premier destinations for spotting the elusive – and beautiful – Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon can occur any time between September and April, but the deeper you go into winter – with its longer, darker, nights – the greater your chances. The general rule of thumb is to get as far away from urban light pollution as possible – for instance in the Thingvellir National Park around 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik, or from Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon in the south of the island.

With its glacial, lunar-like landscape, Iceland is utterly unique, with a landscape visually unlike anywhere else on the planet. A trip to Iceland takes in a series of quite remarkable natural features, such as the aforementioned Gulfoss Falls, the magical natural hot springs of the Blue Lagoon, and incredible spurting geysers such as Strokkur in the Golden Circle. In addition, we’d recommend taking in the ethereal Lava Fields of Eldhraun, the Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara, or the tumbling falls of Seljalansfoss, which you can walk right behind.

For such a spectacular destination, Iceland is pleasingly compact. It’s typically a shorter visit than other destinations. The main highlights – including the best of the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon, and the Reykjanes Peninsula – can be covered as a day trips from Reykjavik in 3-4 days. Add in some time to explore the capital – well worth doing for its local life, lively bars, and unique cuisine – and we’d typically recommend a first-time tour of around 5-6 days: perfect for a short escape from the eastern US, Canada, or northern Europe. A truncated version of the same could be crammed into a weekend getaway or stopover jaunt of around 3-4 days.

Whilst self-drive trips to Iceland are popular, we often recommend our clients travel with a private driver. This option is included in most of our luxury Iceland suggested itineraries. Hiring a car does give you great freedom, however with a private driver you will also have the same freedom, but with the added bonus of an Iceland expert guide all to yourself.

On the popular sightseeing routes in Iceland, for example the Golden Circle, many visitors arrive by coach to see the amazing geysers, waterfalls and areas of natural beauty. Another benefit of a private driver is that you’ll be able to visit at less busy times and have the landscapes more to yourself.