Join Our State as we search for the northern lights and relax in the spa-like waters of the Blue Lagoon as we traverse some of the most pristine and diverse terrain in the northern hemisphere. Take in 360-degree views of Reykjavík, explore national parks and volcanic terrain, admire iconic waterfalls, and see the sparkle of Diamond Beach.
September 20, 2025 – September 26, 2025
Package Includes:
- Round-trip airfare — Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Five nights’ hotel accommodations
- 9 meals: five breakfasts and four dinners with two glasses of wine or beer
- Sightseeing per itinerary
- Admissions per itinerary
- Deluxe motor coach transportation
- Professional tour guide and driver
- Our State host
- Baggage handling (one bag per person) and hotel transfers
- Hotel tips, restaurant tips for included meals, and local taxes
Itinerary Highlights:
- Reykjavík city tour
- Thingvellir National Park
- “Golden Waterfall” of Gullfoss
- Blue Lagoon indoor geothermal pool visit
- Skaftafell National Park
- Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls
- Skógar Folk Museum
- Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
- Boat tours in search of the northern lights
Itinerary:
SEPTEMBER 20, 2025
Depart from the US to Iceland.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2025: ARRIVE IN REYKJAVÍK
Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting for your group in the arrival hall, ready to take you to your private coach. Flight time permitting, your first stop will be at the Viking World, home of the Viking ship Íslendingur (the Icelander) and part of the Viking Millennium Exhibition produced by the Smithsonian Institution. A breakfast buffet will be served at Viking World (breakfast is served until 10 a.m.). You’ll then head straight for the capital, where your tour will take in all the city’s major attractions, including Parliament; the National Museum; Laugardalslaug swimming pool; the Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum; “The Pearl;” Höfði House (site of the 1986 Reykjavík Summit); and the city’s main landmark, Hallgrímskirkja. There’s no better way to come to grips with everything Reykjavík has to offer in just a few hours. Visit the Perlan Museum and the 360° Observation Deck for amazing views over Reykjavík. Afterwards, you’ll be delivered to your accommodation for check-in at 3 p.m. There is time to explore on your own and enjoy the beautiful natural backdrop before meeting your travel director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner this evening. Tonight, head out to search for the northern lights. (The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed.)
Meals: D
Overnight: Grand Hotel Reykjavík or similar in Reykjavík
SEPTEMBER 22, 2025: BLUE LAGOON VISIT AND BATH
Today, dive into culture at the world-famous Blue Lagoon (Please remember to pack your swimwear; towels will be provided.). Its steaming turquoise waters are said to have healing powers. The Lagoon is a unique wonder — a lake with pleasantly warm mineral-rich geothermal water in the middle of a black lava field. The high natural levels of silica and minerals give the Lagoon its rich blue color. The facilities include modern changing rooms, showers, an indoor geothermal pool, a massage waterfall, restaurants, and other services. Enjoy a drink as well as a silica mud mask included in your visit. You will also visit the Aurora Reykjavík Museum. Then, the afternoon is at your leisure. This evening, head out to search for the northern lights by boat. Experience a hunt for the northern lights on the sea, far away from the city lights! Hunting the northern lights from the ocean is an amazing experience. Sailing away from the coastline of Reykjavík and seeing the aurora borealis out on the North-Atlantic Ocean with beautiful mountains and the city lights in the background is something you won’t forget. In only 15-30 minutes, you will be in a prime location for viewing the auroras. The boat is not restricted by roads, so it is easier to follow the northern lights. (The tour is subject to weather conditions. The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed).
Meals: B
Overnight: Reykjavík
Strokkur Geyser Photography courtesy of AAA Travel
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025: REYKJAVÍK – THINGVELLIR – GULLFOSS-GEYSER AREA – VÍK AREA
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Photography courtesy of AAA Travel
We leave the capital, journeying through Iceland’s volcanic landscapes to Thingvellir National Park, where we will see firsthand how the movements of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates have carved into the Earth’s crust. Visit the world-famous hot spring area of Geyser and see Strokkur shoot a spectacular plume of water high into the air. Our next stop is Gullfoss (“Golden Falls”), which was saved at the turn of the last century by the tenacity of a farmer’s daughter who threatened to throw herself into its depths if it was developed for hydroelectric power. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, before arriving in the Vík area for dinner at your hotel.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Hotel Vík or similar in Vík
SEPTEMBER 24, 2025: VÍK AREA – SKAFTAFELL – JÖKULSÁRLÓN – VÍK
This morning, we cross the vast expanse of Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on the face of the Earth, before reaching Skaftafell National Park. Next, we see the largest glacier in Iceland, the Vatnajökull, before continuing to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon for magnificent views of the ice cap and drifting icebergs that melt into obscurity in the lake’s water. We also head across the street and enjoy Diamond Beach. Near Jökulsárlón is a sand beach named Breiðamerkursandur. It is often called “Diamond Beach” because of the glaciers from Jökulsárlón that have washed up on the sand where they lie and sparkle like diamonds. We head back to our hotel later this evening.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Hotel Vík or similar in Vík
SEPTEMBER 25, 2025: VIK – REYKJAVÍK
Today, head back to Reykjavík. Visit the Skógar Folk Museum by Skógarfoss waterfall, which includes a collection of historical buildings, including a turf home, and focuses on how Icelanders lived during the last centuries. Stop at the Lava Center on the way back and enjoy a short, guided visit followed by some free time. This evening, we reminisce over the myths and legends we’ve encountered along the way during a Farewell Dinner with newfound friends and your travel director.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Grand Hotel Reykjavík or similar in Reykjavík
SEPTEMBER 26, 2025: DEPART REYKJAVÍK
For now, it’s time to say a fond farewell to Iceland after an unforgettable trip. You have one group transfer to the airport after breakfast.
Meals: B
Tour Rates:
$5,899 per person based on double occupancy
$7,399 single rate
For reservations and more information:
AAA Travel
Beth Rackham
919-832-0543, ext. 16012
barackham@acg.aaa.com
Additional Information:
What to expect on an Our State trip:
Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.
We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.
You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.
Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.
Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.
One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
Physical requirements:
Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.
Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.
Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.
We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.
If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.
