Cottages in Style

Cottages in Style– Iceland –10 days / 9 nights, Reykjavik - Hvalfjördur - Snæfellsnes Peninsula - Reykholt - Akureyri - Myvatn - Husavik - Dettifoss - Thingvellir - Gullfoss - GeysirExplore Iceland's scenic beauty and natural wonders in luxury on this 10-day self-drive with overnight stays in charming accommodations. This holiday is ideal for individual travelers and families who want to explore Iceland on their own in the lavish comforts of upscale cottages and spacious apartments. Our suggested itineraries focus on major highlights, volcanic landscapes, picturesque fjords, glaciers, powerful waterfalls and natural hot springs.

Group 2.0	Group 3.2	Group 5.0	Group 7.1
$6,425	$6,735	$7,775	$8,950

Whole package, small cottage for 1-2 persons. Rental Car for 9 days*. Types of Car recommended: Cat 2


Operation	May 1 - September 30, 2012
Departure	Daily
Price	From $6,425 for the entire package, small cottage 1-2 persons From $8,075 for the entire package, large cottage 1-4 persons
Included	3 nights in Hotel Glymur Cottages 3 nights in Sæluhus Cottages 3 nights in Grimsborgir Luxury Cottages Rental car for 9 days* CDW, theft protection, unlimited mileage, airport service charge, VAT and one authorized driver Detailed road map (1:600 000) Emergency phone line *Passengers arriving early in the morning on day 1 and leaving late on day 10 may have to pay a supplement for 1 extra day of rental car.
Not Included	International airfare & airport taxes Gasoline Meals Optional Tours Travel insurance $25 Service fee
Please Note	Published prices are valid for the whole package and are NOT per person! No single supplement nor children discount applies to this program. Types of car recommended: For route number 1 (the ring road) all car types are suitable. For Kjölur mountain road a 4wd car is needed. Small cottages (suitable for 1-2 pers) is a combination of 78 m² / 840 ft² cottage at Glymur Hotel in Borgarfjörður area, 78 m² / 840 ft² cottage near Akureyri village, and 56 m² / 602 ft² apartment in Grimsborgir, near Thingvellir National Park. Large cottages (suitable for 1-4 pers) is a combination of 88 m² / 947 ft² cottages at Glymur Hotel in Borgarfjördur area, 78 m² / 840 ft² cottage near Akureyri village, and 200 m² / 2152 ft² apartment in Grimsborgir, near Thingvellir National Park. An alternative itinerary is available in May/September at a 15% discounted rate. Car group 2.0 - Toyota Auris or similar Car group 3.2 - Toyota Verso station or similar Car group 5.0 - Suzuki grand Vitara or similar Car group 7.1 - Toyota Landcruiser GX automatic or similar
Tour Options	Optional excursions Additional nights in Reykjavik A prepaid simcard with 2.000 ISK credit included. Net price per card: USD 25. GPS system: USD 25 per unit per day (Max USD 165). If booked in advance we offer 50% discount.
More Information	Cottages in Style map Iceland Car Types Driving in Iceland Cottages information

Day 1 ARRIVAL REYKJAVIK - HVALFJÖRDUR Volcanic Landscapes - Blue Lagoon - Picturesque Fjord
Today you will drive the Reykjanes Peninsula and explore the moon like surroundings of that area. It is possible to visit the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing dip in the pleasantly warm geothermal waters, rich in silica and minerals that are great for the skin.
Continue through the capital of Reykjavík to Glymur hotel, by either driving along the shores of the beautiful Hvalfjördur "Whale fjord", or through the tunnel. Our first stop will be at the beautiful cottages of Hotel Glymur where we will stay for the next 3 nights.
Approximate mileage: 120 km / 81 miles.

Day 2 & 3 HVALFJÖRDUR & SURROUNDINGS Suggestion 1: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Volcanic Landscapes - Craters - Snæfellsnes Glacier - Sea Cliffs with Birdlife - Quaint Fishing Villages
Today you can travel via the Hvalfjördur fjord through the village of Borgarnes and on to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Drive past the magnificent Eldborg crater on the peninsula where the mysterious Snæfellsjökull glacier towers over the surrounding area. There is so much to see and explore on the peninsula, attractions include the Arnarstapi sea cliffs with its varied birdlife and the amazing rocky beach of Djupalonssandur. The quaint little fishing villages that line the peninsula are well worth a visit.
Approximate mileage: 350 km / 217 miles

Optional: Boat tour from Stykkisholmur

Suggestion 2: Borgarfjördur Area
Icelandic Sagas - Stunning Waterfalls - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring
This morning you can start the day by visiting the historic site of Reykholt. The Reykholt area includes the infamous Snorralaug thermal pool as well as Snorrastofa, which are sites well known in the Icelandic Sagas. Make a stop at the remarkably beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls as well as the Deildartunguhver hot spring, the most powerful hot spring in Europe where 150 liters (40 gallons) of 97°C (207°F) hot water flow from the Earth every second. The hot spring provides hot water and heating for houses in the whole region.
Approximate mileage: 150 km / 94 miles.

Day 4 BORGARFJÖRDUR - VARMAHLID - AKUREYRI Fertile Farmlands - Viking Horses - Iceland's Second Largest City
Today you will drive north through Borgarfjördur, over Holtavörduheidi heath, to the shores of Hunafloi Bay and through the historical horse-breeding valley of Skagafjördur. You may opt to visit the charming old farmstead at Glaumbær, a great example of Icelandic architecture from the past.
Continue towards Akureyri, the beautiful “capital of the north” and on to the Sæluhus cottages, where we will base our stay for the next 3 nights while exploring the north of Iceland.
Approximate mileage: 350 km / 217 miles.

Optional: River rafting in Skagafjördur
Horse riding in Skagafjördur
Seal watching tour from Hvammstangi

Day 5 & 6 AKUREYRI & SURROUNDINGS Suggestion 1: Akureyri - Lake Myvatn
Iceland’s Second Largest City - Waterfall "Of the Gods" - Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal Activity - Rich Birdlife
Today you will drive from Akureyri, stopping at Godafoss waterfall, before driving onwards to the beautiful Lake Myvatn area. The natural wonders of Lake Myvatn include the unique lava formations of Dimmuborgir, Krafla volcanic area, and the pseudo craters at Skutustadir.
Approximate mileage: 200 km / 124 miles.

Optional: Bird museum in Myvatn
Myvatn Nature Baths

Suggestion 2: Husavik - Asbyrgi - Dettifoss
Whale Watching - Glacier Carved Gorge - Europe’s Most Powerful Waterfall
Today you will drive from Akureyri through the fishing village of Husavik, also known as "THE whale watching village". Continue around the Tjörnes peninsula to Jökulsargljufur National Park which includes the impressive horseshoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon and the mighty Dettifoss waterfall.
Approximate mileage: 250 km / 155 miles.

Optional: Whale watching from Husavik

Day 7 AKUREYRI - KJÖLUR - HVERAVELLIR* Uninhabited Interior - Geothermal Area - Natural Hot Spring with Bathing
Drive east back through the horse-breeding valley of Skagafjördur fjord and on to the Kjölur route that leads us over the highland route (a rough terrain where 4WD is needed, the route is open from mid-June). We will be driving through the colorful thermal area of Hveravellir between the glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull where we can take a dip in a natural hot spring "in the middle of nowhere".

Driving south from this highland road you will pass the infamous waterfall of Gullfoss (Golden Falls) and on through to the famous Geysir geothermal area. These two sites can be explored if time allows, but we highly suggest this to be a separate day tour for one of the following days. On to Grimsborgir Luxury cottages where we will stay for the next 3 nights. Approximate mileage: 300 km / 186 miles.

* Another option is to travel by Route number 1 which is passable for all car types.
* Another option is to travel by Route number 1 which is passable for all car types.

Day 8 & 9 GRIMSNES & SURROUNDINGS Suggestion 1: Thingvellir - Gullfoss - Geysir - Fludir/Selfoss
National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding Geysers - Massive Waterfall
Drive to Thingvellir National Park, the site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. Continue on towards the famous Geysir hot spring area and while making a short stop at the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.
Approximate mileage: 170 km / 106 miles.

Optional: Whitewater rafting in the Geysir area
ATV-quad biking in Haukadalur

Suggestion 2: South Coast - Hella - Vik
Hekla Volcano - Thundering Waterfalls - Puffin Colony - Black Sand Beaches - Lava Fields
Drive along the spectacular south coast and view highlights along the way such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, Myrdalsjökull glacier, Dyrholaey* and the black sand beaches of Vik. It is possible to continue towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a picturesque village formerly the site of a 12th-century Catholic convent but today known for fabulous trout fishing. You may want to drive a little further making your way to the Skaftafell National Park, approximately 70 km. (43 m) further.
Approximate mileage: 300 km / 186 miles.

*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season in spring, from Mid May until June 23.

Optional: Glacier walk on Svinafellsjökull
Tour into Porsmörk Nature Reserve
Boat tour from Dyrholar on a special boat with wheels
Skogar Folk Museum

Day 10 GRIMSNES - REYKJAVIK - KEFLAVIK DEPARTURE (only for afternoon departures).
A great way to prolong your stay in Iceland is by adding some days in Reykjavik. For similar standard accomodations, Odinsve Luxury Hotel Apartments, Luna Apartments or Room with a View can all be highly recommended.
Approximate mileage: 120 km / 82 miles.