Whales and Wonders

3 nights, 15 June – 15 August 2012, from £779

What could be more charming than whale watching under the Midnight Sun? The whales never fully sleep and your chance of seeing them in their peaceful slumber will be greater during the summer months. On this short break you can also explore Iceland’s most celebrated natural phenomena including spouting geysers, cascading waterfalls and lazy lagoons. As well as three nights’ accommodation in the centre of Reykjavik, your break will include an itinerary of exciting excursions:

Day 1:

Upon arrival at Keflavik airport, a coach transfer will take you to your hotel in the centre of Reykjavik, from where you can enjoy your evening in the world’s northernmost capital city.

Day 2:

You will be taken to the world-famous Blue Lagoon where you can bathe in the milky blue-green waters surrounded by the scenic volcanic landscape. Your afternoon at leisure could be spent in Reykjavik, taking in the sights and exploring what this exciting city has to offer. In the evening, you will be picked up from your hotel for the whale watching experience. On this relaxing evening excursion you will sail to the Faxafloi, where whales are diverse in species and abundant in number. As the boat’s engines are shut down, you will hear the soothing sounds of nature: the whales, the water, the birds – all under the allure of the Midnight Sun.

Day 3:

On your third day you will discover Iceland’s most celebrated natural wonders on the famous Golden Circle tour. See spouting geysers and the hot springs of Geysir, walk between the American and Eurasian continental plates at Thingvellir National Park and get close to the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, where the river Hvita tumbles in a double cascade.

Day 4:

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Enjoy a morning at leisure if returning to Heathrow.

Whales and Wonders: At A Glance

Included:

• Flights from London Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester or Glasgow
• Transfers
• Three nights’ hotel accommodation (inc. breakfast)
• Midnight Sun whale watching experience
• Golden Circle tour
• Blue Lagoon
• Admission to the Blue Lagoon
• Taxes and government air passenger duty 

Whales and Wonders: Your Included Highlights

Whale Watching

Duration:Three hours
The bays surrounding Reykjavik are home to diverse and abundant numbers of whales, making Iceland one of the best places in the Northern Hemisphere to see these majestic animals. The summer months offer the best chance of seeing the whales since the ocean current and long hours of daylight create excellent feeding grounds. On this three-hour tour you may see humpback and minke whales, harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphins. The 2011 season returned a 94.5% sighting success, but in the event of no sightings on your trip, you will be offered another complimentary tour.

Golden Circle

Duration: From four hours
The popular Golden Circle tour includes visits to some of the most celebrated natural phenomena in Iceland. The Thingvellir National Park was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2004 and offers views of the Great Atlantic Rift, a rift which is slowly pulling Iceland apart along the Eurasian and American tectonic plates. The National Park is the site on which the Althingi Parliament was founded in 930AD – the oldest known parliament in the world. From there, you will visit the spectacular Gullfoss, the queen of Iceland’s waterfalls, which tumbles in a double cascade. The final stop of this tour will be the Geyser geothermal area where you can see spouting geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pools.

 

 

Blue Lagoon

Duration: From two hours
The world-famous Blue Lagoon is a naturally-heated geothermal spa situated amongst young lava fields offering dramatic views of a volcanic landscape. After bathing in the milky green-blue waters, you can enjoy a geothermal steam bath, sauna, or walk around the scenic surroundings. The Lagoon’s six million litres of mineral-rich water are naturally renewed every 40 hours and originate 2,000 metres beneath the ground where it is heated by the earth’s natural forces. With shuttles returning frequently to your hotel in Reykjavik, you are free to spend as long or as short a time at the Lagoon as you wish.

 

 

Reykjavik

The world’s northernmost capital city offers something for everyone. There is a lively cultural scene, with many galleries, museums, concerts, parks and gardens. The city is an ideal location for shopping, fashion and nightlife, earning Reykjavik its notorious chic reputation. Strolls along the waterfront can be the perfect way to unwind. The most dominant landmark is the Hallgrimskirkja Church (the tallest building in the city) and a lift to the top of the central tower will provide you with panoramic views across Reykjavik. Your Reykjavik hotel will be centrally located, ensuring that you are never far from the action.