Sitting in a remote corner of the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland is a mountainous island nation celebrated for its dramatic scenery. Shining black sand beaches, stunning fjords, gushing geysers, majestic volcanoes, misty waterfalls, and massive glaciers create some of the most atmospheric landscapes on the planet.
During the Early Middle Ages, Norsemen traveled, traded, and established permanent colonies in many locations throughout northern Europe. As seafaring increased, either blown off course or intentionally exploring, Norsemen ‘discovered’ Iceland. Unlike other regions colonized by the Vikings, this new land had no indigenous population (although Irish hermit monks were probably on the island earlier than the Norsemen). Ancient sagas describe Iceland as a rich land filled with game and fish, birch and willow woodland, and forests that stretched from highland slopes to the valleys below. Tales of this paradise spread, and in the 9th century, Scandinavian pioneers looking to start a new life arrived in Iceland. The people who inhabit Iceland now are direct descendants of the Vikings.
Won’t you join us to explore Medieval Icelandic history through this remote land?
Any questions? Please contact us.
A unique contribution to Western literature, sagas are prose narratives written almost one thousand years ago. A unique form of medieval literature, these tales told of the adventures, struggles, and often bloody feuds of the great Norse families in both Norway and those who settled on this remote island a thousand years ago. First passed down orally from generation to generation, 1190-1320, writers inscribed these stories into books. Among the most important are the Njáls Saga, a compelling story of a fifty-year blood feud, and the Gísla Saga, about a tragic hero who must kill one of his brothers-in-law to avenge another brother-in-law.
Depart on a flight bound for Reykjavik, Iceland.
Arrive at Reykjavik Airport by 7 am. Upon leaving the airport, stop by the Viking World Museum, home of the Íslendingur, the Icelander. Built in 1996, the vessel is a replica of the famous Gokstad, a remarkable archaeological find of an almost completely intact Viking ship, excavated in Norway in 1882. Additionally, the museum houses the Viking Millennium exhibition produced by the Smithsonian Institution. Called Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, it reveals the Norse settlement and explorations of unknown lands.
Then it’s on to the renowned Blue Lagoon. Here, geothermal waters keep the bathing temperature at 39°C (102°F) year-round and we will test the waters! Note: this stop is based on availability.
Our hotel for the next two nights is the boutique Apotek, housed in a historical building that was once a pharmacy and located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik. (L/D)
Snorri Sturluson was a 13th-century Icelandic historian, poet, politician, and the author of the Prose Edda saga. A renowned leader, he was twice elected as lawspeaker (lögsögumaður) to the Icelandic parliament, the Althing. His former estate at Reykholt, where he resided from 1206 until 1241, is now the Snorrastofa Research Center. While here, learn about the excavations of his home and inspect the 800-year-old, still functioning ‘hot tub’ that Snorri built for his bathing enjoyment.
Continue to Hraunfossar, where we’ll see a series of vivid blue rivulets flowing out of this lava field. Then we wander to Barnafoss, a rapid waterfall just a short walk away. The Icelandic horse is derived from ponies brought to the island by Norse settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries. Due to archaeological excavations in Europe, we know that this equine is descended from an ancient breed. Markedly, it has been preserved in isolation and is extinct outside of Iceland. At Sturlureykir Horse Farm we will learn about these special animals.
Dinner is on our own to enjoy one of Reykjavik’s excellent restaurants. (B/L)
As we traverse the southern edge of Iceland, we will take in several interesting sites. Keldur at Rangárvellir is an 11th-century farm that has over 20 still-standing turf structures. This historic settlement once belonged to Ingjaldur Höskuldsson, a character that appears in Njál’s Saga and elsewhere in medieval literature. Keldur Hall was constructed in the old stave method with lovely carved moldings decorating the old wood and turf house. Interestingly, from the hall, there is an underground tunnel thought to date from the 12th to 13th century. Certainly, it was an escape route during times of conflict. If available, we meet with the curator who will discuss the lengthy history of the farmstead.
The extraordinary Skógasafn Museum is a collection of 18,000 regional folk crafts exhibited in three museums and six historical buildings on the property. Handsomely displayed are old bibles, ornate gold and silver jewelry, hundred-year-old cars and farm equipment, and other items from everyday life. Particularly of note, are the 18th and 19th-century national costumes worn by women along with their elaborately decorated side-saddles.
Our final stop is at Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s biggest and unquestionably most beautiful waterfalls. Any time the sun emerges, a rainbow is produced by the voluminous spray of the cascading water.
In the town of Vik, on the southern tip of the island, we spend two nights in the lovely Hotel Kria in the town of Vik. (B/L/D)
Today’s all-day excursion takes us further east. Our first stop is Reynisfjara where ebony basalt columns dominate a sparkly black sand beach. In 1991, National Geographic voted Reynisfjara as one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches to visit on Earth.
Our ultimate goal is Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the national parks of Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur along with the Vatnajökull ice cap. At Skaftafell there is a short, easy trail leading to the base of Skaftafellsjökull Glacier. Bordering Vatnajökull, we will see the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón where still waters are dotted with aquamarine icebergs from the upstream glacier. Generally, seals cavort among the icebergs in search of dinner.
At the end of our long day, we will return to Vik and the Hotel Kría. (B/L/D)
Begin today with an opportunity to walk behind the curtain of water at Seljalandsfoss waterfall (we’ll wear raincoats here!).
After that, we board a ferry to Heimaey off Iceland’s south coast and visit the only occupied island in the Westman Archipelago. In Icelandic called Vestmannaeyjar, these land masses were formed by underwater volcanic eruptions. In 1973, Eldfell Volcano on Heimaey erupted. The lava flow destroyed buildings and forced a months-long evacuation of the entire population to the mainland. The fascinating Eldheimar Museum reveals the results of this eruption’s destruction. As we walk through the town, stop to admire the church. This is a replica of the Norwegian Haltdalen stave church which was built around 1170.
Return to the mainland and continue to Reykjavik and the Hotel Apotek for five nights. Lunch is on our own. (B/ /D)
Our explorations take us into the mountains and river valleys east of Reykjavik through stunning landscapes to early Old Norse sites. Situated in the lower part of the Biskupstungur Valley, Skálholt was one of two episcopal seats in Iceland. Certainly, the first cathedral was built here in the 12th century. Subsequently, as many as ten churches have stood in this spot. Finally, the present sanctuary dates to the 1950s. While excavating for the foundation, a sarcophagus was found. Inside were the remains of Páll Jónsson, a bishop who died in 1211. Today, the coffin is on display in the church crypt.
We continue into Haukadalur Valley to the Geysir Geothermal Area. Within the region are a plethora of hot springs and geysers. Here, we will watch Strokkur Geyser shoot jets of boiling water high into the air every few minutes.
Nearby, view Gullfoss Waterfall’s dramatic show produced by the melting waters from Langjökull Glacier.
Along the way, stop to see Kerið volcanic crater lake.
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, on the UNESCO Tentative List, is a rift valley. Remarkably, this gorge marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. A venerated spot to Icelanders, this is where the open-air gathering of the National Assembly, called Althing, was established in 930. The Althing continued to meet at this spot until 1798. Over two weeks a year, the assembly met to set laws and settle disputes. Significantly, it was here that the nation abandoned the Old Norse pagan belief system and, in 1000, converted to Christianity. Nearly a millennium later, in 1944 on this spot, Icelanders declared their independence from Denmark and confirmed their first President.
Greenhouses in Iceland use geothermal waters of hot springs to grow vegetables. At Friðheimar Greenhouse Farm we will learn about the cultivation of tomatoes. Moreover, 30% of the tomatoes eaten in Iceland are cultivated here! Afterward, we will lunch on produce grown on this farm.
On our way back to Reykjavik, we will dine on lobster at Fjöruborðið Restaurant. (B/L/D)
This morning, we will visit two splendid museums in Reykjavik. The National Museum of Iceland displays enthralling exhibitions illustrating the story of Iceland’s past, from the medieval days of Viking settlements to current contemporary culture. Unquestionably unique, the Valthjófsstadur Door, a medieval church gate dated to 1200. Beautifully carved, it displays the legend of the lion-knight that appears in several Icelandic sagas.
In 2001, the remains of a 10th-century Viking longhouse were found during excavations in downtown Reykjavik. To preserve this historic discovery, The Settlement Exhibition Museum was built around the remains of the hall.
After seeing the exhibit, we will lunch in a typical restaurant serving Icelandic cuisine.
The afternoon is free to explore Reykjavik’s historic area with dinner on our own. (B/L)
One thousand years ago, Viking farmers settled in Þjórsárdalur Valley unaware of a nearby volcano. Unfortunately, Mt. Hekla erupted in 1104, and twenty-two settlement farms were destroyed. As a result, one of these farmsteads, Stöng, had been hidden under massive layers of pumice for 835 years. In 1939 archaeologists excavated the exceptionally well-preserved ruins and today, the remains of the longhouse are protected by an enclosed building. In the 10th century, according to the Saga of Njáll, the Viking Gaukur Trandilsson lived at Stöng. Consequently, a reconstruction of the Viking-era farming complex where he lived, Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, was developed.
Dinner is on our own. (B/L)
A variety of cultural and natural history awaits us today. Located at the head of the fjord in Borgarnes, Landnámssetur Settlement Exhibition tells the Saga of the Settlement of Iceland. Additionally, an exhibition of Egil’s Saga profiles one of the most colorful of all the saga heroes.
Following our visit, we drive north to the picturesque fishing town of Stykkishólmur, overlooking the natural harbor of Breiðafjörður Bay. While here, see Stykkishólmur’s graceful church, which opened in 1990. It was designed by the Icelandic architect Jón Haraldsson and the altarpiece was painted by Kristín Gunnlaugsdóttir.
Our last stop is Eiríksstaðir, the former homestead of Eiríkr Þorvaldsson, known as Erik the Red. After being exiled from Iceland for committing a murder, he is remembered in medieval and Icelandic saga sources as having founded the first settlement in Greenland. Most compelling evidence points to Eiríksstaðir as the birthplace of Leif the Lucky who is said to have discovered America.
Return to Reykjavik in the evening. Gather this evening for our final dinner party in one of the city’s exceptional restaurants. (B/L/D)
Transfer to the airport for our morning flights home. (B)
