Experience the Arctic North

Images

1.  Northern Lights over Akureyri

2.  Akureyri in the winter (evening)

3.  Cultural house, Hof, in Akureyri

4.  Icelandair Hotel Akureyri

Experience the Arctic North

Travel Period:  Sep 16 - Dec 15, 2013 and Jan 6 - Apr 26, 2014

Northern Iceland is a land of amazing adventures, offering diverse options for those who want to combine relaxation with fun and excitement in a veritable paradise of nature.  There are countless opportunities for outdoor activities to suit everyone’s taste.  Enjoy a relaxing visit to the charming, lively town of Akuryeri.  The center of culture, education and leisure activities in North Iceland, Akureyri is the largest town outside of the Reykjavik capital area.  In addition to its culture Akureyri  is an excellent base for winter recreational activities such as downhill and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, horse trekking, super Jeep excursions and a skating rink.    The town also offers one of the finest geothermal outdoor swimming pools in Iceland, a spa like facility located just steps from the Icelandair Hotel Akureyri.

There are few places in North Iceland better than the Akureyri area, in close range to the Arctic Circle. The best months for Northern Lights viewing are October through mid-April (subject to weather conditions).

This year, people have two choices of packages:

Option 1:  2 nights in Akureyri and 2 or more nights in Reykjavik (extra nights chosen at booking time)

Option 2:  3 nights in Akureyri and 2 or more nights in Reykjavik (extra nights chosen at booking time)

You can also use the package drop down menu on the right side of the page.  Select your gateways and under "To"  select either "Experience the Arctic North- 2 nights Akureyri" or "Experience the Arctic North - 3 nights Akureyri"

2)  Upon booking, you will receive two emails.  One will contain your electronic air ticket.  The other will contain your package booking confirmation and some general information.  You will receive additional information from the Icelandair IHUSA Confirmation email box in about three weeks.  This will contain specific details about your travel arrangements in Iceland.

Washington DC departures available Sep 16  - Dec, 2013 and Mar 1 - 26, 2014

Newark NJ departures available Oct 28 - Dec, 2013 and Feb 24 - Mar 26, 2014

 Best dates for the lowest prices, based on the 2 Nights in Akureyri version.  Availability as of May 16, 2013 (subject to change)

BOS-  Nov 2-8, 11, 12, - 17, 19 - 30; Dec 1 - 11;  Jan 6- 12, 14- 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31; Feb 1- 28; Mar 1- 26 

JFK-  Nov 7,-30; Dec 1- 11; Jan 8 - 31; Feb 1 -11, 13 - 28; Mar 2 - 26

EWR-  Nov  2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30;  Dec 2, 5, 7, 9;  Feb 24, 27;  Mar 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 24

IAD-  Nov 5, 7, 9, 14, 16, 19, 20, 23, 28, 30; Dec 3, 5, 7, 10; Mar 4, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22

DEN-  Nov 4, 11, 18, 25;  Dec 2, 9;  Jan 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24;  Mar 3, 10

SEA-  Nov 1-13,  15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30; Dec 1,2, 3, 6, 7, 8-10;  Jan 6,7, 10, 11-13, 17, 8., 19, 24, 26, 31;  Feb 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22;  Mar  1-4, 6, 7-26

Option 1

Option 2

Prices may be higher based on departure date and gateway

*Prices quoted are round-trip including all taxes and fees, and are based on availability. Additional baggage and optional service fees may apply.

Option 1:  2 nights in Akureyri, 2 nights in Reykjavik

Day 1: Evening departure from North America

Day 2: Early morning arrival in Iceland.  On own transfer to hotel in Reykjavik.  We recommend the Fly Bus Plus transfers, which take you to your hotel in Reykjavik. (Price is $42 per person round trip)  Rest of the day open for your own activities.  Maybe you'll visit the hotel's relaxing Soley Spa to soak off the jet lag in the mineral water geothermal pool, hot tubs and steam rooms not included in price-  ISK1500 admission).    Perhaps you’ll take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary scheduled shuttle service and visit Old Town Reykjavik. This area of the capital has many restaurants, galleries and museums.  Near the hotel is the Pearl, a building with an amazing panorama view over Reykjavik.  The basement of the Pearl houses the Saga Museum.  This wax museum depicts scenes from Iceland’s Viking history and sagas.  Guests of the hotel receive a discount on admission.

Day 3:  Breakfast at hotel.  Transfer on your  own  to the domestic airport in Reykjavik (located about 5 minutes’ drive from the hotel, cabs plentiful. Cost is about $20, subject to change).  Take a morning flight on Air Iceland to Akureyri, the “Capital” of North Iceland.  If the sky is clear, you will have an excellent view over Iceland’s surreally beautiful wilderness interior.  (45 minute flight).  Upon arrival at Akureyri Domestic airport, you’ll be met by a guide who will drive you to your hotel for check in.  You’ll receive a welcome drink at the hotel’s bar as well as a ticket to the town’s amazing geothermal pool.  Guests will also receive a 20% at Aqua spa.

Rest of your day open to enjoy Akureyri, a town of charming buildings cradled within the magnificent Eyjafjordur Fjord.  Though small in size, Akureyri is vibrant and lively, offering many museums, restaurants and pubs.  The year-round botanical gardens are an interesting feature, as well as the spa-like geothermal swimming pool.

Tonight, be in the lobby at 10:00pm for a Northern Lights sightseeing tour.  Drive out to the mystical country or into the mountains, away from city lights and sounds.  The quest is for the elusive Aurora Borealis lights with unbelievable displays of color, light and texture.  It’s like waking up in a fairy-tale full of mystery and magic.  Route taken depends on weather and road conditions.

Please note:  The Northern Lights are visible from September through April but can only be seen on a clear night  If Northern Lights are not possible, another tour activity will be planned by the tour operator.  These may include visits to historic sites in North Iceland where you will learn about Icelandic ghost stories.  If a Northern Lights tour is cancelled due to weather, you can also opt to upgrade to another day tour for a small extra fee.  Alternatives will be provided by the tour operator at the hotel desk.

Day 4:  Breakfast at hotel.  Day open for your own activities. Perhaps you’ll visit some museums in Akureyri.  Maybe you’ll try skiing in nearby Hlidarfall ski area.  You might book one of the optional tours available through the tour operator.  These are excellent ways to experience fun and adventure, history, folklore and culture in North Iceland.

Day 5:  Breakfast at hotel.  On own, transfer to the Akureyri airport (cabs plentiful,  airport located about 5 minutes’ drive from Akureyri).  Morning Air Iceland flight back to Reykjavik.  Transfer on your own to Reykjavik Natura Hotel.  Rest of the day open for your own fun and activities in Reykjavik.  Today you might visit the hotel’s tour desk to set up transfers back to Keflavik airport tomorrow.

Day 6:  Morning open for own activities.  On own transfer to airport for late afternoon departure to North America.

Option 2:  3 nights in Akureyri, 2 nights in Reykjavik

Day 1: Evening departure from North America

Day 2: Early morning arrival in Iceland.  On own transfer to hotel in Reykjavik.  We recommend the Fly Bus Plus transfers, which take you to your hotel in Reykjavik. (Price is $42 per person round trip)  Rest of the day open for your own activities.  Maybe you'll visit the hotel's relaxing Soley Spa to soak off the jet lag in the mineral water geothermal pool, hot tubs and steam rooms not included in price-  ISK1500 admission).    Perhaps you’ll take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary scheduled shuttle service and visit Old Town Reykjavik. This area of the capital has many restaurants, galleries and museums.  Near the hotel is the Pearl, a building with an amazing panorama view over Reykjavik.  The basement of the Pearl houses the Saga Museum.  This wax museum depicts scenes from Iceland’s Viking history and sagas.  Guests of the hotel receive a discount on admission.

Day 3:  Breakfast at hotel.  Transfer on your  own  to the domestic airport in Reykjavik (located about 5 minutes’ drive from the hotel, cabs plentiful. Cost is about $20, subject to change).  Take a morning flight on Air Iceland to Akureyri, the “Capital” of North Iceland.  If the sky is clear, you will have an excellent view over Iceland’s surreally beautiful wilderness interior.  (45 minute flight).  Upon arrival at Akureyri Domestic airport, you’ll be met by a guide who will drive you to your hotel for check in.  You’ll receive a welcome drink at the hotel’s bar as well as a ticket to the town’s amazing geothermal pool.  Guests will also receive a 20% at Aqua spa.

Rest of your day open to enjoy Akureyri, a town of charming buildings cradled within the magnificent Eyjafjordur Fjord.  Though small in size, Akureyri is vibrant and lively, offering many museums, restaurants and pubs.  The year-round botanical gardens are an interesting feature, as well as the spa-like geothermal swimming pool.

Tonight, be in the lobby at 10:00pm for a Northern Lights sightseeing tour.  Drive out to the mystical country or into the mountains, away from city lights and sounds.  The quest is for the elusive Aurora Borealis lights with unbelievable displays of color, light and texture.  It’s like waking up in a fairy-tale full of mystery and magic.  Route taken depends on weather and road conditions.

Please note:  The Northern Lights are visible from September through April but can only be seen on a clear night  If Northern Lights are not possible, another tour activity will be planned by the tour operator.  These may include visits to historic sites in North Iceland where you will learn about Icelandic ghost stories.  If a Northern Lights tour is cancelled due to weather, you can also opt to upgrade to another day tour for a small extra fee.  Alternatives will be provided by the tour operator at the hotel desk.

Day 4 and Day 5:  Breakfast at hotel.  Days open for your own activities. Perhaps you’ll visit some museums in Akureyri.  Maybe you’ll try skiing in nearby Hlidarfall ski area.  You might book one of the optional tours available through the tour operator.  These are excellent ways to experience fun and adventure, history, folklore and culture in North Iceland.

Day 6:  Breakfast at hotel.  On own, transfer to the Akureyri airport (cabs plentiful,  airport located about 5 minutes’ drive from Akureyri).  Morning Air Iceland flight back to Reykjavik.  Transfer on your own to Reykjavik Natura Hotel.  Rest of the day open for your own fun and activities in Reykjavik.  Today you might visit the hotel’s tour desk to set up transfers back to Keflavik airport tomorrow.

Day 7:  Morning open for own activities.  On own transfer to airport for late afternoon departure to North America.

 Note:  The tour operator has the right to substitute hotels with similar quality hotels if conditions require it.

Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura  ****:
(formerly Icelandair Hotel Loftleidir)  The Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura guarantees early check in to travelers arriving on overnight flights from North America.  Check in guaranteed by 10am! (only guaranteed for passengers on Icelandair Fly and Hotel packages traveling between Sep 1 and May 31; normal check-in is 2pm)

Four-star Reykjavik accommodation showcasing the best of Icelandic nature. Newly-renovated Reykjavik Natura is close to the city centre, in the quiet Oskjuhlid wooded area near the sea. The name of our hotel is inspired by the outstanding natural beauty that is on our doorstep. We are ISO 14001 certified as a green hotel.

The Natura is located next to Reykjavik landmark "the Pearl" and its surrounding woods and pleasant walking/cycling paths, and just a short walk from Nautholsvik thermal beach, where you can take a dip in a warmed lagoon of the North Atlantic, try some sea kayaking, or simply soak in a relaxing thermal hot tub (activities operate May - Aug). Our hotel also overlooks the nearby mountains and sea, as well as the city’s small domestic airport; spotting propeller planes as they come in to land is very popular with our younger guests! The hotel is close  (yet just far enough, many say!) to the excitement of Reykjavik’s historical city center. It takes less than 30 minutes by foot to reach this area; hotel offers a free shuttle bus several times a day. You can also take a free bus to the Kringlan Shopping Centre to stock up on souvenirs.

Well-known for its welcoming and attentive staff, the newly reonnovated, elegant "green" hotel  offers a comfortable restaurant, cocktail lounge, beauty salon, the  elegant Soley Nature Spa, and a tour desk. Its 220 guest rooms feature private bath/shower with hair dryer, telephone, radio, and satellite TV. This hotel offers new Satt restaurant, a stylish cocktail lounge, gift shop,  free storytelling nights (Thursdays), complimentary Icelandic themed movies in the hotel cinema, and a  tour desk.  During the summer bicycle rental is available and ideal for exploring the city’s many scenic bike paths.

Icelandair Hotel Akureyri  ***   is a new, friendly hotel  with tastefully decorated, bright and sunny rooms and inviting facilities. The view from the hotel is magnificent and visitors can enjoy not only  nearby natural wonders, and some of Iceland´s best skiing, but also the cultural life in the capital of the North. The town’s  geothermal swimming pool is just across the street,  and the center of Akureyri is only a short walk away. The hotel garden is eminently cozy during winter and summer. Enjoy the midnight sun or the northern lights with open fireplace and blankets, drinks and snacks.  The hotel features Aurora, a first-class restaurant and bar. The patio leads to a lovely hotel garden, where the atmosphere is as great in winter as in the summer, because then guests can sit around the fireplace and keep warm under leather covers.    The hotel has 63 rooms with private bathroom facilities.   Amenities include hairdryer, flat screen TV, wireless internet (minimum fee), telephone, coffee and tea set. Room size 17-20 m2/194 square ft.

• Round-trip air on Icelandair from Boston (BOS). New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Washington DC (IAD), Denver International Airport (DEN), and Seattle (SEA)

• 2 nights at the Icelandair Hotel  Reykjavik Natura **** (or similar standard)

• 2  or 3 nights at the Icelandair Hotel Akureyri (***)  (or similar standard)

• 4 or 5 Scandinavian buffet breakfasts, depending on package booked  (breakfast on arrival day is  not included)

• Free tickets to the intercity “straeto” bus system in Reykjavik courtesy of Hotel Natura (bus stop is  located near hotel)

• Round-trip domestic flights on Air Iceland between Reykjavik and Akureyri (45  minute flight)

• Meet and Greet at Akureyri airport and transfer to hotel

• 1 ticket to the geothermal swimming pool in Akureyri (across from the Icelandair Hotel Akureyri)

• Welcome drink at the Icelandair Hotel Akureyri

• Northern Lights Tour in Akureyri (2-3 hours evening tour)

• Unguided transfer from hotel in Akureyri to Akureyri airport for flight back to Reykajvik

• Airport taxes and fees for Icelanair and Air Iceland

Also includes:

• Guaranteed early check-in from 10am for the Icelandair Hotel Natura

• 10% discount at the Aurora Restaurant at the Icelandair Hotel Akureyri

Washington DC departures available Oct 1 - Dec, 2013 and Mar 1 - 26, 2014

Newark NJ departures available Oct 28 - Dec, 2013 and Feb 24 - Mar 26, 2014

*Prices quoted are round-trip including all taxes and fees, and are based on availability. Additional baggage and optional service fees may apply.

Note: Extra nights are available, based on staying at Hotel Natura after your trip.

 Important :  Personal travel insurance is not included and is highly recommended.  It can be arranged through Allianz Global Assistance .

• Round-trip Airport/hotel transfers in Reykjavik

• Personal travel insurance (strongly advised, can be arranged through Allianz Global Assistance )

• Meals and services not mentioned in itinerary

· Northern Lights sightings not guaranteed.
· Packages are non refundable
· Minimum stay 4 nights, maximum stay 7 nights
· Packages require that each night of your trip must be in hotels booked through Icelandair Holidays prior to departure

·Child fares are not available for children under 12.

· The tour operator has the right to change hotels in package based on availability.  Substitute hotels are of similar qualitry.

· Additional hotel nights available only for the  Icelandair Reykjavik Natura (or similar)  at the end of your trip.

· Subject to availability and price change

· Change fee of  $400 per person applies to changes made up to 30 days before departure.  Bookings cannot be changed 29 days or less prior to departure

*Prices quoted are round-trip including all taxes and fees, and are based on availability. Additional baggage and optional service fees may apply.

 Important :  Personal travel insurance is not included and is highly recommended.  It can be arranged through Allianz Global Assistance .