Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Iceland – Stokkseyri – Akureyri – Reykjavik
100% customisable for you
Your nine-day family escape to the winter-wonderland landscapes of Iceland begins today with a three-and-a-half-hour flight to Keflavik. Gather the youngsters, head to the airport and enjoy some downtime in the airport lounge with nibbles and refreshments as you await departure.
On arrival, collect your hire car and head straight into the Icelandic wilderness. Your first destination is the small village of Stokkseyri on the south coast, which is around an hour and a half from Keflavik. Settle in for three nights in your cosy home, which is ideally located for exploring southwest Iceland.
With Stokkseyri as your base, you have two days to explore at your own pace, discovering the Golden Circle region and the glaciers and volcanoes of the southern coast.
Soak up Icelandic tradition with a trip to the Laugarvatn Fontana baths. Less well-known than the Blue Lagoon, these geothermal baths are just as relaxing. Enjoy the naturally warm water of the pools while savouring swoon-worthy views of Lake Laugarvatn, where you can cool off after a sauna or steam room session.
The Golden Circle is stuffed with spectacular natural landmarks and plenty of scenic spots to capture a family selfie. Explore Thingvellir National Park, the site of the former Icelandic national parliament, the Althing, which was founded in 930, and admire the beauty of Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake.
Continue on to the striking Strokkur geyser, which erupts every five to eight minutes up to a height of 65ft (a sight that’s sure to entertain the youngsters). Or tick the Gullfoss waterfall off your travel wish list, the most famous waterfall in Iceland.
Take a day trip with a difference today as you set out for a drive along the island's south coast, accompanied by a private photographer. The region is astonishing in its diverse landscapes: from the Thjorsa River and the Hekla stratovolcano to the cascading waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss and the vast Myrdalsjokull ice cap (one of the largest in the country).
Led by a local expert who is both a guide and a photographer, track down stunning panoramas of the sea, glaciers and mountains. Your time in these spectacular surroundings will be captured with a very special photoshoot, so you’ll have plenty of photos to fill your family holiday album on your return.
Gather the gang this morning and pack up the car in preparation for the one-hour drive to Reykjavik airport ahead of your 45-minute flight to Akureyri. On arrival, collect your new hire car and make your way to your accommodation close to the fjord, where you’ll spend the next three nights.
This evening, we’ve reserved a table for you at one of the best restaurants in the area, serving contemporary Icelandic cuisine made with local ingredients. A delicious way to end the day.
The capital of the north and the northernmost point of your journey (you’re practically in the Arctic Circle here), Akureyri is a town with a distinctive charm and a strong identity. Spend a leisurely morning strolling around the colourful centre and sharing a tasty family lunch, before setting off this afternoon to explore the surrounding area.
North of Akureyri, along the shores of Eyjafjordur, visit the fishing villages of Dalvik and Siglufjordur. Here, there’s a fascinating museum dedicated to the golden age of herring fishing and how it helped transform life for Icelanders, allowing many to escape a long history of poverty.
Once you’ve had your dose of history, any keen hikers in the family can tackle the iconic Kaldbakur mountain, the region’s highest peak, overlooking Langanes. It takes around three hours to reach the summit, with breathtaking panoramic views at the top.
Round off your day in the Forest Lagoon hot springs, where temperatures can reach nearly 40°C. Savour a serene moment of relaxation while admiring views of the Eyjafjordur fjord. Now that’s what we call a scenic soak.
Another day, another adventure as you explore the volcanic landscapes around Lake Myvatn. Begin along Route 1, where striking scenery unfolds as you journey to Skutustadir’s dramatic pseudo craters. A little further on lies Dimmuborgir, known as the dark citadel for its column-like volcanic formations.
Next, you'll reach the 1,300ft tephra explosion crater of Hverfjall, where an easy ascent leads to breathtaking views. Northeast of Reykjahlid lies Namaskard, a vast field of volcanic vents and bubbling mud pots that looks a little like the surface of Mars. Wander the trails among the geothermal features, before climbing Namafjall hill to admire the surrounding yellow-orange landscape.
All that exploring has likely led to some rumbling stomachs, and the day’s not over, so tuck into a delicious lunch at a lakeside restaurant for some authentic Nordic cuisine.
Then, you’ll set off on a snowshoe hike around the lakeshore to experience the nature reserve for a jam-packed afternoon. Want to squeeze in a bit more? Weather permitting, we can also arrange a private photo excursion in search of the Northern Lights.
Bid farewell to Akureyri, it’s time to head to Reykjavik today. Drive to Akureyri airport, return your hire car and board your 45-minute flight to the Icelandic capital. On arrival, settle in for two nights in your city centre hotel, perfectly positioned for exploring the top sights on foot.
Reykjavik residents have forged a distinctive, slightly eccentric style (necessary to cope with the winter gloom) and the capital is abuzz with culture, music, cafes and brightly coloured houses. Set out to discover the city for yourself today as you join a local guide for a private tour. Learn about daily life and discover stories from the city’s past that bring it to life for both adults and youngsters.
The rest of your day in Reykjavik is yours to spend as you wish. Climb the tower of Hallgrimskirkja church, which stands guard over the city or wander through the 101 district, a village of colourful wooden houses and concept stores where you can pick up elegant souvenirs.
Inspire young creatives in the family with a visit to the Marshall House, a former herring factory now renovated into an exhibition space for artists and end the day dining in the foodie-friendly Hafnartorg district, which offers cuisine from all over the world.
Sadly, it’s time to head home. Round up the family, before being privately transferred to Keflavik for your flight back to the UK. The drive to the airport from Reykjavik takes around 45 minutes, after which you can whizz through security and pick up a few more last-minute souvenirs before boarding your three-and-a-half-hour flight home.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
