Travel to Iceland, a world away yet tantalizingly close. This OAT travel adventure showcases Iceland's natural beauty and Viking heritage from a truly Icelandic perspective through its inhabitants. Meet hardy locals who carve a living from both the land and sea in farming communities and fishing villages. Discover the history of this isolated nation preserved in a series of enchanting medieval tales known as the Sagas. In the beautiful capital city of Reykjavik, witness the creativity of a city that harnessed the power of nature to provide sustainable heat and electricity to its inhabitants. Raft on the Hvita River, watch for whales, and journey to within 40 miles of the Arctic Circle at Akureyri. Icelandic culture and traditions, together with the power of nature, combine for an unforgettable adventure in an unspoiled land of stark beauty.
Click on the image above to see the itinerary
Click on the links to see
Terri's Iceland Trip Journal
Lyn Daniel's Iceland and Greenland Trip Report
Memories of Iceland
Best í heimi (Best in the World)
Heavenly bread
Bus number 11
Viding Berserkers
The Greenland wine pour
Putrefied shark (yuck)
Really fresh scallops (yeah)
Fashions
Unlimited hot water
Delicious glacier water filtered through lava
Terri's Iceland Trip Journal
Lyn Daniel's Iceland and Greenland Trip Report
Memories of Iceland
Best í heimi (Best in the World)
Heavenly bread
Bus number 11
Viding Berserkers
The Greenland wine pour
Putrefied shark (yuck)
Really fresh scallops (yeah)
Fashions
Unlimited hot water
Delicious glacier water filtered through lava
Iceland Pre-Trip Learning Events
Commonwealth Iceland - A Nation Without a Government, John Hall
Monday, April 8 - Iceland Emersion Day
9:00 AM John Hall, former diplomat to Iceland
Commonwealth Iceland - A Nation Without a Government, John Hall
- Grand Learning class, Fall 2012
- Premiered Wednesday, January 2, 2013, on PBS.
Monday, April 8 - Iceland Emersion Day
9:00 AM John Hall, former diplomat to Iceland
- Overview - history, culture, geography, current events, and anecdotes from his diplomatic experiences.
- Photo show and travelers' tales
- Angela’s Restaurant, presenters’ lunches will be provided
- Birds, wildlife of Iceland and more
- Iceland's Economic Meltdown
Iceland Handbook
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Click on Image for Breaking News Iceland
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ReykjavikWhy Iceland?
You may be asking “why Iceland?” My usual answer is "because it's there and I haven't been there yet." But there are better reasons than that. This destination will appeal to the traveler who likes to get off the beaten path and who is interested in photography, birds/wildlife, geology and/or soft adventure. This trip is limited to 16 participants.
Here’s what a recent traveler has to say:
If the name Iceland conjures up visions of a cold, drab place be surprised by a country as green as Ireland in places, productive farms, herds of cattle and horses, many treed areas and cool but comfortable temperatures. Scenery was magnificent-think Big Sky Country. Hotels were fine, meals very good to outstanding. Highlights for our tour included boat trips for bird & whale watching, climbing on the Solheimajokull glacier, and dinner with a lively family in Akureyri.
Our group was congenial, our guide full of information and our cheerful driver conveyed us safely around the country. This is a trip not to be missed.
Facts & Figures: Iceland
Area: 39,770 square miles
Capital: Reykjavik
Languages: Icelandic is the official language; English, Scandinavian languages and German are also spoken.
Ethnicity: Norse/Celtic descent 94%, foreign-born 6%
Location: Iceland is an island bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean.
Geography: Poised atop the geologically active mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic plates are separating as Europe drifts away from North America, Iceland is one of only two places in the world where an undersea mid-ocean ridge rises above sea level. Iceland’s 3,088 miles of coastline are punctuated by numerous rugged fjords, while some 63 percent of the mountainous interior is treeless tundra.
Population: 320,000 (estimate)
Religions: Lutheran Church of Iceland 82%, Roman Catholic 2%, other Christian 7%, other religions 1%, unaffiliated or unspecified 8%
Time zone: Iceland is on UTC (“Greenwich Mean Time”), five hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 11am in Reykjavik.
You may be asking “why Iceland?” My usual answer is "because it's there and I haven't been there yet." But there are better reasons than that. This destination will appeal to the traveler who likes to get off the beaten path and who is interested in photography, birds/wildlife, geology and/or soft adventure. This trip is limited to 16 participants.
Here’s what a recent traveler has to say:
If the name Iceland conjures up visions of a cold, drab place be surprised by a country as green as Ireland in places, productive farms, herds of cattle and horses, many treed areas and cool but comfortable temperatures. Scenery was magnificent-think Big Sky Country. Hotels were fine, meals very good to outstanding. Highlights for our tour included boat trips for bird & whale watching, climbing on the Solheimajokull glacier, and dinner with a lively family in Akureyri.
Our group was congenial, our guide full of information and our cheerful driver conveyed us safely around the country. This is a trip not to be missed.
Facts & Figures: Iceland
Area: 39,770 square miles
Capital: Reykjavik
Languages: Icelandic is the official language; English, Scandinavian languages and German are also spoken.
Ethnicity: Norse/Celtic descent 94%, foreign-born 6%
Location: Iceland is an island bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean.
Geography: Poised atop the geologically active mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic plates are separating as Europe drifts away from North America, Iceland is one of only two places in the world where an undersea mid-ocean ridge rises above sea level. Iceland’s 3,088 miles of coastline are punctuated by numerous rugged fjords, while some 63 percent of the mountainous interior is treeless tundra.
Population: 320,000 (estimate)
Religions: Lutheran Church of Iceland 82%, Roman Catholic 2%, other Christian 7%, other religions 1%, unaffiliated or unspecified 8%
Time zone: Iceland is on UTC (“Greenwich Mean Time”), five hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 11am in Reykjavik.
