Led by Orlando based photojournalist Gary Bogdon, our expedition to endlessly ethereal Iceland will captivate you.
Encounter icy waterfalls, fly over glaciers, and revel in the authentic Iceland cuisine, such as Arctic char, trout, free-range lamb, and reindeer. You will also enhance your knowledge of portraying landscapes, utilizing and approaching your environment, and photographing people indigenous to the region. Expect individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas, and an abundance of good times. Express yourself artistically, in surroundings destined to be photographed.
Upon arrival in Reykjavik, you will be warmly greeted by our team, and accompanied to the Blue Lagoon for a sensory experience. We depart to your impeccable abode for the next 4 nights and after settling in and an orientation lunch, we embark on our first photographic adventure to Thingvellir National Park, home to Alþing, the site of Iceland's parliament from the 10th to 18th century, as well as Þingvellir Church and the ruins of old stone shelters. In the evening, our welcome dinner is served at the property, where we will feel most at home.
Gullfoss, the Golden waterfall, is one of the most spectacular of its kind, where tons of water thunder into a deep gorge, dancing its way into your soul. A lovely lunch will be served along the way and you will have the opportunity to photograph the Icelandic horses that run free and wild across the magical expanses. Afterward, we make our way to Strokkur Geysir, to capture the water that spouts up to 100 ft into the air. The enormous shot of water is sure to surprise and tantalize. In the evening a leisurely dinner will be served.
Today, we visit the Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls, followed by the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck. In 1973, a United States Navy DC-3 plane ran out of fuel and plummeted to its demise. The weathered fuselage will make for dramatic images. We then explore Reynisfjara Beac, boasting basalt stacks, mighty waves, and moody views of Dyrhólaey. Reynisfjara is known as the most aesthetic black sand beach in Iceland and National Geographic voted it one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches on the planet. Dinner will be served at the property.
En route to Iceland's largest city, Reykjavik, we will leave our luxury vehicle for a short while to take an exhilarating ride in an ATV across the Hellisheidi Geothermal Plant, Hengill Mountain Range, and down into the iconic Instidalur valley, where you can brave a dip in one of its geothermal pools. In the afternoon and evening, you will experience Reykjavik, where a leisurely dinner will be served.
Departing from the Hotel Grimsborgir, we embark on a driving adventure to Jokulsarlon Lagoon, before heading into the Vatnajökull Glacier ice caves. Expect sheer wonder and utter delight! After a visually exciting and astonishing afternoon, we travel to the lovely eastern fjordlands for an overnight stay. Dinner will be served at our accommodation.
Today, we make our way to Lake Mývatn, world-famous for its numerous species of rare water birds. Other sites we visit on this day trip include, Dimmuborgir Nature Reserve and Hverfjall Volcano, the pseudo-craters and nature baths in Mývatn, and Krafla volcano which last erupted in 1984. In the evening, enjoy dinner at an eatery in the quaint coastal town of Siglufjörður.
It has been an eventful journey, so take some time to relax with spa treatments, shopping, and fine dining. If you feel adventurous, your hosts will be happy to oblige you with a drive to the surrounding areas for further exploration and exhilaration. After a restful day, expect a riveting evening where, if the weather permits, we will be hunting for the spectacular Northern Lights. Envisage beauty far beyond your wildest imaginings and a sense of ethereal inspiration, many can only dream of experiencing.
Weather permitting, we will embark on a whale-watching expedition. Brimming with wildlife, the fjord offers sublime mountain scenery, lush valleys and a unique coastal landscape, peppered with small farms and villages. On the tour, you could spot Humpback and Minke whales, White Beaked Dolphins, and Harbor porpoises. Afterwards, we take to the Icelandic skies, and fly over the Diamond Circle where you have a unique view of the surrounds. In the evening, we will host a farewell dinner.
Today we say farewell to Iceland and take a quick domestic flight from Akureyri to Reykjavik, where you could connect to your international flights home, or if you wish, extend your stay for 3 days in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. A testament to the beauty of the peninsulas, Kirkjufell Mountain, was a filming location for Game of Thrones season 7 and includes Eldborg, Berserk lava, Grundarfjordur, Djupalonssandur black beach, Arnarsstapi fishing village, Londrangar, and the Snaefells jokull Glacier.
Our day-to-day itinerary may, from time to time and prior to departure, need to be altered or slightly modified to address possible unforeseen logistical and weather challenges. In such rare instances, Art In Voyage guarantees delivery of the content of the itinerary yet, in a different order.
All listed retreats (hotels, villas, and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. In such rare instances, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
Travel insurance, once purchased, goes into effect upon payment of the premium. You have 15 days from that date to cancel it (providing no claims have been filed or initiated during that period). Beyond 15 days, it becomes non-refundable/non-changeable/non-transferrable.
In case of a cancelation at more than 60 days prior to departure, your deposit will be returned minus a $250 per person administrative fee.
In case of a cancelation within the penalty period: Find a replacement at least 30 days prior to departure and your journey will be fully refunded, minus a $250 per person administrative fee.
