Best of Iceland & Norway

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Reykjavik & environs, South Iceland, Oslo, Bergen & Sognefjord

This private tour combines the best of Norway—including Oslo, Bergen and the beautiful Norwegian fjords—with the spectacular landscapes of Iceland.

With your own private guide, enjoy insider touring of the highlights of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. See iconic buildings such as historic Hallgrimskirkja Church and Harpa, the contemporary concert hall designed in conjunction with renowned artist Olafur Eliasson. Explore the colorful backstreets of the town, walk along the scenic harbor and stop at renowned culinary spots. Visit Perlan, a landmark building on a hill, for views over Reykjavik. If desired, visit the National Museum of Iceland or Reykjavik Art Museum to gain further insight into Iceland's history and contemporary culture. Also enjoy time to browse top boutiques for Icelandic crafts such as hand-knit wool sweaters and blankets. Other options include visiting the Arbaer Open Air Museum, the Viking Village, the Imagine Peace Tower or FlyOver Iceland to enjoy a simulated flight ride over Iceland's spectacular scenery.

One day, enjoy private touring in the iconic Golden Circle, one of Iceland’s most popular regions. See Gullfoss, Iceland's most famous waterfall, and watch Strokkur and other geysers erupt. Visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Althing (Icelandic assembly) met for more than 850 years in a spectacular rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Enjoy a private tour and lunch at a geothermally heated greenhouse. Also see other highlights of the area, such as Kerid crater lake. Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as seeing Icelandic horses, riding ATVs, and soaking in open-air hot springs at the Secret Lagoon or at Laugarvatn Fontana, including a visit to its geothermal bakery.

Another day, enjoy the Into the Glacier experience at Langjokull Glacier, including driving across a glacier and venturing into a tunnel carved into the blue ice. Also see Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, interesting waterfalls that stream through lava fields and ravines.

Also enjoy an excursion along the spectacular southern coast to see some of Iceland’s most impressive and dramatic scenery. Visit Reynisfjara Beach to see its unusual black sand and basalt columns, and take in views of monumental sea stacks off the coast. Also see the amazing Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and tour cultural highlights such as the Skogar folk museum and the Lava Center, a fascinating interactive museum dedicated to Iceland's geological forces. If desired, also visit an Icelandic horse farm. Also take a Super Jeep ride on a glacier such as Solheimajokull Glacier, including a guided glacier walk. During winter, this region is an ideal base for hunting for the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).

En route to or from the airport, visit the famed Blue Lagoon to soak in the enormous geothermal pool located among lava fields—a quintessential Icelandic experience!

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange hiking and biking excursions, whale watching and puffin spotting cruises, appointments at geothermal spas, Northern Lights (aurora borealis) excursions, tickets to performances, Icelandic cooking classes, food tours, art and architecture tours, ATV rides, snow adventures, horseback riding, the Inside the Volcano experience, scenic helicopter flights, reservations at top restaurants and more.

Continue to Oslo, the attractive seaside capital of Norway. During flexible private touring, see cultural highlights, top museums, beautiful parks, charming neighborhoods, and historic and contemporary architecture. Take in panoramic views of the harbor from the Akershus Fortress, walk on the roof of the Oslo Opera House, see iconic Vigeland Park, learn about Norwegian history inside the Oslo City Hall, and explore masterpieces of Norwegian art, architecture and design at the National Gallery. Other options include visiting the Munch Museum, touring the Nobel Peace Center, learning about rural traditions at the Norwegian Folk Museum, touring the Royal Palace or Oscarshall, delving into the life of one of Norway's most renowned playwrights at the Ibsen Museum, seeing Norwegian modernist architecture at Villa Stenersen, learning about the World War II history of Norway at the Holocaust Museum or Resistance Museum, visiting Holmenkollen ski jump and the Ski Museum, and biking along the Akerselva River. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange tickets to performances at the Oslo Opera House and other venues around the city.

Next, fly to Bergen, a historic port city and the gateway to Fjord Norway. During private touring, explore the picturesque Bryggen wharf district, a former Hanseatic trading post that's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the bustling fish market, and tour the Hanseatic Museum and Schotstuene to learn about life in medieval Bergen. Walk through the pretty backstreets of the town, and venture up the Floibanen funicular for panoramic views of Bergen and the harbor from the top of Mount Floyen. Other options include delving deeper into the city's history at Rosenkrantz Tower and the Bryggens Museum and shopping for local handicrafts. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange optional excursions to Troldhaugen (Edvard Grieg's home), Old Bergen or the Bergen Aquarium. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange tickets to performances at Grieg Hall and other venues around Bergen.

One day, enjoy a full-day excursion with your private guide through some of Norway's most spectacular mountain and fjord scenery. Ride the renowned Flamsbana train on one of the world's most scenic rail journeys through a glacier-carved valley past small farms, tumbling waterfalls and high peaks. Cruise the most dramatic sections of beautiful Sognefjord, including impressive Aurlandsfjord and breathtaking Naeroyfjord, the narrowest fjord in Norway and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Reykjavik, Iceland Private arrival transfer to hotel for 4 nights. Private introductory city tour and some free time this afternoon Day 2 Reykjavik & Langjokull Glacier Full-day private excursion including "Into the Glacier" experience and private touring of scenic highlights Day 3 Reykjavik & Golden Circle Private touring of Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall, geothermal farm and other highlights Day 4 Reykjavik & South Iceland Full-day private excursion including Reynisfjara black sand beach, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, waterfalls, and glacier hike on Solheimajokull Day 5 Reykjavik – Oslo, Norway VIP access at the Blue Lagoon en route to the airport (flight to Norway not included). Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 6 Oslo Full-day private tour Day 7 Oslo – Bergen Private transfer to airport for flight to Bergen. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private touring of Bergen Day 8 Bergen, Flamsbana & Sognefjord Full-day privately guided excursion on Flamsbana train and cruise on Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord Day 9 Depart Bergen Private transfer to airport

Hotels

Reykjavik: Canopy by Hilton, Konsulat Hotel or Hotel Borg *The Reykjavik EDITION can be booked, upon request (supplement applies) Oslo: Hotel Continental Bergen: Opus XVI or Solstrand Hotel & Bad

Cost

$17,665 Per person (based on four travelers/two rooms) $21,740 Per person (based on two travelers/double occupancy)