Destination: Iceland

Iceland has a single time zone (excluding its overseas territories), Greenwich mean time. The longest day in Iceland occurs in June and is around 21 hours. The shortest day occurs in December and is around 4 hours.

If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you make sure you tip an appropriate amount for services, as is the case throughout much of Europe. It’s customary to tip 10-15% of the bill at restaurants, if a service charge isn’t automatically included. It’s polite to round a bill up to the nearest whole figure or leave the change when buying drinks.

Internet access is easily accessible, and most hotels and many cafes will be able to offer it.

Check with your cell phone provider to see whether you’re able to make calls and use data while in Iceland. Many providers will offer a daily fee that allows you to make calls and check the internet while only being charged your regular rates. However, be certain to inform your provider that you’re heading overseas, because just like a bank they can turn off your service as a result of unusual activity.

The Blue Lagoon: Probably the most famous attraction in Iceland and this is a geothermal spa which is made of heated seawater that is a striking turquoise color.

Reykjavik: The capital and largest city. It is the center of Iceland’s cultural, economic, and governmental activity, and is a popular tourist destination.

Thingvellir National Park: Protected as a UNESCO site, Thingvellir is a historic site and national park in Iceland, east of Reykjavík.

Snaefellsjokull glacier: A 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano in western Iceland.

Isafjordur: A town in the northwest Iceland, known for its dramatic landscapes. The old town has wooden houses with corrugated tin roofs built by fishing merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Northern Lights season is from late August to mid-April.

Kirkjufell: in northern Iceland is the most iconic mountain for viewing the Aurora in Iceland even when the intensity is not strong.

Iceland is a country of many amazing waterfalls and each waterfall will leave you in wonder with the shape, size, sound, or the surrounding nature around them. Widely considered the most famous of Icelandic waterfalls, is Gullfoss (‘The Golden Waterfall’), which is located in the mighty Hvíta glacier river in South Iceland, where it drops down 32 metres (105 ft) into a narrow river gorge via two tiers. In clear weather, you can even walk near enough to feel the water spray on your face.

Iceland’s famous Golden Circle is a popular route between 3 of Iceland’s most visited attractions. Starting in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, you’ll drive into the southern uplands and back, visiting Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.

You will visit all these places on Odyssey’s tour to Iceland.

A short drive from Reykjavik, the capital city, see the most stunning sights at Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall – all in one day!

Odyssey’s escorted tour gives guests an insight into the history of this Icelandic nation. Travelling as a small group, our daily itineraries explore the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and others, national parks and majestic waterfalls as we learn about Iceland’s natural heritage and its Viking past from experienced local guides. There is a single supplement for solo travellers.

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our long-stay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Odyssey schedules our tours to Iceland off-season, in May, August, or September. Recommended packing is for temperatures averaging 3 degrees Celsius low and 12 degrees Celsius high. These months you miss the largest crowds of tourists and are considered by many the best months to visit Iceland.

You can find cost and other information on Odyssey’s 17-day small group tour to Iceland here. Odyssey Traveller continues to listen to you as you travel with us, and we continue to remain committed to low prices. Our program prices remain unbundled; there are no hidden costs on all Odyssey programs.

Odyssey’s Iceland cultural & wilderness small group tour for senior couples or solo travellers, is a 17-day circumnavigation of this fascinating island, designed for mature-aged or senior travellers. During this small group tour, we experience Iceland’s spectacular landscapes filled with glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls, as we cruise among Arctic icebergs at great destinations such as Vatnajokull National Park, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Snaefellsness National Park. Surrounded by natural wonders such as geysir, volcanic craters, and the famous Strokkur Geysir and Gulfoss Waterfall, we will also go whale watching in the fishing village of Husavik. At Illugastadir we will spot seals from the coast. If you are travelling on a September departure to Iceland with Odyssey Traveller, you may even be in luck to see the Northern Lights.

Our fully escorted guided tours offer fresh insights into the history of Iceland, from settlement to the present day as we follow Iceland’s Golden circle, with the help of an Odyssey Program Leader and local tour guides.

The unit of currency used in Iceland is the Icelandic krona, ISK – Íslensk króna in Icelandic. Króna means crown.The international currency abbreviation is ISK, but in Iceland you will see “kr.” before or after the price of things.

The safety of our travelers, tour leader, local guide and support staff has always been our top priority and with the new guidelines for public health and safety for keeping safe for destinations around the world, we’ve developed our plan to give you peace of mind when traveling with us.

Odyssey welcomes early bookings, as far ahead as 3 years ahead, but we also often take last-minute bookings, as late as one week before departure. It is always better to secure your place early, to avoid missing out. Flights are also always cheaper when booking early!

Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours to Iceland and Greenland.

The Iceland tour for seniors explores Iceland‘s world famous natural beauty following in part the golden circle tour to Northern Iceland and then Southern Iceland. These Iceland tours for seniors explore and teach you about the ancient Viking heritage, World Heritage Sites, and charming Nordic towns including Reykjavik, all with some truly spectacular scenery including vast glaciers an active volcano and lava field and a black sand beach along the way. Your small group tours Iceland itinerary includes Skaftafell National park, Gullfoss waterfall and Isafjordur as well the Northern lights in places when the season and conditions are favourable. This and more is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group Iceland tours for seniors, couples and mature solo travelers. Your Iceland tour for seniors led by experienced tour director, and entusiastic tour guide from Iceland as part of our small group tours of Iceland with like minded senior travelers.

English is taught as a second language in Iceland and almost every Icelander speaks the language fluently. And more so, most Icelanders speak several other languages including Danish, German, Spanish and French and welcome the opportunity to practice their language skills.

Odyssey schedule our tours to Iceland in May and August, which are quieter months in terms of tourism and the weather is typically mild as this is late Spring (May) and early Autumn (August).

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our long-stay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Odyssey Traveller offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across Iceland and beyond. We explore Iceland’s world-famous natural beauty, its ancient Viking heritage, World Heritage Sites, and charming Nordic towns, all with some truly spectacular scenery along the way. This and more is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours of Iceland, designed for the senior traveler, and led by experienced, and enthusiastic like-minded people.

Odyssey’s tours are typically half or full-board, we include all accommodation, as well as:

• Transport and field trips as indicated.
• Applicable entry fees and services of local guides.
• Gratuities and necessary tips.
• Services of an Odyssey group leader.
• Detailed Tour Information Booklet

Iceland has three official national parks; Þingvellir, Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull.

Odyssey specialises in educational small group tours for seniors, typically groups sizes are between 6 to 12 people, and no more than 16 travellers.

Click here to find Odyssey’s contact details. You can also book our tours directly on our website.