Icelandic Adventure features breathtaking scenery

The Hawaiian Islands and Iceland have much in common but are “polar” (pun intended) opposites when it comes to weather and scenery.

Both islands sit on what are called hot spots on earth and were created by volcanic eruptions still active today. Iceland was formed about 60 million years ago when the North Atlantic and Eurasian plates began to separate allowing lava to form a land mass.

The Chamber Travel Club toured the popular Gold Coast of Iceland in 2017 when Iceland became part of the travel quest for less traveled destinations. We toured in the winter months to attempt to see the fabled Northern Lights, but the weather did not cooperate and let me tell you, I am told Iceland lives up to its name in the winter!

While I have not personally had the opportunity to explore this remote island just 25 miles south of the Arctic Circle, I do know many who have braved the wicked weather to chase the Aurora Borealis, which is best seen in the winter. And, wicked weather it can be especially when touring Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) where the weather seemed to change every few feet. It’s here the North American and Eurasian Plates meet allowing you to walk between two continents and straddle the plates.

The Chamber Travel Club is again partnering with Collette Vacations to visit Iceland next August to include more than the well-traveled Gold Coast which is in the south. The whole western half of the island and part of the inland will be featured, a true outdoor retreat for adventure seekers who love craggy landscapes, geothermal activity, exploring glaciers, hiking the black sand beaches, whale watching and touring ice tunnels. Nature is everywhere not only in flora but also in puffins, Arctic foxes, whales and seals, and more fauna not seen here.

The small group (12-24 travelers only) will depart on Aug. 1 when, according to tourism reports, “It’s lovely to visit Iceland in August because the whole country is still lush and green, with full accessibility.” Also, the almost 24 hours of daylight will allow for more exploration. Weather in early August can be compared to early Spring in our region. It never gets hot in Iceland.

The tour begins in the capital of Reykjavik where you will spend two nights. On day 3, you’ll venture by motorcoach to see most of the iconic natural wonders found along the Gold Coast that have made this island so popular including Thingvellir National Park and the Gullfoss Waterfall.

Then it’s on to explore the north which is less touristic and more rugged. We’ll travel to Lake Myvatn by air where you will have a chance to explore the Hverir geothermal area. Here lie the bubbling pools said to resemble a Martian terrain. Then on to whale watching aboard a specialized Zodiac allowing you to get as close as you can to whales in northern Iceland, for this time of year migratory whales are quite active.

We’ll visit Iceland’s second largest city, Akureyri located just 30 miles south of the Arctic Circle. There’s a visit planned to a family-owned farm famous for horse breeding. What is considered a Collette “Impact Moment” is the visit to a famous goat farm still breeding goats dating back to the time of Iceland’s settlement and brought back from near extinction.

Another “impact moment” is when you ascend Langjokull Glacier, Iceland’s second largest glacier,

via mountain truck and actually go inside the glacier wall to walk through the world’s largest man-made tunnel of the purest blue ice color. This adventure alone would be worth the journey.

The tour ends back in the capital city with time planned at the famous Blue Lagoon, the iconic geothermal pool located in the heart of a dramatic lava field.

The Icelandic Adventure tour by Collette Travel is just that — an adventure. This is not a trip for the casual traveler. You’ll need to be somewhat fit, be able to walk and climb, and love the outdoors and spectacular scenery. For complete details and pricing, log on to the Chamber’s Travel Club page at https://carsoncitychamber.com/spotlight/details/chamber_travel_club or stop by the office at 1900 S. Carson Street to pick up a brochure. Must book by the end of November.

I continue to remind all to travel while you physically can. The Chamber has many trips from which to choose if this one is not on your travel bucket list. If you want to see a “hot spot” in our own country, check out Collette’s Cowboy Country trip departing next September that includes the Yellowstone super volcano that lies in the middle of the North American Plate and is one of the four most active volcano regions in the world. Or, if you want to see glaciers, consider the Alaska Call of the Wild trip departing July 25.