If sitting in a geothermal hot tub watching the Northern Lights sounds like a heavenly way to kick off your honeymoon or romantic getaway then you should check yourself in to the Hotel Glymur, a wonderfully tranquil boutique hotel set high on a hill above Hvalfjordur (Icelandic for ‘whale fjord’). Though just 45 minutes from Reykjavik, it’s gloriously remote, giving you time to unwind after the excitement of your big day. Refreshed and recharged, you’ll then head for the capital and all that it offers: museums and attractions, a celebrated nightlife and all manner of optional excursions.
PRICES & DATES
Price is based on 2 people sharing a room and includes return economy class flights from Heathrow, Manchester, Glasgow to Keflavik, all airport taxes, car hire for 2 days in group A car (VW Polo or similar), 2 nights at Hotel Glymur in executive double room inc. breakfast, 2 dinners at Hotel Glymur, 2 nights at Hotel Centrum in Reykjavik in standard double room inc. breakfast and return airport transfer from your hotel to Keflavik airport.
Departures: daily from October 2012 to April 2013 excluding Christmas and New Year, when supplements apply.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Fly with Icelandair to Keflavik. Upon arrival you pick up your rental car and start your journey towards Hvalfjordur, the whale fjord. On the way, we recommend a visit to Blue Lagoon, which is just 15 minutes from Keflavik airport. Check in to Hotel Glymur for 2 nights and enjoy a dinner before retiring to your room.
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel and day at leisure to explore the area.
We recommend visiting the Golden Circle of Iceland and Þingvellir national Park, which is located 35 min drive from the hotel. The Golden Circle is a popular tourist route in South Iceland covering about 300 km looping from Reykjavík into central Iceland and back. The three primary stops on the route are the national park Þingvellir, the waterfall Gullfoss (meaning "golden falls"), and the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur. Other stops include Kerið volcano crater, Hveragerði greenhouse village, Skálholt church and the Nesjavellir geothermal power plant. The whole circle takes about 6 hours.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula is also worth visiting and is located approx 70 min drive from the hotel. The whole tour takes approx 7 hours. This trip has been given the name mini-iceland because on this route you will find everything Iceland has to offer both in nature and activity, like caves, glaciers, mountains, waterfalls, beaches, lava, history and sagas. Try a visit Fjörukaffi in the town of Hellnar - a nice old cafe situated on a cliff.
Return to hotel and enjoy dinner at the restaurant. After the dinner you can relax in the hot tubs overlooking the fjord.
Day 3
Breakfast and check out. Drive to Reykjavik, which is just 45 minutes away and drop off the car. Check in to superior Hotel Centrum in the heart of Reykjavik for 2 nights. Evening at leisure to explore Reykjavik.
Day 4
Breakfast and day at leisure. Lovers of arts and culture are in for a real treat in Reykjavik. From the Icelandic Sagas to contemporary art, Reykjavik has a buzzing cultural scene. We recommend a visit to National Museum. Alternatively you can join a tour to hunt Northern Lights, visit to Blue Lagoon or South Coast or guided city sightseeing tour.
Day 5
After breakfast free time to further explore the city centre followed by return transfer to Keflavik airport and flight home.
Hotel, Activity and Local Information
The 4 star hotel is located right in the old centre of Reykjavik with museums, restaurants, cafes, bars and shops just a few steps away. The hotel offers a total of 89 rooms, Standard, Deluxe and 2 Junior Suites. All rooms equipped with satellite TV, telephone, minibar, radio, iron & ironing board, safe, plus coffe- and tea- making facilities. The restaurant "Fjalakotturinn" specializing in Icelandic cuisine, is open all day and evening for a selection of culinary delights and fine wines. Cafe and bar with a charming terrace open during afternoons and evenings.
Family owned boutique hotel Glymur is situated high on a mountainside overlooking the scenic Hvalfjordur, the whale fjord. It is located only 45 minutes from the capital and offers a great base for exploring the Golden Circle of Iceland, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Snaefellsnesjokull glacier. The hotel takes its name from Glymur, one of the highest waterfalls in Europe located at the end of Whale Fjord. The restaurant, lounge and public areas are filled with art works collected by the owners.The hotel has 22 rooms and every room has plenty of space and an en suite bathroom. The rooms are on two floors with bathroom, desk and sofas on first floor and bed on second floor. All rooms have high speed wireless Internet access, flat screen TV, telephone, and a coffee machine. Each room is specially designed and has Italian leather furniture and unique art pieces. Every room has a magnificent view either overlooking the fjord or the mountains. The executive rooms are approximately 30 square meters. The hotel also offers 6 themed luxury villas, which have their own kitchenette and hot tubs in the verandas.