NCE Iceland Trip: A Ring Road Tour
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NCE Iceland Trip: A Ring Road Tour
October 6-13, 2021
Tour Manager: Samantha Mandel
Contact:
Samantha Mandel
NCE Travel Manager
mandels@newton.k12.ma.us
(857) 636-0921
Trip Itinerary:
Note that this is an outline itinerary. There is built-in flexibility to make modifications
based on the group’s desires.
A Word About the Northern Lights:
In order to give the group a maximal chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis, we will
book hotels in locations with minimal light pollution so that we can view the lights
from directly outside our hotel (except in Reykjavik, where we will suggest a boat
cruise option).
October 6 (Day 1): Reykjavik Explore the city – museums, restaurants, galleries, bars, and nightlife! Arrive on your own according to your schedule, and check into your hotel in Reykjavik! Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland and it is chock-full of museums, restaurants, galleries, bars, culture, and nightlife. You can choose to explore the city on your own, or with Samantha as a guide. Samantha will be taking those who are interested on optional excursions such as: • 2-hour guided walking tour • Visit the Perlan – great 360 degree views of Reykjavik! • Lighthouse • Museums • Sculpture garden • Arbaer Open Air Living History museum • Northern Lights Cruise For those who are interested in music or a show, we will work with you to make those bookings. Northern Lights Cruise optional at night Spend the night in comfort in Reykjavik.
October 7 (Day 2): Golden Circle
History, Geology, Waterfalls, Geysers, Rift Valley and Volcanoes!
For our first day outside of Reykjavik, we will travel with our dedicated bus and
wonderful guide to see some of the best-known natural phenomena in Iceland.
• The first stop will be Þingvellir National Park, where you can walk between the
rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (where two continental tectonic plates meet),
and explore an area which plays a huge role in Iceland’s heritage.
• Then, our knowledgeable guide will take us to the Althing, the world’s oldest
Parliament which was founded in 930 AD. This is also the site where Iceland
converted to Christianity and declared its independence from Denmark.
• Our next stop will be the geothermal valley of Haukadalur, where we will see
powerful geysers among many bubbling hot springs. Strokkur Geysir erupts every
10 minutes or so, to heights that exceed 20 m (66 ft).
• Then we will visit Iceland's most popular attraction, the mighty waterfall of
Gullfoss. A pathway will take us to the water's edge, so we can observe the
incredible power of the falling water!
• We will continue to the volcanic crater of Kerið, which is well worth the visit.
The crater rocks are incredible shades of red and orange, in sharp contrast to the
water in the bowl which is a vivid blue! It’s a sight that you won’t soon forget.
• We will see Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which you can walk all the way around for
some great photos.
• We will stay near majestic Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls,
where we will have a welcome dinner together.
• Enjoy the waterfall at your leisure under the stars or the soft morning light… or
maybe even under the Northern Lights!
If this sounds like a lot of driving, don’t worry! Iceland is a small country and we will be
spending more time off the bus than on.
Stay the night near picturesque Skógafoss waterfall.
October 8 (Day 3): South Coast & Glacier!
Black Sand Beaches, Rock Formations, Glaciers, and Boat the Glacier Lagoon!
• Today, we will participate in a beautiful glacier hike! This was one of the favorite
activities for last year’s group. The hike will include walking and a small amount
of elevation, so it requires good mobility and the ability to walk for 2 miles at a
pace of 1 mile per hour. It does not require previous glacier hiking experience or
athletic levels of physical fitness.
• Then we head to the coast of Vik, where we will admire the black volcanic beach
and the dramatic Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar rock formations.
• We’ll drive along the South coast, passing stunning volcanic deserts and an
incredible view of the Vatnajökull glacier.
• We will go for an exciting zodiac boat ride that gets us up close and personal with
the icebergs of one of Iceland’s most famous and beautiful attractions, the
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon!
• We will walk along Diamond Beach, where small ice floes wash up on the shore
and sparkle like gems.
• We will stay near the lagoon and enjoy our gorgeous natural surroundings and a
delicious meal.
Stay the night near the Glacier Lagoon in the heart of Icelandic nature.
October 9 (Day 4): Eastern Fjords & Horse-back Riding!
Breathtaking fjords, fascinating history, and a unique breed of horses not found
anywhere else!
• Today, we will have some of the most spectacular views of the trip. We will go on
a rollercoaster ride around the rolling hills and seemingly countless fjords of the
eastern coastline. These fjords are breathtaking! The great Vatnajökull glacier lies
to the west, visible as we cross the high mountain ridges to make our way
north. We’ll take photo stops!
• The many idyllic fishing villages en route make for perfect rest stops. We will
have many opportunities to learn more about Icelandic history and culture, for
example by visiting the fascinating Icelandic Maritime and Fishing History
Museum.
• The East Fjords are also home to some of the greatest diversity of wildlife in the
county. They have many incredible bird-watching sites and seal colonies, and the
east is the only place in the country where you can spot herds of wild reindeer.
• This afternoon, we have some choices! We can enjoy the fjords from horseback
with the Eldhestar, Iceland’s special sturdy breed of horse, take a guided boat ride
through the fjords to see wildlife, or do a beautiful nature walk. If the group’s
wishes are divided, we may split the group so that everyone gets to do their
activity of choice.
• Tonight, we will enjoy a specially included (and delicious) group meal. Brave
souls can try shark and Black Death!
Stay the night in East Iceland, one of Iceland’s most pristine and least populated areas.
October 10 (Day 5): Dip in the Thermal Baths, Canyons, and a Lake!
• Today, we will head to the Lake Mývatn area, an area known for its unique and
stunning geothermal landscapes.
• First, we will enjoy one of the highlights of the trip, a soak in the geothermal Vök
Baths! The hot water here is so pure, it’s certified as drinkable. Think Blue
Lagoon, without the crowds.
• After our relaxing soak and lunch, we will visit Dettifoss. Set in a canyon in the
middle of a lunar-esque landscape, this is the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
• Then, we will continue on to a very different kind of geothermal site: the
Namaskarð Geothermal Site. The rainbow-colored bubbling earth and powerful
natural steam vents are like nothing you’ve seen before!
• If weather permits, we will see the Northern Lights over stunning Lake
Myvatn, known as the prettiest area in Iceland.
Stay the night by beautiful Lake Mývatn.
October 11 (Day 6): Geothermal Sites, Whale Watching & Fishing, or Beer Factory!
• We’ll start the day off with a visit to Goðafoss Waterfall, a liquid stunner that
often offers up rainbows! This waterfall played a key role in Iceland’s transition
from paganism to Christianity.
• We’ll enjoy lunch on our own in the city of Akureyri, known as the “capital of the
North” and a hotspot for restaurants, shopping, views, museums, and more.
• A la carte afternoon: Travelers will have the choice of whale-watching and fishing
with Icelandic fishermen (brave souls can process shark!) and eat the fish we
catch OR travelers can visit a brewery & bathe in beer at an Icelandic beer spa!
• We will stay near the beautiful seaside village of Hvammstangi.
Stay near the beautiful seaside village of Hvammstangi.
October 12 (Day 7): History, Waterfalls, & Wool Factory!
• This morning, we will take a tour of an Icelandic wool factory. We’ll have plenty
of time for shopping for discounted wool souvenirs!
• After our wool factory visit, we’ll have some of the most delicious food of the trip
for lunch.
• Next, we see our last two waterfalls of the trip, Barnafossar and Hraunfossar.
Instead of coming from a river, these powerful spring-fed waterfalls come right
out of the ground!
• We’ll visit Snorrastofa, a medieval research institute where Iceland’s most
famous poet, politician, and historian, Snorri Sturluson, wrote the saga
Heimskringla and the bible of old Norse mythology Edda in the 13th century. An
expert researcher will give us a tour, including a visit to Snorri’s still-extant 13th-
century hot tub! If you haven’t seen the Northern lights, you can take a boat cruise
from the capital to try to catch them before you leave.
Stay the night in comfort in Reykjavik.
October 13 (Day 8): Blue Lagoon and Departure
• This is departure day, but depending on the time of your flight you can choose to
see more of the sites in Reykjavik or get in some last-minute souvenir shopping.
• For those who are interested, we can also book a Blue Lagoon visit on this last
day since it is on the way to the airport. We’ll include the Blue Lagoon booking
at no extra cost to you. If you choose this option, make sure you book an evening
departure flight!
Information Session @ Newton North High School
July 1, 2021 from 7-8:30pm
Pricing (see below for discounts!)
• 8-day Trip: $3,599/person
• $649 surcharge for single occupancy
Discounts
Early-bird discount: Save $100 if you pay by the early-bird deadline of July 15, 2021.
Pay-in-full discount: Save $50 is you pay for the trip in one installment by the regular
registration deadline.
Discounts can be stacked; i.e. you can take advantage of both the early bird and pay-in-
full discounts!
Note that if you choose not to take advantage of the pay-in-full discount, your payment
can be spread out over multiple installments as outlined below.
The following is included in the price:
Ø Hotels
Ø BusØ Expert local tour guide
Ø Two group meals
Ø All logistics handled
Ø Seminars on Icelandic history, culture, language, and literature (sagas!)
Ø Community experience & good company
Ø Cheery Newton Travel Manager!
Ø Breakfast every day
Ø Entrance to all non-optional sites listed on the itinerary, and entrance to Blue
Lagoon if desired
To secure your spot:
1) Email Samantha Mandel at mandels@newton.k12.ma.us of your intent to
register and let her know if you will be paying in full or paying a deposit.
2) Write out your deposit check for the correct amount. Checks can be made out
to Newton Community Education with “Iceland” in the memo line, and mailed
to “Newton Community Education, c/o NCE Travel, 457 Walnut Street,
Newton MA 02460.”
The installment payment schedule is as follows:
$1,200 due immediately to secure your spot (add $349 for a single
room) spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Deduct $100 if we receive your check by the early bird deadline of July 15,
and/or deduct $50 if you pay in full!
$2,399 (add $300 for a single room) due August 9, 2021
If you withdraw from the trip before August 16, 2021, you will be charged a $250
cancelation fee, after which we will refund all deposits we've made on your behalf that
we are able to get back from vendors. No refunds will be possible after August 16,
2021. Should NCE need to cancel a trip for traveler safety (for instance, for COVID
reasons), we will return all monies we are able to get back from vendors and there will be
no cancellation fee. See the FAQs below for more information about NCE's careful
stewardship of fees and efforts to ensure refundability of payments. Travelers are highly
encouraged to purchase travel insurance policies that meet your specific needs.
FAQs
Do you think our trip could be canceled due to COVID, and what would you do if it is?
With vaccine rollouts and Iceland’s excellent track record so far, NCE expects this trip to
run. Of course we have no crystal ball. Here are some precautions we will be taking with
your trip fees:1) Flexible Vendor Refund Policies: We will be waiting as long as possible to put
down payments for vendors (e.g. hotels) and negotiating up front to get flexible
cancellation policies wherever possible. This ensures that in the event we need to
cancel, we can get most of our money back. Because NCE makes arrangements
individually with each vendor instead of working with a travel agency, we are
able to be much more nimble about securing refunds. Iceland hotels and vendors
are particularly amenable. The 2020 Iceland trip was canceled within 2 months of
its departure date and we were able to secure 100% refunds for our travelers.
2) Flexible NCE Refund Policy: If NCE cancels a trip due to health & safety reasons,
we will get you all the money back we can, with no cancellation fees from our
end, regardless of the date. For instance, the 2020 trip to Iceland was canceled
due to the pandemic and we were able to provide 100% refunds to all travelers.
We can also offer advice with airline refunds. For our three canceled trips this
year, all travelers have either received or are in the process of receiving 90-100%
airline refunds.
3) Recommending Travel Insurance: Now more than ever, we are recommending that
travelers purchase travel insurance.
What are Iceland’s restrictions for travelers entering Iceland?
Currently, travelers from the US can enter Iceland without quarantine as long as you hold
a certificate of full COVID-19 vaccination or a certificate of prior COVID-19 infection.
You do not need to take a COVID-19 test before departure. You will be required by the
Icelandic government to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival, free of charge, and to wait at
our hotel until the results are issued. The results usually come back within 5-6 hours and
may take up to 24 hours. For this reason, this year we strongly recommend arriving to the
trip one day early. Samantha will assist with early accommodations for those interested.
How likely are we to see the Northern Lights?
Especially given the length of our trip, we have an excellent chance of seeing the
Northern Lights in October, although conditions are impossible to predict or guarantee.
Both prior Iceland October trips have seen Northern Lights on multiple occasions. The
conditions required for Northern Lights are total darkness (which we will have), clear
skies, and a few other meteorological factors. We will monitor the likelihood of seeing
the Northern Lights each night. Outside of Reykjavik, we are staying in locations that are
sufficiently rural that we will be able to see the Northern Lights if they appear. In
Reykjavik, we will offer assistance booking a boat cruise option if Northern Lights seem
likely.
What is the weather like in Iceland in October?
Because of Iceland’s northern maritime climate, the variation between summer and fall
temperatures is much less than we experience in Boston. Early October temperatures in
Iceland are generally in the 30s and 40s, whereas peak summer temperatures in Iceland
are generally in the 40s and 50s. Of course, weather on individual days may vary.
How much are flights to Iceland?
Not much. As of June 2021, roundtrip flights are available on our dates for $319.
Can Samantha help me with my flight bookings?
Of course, Samantha is always happy to advise if you have questions!Why doesn’t NCE make group flight bookings? Paradoxically, pricing for groups is often higher than for individual tickets since airlines take the average price of their lower- and higher-priced seats in group bookings. Also, because many travelers choose to come early or stay late, allowing individuals to make their own flight arrangements affords maximum flexibility. Since this is an NCE program, will there be an educational component? Yes! Samantha will offer a pre-class of Icelandic history, sagas, and basic Icelandic language on an optional basis for those who are interested. How about the food? Icelandic food is delicious. They have amazing seafood but also lots of other options, and you can try delicacies like puffin, whale, and shark! We have accommodated a variety of dietary restrictions in the past. I have friends/family who also want to come. Do they have to live in Newton? No! Our only requirement for travelers is that they be 18+ with a valid passport. I definitely think I'm coming on this trip. What should I get started on besides registering? Make sure you have a valid passport that is good through the end of April 2022. Will Samantha give us information about what to pack and how to prepare? Yes she will, not to worry! She has taken many groups of students and adults abroad, and will tell you everything you need to know - packing lists, using money in Iceland, health and safety, insurance plans, phone plans, etc. etc. What is the maximum number of travelers you can take? 25. What is the minimum number of travelers you need to run the trip? 15. How many people will there be per hotel room? The base price assumes double occupancy. If you don’t know anyone else on the trip but wish to have a roommate, Samantha can pair you up according to availability and your preferences. If you would prefer your own room, we would be happy to accommodate you. There would be an extra cost of $649 associated with that. Is the trip geared towards a particular age range/fitness level? NCE travelers usually encompass a range of ages and physical abilities, and we strive to create trips that are not physically demanding. That being said, we cannot change the fact that certain sites will include walking, sometimes on uneven surfaces and sometimes on an incline. In order to fully participate in this trip, travelers should be able to walk 1-2 miles a day and 1 mile at a stretch. However, participants are always welcome to opt out of program activities. If your abilities do not match the above-listed physical guidelines
but you would still like to participate in the trip, please discuss with Samantha. You may be able to participate with the exception of a few activities. Questions? Contact Samantha Mandel, NCE Travel Manager, at mandels@newton.k12.ma.us. What do NCE Iceland travelers have to say about their experiences? "It was the best group trip that I have been a part of. Samantha was our smiling leader, always on top of the details for each participant and the group, making sure things happened smoothly. We were in good hands with Samantha, she is extremely knowledgeable.” -Jane D. “Wonderful trip. I loved it, loved it, loved it. Amazing sights, great people, good weather, good food, knowledgeable guide. The fact that this trip had so many travelers from Newton and the surrounding area was a bonus. It was nice to have the opportunity to meet the travelers in advance of the trip.” -Lesley M. "Superb. Would be happy to travel anywhere with Samantha! She was steady, patient, helpful, informative, and inspired confidence and community building. I hope to continue to see her.” -Lorri L. "I have been on several group trips before and this trip was even better than I expected. The value was excellent and I especially enjoyed making new friends in my community!” -Lisa J. An amazing, educational, super-fun trip and CONGRATULATIONS on a job exceptionally well done! We are fans. :-) -Jim H. This might just be the best trip I've ever taken… and I’ve traveled a lot! I look forward to another adventure next year, wherever you end up taking us! -Ron S. As long as timing works for us, you can pre-book us on any future trips you do! Superb! -Ken B. I would follow Samantha anywhere! I loved this trip! I’ll be coming on your next one wherever you go! -Carol Ann F.
This is a wonderful addition to the already varied offerings of the Newton Community Schools. Make this a staple of NPS offerings! -Celia M. The group of people were terrific… going with a local NCE group was very positive. -Laura R.
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