Iceland (FULL)

Overview

** THIS TRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED **
Participants can call for last-minute information: 0495-345144.

If there is one country in the world that speaks to the imagination, it definitely would be Iceland. Nature is so incredibly special that it cannot be compared to any other place on Earth. Lying in the middle of the Atlantic and being shaped by two continents drifting apart, Iceland is also called the Land of Ice & Fire. Therefore we must have Iceland on the Expat Club calendar. This long “bridge-weekend” would be ideal as everyone in Belgium has a holiday on 1 November. On top of that it’s top season for watching the miraculous Northern Lights.

** FINAL 2 SPOTS **
ICELAND = SCHENGEN = EASY TRAVEL 🙂

We only have a 2 spots available now. If you want a shared room (only for female) we advise you to book today as we have just one spot left in a shared-room in the 3* hotel. The following rooms are still available as of 25 October (this may change once spots are booked!):

– 1 final spot for a lady in a shared room in the 3* hotel
– 1 room for a couple in the 3* (1 large bed, you must book for 2 persons)
– 1 room for 2 friends sharing in the 3*  (2 single beds, you must book for 2 persons)
– 1 single room in the 3* or 4* hotel

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Pictures

Itinerary

As with all Expat Club trips, our schedule is carefully designed to ensure you can enjoy these days optimally. Please note that the schedule may still change for various circumstances such as weather or traffic conditions. Your host, the bus driver, guide and receiving destinations will always do their best to give the best experience. Thank you for your understanding.

We’ll arrange our own private local transportation and will visit the top tourist attractions in the region. We will travel a full day along the South Coast and visit various impressive places, such as the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, and the Reynisfjar black sand beach with stunning rock formations. The next day we visit the famous Golden Circle with the country’s most famous scenic route: Thingveller National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir hot springs area. On our last evening you can also join us to the world-famous Blue Lagoon hot springs spa resort. This geothermal spa is located in the middle of a lava field. It would be the perfect relaxation after an amazing trip. The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and are a constant temperature between 37˚ and 39˚. You are welcome to try on a silica mud mask of course. It definitely makes a good picture!

Since we are travelling in November another great reason to travel to Iceland would be to see the magical Northern Lights, so we are planning to travel away from the city lights to optimally see them. On the first night you can join a special Northern Lights cruise (optional, €93,50) or you can stay in the city. On the second night you are invited to hop on board our Northern Lights bus tour (included). And on the third night we you can join us to the Blue Lagoon resort, which is also in a dark spot of the country.

Thursday 1 November
09:30 Meeting time Starbucks in main departure terminal (receive boarding pass)
11:35 Departure on Wow Air WW463
14:10 Arrival Reykjavik
14:40 Transfer to hotels
15:30 Arrival Reykjavik
21:00 Optional Northern Lights cruise

Friday 2 November
08:30 Departure for South Coast tour
18:30 Return to Reykjavik
21:00 Departure Northern Lights Tour (included)
00:00 Return Northern Lights Tour (included)

Saturday 3 November
08:30 Departure Golden Circle tour (included)
16:30 Transfer to hotel near Airport (included)
19:30 Transfer to Blue Lagoon (optional)
20:00 Visit to the Blue Lagoon (optional)

Sunday 4 November
06h00 – Flight Reykjavik to Amsterdam
10h15 – Arrival Amsterdam
10h45 – Private bus transfer to Brussels
13h00 – Arrival Brussels

Transportation

We will fly with WOW Air direct from Brussels to Reykjavik on Thursday 11h35 with departure at 11h35 and arrival at 14h10. Our meeting time is 9h30 at the long table of Starbucks in the main departure hall. The return flight to Amsterdam departs at 06h00 in the morning and arrives at 10h15. We arranged a direct coach transfer (2h15) to Brussels with our bus partner Lauwers Reizen, and can drop you back at Brussels Airport. Since Keflavik airport is up to an hour away from Reykjavik city, we will stay the last night in a hotel close to the airport to avoid an early morning transfer.

During checkout you can indicate your seat preference: window, middle, or aisle. Those who book first also have first choice. We have a few better seats available, which you can also book during checkout:
– Brussel to Reykjavik: 1 seat with XXL leg space, and 1 big seat (wider super comfortable seats ), both in the front section.
– Reykjavik to Amsterdam: 1 Big seat (great to get some extra sleep on this early-morning flight)

NOTE: Expat Club checked all travel options for our group, but in the fall season there are considerably less flights to/from Iceland and virtually all flights to mainland Europe (including to surrounding countries) depart early in the morning (no afternoon/evening flights). The few flights that leave later in the morning do not only have an extra (long) connection, but are significantly more expensive as well (i.e. unaffordable). The direct return flight to Brussels is also much more expensive, so we opted for a flight to Amsterdam with a comfortable direct and private bus transfer to Brussels.

Accommodation

We arranged accommodation in highly rated 3* and 4* hotels near to each other. Both hotels have comfortable rooms and are located in the city center. The 4* hotel is the largest and one of the best hotels of Iceland and offers more comfort, nicer rooms, better breakfast. For the last night we stay in a good 3* hotel near the airport (to avoid long travel times in the morning). Rooms in each hotel have private bathrooms with either a bath or shower. We offer single rooms (1 single or large bed), double rooms (1 large bed) and twin rooms (2 single beds). For the single rooms and double rooms we cannot guarantee 1 large bed, but we always guarantee 2 single beds for the twin rooms.

Surcharges
The basic trip fee is based on 2 persons sharing a room (double or twin) in the 3* hotel. During the checkout process you will see eventual surcharges (e.g. for a single room and the 4* room).

Note that we stay 2 nights in the above accommodations in Reykjavik. During the last evening we stay in a hotel 100 meters from the airport terminal to reduce our travelling time (it can take up to 1 hour namely). Breakfast is included there, but do note that we have to leave early from the hotel to check-in. We could then walk back to the hotel, have a quick breakfast and return to the terminal.

ROOM SHARING
Expat Club offers twin rooms with 2 single beds for 2 friends who want to share the room, but do not want to stay in 1 large bed. These rooms are also offered to single travellers who do not want to pay the single surcharge. You can share the room with another lady or gentleman from our group (only male or female rooms). In that case you will NOT pay any surcharge and you will NOT have to worry about finding a roommate. There are plenty of other travellers in your situation, so we will introduce you to them (before or during the trip) and you mutually agree to share the room. This arrangement worked out perfectly during our other trips, so don’t hesitate to choose this option. NOTE: As of 11/9 we don’t offer twin shared rooms for our male participants anymore, unless you book for 2 males at the same time. If you are a solo male traveller then you can book a single room and request a “downgrade” to a twin room. We will then open up this option again and will refund you if there is another male booking for a twin shared room.

Comments & special terms

• This trip is carefully and realistically planned. Still, all timings are indicative and may change if required by circumstances.  Expat Club cannot be held liable for long delays that impact the program (e.g. missed guided tours, reserved entries etc.), neither can Expat Club be held liable for weather-related cancellations or any other unforeseen circumstances that influence the course of the trip, including, but not limited to technical problems with the airplane, strikes, weather, inundations etc. Pretty logical we think, but we just want to be clear about it. Both day trips and the Northern Lights bus tour are included in the trip price, but cannot be refunded in case of cancellation.
• The trip is sold as a package. You cannot go with your own transportation or arrange your own accommodation. If there are specific things that you do not want in the package, please let us know and we may consider a discount.
• You are personally responsible for getting a good cancellation and/or travel insurance that covers you for unforeseen emergencies that prevent you from coming on the trip and medical expenses before or during the trip. 
• Pictures on this page, and especially from the hotels are carefully selected but not legally binding. This means, your room may differ from what you see on the pictures.
• You are personally responsible for using the hotel room in an appropriate way. Any missing or broken items will be billed after the trip.
• Expat Club cannot be held liable for personal injuries during the trip, such as, but not limited to, things that happen during the guided tours, visits to places we go to, transfers by bus and plane, the boat ride, or any other part. Joining this trip is safe but still at your own risk (it’s a low risk activity).
• If you do not find a room partner on your own, we will find one for you (male/male, female/female). During the outbound trip we will connect you with others in the same position. If you decide to take a single room during the trip, then you will have to fully pay for it yourself. If you book this option, you are never forced to pay for a single room.
• If you book a double / twin room and your travel partner cancels, you will have to pay the single room supplement or share a room with another person (if still available).
• You can only checkout with the “Bank transfer” option. This means you do not pay while making the reservation, but you are required to do so within 2 days. Note, you are making an actual reservation. Non-payment means your trip will be cancelled by Expat Club and you will still receive an invoice for the trip.
• The general cancellation terms as described in our terms & conditions do not apply to this trip. After reservation you cannot cancel for a refund anymore.