Snow Safari Northern Lights

Iceland and Vail: 13 Nights – 14 Days

Hotel Options:
2 Nights – Reykjavík, Hotel Borg
10 Nights – Vail and Beaver Creek, Hotel The Sebastian – Vail
1 Night Fly to London via Reykjavík Overnight flight

Description

After flying with Icelandair to Reykjavík, your adventure starts with a stay in the stunning Hotel Borg, recently restored to its 1930s art deco glory. On the first morning the super jeeps will pick you up after breakfast and you’ll explore Iceland´s second largest glacier Langjökull and other breathtaking spots. The day starts with a visit to Þingvellir national park; Þingvellir is a UNESCO world heritage site and historians amongst you may know that it is the original birthplace of the oldest existing parliament in the world! In addition it is the place where the great tectonic plates of America and Europe meet and the rift valley is clearly visible. Next you will head to the geothermal area of Geysir, the home of the one and only Geysir. There you can marvel as the ground gurgles, bubbles and super heated water escapes from the ground with enormous force. After lunch the tour climbs to the next level as we drive up to the mountain road Kjölur up to Langjökull glacier. The best way to really experience this glacier is by snowmobile – and an hour’s tour of this magical landscape is something you will not be forgetting any time soon.

From the glacier we descend to Gullfoss, the undisputed queen of Icelandic waterfalls where foaming water rushes down three steps of lava layers with breathtaking power and grandeur. At the end of the day a lobster feast awaits you at Rauða Húsið (Red House), a family run restaurant in a tiny town out side of Reykjavík. The main event takes place after dinner when you begin your search for the spectacular northern lights. The super jeeps take you far away from any traces of civilisation to find the perfect place to view the lights, if the conditions allow. Happy hunting!

After an exciting stay in Reykjavík, you hop back on board a flight to Denver with Icelandair. On arrival, a private transfer will transport you to the Hotel Sebastian, a luxury modern hotel in the heart of Vail Village. Entering the huge entrance hallway you’ll be immediately struck by the stunning artwork collected by the hotel’s South American owner, which is proudly showcased throughout the hotel. From here you can either walk or make use of the hotel’s shuttle service which will take you into town so that you can get your lift passes and ski rental. Experienced skiers can then head straight up on the Eagle Bahn Gondola and take advantage of one of the largest ski areas in the US.

We would recommend that if you are new to the area that you book a guide for your first couple of days to show you all of what Vail can offer. From hero skiing on the ‘noon groomers’ to the deep champagne never-pisted powder runs there is something for everyone!
As a resort, Vail is unusual for offering a great deal for both children and adults alike. We can suggest different restaurants for you to enjoy, whether you are looking for a fine dining experience or you want a fun evening of bowling and snacks. Skiing is just one of the myriad of activities on offer, non-skiers can enjoy the snow and mountains via a sleigh rides or tubing, for example, and we would definitely recommend snowshoeing to explore some of the untouched terrain. After an exhilarating stay in Vail you will return home with Icelandair via Reykjavík to regale your friends with tales of your adventures!

When to travel
The best time to see the Aurora Borealis is between December and March which coincides perfectly with the peak snow conditions in Colorado.