ISLAND 2024 – Land of lava and ice

Reykjavik
Breakfast. Start of a sightseeing tour of Reykjavik, the northernmost capital city on the planet, located in the southwest of the country, in Faxafloy Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is a scene of exciting cultural and nightlife, with many first-class restaurants and unconventional museums. Its name translates as 'the smoking bay', and that's because thermal waters abound here - industrial and domestic heating is provided by them. Our walk will start in the centre of Reykjavik, reminiscent of a maze of narrow streets with old wooden houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We will see the City Hall, Lake Tjørnin, the Parliament, the harbour, the Harpa concert hall. We will also visit the symbol of the city - the huge Hallgrímskirkja (Hatlgrímskirkja) Cathedral. It took 34 years to build, between 1940 and 1974, and its bell tower is 75 m high - it can be seen from a distance of 20 km. Very characteristic are the columns on either side of the nave, which resemble volcanic basalt - a favourite "nature" motif of the state architect Gudjon Samuelsson. We'll continue to the quaint Hofdi House - made popular by the landmark meeting of Reagan and Gorbachev in 1986. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon we will visit the Fly Over Iceland attraction. It's not for nothing that this attraction ranks second in TripAdvisor's "things to do in Reykjavik". With this interactive flight, which features a six-stage motion system, multi-sensory special effects including wind, fog and smells, combined with smooth motion and impressive realistic visuals as well as a 20-metre spherical screen, will help you move with the Arctic winds and soar above the land, sea and ice of Iceland.
In the late afternoon we offer you a 3 hour tour/stop. payment of 240 BGN for adults and 115 BGN for children and young people up to 11 years / whale watching ("watching" whales in literal translation), because of the rich plankton waters - in summer up to 11 different species come here, including humpback whales, blue whales and dwarf whales (the latter weighs "only" as much as 2-3 elephants). With the help of specially trained naturalists and marine biologists, you'll learn all about Iceland's amazing wildlife. Magnificent scenery surrounds the entire area and creates a unique contrast with the vast ocean, where you are sure to see breathtaking views of the horizon. Evening free time. Overnight.

Tingwetlir Geological Wonders National Park
IcelandBreakfast. We hit the road at around 7:30am along one of Iceland's most interesting routes - the Golden Circle. We'll head to Þingvellir (pronounced Tinkvetlir) National Park, a place that combines geology and history. We can clearly see the continental rift between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates; in addition, here is the location of Alþingi (Althinge) - founded in 930, it is considered the oldest parliament in the world. We continue to the impressive Gullfoss waterfall, literally translated as "Golden Waterfall" because of the way the sunlight is reflected in its waters, which fall into a 32m deep crevice. Our next stop is Geysir (Geysir), hence the international word for a hot spring that gushes its waters sharply upwards. Its eruptions can reach 70 m in height, but are of varying frequency and strength. Free time. Return to the hotel in Reykjavik in the late afternoon. Overnight

Reykjavik - Langjokul - Bordarfjordur Valley
Breakfast. Free time in Reykjavik for a self-guided walk or day tour (extra charge) to the ice cave of Iceland's second largest glacier, Langjökull, and the Borgarfjörður valley - famous for its fertile farmland and volcanic beauty. (duration ~ 9 - 10 hours). Additional payment for the full-day tour 470 BGN for adults and 245 BGN for children up to 13 years.
With this tour you will have the opportunity to reach the heart of the second largest glacier in Europe. The largest man-made ice cave in the world allows you to walk 800 m among thousands of years of ice. There are too few places on Earth where a country's population feels as connected to its nature as in Iceland. The idea for the ice cave was born in the heads of two Icelanders in 2010. Back then, the idea of taking people inside, not just on, a glacier sounded like science fiction. Science, engineering thought and endless energy are the reason this project is now a reality.
Departure at 08.00 from the hotel to Langjökull glacier. Along the way we will learn more about the history and geology of ice caves, as well as the effects of global warming on ice caves. Stop for a rest at the Húsafell Hotel and drive to the Borgarfjörður Valley - famous for its fertile farmland and volcanic beauty.
We continue to the top of the glacier from Húsafell, after which we will descend into the ice cave to witness the wonders of Iceland's second largest glacier from the inside. Continuing to Hraunfossar - Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls formed by rivulets flowing about 900 metres from Hallmundarhraun, a lava field that flows from an eruption of one of the volcanoes lying beneath the Langjökull glacier. We continue to
Langjökull, and to get to the ice cave we ride in a huge specially modified truck. You will spend about 1 hour walking inside the glacier. Return to Reykjavik. Overnight.

Vakhtnayokutl National Park and Yokulsarlon Ice Lagoon
Breakfast. Check out of the hotel at 08.00 and departure to the south of Iceland. Passing through Skeidarosandur - the most extensive alluvial plain in the country with a total area of about 1000 sq. km. The distance between the edge of the glacier and the sea is 20 to 30 km and the coastline is 40 km long, making it the largest plain of its type in the world. Ever since the first settlers settled here, Skedarosandur has absorbed a significant amount of farm (arable) land and this process is still continuing. Skaftafetl is the second largest National Park in Iceland and one of the most precious natural gems in the Nordic country. The unsurpassed beauty and great diversity of this natural park are due to the various canyons, valleys, icebergs, ice tunnels and arches, glacial lakes. Skaftafetl is also the most visited place by tourists in Iceland because of the stunning contrast between the majestic snowy peaks and the fresh greenery and vegetation. It is a beautiful oasis, on the edge between sands and glaciers, and above it rises the largest ice cap in Europe - the Vakhtnayokutl glacier, covering an area of over 8000 sq km, with ice thickness ranging between 400 and 1000 m. At its southernmost tip is the highest peak in Iceland, Jorevayokutl (2110 m).
After crossing several smaller glaciers, part of the Vakhtnayokutl National Park, we reach the glacial lagoon of Jokulsarlon. This lagoon formed in the early 1920s. In Jokulsarlon, water and wind have sculpted unique ice sculptures.
* Optional amphibious boat cruise on the glacial lagoon Yokulsarlon, famous for the icebergs that break off the glacier and form an ever-changing ice maze for the tourist boats (duration - 30-40 min.) with an extra charge of 125 BGN for adults and 70 BGN for children under 11.
In the evening check in at Skaftafell 3* or similar. Overnight.

Reinisvara - Seljalandsfos - The Blue Lagoon
Breakfast. Check out of the hotel at 08.00 and departure to Reynisfjara / Reynisvara. On the way we will see Eldhraun (Eltchroun) - one of the largest lava flows (with an area of about 565 km2). A short stop at Rainsvara or the black beach which is considered one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. This stunning area is known for its interesting geology: black sand beaches, basalt columns and a series of rock formations important to local folklore. Legend has it that the basalt columns - called Reynisdrangar by the locals - were actually Icelandic trolls who once tried to drag a ship from the sea to land before sunrise but failed, and so the trolls turned to stone.
From Rainisfjara you have a wonderful view of Cape Dirholei. It is a collection of rocks that, interlocking, form arches and go into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on the weather conditions we may also visit the Sólheimajökull glacier, which unfortunately has been slowly but inexorably melting in recent years. We continue to our next stop - the magnificent Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and on our way in the distance, in clear weather, we will see the silhouette of the active volcano Eyjafjallajokutl, whose last eruption was in 2010. Considered the most beautiful waterfall in the country and one of the most beautiful in the world, Seljalandsfoss will enchant you. Here the invisible creative hand of nature has reached its greatest heights. The magic of the waterfall is strongest in sunny weather, when the rays are refracted in the water splashes, creating a wonderful fairy. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we head to Reykjanes peninsula with a short stop at Leif the Lucky's Bridge, which connects two continents: Europe and North America, to join Iceland into one.
Followed by a two-hour stay at Iceland's most famous attraction, the Blue Lagoon, a natural geothermal pool set among volcanic chunks (entrance ticket included). You will have the opportunity to enjoy relaxing baths amidst amazing nature and fresh air.
Around 21:30 transfer to Keflavik airport for your flight to Sofia via Vienna at 01:10. Landing in Sofia at 11:40. the next day.