Some vacationers prefer to benefit from an extended layover by leaving the airport for just a few hours and trying out a brand new metropolis. However a layover simply is not sufficient time to actually get to know a brand new place.
That is the place stopovers are available in.
In contrast to a layover that lasts a number of hours, a stopover could possibly be at some point or a number of days. Maybe most significantly, including a stopover is your alternative — versus a layover that is predetermined by flight schedules. This provides you loads of time to recharge after an extended flight and discover a brand new vacation spot.
And one of many best methods to e book a stopover is with Icelandair, Iceland’s largest provider, which affords as much as seven-day stopovers when flying from North America to Europe (or vice versa). There isn’t any price so as to add these stopovers, although there could be minor tax variations (normally round $10 per particular person). And the airline even affords excursions that you could be a part of.
In reality, in case you e book a trip bundle with Icelandair by Oct. 24, you possibly can snag round-trip flights, three nights in a lodge and 4 included excursions ranging from simply $949 per particular person.
The island nation is roughly the dimensions of the state of Ohio, however there is a ton you are able to do in your stopover. Listed here are some must-see gadgets so as to add to your Iceland bucket checklist.
Discover cities and tradition
Iceland welcomed over 1.7 million guests in 2022, however there are lower than 400,000 full-time residents within the nation. The capital metropolis — Reykjavik — has a inhabitants of simply over 138,000 folks, whereas the following largest metropolis, Kopavogur, has simply 40,000 inhabitants.
(For context, Reykjavik’s inhabitants would make it the 199th largest metropolis within the U.S. based on 2022 census information — simply behind New Haven, Connecticut.)
However regardless of Iceland’s humble inhabitants numbers, these cities provide tons of nice issues for guests to do.
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Be a part of a strolling tour of Reykjavik
A strolling tour is a traditional technique to study extra a few new vacation spot. Whereas they’ll final just a few hours, you may stroll away with a newfound understanding of (and appreciation for) the historical past and tradition of a spot and its folks.
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On a strolling tour of Reykjavik, you may go to Metropolis Corridor, the place your native information will clarify Iceland’s volcanic and geographical historical past and significance. You may additionally see Althingi, the house of the nation’s authorities (and the world’s longest-serving parliament). And in case you’re fearful about crowds, do not be — the typical group dimension is simply six.
Study Icelandic historical past at one in all a number of museums
Museums provide a glimpse into the previous in addition to creative expressions of what it means to be Icelandic. Reykjavik and the encompassing areas have dozens of museums to select from, together with the next:
- Nationwide Museum of Iceland: Do not miss the museum’s everlasting exhibit — “Making of a Nation — Heritage and Historical past in Iceland.”
- Reykjavik Artwork Museum: Discover Icelandic artwork via the ages.
- Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll: Find out about Icelandic pop and rock music courting again to 1830.
- Whales of Iceland: Go to the biggest whale museum in Europe.
- Aurora Reykjavik: Try the Northern Lights Centre, the place you possibly can expertise an interactive exhibition of the aurora borealis or be a part of a northern lights tour.
Discover Iceland via digital actuality with FlyOver Iceland
In the event you solely have just a few hours to spare, take into account reserving the FlyOver Iceland expertise. This attraction takes you on a digital tour of the island nation. The total-motion seating, coupled with the usage of wind, sound and smells, brings the journey to life. Your entire expertise is about 35 minutes — although be forewarned that it simply would possibly encourage you to discover Iceland’s sights in actual life.
Expertise the magic of nature
No go to to Iceland can be full with out time spent marveling on the nation’s really distinctive panorama. As soon as you have completed exploring Iceland’s cities and museums, prepare for glaciers, whale watching, lagoons and extra.
Be a part of a tour of the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is a 190-mile loop in Southern Iceland that features Reykjavik, Thingvellir Nationwide Park, the Geysir Geothermal Space and Gullfoss Waterfall.
You’ll be able to be a part of a Golden Circle tour that takes about 5 1/2 hours and departs early within the morning out of your Reykjavik lodge. Or, for these wanting the liberty to discover at your individual tempo, you may hire a automobile and take your time driving across the island. Simply you should definitely know the foundations of the street.
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See the northern lights
The aurora borealis, or the northern lights, is a pure gentle phenomenon brought on by photo voltaic wind particles coming into the environment. Usually, these are solely seen within the evening skies of northern areas like Iceland. The nation’s restricted gentle air pollution and lengthy nights within the winter make it probably the greatest locations on this planet to see this unbelievable present with your individual eyes.
Icelandair affords a northern lights tour from September via April.
Spot orcas and different whales all 12 months lengthy
Marine-life fans will love the truth that Iceland is a year-round vacation spot for whale watching. Orcas can normally be seen from March to June and once more within the winter months. In the meantime, in Husavik — a small city on Iceland’s northern coast (and probably the greatest locations on this planet for whale watching) — you possibly can see humpback whales, minke whales and harbor porpoises.
And in case you’re unfortunate sufficient to overlook out on seeing these magnificent creatures throughout Icelandair’s whale watching tour, you may get a ticket to hitch it once more on one other date.
Loosen up in a geothermal tub or lagoon
Iceland is understood for its baths and lagoons, together with the Blue Lagoon within the southwest a part of the island. Nevertheless, there are a number of of those pure swimming pools which are price visiting throughout Iceland:
- Sky Lagoon: An oceanside geothermal lagoon near downtown Reykjavik
- Forest Lagoon: A spa that includes views of one in all Iceland’s longest fjords
- Glacial Lagoon: Iceland’s most well-known lagoon, which incorporates the possibility to take a ship tour and journey round ice from the Jokulsarlon Glacier
- Secret Lagoon: Certainly one of Iceland’s least explored lagoons, making it a fantastic choice for avoiding crowds
- Hvammsvik Nature Baths: Eight pure scorching springs situated simply 45 minutes from Reykjavik
- Fontana Geothermal Baths: Conveniently situated on the Golden Circle, with water temperatures naturally between 104 and 122 levels Fahrenheit.
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Be a part of a pre-planned tour
If crafting your individual itinerary appears daunting, Icelandair has you coated with pre-planned trip packages. Among the hottest choices embrace the Golden Circle Metropolis Break and the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights packages.
You’ll be able to even hire a automobile and journey independently with an Iceland Fly & Drive Bundle.
And in case you e book by Oct. 24, you possibly can snag round-trip flights, three nights in a lodge and 4 excursions ranging from simply $949.
In the event you’d moderately go at your individual tempo, keep in mind that Icelandair affords stopovers of as much as seven days, so you have got loads of time to discover the nation nevertheless you want earlier than persevering with on to Europe — or returning dwelling to the U.S.
Discover packages out of your nearest U.S. gateway by clicking right here.
The way to e book a stopover in Iceland
Fortunately, it is easy to e book an Icelandair flight from the U.S. with a stopover in Reykjavik. The provider at present affords nonstop service from greater than a dozen North American gateways, together with:
- Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS)
- Chicago’s O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD)
- Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN)
- New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR)
- Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO)
- Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA)
From there, you possibly can proceed on to Europe after your stopover in Iceland — together with flights to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) and even the Canary Islands.
To e book, merely go to icelandair.com and choose the “Stopover in Iceland” choice from the reserving part. Enter your departure airport and last vacation spot, after which choose the main points in your stopover.
The search outcomes web page will element your flight occasions. Then, simply observe the prompts on the display screen to verify your itinerary.
When you’re booked, you are prepared to start out planning your time in Iceland — although the toughest half could also be determining easy methods to match all of it in.
Backside line
Icelandair makes it extremely straightforward to discover Iceland on a stopover with no extra airfare value when flying from the U.S. to Europe (and vice versa). With as much as seven days to discover the nation’s quite a few museums, excursions and out of doors actions, you will not remorse extending your journey to discover the wonder and tradition of Iceland.
Or, you possibly can e book by Oct. 24 to snag an total trip bundle at a reduced fee.
What are you ready for? E-book your journey with Icelandair right this moment.
