Best of Iceland & Norway

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Reykjavik & environs, South Iceland, Oslo, Bergen & fjords

This private tour combines the best of Norway—including Oslo, Bergen and the beautiful Norwegian fjords—with the spectacular landscapes of Iceland.

With your own private guide, enjoy insider touring of the highlights of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. See iconic buildings such as historic Hallgrimskirkja Church and Harpa, the contemporary concert hall designed in conjunction with renowned artist Olafur Eliasson. Explore the colorful backstreets of the town, walk along the scenic harbor and stop at renowned culinary spots. Visit Perlan, a landmark building on a hill, for views over Reykjavik. If desired, visit the National Museum of Iceland or Reykjavik Art Museum to gain further insight into Iceland's history and contemporary culture. Also enjoy time to browse top boutiques for Icelandic crafts such as hand-knit wool sweaters and blankets. Other options include visiting the Arbaer Open Air Museum, the Viking Village, the Imagine Peace Tower or FlyOver Iceland to enjoy a simulated flight ride over Iceland's spectacular scenery. 

One day, enjoy private touring in the iconic Golden Circle, one of Iceland’s most popular regions. See Gullfoss, Iceland's most famous waterfall, and watch Strokkur and other geysers erupt. Visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Althing (Icelandic assembly) met for more than 850 years in a spectacular rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Enjoy a private tour and lunch at a geothermally heated greenhouse. Also see other highlights of the area, such as Kerid crater lake. Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as seeing Icelandic horses, riding ATVs, and soaking in open-air hot springs at the Secret Lagoon or at Laugarvatn Fontana, including a visit to its geothermal bakery.

Another day, enjoy the Into the Glacier experience at Langjokull Glacier, including driving across a glacier and venturing into a tunnel carved into the blue ice. Also see Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, interesting waterfalls that stream through lava fields and ravines.

Also enjoy an excursion along the spectacular southern coast to see some of Iceland’s most impressive and dramatic scenery. Visit Reynisfjara Beach to see its unusual black sand and basalt columns, and take in views of monumental sea stacks off the coast. Also see the amazing Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and tour cultural highlights such as the Skogar folk museum and the Lava Center, a fascinating interactive museum dedicated to Iceland's geological forces. If desired, also visit an Icelandic horse farm. Also take a Super Jeep ride on a glacier such as Solheimajokull Glacier, including a guided glacier walk. During winter, this region is an ideal base for hunting for the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).

En route to or from the airport, visit the famed Blue Lagoon to soak in the enormous geothermal pool located among lava fields—a quintessential Icelandic experience!

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange hiking and biking excursions, whale watching and puffin spotting cruises, appointments at geothermal spas, Northern Lights (aurora borealis) excursions, tickets to performances, Icelandic cooking classes, food tours, art and architecture tours, ATV rides, snow adventures, horseback riding, the Inside the Volcano experience, scenic helicopter flights, reservations at top restaurants and more. 

Fly to Oslo, the attractive seaside capital of Norway. During flexible private touring, learn about Viking customs at the Viking Ship Museum, marvel at the remarkable sculptures in Vigeland Park, see fascinating murals describing Norwegian history and customs inside City Hall, take in panoramic views of the harbor from the historic Akershus Fortress, walk on the roof of the iconic Opera House, and peruse masterpieces by Edvard Munch and other Norwegian artists at the National Gallery. Other options include visiting the Nobel Peace Center, learning about rural traditions at the Norwegian Folk Museum, touring the Royal Palace or Oscarshall, delving into the life of one of Norway's most renowned playwrights at the Ibsen Museum, seeing Norwegian modernist architecture at Villa Stenersen, learning about the World War II history of Norway at the Holocaust Museum or Resistance Museum, visiting Holmenkollen ski jump and the Ski Museum, and biking along the Akerselva River. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange tickets to performances at the Oslo Opera House and other venues around the city.

Next, fly to Bergen, a historic port city and the gateway to Fjord Norway. During private touring, explore the picturesque Bryggen wharf district, a former Hanseatic trading post that's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the bustling fish market, and tour the Hanseatic Museum and Schotstuene to learn about life in medieval Bergen. Walk through the pretty backstreets of the town, and venture up the Floibanen funicular for panoramic views of Bergen and the harbor from the top of Mount Floyen. Other options include delving deeper into the city's history at Rosenkrantz Tower and the Bryggens Museum. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange optional excursions to Troldhaugen (Edvard Grieg's home), Old Bergen or the Bergen Aquarium.

One day, enjoy a full-day excursion with your private guide through some of Norway's most spectacular mountain and fjord scenery. Ride the renowned Flamsbana train on one of the world's most scenic rail journeys through a glacier-carved valley past small farms, tumbling waterfalls and high peaks. Cruise the most dramatic sections of beautiful Sognefjord, including impressive Aurlandsfjord and breathtaking Naeroyfjord, the narrowest fjord in Norway and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to Bergen for a final night to shop for local handicrafts, dine at top restaurants or explore other attractions independently. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange tickets to performances at Grieg Hall and other venues around Bergen.