Iceland: An Educational Adventure of Fire and Ice

Welcome to incredible Iceland, the land of ‘Fire and Ice’! Boasting glaciers and lava fields, volcanos, plunging waterfalls, gorges and mountain ranges, Iceland is an exceptional destination for teachers to lead a school trip. It offers unparalleled experiences and activities covering multiple curriculums, enriching you and your students.

Discover Iceland's Elements: Explore glaciers, volcanoes, and geothermal wonders.

Top Highlights

What’s Included

We design unforgettable educational journeys for you and your students. Our educational trips include:

Itinerary

Reykjavik

Located on a bay, presided over by mighty mount Esja, Iceland’s sprawling capital city stands in stark contrast to the quiet fishing villages and minute hamlets of the remarkable island nation. The hub is progressive, yet proudly traditional; remote, yet surprisingly cosmopolitan; inextricably tied to its natural landscape, yet embracing modern technology. The tiny city centre is characterised by an eclectic mix of brightly painted houses, elegant shops, stylish bars, and highbrow museums. A slew of restaurants serves up a delicious range of culinary delights as well as an array of exotic treats (try the pickled ram’s testicles and putrefied shark meat). Whether you plan on spending your vacation gallery-hopping while listening to Bjork on repeat, scuba diving between tectonic plates, or relaxing in the myriad geothermal pools, Reykjavik is the ultimate destination for pleasure seekers and adventure junkies alike.

Activities:

The Blue Lagoon: swim in the famous geothermal oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation
Walking tour of downtown Reykjavik: an expert guide educates on Reykjavik’s fascinating history and unique Nordic culture
Perlan (“the Pearl”): a nature exploratorium with an artificial ice cave and interactive exhibit on Iceland’s volcanos and glaciers
Saga Museum: discover the history of Iceland’s early Viking settlers brought to life

Selfoss

Selfoss is sometimes referred to as the capital of southern Iceland, serving as its centre of commerce, farming, and horticulture, with shops, restaurants, and hotels dotted around the centre of town. It is part of the administrative area known as Arborg, located roughly an hour’s drive from the capital, Reykjavik, on the famous Ring Road. A drive along Austurvegur road lined with colourful buildings leads out of town along the riverbanks of the glacial river. The town is an excellent kick-off point for day tours to places of interest in the area, such as the geysers and hot springs of Gullfoss Waterfall and the canyons, black sand beaches, volcanoes, and glacier lagoons of the South Coast.

Activities:

Sustainable Energy Education: visit “Smokey Bay” and learn how its geothermal energy powers the capital
Geothermal Power Plant Tour: Hellisheidi Geothermal Park exhibition focused on sustainable green energy

Höfn

Set on a scenic peninsula in southeast Iceland, the town of Höfn, meaning ‘harbour’, serves as the capital of the region. It provides an excellent stopover for visitors travelling around Iceland’s ring road. This picturesque Icelandic fishing town is conveniently situated close to the mighty Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Europe. The town is surrounded by vast majestic landscapes featuring volcanic beaches, glacial rivers, and remote offshore islands. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including enjoying the annual lobster festival, visiting the town’s museums to learn about the surrounding area’s geographical history, and visiting the Gamlabuo, the ‘Old Shop’, one of the oldest buildings in Hofn. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe.

Activities:

Lava Centre: discover the colossal and complex natural forces that created Iceland through interactive exhibitions
Glacier Lagoon / Diamond Beach: walk along the black sands, watching icebergs from the infamous Jokulsárlon glacier lagoon wash ashore
Monster Jeep / Blue Ice Cave Adventure

Hveragerdi

Hveragerdi is an enthralling town set in a geothermal area in southern Iceland roughly 45 kilometres east of Reykjavik. The village is often referred to as the ‘Earthquake Town’ or the ‘Hot Spring Town’ for its vibrant geothermal activity. Spreading across a 5000-year-old lava field, the rich area is lush and fruitful and steam can often be seen rising from the fjords between the hills, where visitors can bathe to their hearts’ content. This unusual ‘power’ has helped the town develop a wonderful agricultural scene, and inhabitants have been able to grow an enormous amount of fruit including berries, bananas, and papayas. Other reasons to visit include the plentiful salmon and trout of the Varma river, the numerous wonderful hiking trails, the astounding photogenic surrounds, and the abundance of luxurious and varied spa and health facilities.

Activities:

Skaftafell National Park: climb glaciers under the safe supervision of specialist guides as they educate you on climate change
Meet a volcanic eruption survivor: hear the firsthand account and watch a demonstration of basalt being smelted into lava
Reynisfjara “the black sand beach”: explore the area’s unique hexagonal basalt columns and gorgeous dark sand
Gunnuhver Geothermal Area: hike through steaming grounds as you learn how their energy powers Iceland’s aluminum industry

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.

Hear it from our clients first

I had an absolutely incredible experience with GHardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland. From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with them!

Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip. We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!

The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us! The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything - we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.

Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable! The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you GHardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.

Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.

We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
Our team of experienced travel planners has an eye for detail, meaning no stone goes unturned when crafting the perfect itinerary. Whenever you want it, the way you want it.

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