Take in the glow of pink midnight skies as you stand before fragile moss-shrouded arctic deserts punctuated by alabaster icefields, steaming geysers and smoldering volcanoes on a 10-day combination cruise and tour that integrates inland adventures with a coastal circumnavigation of Iceland. Venture inshore to Iceland’s untouched regions, including the Hraunfoss Lava Falls, the thundering Barnafoss Waterfall and glowing blue ice caverns beneath the Langjokull Glacier, the second largest glacier in Iceland. Bask in the steamy comfort of Blue Lagoon’s outdoor geothermal spa. Wander Reykjavik’s cultural museums and make your way along inviting side streets where former fishing homes offer basement bars, artisan boutiques and local coffee houses. Sample Kjötsúpa, a regional lamb stew rich in root vegetables. Spend an evening amid the colorful and quirky Seydisfjordur, a summer haven for artists and a jumping-off point for naturalists and scientists studying puffins, kittiwakes, arctic terns and innumerable wildlife in the nearby Skálanes Nature Reserve.

Arrive at the Reykjavik airport to be met by an English-speaking guide and a driver with luggage service. Spend the evening at your leisure and overnight at The Grand Hotel, a 4-star eco-friendly luxury hotel in the heart of the city.

Start with breakfast at the hotel and head to a morning in Borgarfjordur, 56 miles from Reykjavik. A full day guided tour highlights Barnafoss and Hraunfossar Waterfalls. Among the most popular tourist attractions, Barnafoss is a protected Natural Monument of short fierce rapids.  Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls formed by little rivulets streaming over a distance of 984 yards from the lava field known as Hallmundarhraun. Lunch will be served at the charming Bruaras Restaurant in Borgarfjordur.  Visit the Langjokull Ice Tunnels by riding in a specially modified now truck out on the glacier and then an experienced guide will lead you into the cave to see the startling blue ice inside. Travel to the Hotel Hamar for an included 3-course dinner and overnight.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before your full day tour of Pingvellir National Park, a remarkable geological phenomena, UNESCO site, and the most important historical site in Iceland, as it is the site of the world’s oldest democratic parliament founded in 930. Continue to Geysir Hot Springs to see the famous geyser “Strokkur” that spouts every few minutes sending a geyser of piping hot water up to 60 feet (20 m) into the air. Buffet lunch is included at Hotel Geysir and then on to Gullfoss Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. Thousands of tons of icy water thunder majestically down in a double fall into a deep gorge. Travel to the small village of Fludir, home to the Secret Lagoon natural hot springs, where the pools natural surroundings and steam rising into the air gives the area a magical feel.  There are several geothermal spots and a little geyser that erupts every 5 minutes. In the village of Stokkseyri enjoy a dinner of local dishes at Fjorubordid, the Seashore Restaurant.  Then it’s back to Reykajavik to overnight at the Grand Hotel.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. A sightseeing tour of Reykjavik takes you to see Perlan the Pearl with an impressive panoramic view of Reykjavik, The Hallgrimskirkja, the church with an imposing tower that dominates the skyline. Bathe in the famous Blue Lagoon for a healthy mineral soak before heading to your waiting ship.

Take a boat tour to view Surtsey Island, which only rose from the sea in the 1960s and has been a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site since its birth. The other big attraction here is seabirds. Zodiac tours provide close up views of seabird populated sea cliffs including the largest colony of Atlantic puffins.

Witness a world still in transition. Circle Surtsey Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which rose from the sea in the 1960s. Next up, Heimaey, where a volcanic eruption created a modern-day Pompeii in 1973. 

Seydisfjord is 11 miles of long, narrow, beautiful waterway surrounded by high mountains that ends at the town of Seydisfjordur, known for its old multi-colored wooden buildings and cascading waterfalls even in the town.  This is home of the Skalanes Nature Reserve with its wide variety of wildlife including more than 45 bird species.  The first high-voltage electricity in Iceland was opened here in 1913 and is still in operation today. A popular hiking path starts at the town center, following the east bank of the Fjardara River that flows through the center of town. 

Seydisfjord is 11 miles of long, narrow, beautiful waterway surrounded by high mountains that ends at the town of Seydisfjordur, known for its old multi-colored wooden buildings and cascading waterfalls even in the town.  This is home of the Skalanes Nature Reserve with its wide variety of wildlife including more than 45 bird species.  The first high-voltage electricity in Iceland was opened here in 1913 and is still in operation today. A popular hiking path starts at the town center, following the east bank of the Fjardara River that flows through the center of town. 

Akureyri is an important port and fisheries center especially because of its ice-free harbor so close to the Arctic Circle.  It lies at the end of Iceland’s longest fjord, which is 37 miles long, at sits at the base of snowcapped peaks that offer some of Iceland’s best skiing during the winter.  Must-sees in Akureyri include the Listagil (art canyon) which is home to many arts and crafts galleries and shops, the beautiful church in the center of town, the botanical garden, and Hafnarstraeti, the main shopping street.This is also the perfect place to ride an Icelandic horse or soak in the sky-blue Myvatn Nature Baths.

Beautiful Grundarfjordur is located between a mountain range and the sea.  The road nearby crosses a lava field that is partially warm so snow does not always stick there. The main attraction of the area is Snæfellsjokull National Park full of regal glaciers, lava fields, waterfalls, caves, calderas, and basalt cliffs. The peninsula there received the EARTHCHECK Sustainable Community Award in 2010, the first area in Iceland to win such an award.