Which is greener: Iceland or Ireland?
Sure, we could show you hundreds of breathtaking photographs of Skogafoss Waterfall or the Cliffs of Moher... but the very best way to discover a destination is to go for yourself. Trust us, you won't be disappointed.
This week we've rounded up two escorted tours (one of Iceland and one of Ireland) with our travel partners, Globus Journeys. These perfectly planned itineraries have everything you need on land, from hotels to meals to expert guides.
Gems of Iceland
6 Day Tour from Reykjavik to Reykjavik
With its glaciers, icebergs, geothermal areas, roaring rivers, majestic waterfalls and beautiful lakes, Iceland is a country steeped in breathtaking natural wonders. And don't worry about doing it all on your own- an experienced Globus Tour Director will be there guide you to the very best places and most unique experiences.
Wondering when to go? Midnight sun, warmer temperatures and hiking opportunities make summer an ideal time to visit Iceland, but if its the Northern Lights you're after, plan your trip in September and October. These 6 day itineraries run weekly through the end of November 2017 with prices starting at $2,429 per person (airfare excluded).
Day 1:
Your vacation begins with a 6pm welcome dinner at hotel to meet your guide and fellow travelers.
Day 2:
Start your adventure off right with a morning excursion to the famously magical Blue Lagoon followed by a boat cruise to see whales in their glorious, natural habitat.
Day 3:
In Thingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, walk through the rift valley that marks the separation between the North American and European tectonic plates. In Geysir, walk with the chef of the Geysir restaurant through the geothermal areas, where you'll taste freshly baked bread cooked using the heat from the hot springs. You'll wash it down with a glass of geysir schnapps before checking out Iceland’s most famous waterfall, mighty Gullfoss, which plummets down 105 feet over two stages into a rugged canyon.
Day 4:
Drive through the national park at Skaftafell and stop at Lake Jökulsárlón, the deepest lake in Iceland. Watch how Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull, flows into the lake and forms icebergs. You'll also have the opportunity to take a boat trip through the icebergs!
Day 5:
A scenic drive gives you the opportunity to see Skogafoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s biggest waterfalls, and Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, which is a unique waterfall with a foot path behind it. (Yes, this is where you'll take an amazing photo behind the waterfall!) You’ll also visit Hellisheiðavirkjun, one of the world’s largest geothermal power stations. Tonight is your farewell dinner.
Day 6:
Your vacation comes to a close with breakfast in Reykjavik this morning.
Current Promotion: Ask about $100 savings per person air credit on select Europe itineraries!
2017 Ireland Winter Tour Package
Irish Escape: 7 Day Tour from Dublin to Dublin
Escape to the lush landscapes, charming cities, and friendly people of Ireland during the low season so you can experience it all without the crowds and, most importantly, without the high-season prices. This Ireland tour is an ideal introduction to the Emerald Isle for first-time visitors who have limited time. You’ll relish in some of Ireland’s most magnificent scenery as well as its most famous towns.
These 7-day itineraries are available November 2017 through February 2018 with prices starting at an incredible $639 per person (excluding airfare).
Day 1
Arrive in Dublin, Ireland. Céad mile fáilte! A hundred-thousand welcomes! After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is free to relax in Ireland’s capital city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel.
Day 2
The morning’s orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares with their tall red brick townhouses, colorful doors and wrought iron-decorated windows, Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore the city further, or you could join an optional excursion to the Guinness Storehouse and learn all about the world-famous beer, including how Guinness is made and the ancient craft of barrel-making in the cooperage. The evening ends with a sample of “The Black Stuff,” followed by dinner.
Day 3
Your day begins with a drive to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Then, a scenic route takes you across the limestone plateau of The Burren with its strange and beautiful karst landscape to the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher, where you savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast.
Day 4
After a short drive via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer, you'll cross the Shannon estuary by ferry. Continue on to Killorglin on Dingle Bay to join the famed Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Plenty to focus your camera on here: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Travel on to the popular resort of Killarney for an overnight.
Day 5
Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork, the route brings you to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. There is time here for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings, for a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal. The Master Craftsman will demonstrate the traditional methods that are still used to this day and you will learn all about crystal-making, from modern day back to its beginnings in 1783.
Day 6
An exciting agenda today: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; Ireland’s oldest Handweaving Mill at Avoca, where you watch the weavers at work; the Wicklow Mountains; and Glendalough, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. See the engaging audiovisual Ireland of the Monasteries, then let your Local Guide show you the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement. Back in Dublin tonight, a fitting farewell to Ireland would be an optional evening with dinner, followed by dance, song, and laughter.
Day 7
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning and of course, unforgettable memories.