Itinerary in brief:
- 5 nights Iceland
- 5 nights St. Pete’s Beach
- 3 nights Miami
Day 1: Depart UK
Depart the UK from your chosen airport. On arrival in Reykjavik, you will pick up your rental car at the airport and drive along the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula towards Hveragerdi. Arriving at your hotel, you’ll check in for one night.
Included: International flight, hotel, car hire
Day 2: Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head off to explore the ‘Golden Circle’ with your family – an absolute must for nature and history lovers. Your first stop will be at the geothermal village of Reykholt, where you’ll pick up a small birch plant and visit the friendly petting zoo Slakki, where the whole family will enjoy meeting some Icelandic farm animals – there’s also a playground for kids and mini golf!
Next, you’ll head to the Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot spring area, stopping for a moment to plant your tree in a large grove in Haukadalur. Here you can enjoy the gushing hot spring and waterfall before driving towards the west coast, along Hvalfjordur Fjord to Bjarteyjarsandur, a working sheep and horse farm where you can enjoy some family farm activities! Further along, you’ll come to the Viking Settlement Centre, where kids will love learning about Iceland’s early settlement by the Vikings.
Arriving in West Iceland, you’ll check into your next hotel for two nights.
Included: Breakfast, hotel, car hire, entrance to Slakki Petting Zoo
Day 3: Borgarfjordur, Reykholt and Haafell Goat Farm
After breakfast, you’ll head off again to explore Borgarfjordur, a region very proud of its legacy as the setting of most of the Icelandic sagas. Drive to Hraunfoss, where the water seems to magically appear from moss covered rocks to rush down into the blue pools and see Deildatinguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring where you can buy organic tomatoes grown with help from the geothermal heat.
Heading further west, you could stop at Haafell Goat farm, where your children can learn about the Icelandic goat and spend some time petting these cuddly animals. Another good stop off is the Troll Park at Fossatun, where you can walk amongst the troll statues and play some games like Troll Golf and Troll Kick. It’s a great way to learn about the magical creatures that are believed to exist in the Icelandic countryside. We also definitely recommend a visit to Erpsstadir Dairy Farm, where you can learn about farm life, pet the bunnies and taste some fresh Icelandic ice cream.
Included: Breakfast, hotel, car hire
Day 4: Stykkisholmur
Today you’ll have breakfast at the hotel before driving along the coastal road to the small town of Stykkisholmur. Take a detour to visit Eiriksstadir, where you’ll see the Viking Age replica longhouse of Erik the Red and his son Leif Eiriksson, two of the most famous Viking’s in the world and learn about the Viking discovery of North America, over 500 years before Christopher Colombus’ voyage.
Arriving in Stykkisholmur, you can spend the afternoon exploring this pretty town, enjoying the restored timber houses, some of which date back as far as 1828, and eating local blueberry ice cream by the harbour. There are lots of birdwatching tours or cruises that depart from Stykkisholmur, including a great boat trip that will show your kids starfish, scallops and urchins pulled up from the ocean – if you want to add a cruise here, just ask!
Included: Breakfast, hotel, car hire
Day 5: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
After breakfast, you’ll start the day early and head out to explore the Snaefellsness Peninsula. Stop in at the Shark Museum at Bjarnarhofn for a lesson on shark fishing and a courageous taste of rotten shark meat for those brave enough to try it! Spending the day discovering the Peninsula with your family will be a joy – there are countless places to hike along the Arnarstapi Sea Cliffs where you can spot incredible birdlife and wander along pebble beaches in Snaefellsnes National Park. The beach near the farm of Ytri Tunga is especially lovely – famous for its colony of curious seals who climb up and lounge on the rocks. Following the road will bring you back towards Reykjavik, where you’ll spend your final night in Iceland. Why not head out into the city for dinner where you could enjoy a delicious meal of fresh fish and local ice cream as your final meal in this beautiful country.
Included: Breakfast, hotel, car hire
Day 6: Fly to Tampa
Today is your final day in Iceland – why not stop in at the Blue Lagoon on your drive back to the airport, take a dip in the thermal waters and have a shower afterwards, before returning the hire car to the airport and catching your flight to Tampa. On arrival in Florida, you’ll pick up your hire car and drive the short distance to St Petersburg where you’ll check in for five nights of beach time with your family.
Included: Breakfast, hotel, car hire, international flight
Days 7-10: St. Pete’s Beach
These few days are your beach time – the perfect way to spend time with your family. The wide white beaches in western Florida are beautiful and several days are sure to be spent simply playing on the sand and swimming in the turquoise ocean. Depending on how old your kids are, there are lots of different water parks to enjoy in the area, as well as being just 2 hours drive from Orlando if you fancy a day at Disney or Universal Studios. Your time on the beach will fly by, and before long you’ll be enjoying your final evening here, getting ready for some time exploring Miami.
Included: Hotel, car hire
Day 11: Drive to Miami
After a few days of relaxation on the beach, you’ll drive south to Miami, to spend some time in the city. On arrival you’ll check into your hotel for three nights – why not head straight to Miami Beach to enjoy some time on the sand before exploring downtown tomorrow.
Included: Hotel, car hire
Days 12 & 13: Miami
Miami is an exciting city that is great to explore with a family. Start by wandering through Downtown where you can go shopping and admire the Art Deco architecture before heading over to the Venetian Public Pool for an afternoon of fun playing in the water. You could even head to one of the children’s museum or visit the zoo where you can make friends with exotic animals? If you want to get out of the city then why not drive to the Everglades National Park, where you could hop on an airboat to explore the huge swamps, looking out for alligators and snakes as you whizz over the water. Back in Miami, get stuck into some wonderful Caribbean inspired food, including the delicious Cuban sandwich full of ham, swiss cheese and pickles and relax on the beach with a Mojito watching the kids build castles on the white sands.
Included: Hotel, car hire
Day 14: Depart Miami
Today is your final day in Florida – take one last walk along Miami Beach before driving the rental car back to the airport in time for your flight home.
Included: Hotel, car hire, international flight
Day 15: Arrive UK
