Iceland and Niagara Falls holiday with New York

Itinerary in brief:

• 6 nights Iceland
• 3 nights Toronto              
• 2 nights Niagara Falls
• 3 nights New York City  

Day 1: Depart UK

On arrival in Reykjavik, you’ll pick up your hire car at the airport and begin your road trip through Iceland. Drive along the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula towards the charming village of Hveragerdi, often known as the “flower village” due to the many greenhouses heated by hot springs nearby.

You’ll check into your hotel here for one night.

Included: International flight, car hire, hotel

Day 2: South Coast

Today you’ll head off along the coast, stopping in at the various natural wonders along the way. Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss are two of Iceland’s most scenic waterfalls, huge cascades of water pouring over the green cliffs. Head inland to see the famous Geysir, shooting up from the ground in a mass of boiling water – this is the phenomenon that all other geysers are named after. You’ll also spot the Eyjafjallajökull Glacier, part of the volcano that caused air travel chaos across Europe in 2010. As you get close to Vik, you can stop in Dyrholaey, where thousands of puffins and other seabirds next each year and take a stroll along Reynisfjara Beach, where black volcanic sand and tall basalt stacks out to sea make for a beautiful sunset. You’ll check into your hotel in Vik for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, hotel

Day 3: Skaftafell & Vik

Today you can explore the area around Vik further, starting with Skaftafell National Park – the largest in Europe. The park has many glaciers so why not spend the morning hiking between them for a glimpse of the bright blue ice, before heading to the Jökulsárlón Lagoon, where huge icebergs float in the water. After today you’ll understand why the country is called Iceland!

Included: Breakfast, car hire, hotel

Day 4: Thingvellir & Borgarfjordur

After breakfast you’ll head off towards Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic Parliament, situated in the middle of a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows by the largest lake in the country. After exploring the park all morning, you’ll continue to Borgarfjordur Fjord and visit the historical Reykholt, where Iceland’s most famous author Snorri Sturluson lived in the 1200s, one of the country’s rare preserved medieval sites. Stop in at the pretty waterfalls Barnafoss and Hraunfossar before visiting Deildartunguhver, the hottest spring in Europe, heating showers and taps for 50 miles from its 97°C. You’ll check into your hotel in West Iceland for two nights, in one of the small towns of this area.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, hotel

Day 5: Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Explore the countless natural wonders of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula today, starting with the bird covered cliffs of Arnarstapi and the rocky beaches of Djupalonssandur before driving along the coast stopping at various quaint fishing villages. In Stykkisholmur, we’ve included a boat tour, where you’ll admire the bird life from the water (look out for white-tailed eagles) before a shellfish plough is lowered into the ocean, revealing a wonderful selection of shellfish for viewing and tasting: scallops, sea urchins, crabs, starfish and sea cucumbers. This is the freshest sushi you’ll ever eat!                

Included: Breakfast, car hire, hotel

Day 6: Reykjanes Peninsula & Blue Lagoon

Today you’ll be heading down towards Reykjavik but head past the city and onto the Reykjanes Peninsula to visit the moon-like Lake Kleifarvatn with its bubbling mud pools and spend a few hours relaxing in the famous waters of the Blue Lagoon. If you want to add an entrance to the Blue Lagoon, just ask, as it must be pre-booked. In the afternoon, drive into Reykjavik and have a wander around this small city – visit the enormous Hallgrimskirkja Church and try a famous Icelandic hot dog before having dinner by the harbour and toasting a great trip discovering the natural wonders of this incredibly diverse country.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, hotel

Day 7: Fly to Toronto

Spend the morning enjoying the city before driving back to the airport and dropping off your hire car in time to catch your flight to Toronto. On arrival, you’ll make your way into the city and check into your hotel for three nights.

Included: Breakfast, international flight, hotel, car hire

Days 8 & 9: Toronto

You’ll have two days to explore Toronto so why not dive straight into the city? Take a trip up the CN Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views over Lake Ontario – you can even walk on a glass floor above the city if you are feeling adventurous! Spend the afternoon wandering through Chinatown and Kensington Market; these colourful neighbourhoods reveal Toronto’s multicultural heritage as well as their independent roots – you won’t find any Starbucks or McDonald’s here. The city is also famous for its museums and galleries; the Art Gallery of Ontario, full of Canadian, American and European art is a highlight of any trip to Toronto. Before you leave, be sure you try a bowl of ‘poutine’, a combination of chips, gravy and cheese curds – a true Canadian comfort food.

Included: Hotel

Day 9: Train to Niagara Falls

Today you’ll catch the train to Niagara Falls, where you will check into your hotel on the Canadian side of the Falls for two nights.

Included: Train, hotel  

Day 10: Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is truly one of the wonders of North America, so we’ve included a day tour here that will take you behind the thundering waters of Horseshoe Falls. You’ll take a lift down thirteen storeys through the rock where you’ll walk through a tunnel to an observation deck right behind the falls. Whether you visit in summer or winter, you’ll enjoy a unique experience of the water: a crashing wall of water in summer or a sheet of bright white ice and sparkling icicles in winter.

Spend the rest of the day enjoying the town and taking in all three falls from every angle. If you want an even more exciting view, we can book you a helicopter trip over the gushing waterfalls – just ask!

Included: Day tour, hotel       

Day 11: Maple Leaf train to New York City

Today you’ll cross the border into the USA, before boarding the Maple Leaf train which will spend 10 hours trundling through rural New York State towards the Big Apple. Make sure you sit on the right-hand side of the train – you’ll enjoy the best views of tree-covered mountains and glimpses of shimmering lakes as you head towards the state capital of Albany. From here the train heads south, following the Hudson River, dotted with yachts as they sail towards the ocean. You’ll arrive in New York before 10 pm so you can head over to your hotel where you’ll check in for three nights.

Included: Train, hotel   

Days 12 & 13: New York City

Two days in New York City will fly by so be sure to make a plan of everything you want to experience here, whether it's exploring the Guggenheim, catching a Knicks game at Madison Square Park or taking the boat over to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty. If you’re looking for delicious food, then head to Koreatown for BBQ or Greenwich Village for a slice of New York style pizza. Zoom to the Top of the Rock for views of the Empire State Building and Central Park and if you have time take a trip over to Coney Island to experience the classic New Yorker day at the beach.

Included: Hotel   

Day 14: Depart New York City

Today is the final day of your trip! Take one last stroll through the streets of Manhattan before making your own way to the airport for your onward flight.      

Included: International flight   

Day 15: Arrive UK