Iceland

Can these New Orleans natives brave the Icelandic Winter in search of the Northern Lights? We timed this trip perfectly. To increase our chances of spotting the celestial wonders we first need darkness! This time of year there is only about 4.5 hours of daylight. Our trip around the island takes us on the scenic Ring Road. We will start in the capital of Reykjavik, where we will experience a brilliant display of fireworks as 200,000 people (approx. the population of Reykjavik) set off around 500 tons of fireworks on New Year's Eve. The next stop is an isolated hotel in the south of Iceland - perfect for spotting the Northern Lights. They even have an observatory with hi-quality telescopes! Next, we're off to the Glacier Lagoon. We'll travel on top of the mighty Vatnajokull glacier, discovering ice formations, crevasses, and the endless stunning landscape. At the edge of the glacier, we'll venture into a newly formed ice cave! After the ice cave, we'll make the long journey up the east coast to a little town of Seydisfjordur where Ned's grandmother was born and raised. Here we will spend some time enjoying the Icelandic culture. Next we'll head west to enjoy a beautiful lake, hot-springs, and geyser offered in the various towns of the north. While in the north, we'll again be staying in an isolated hotel to maximize our chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis. Situated in a fisherman's marina and surrounded by majestic mountains, this peaceful environment will allow us to relax and prepare for the last leg of our adventure. The last few days of our trip find us visiting a beautiful waterfall and of course the Blue Lagoon (we have to do it!).