Iceland has become a fixture on a lot of vacation bucket lists in recent years — in fact, international arrivals topped 2 million visitors for the first time in 2017, and that’s a lot of people for a tiny island nation — but how is the destination for families? This year Thomson Family Adventures, a tour operator dedicated exclusively to family travel, debuts a brand-new Iceland Family Adventure program designed for families with children aged 8 and up.
“Iceland has all the right ingredients for an adventurous and educational family trip,” said Beth O’Donnell, general manager, Thomson Family Adventures. “Its unique geography and history offer wonderful learning opportunities for children, from understanding tectonic plates to learning about the Vikings. We’re incredibly excited to launch this new itinerary and meet the increasing demands for family-friendly itineraries to this incredible destination.”
Kirkjufell Mountain on Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland © Thomson Family Adventures
The nine-day itinerary traverses the island of fire and ice with visits to beautiful glaciers, waterfalls and geothermal fields scattered across Iceland’s diverse environment. Highlights of the trip include a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon, located 20 minutes from Reykjavik’s airport (KEF), but seemingly a world away. Families enter the lagoon via a visitors center and immerse themselves in a geothermal sea rich with minerals they can slather on their faces as they sip a refreshing drink from the poolside bar. Kids 8 and younger must wear floaties, provided at check-in, and parents should keep a close eye on children so they don’t become dehydrated in the warm water. Toddlers and infants are not admitted for their own safety.
The itinerary also includes a swim of a different kind at Alftanes, a venue about 20 minutes from Reykjavik, which includes a wave pool, the longest waterslide in the country and a glimpse of the Icelandic President’s official residence.
You will also visit the Strokkur, a famous geyser that erupts every six to 10 minutes, shooting as high as 100 feet. Families will have the opportunity to try their hands at snowmobiling through the wintry glaciers and enjoying a guided walk through the Thjorsardalur Valley, exploring picturesque Gjain, a tiny gorge with fairy-tale waterfalls and ponds.
Gullfoss Waterfall © Thomson Family Adventures
Also included is a tour through Thingvellir National Park to learn about the oldest parliament in the world; an excursion through the Hraunfossar Falls and Iceland’s longest lava cave; and a boat tour through Breioafjorour Fjord, a beautiful nature preserve. Finally, the trip ends with a farewell dinner in
Reykjavik.
The Thomson Family Adventures itinerary to Iceland is available for booking now for travel in summer 2019. Prices start from $7,490 per adult and $7,290 per child.
The company, founded in 1998, is the brainchild of Judi and Rick Thomson, who, parents themselves, decided to focus on creating travel experiences exclusively for families of all sizes and make-ups. Thomson Family Adventures offers more than 90 itineraries and covers regions of North, South and Central America, Africa, Asia and Antarctica. They also have specialized tours specifically for teens and millennials.
The Blue Lagoon © Thomson Family Adventures
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