Icelandic Cooking Lesson

Traditional Icelandic cooking is deeply rooted in the country's harsh climate and rugged terrain, relying heavily on preservation techniques and locally sourced ingredients. One of the most iconic dishes is hákarl, or fermented shark, which is prepared by burying shark meat underground for several months to ferment. Another traditional favorite is hangikjöt, smoked lamb that is hung to dry after being smoked over a fire, resulting in a tender and flavorful meat. Rúgbrauð, a dense and sweet rye bread, is another staple, often baked in the ground using the natural geothermal heat. Fish also plays a prominent role, with dishes like plokkfiskur, a creamy fish stew, and harðfiskur, dried fish jerky, being popular choices. Despite the challenging conditions, traditional Icelandic cuisine reflects a rich culinary heritage that has sustained the Icelandic people for generations.

Cost of this  optional cooking lesson learning to make traditional Icelandic dishes is $237.97 per person.

Whale Watching

Whale watching in Iceland is a popular and unforgettable experience, offering the chance to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The waters around Iceland are rich in marine life, making it an ideal destination for whale watching. The most commonly spotted species include humpback whales, minke whales, and orcas, among others. Many tour operators offer excursions from various harbors around the country, providing visitors with the opportunity to see these magnificent animals up close. In addition to whales, it's also possible to encounter other marine life, such as dolphins and porpoises, making each whale watching trip a unique and memorable adventure.

Cost of this  whale watching excursion is $147.97 per person.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, and it’s little wonder as to why. The beautiful milky-blue water is unlike anything else found on earth and makes a stark contrast to the surrounding black lava fields and creeping grey moss. The water sits at 39°C (102°F) year-round, making it the perfect bathing temperature. The lagoon is on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland, a region renowned for its barren landscapes and cone-shaped volcanoes. Due to its excellent location, soothing waters, and rich skin nourishment, the Blue Lagoon quickly became Iceland’s most visited attraction, rivaled only by the Golden Circle sightseeing route.

Cost of this optional experience at the thermal mineral waters of the Blue Lagoon is $137.97 per person.

Susan Alvarez , West Covina, CA - Such a wonderful trip..beautiful scenery and delicious food and our guide Betsey was the best.

Pam Doffek , Tallahassee, FL - This was one of the most enjoyable Craftours I've taken. Our tour host Betsy Martinson made things smooth and she was "on" all the details. The time allocated to places visited was the least rushed I've felt. As a Foodie tour it hit all the right spots. As a tourist I felt I went to the high points of Iceland, but was able to take advantage of some serendipitous moments.

Monica Francis , Whittier, CA - Iceland was one of the best trips I have ever taken. The culinary tour was spectacular and Craftours should do more of them. Betsy was the absolute best!!!!

Diana Przybysz , Glen Burnie, MD - Not having done a tour of any kind before, I didn't really know what to expect. Let me say that I've been blown away by my Craftour experience! It was everything it promised it would be and my dream vacation. I feel like I saw everything Iceland had to offer. I really appreciated the local tour guide's knowledge, the driver's professionalism, and the warmth and kindness of the Craftour guide. I really feel lucky that my first tour was a Craftour. I will be back again for sure! Thank you!

Estelle Vareilles , Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois, France - It was great to be in Iceland with other fellow knitters. The balance between sightseeing and knitting classes were perfect. Tanis Grey is an amazing teacher and a wonderful person, always available and very generous. I enjoyed the beauty of Iceland, their culture of wool and knitting and I love the atmosphere of the group. I'm doing a lot of Tours and this one is certainly in my top ones. Thank you.

Bonnie Frey , Lacy, WA - For me it was better than I could have imagined. I have not one negative thing to say. I loved all the people involved, the mix of those attending, the instruction, the food, and the tours themselves were outstanding.

Phyllis Schicker , Johnson Creek, WI - I very much enjoyed the Iceland Experience. This was my 4th Craftours trip. I always like that there is both sightseeing and learning about the area we visit and an ample amount of time spent on the craft (knitting or crocheting) and yarn shopping. And there is also some free time for exploring on our own. Thank you for another great tour experience.

Kathy Durance, Sooke, Canada - "Amazing trip. A nice blend of specialty (knitting) & traditional 'normal' tourist excursions."

Angela Jenkins, Midlothian, VA - "Overall, the trip was wonderful. I met a number of great people and Iceland is the most beautiful place I have ever traveled."

Debbie Floyd, Midlothian, VA - "This was my first Craftours experience and my first trip to Iceland. Iceland has been on my bucket list, and to combine my first trip with an emphasis on my craft was very memorable."

Kelly Mathern, Manakin Sabot, VA - "A great way to see Iceland and learn about the fiber industry."

Dorothy Rezac, Prairie Village, KS - "The tour was excellent. It was so refreshing to see so many beautiful sites and to hear how progressive the country is. The photographic insight and tips were helpful even to me as a novice."

Susan Downing, Lake Villa, IL - "The country is beautiful, the picture that can be captured don’t do it justice!"

Susan Alvarez , West Covina, CA - Such a wonderful trip..beautiful scenery and delicious food and our guide Betsey was the best.

Pam Doffek , Tallahassee, FL - This was one of the most enjoyable Craftours I've taken. Our tour host Betsy Martinson made things smooth and she was "on" all the details. The time allocated to places visited was the least rushed I've felt. As a Foodie tour it hit all the right spots. As a tourist I felt I went to the high points of Iceland, but was able to take advantage of some serendipitous moments.

Diana Przybysz , Glen Burnie, MD - Not having done a tour of any kind before, I didn't really know what to expect. Let me say that I've been blown away by my Craftour experience! It was everything it promised it would be and my dream vacation. I feel like I saw everything Iceland had to offer. I really appreciated the local tour guide's knowledge, the driver's professionalism, and the warmth and kindness of the Craftour guide. I really feel lucky that my first tour was a Craftour. I will be back again for sure! Thank you!

Estelle Vareilles , Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois, France - It was great to be in Iceland with other fellow knitters. The balance between sightseeing and knitting classes were perfect. Tanis Grey is an amazing teacher and a wonderful person, always available and very generous. I enjoyed the beauty of Iceland, their culture of wool and knitting and I love the atmosphere of the group. I'm doing a lot of Tours and this one is certainly in my top ones. Thank you.

Bonnie Frey , Lacy, WA - For me it was better than I could have imagined. I have not one negative thing to say. I loved all the people involved, the mix of those attending, the instruction, the food, and the tours themselves were outstanding.

Phyllis Schicker , Johnson Creek, WI - I very much enjoyed the Iceland Experience. This was my 4th Craftours trip. I always like that there is both sightseeing and learning about the area we visit and an ample amount of time spent on the craft (knitting or crocheting) and yarn shopping. And there is also some free time for exploring on our own. Thank you for another great tour experience.

Jo Ann Dickerson, Wichita, Kansas - "Very good tour thanks to our local guide & tour escort."

Elaine Edwards, Coronado, California - "The crafters were amazing warm wonderful people and very talented. The local guide was very knowledgeable about geography and the history of the country. The hotel staff was very accommodating and the location was perfect."

Kathie Vaughn, Carmichael, California - "This is my second tour and I have enjoyed both experiences immensely. Craftours is a new way to travel and a unique way to craft. A true adventure in 5-star, craft-oriented, culturally enhanced small group travel. I'm a fan!"

Pam Doffek , Tallahassee, FL - This was one of the most enjoyable Craftours I've taken. Our tour host Betsy Martinson made things smooth and she was "on" all the details. The time allocated to places visited was the least rushed I've felt. As a Foodie tour it hit all the right spots. As a tourist I felt I went to the high points of Iceland, but was able to take advantage of some serendipitous moments.

Monica Francis , Whittier, CA - Iceland was one of the best trips I have ever taken. The culinary tour was spectacular and Craftours should do more of them. Betsy was the absolute best!!!!

Rebecca Johnson , San Diego, CA - It was a “delicious” tour. Can’t believe the amount of experiences we packed into 7 full days.

Estelle Vareilles , Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois, France - It was great to be in Iceland with other fellow knitters. The balance between sightseeing and knitting classes were perfect. Tanis Grey is an amazing teacher and a wonderful person, always available and very generous. I enjoyed the beauty of Iceland, their culture of wool and knitting and I love the atmosphere of the group. I'm doing a lot of Tours and this one is certainly in my top ones. Thank you.

Bonnie Frey , Lacy, WA - For me it was better than I could have imagined. I have not one negative thing to say. I loved all the people involved, the mix of those attending, the instruction, the food, and the tours themselves were outstanding.

Phyllis Schicker , Johnson Creek, WI - I very much enjoyed the Iceland Experience. This was my 4th Craftours trip. I always like that there is both sightseeing and learning about the area we visit and an ample amount of time spent on the craft (knitting or crocheting) and yarn shopping. And there is also some free time for exploring on our own. Thank you for another great tour experience.

Kathy Durance, Sooke, Canada - "Amazing trip. A nice blend of specialty (knitting) & traditional 'normal' tourist excursions."

Debbie Floyd, Midlothian, VA - "This was my first Craftours experience and my first trip to Iceland. Iceland has been on my bucket list, and to combine my first trip with an emphasis on my craft was very memorable."

Dorothy Rezac, Prairie Village, KS - "The tour was excellent. It was so refreshing to see so many beautiful sites and to hear how progressive the country is. The photographic insight and tips were helpful even to me as a novice."

Elaine Edwards, Coronado, California - "The crafters were amazing warm wonderful people and very talented. The local guide was very knowledgeable about geography and the history of the country. The hotel staff was very accommodating and the location was perfect."

Kathie Vaughn, Carmichael, California - "This is my second tour and I have enjoyed both experiences immensely. Craftours is a new way to travel and a unique way to craft. A true adventure in 5-star, craft-oriented, culturally enhanced small group travel. I'm a fan!"