Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in New York
You've landed in New York City and settled into your hotel. After checking in, head out to The Edge observation deck if you want to pay extra for the skyline views, then make your way over to Times Square where the neon signs and energy really take over the whole area. The atmosphere here is definitely different from anywhere else in the city, so plan to spend some time just taking it all in.
Optional Activities
- Visit The Edge observation deck for skyline views
- Explore Times Square
Landmarks/POIs The Edge Times Square - Day 2
Brooklyn Bridge, Staten Island Ferry & Greenwich Village
Get up early to catch the Brooklyn Bridge around sunrise when the light hits Manhattan just right. Stop by Ess-a-Bagel for breakfast to fuel up, then take the free Staten Island Ferry to see the skyline from the water and catch views of the Statue of Liberty. After that, visit the 9/11 Memorial to spend some quiet time reflecting. Later, wander through Greenwich Village's mix of boutiques, second-hand shops, and small cafés tucked along the streets.
Included Activities
- Walk Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise
- Take Staten Island Ferry (free)
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel
- Visit 9/11 Memorial
- Explore Greenwich Village
Landmarks/POIs Brooklyn Bridge Staten Island Ferry Statue of Liberty 9/11 Memorial Greenwich Village - Day 3
Diners, Broadway & Central Park
Start with a hearty breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner where the waiters sing while they work, giving the whole place real Broadway energy. Before heading out, check the ticket counter for last-minute Broadway show deals if something catches your eye. Take a break in Central Park to relax and walk around, then explore Midtown's big buildings like the Empire State Building and Flatiron Building. Grab lunch or snacks from food trucks scattered throughout the neighborhood as you move around.
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner
- Broadway show (last-minute tickets)
- Central Park visit
- Empire State Building viewing
- Flatiron Building viewing
- Food truck dining in Midtown Manhattan
Landmarks/POIs Ellen's Stardust Diner Broadway Central Park Empire State Building Flatiron Building - Day 4
Departure from New York to Iceland
This is your last day in New York, so knock out anything left on your list. Shop on 5th Avenue, hit a museum, or head to Top of the Rock for views across the city. Check out the Meatpacking District's industrial character and warehouse vibe. Walk through the High Line park which runs 9 meters above street level and cuts through greenery between tall buildings. Grab lunch at Chelsea Market before heading to the airport for your evening flight to Iceland.
Optional Activities
- Shopping on 5th Avenue
- Museum visit
- View from Top of the Rock
- Explore Meatpacking District
- Walk the High Line elevated park
- Dining at Chelsea Market
Landmarks/POIs 5th Avenue Top of the Rock Meatpacking District High Line Chelsea Market - Day 5
Golden Circle Iceland
You'll arrive in Iceland early and pick up a rental car right away. Drive to the Golden Circle to see Thingvellir's Allman Gorge and Öxarárfoss waterfall. Continue on to Haukadalur Valley where Strokkur geyser shoots water several meters into the air roughly every few minutes. After that, visit Gullfoss waterfall and feel the mist as water drops through a narrow gorge. If time works out, swing by Kerid Crater before driving to Hveragerdi for the night.
Included Activities
- Hike Thingvellir and Allman Gorge
- Visit Öxarárfoss waterfall
- View Strokkur geyser eruptions at Haukadalur Valley
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Visit Kerid Crater lake (admission payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Thingvellir National Park Allman Gorge Öxarárfoss Strokkur Geyser Gullfoss Kerid Crater - Day 6
South Coast Iceland
Drive along Iceland's south coast and stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can walk right behind the 60-meter curtain of water (the rocks get slippery so watch your step). Head to Skógafoss next to see rainbows forming in the spray. Explore the Sólheimasandur plane wreck by hiking through quiet landscape to reach it. Later, trek along the Dyrholaey peninsula's steep cliffs down to Reynisfjara's black sand beach, then drive to Hnappavellir for the night.
Included Activities
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Visit Skógafoss waterfall
- Hike to Sólheimasandur plane wreck
- Hike Dyrholaey peninsula
- Visit Reynisfjara black sand beach
Landmarks/POIs Seljalandsfoss Skógafoss Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck Dyrholaey Peninsula Reynisfjara Beach - Day 7
Skaftafell & Glacier Lagoon
Hike through Skaftafell National Park with its wild rivers, lava fields, and glacier-fed streams until you reach Svartifoss waterfall dropping over dark basalt columns. Then drive to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon to see floating icebergs and watch seals hanging around the boulders. End the day at Diamond Beach where black sand meets chunks of glittering ice creating an unusual contrast of textures and colors. Drive back to Hnappavellir for the night.
Included Activities
- Hike through Skaftafell National Park to Svartifoss
- Visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Visit Diamond Beach
Landmarks/POIs Skaftafell National Park Svartifoss Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Diamond Beach - Day 8
Reykjavik
Drive to Reykjavik through wide open Icelandic landscape. Once there, go up Hallgrímskirkja church for views out over the city and the surrounding area. Walk down to the harbor to see boats, colorful murals on buildings, and the modern Harpa concert hall made of glass. If you're interested, there's an optional evening visit to Perlan Museum where you can walk through a real ice cave and see an aurora show (you'll pay for this locally).
Optional Activities
- Visit Hallgrímskirkja for city views
- Explore harbor area with street art
- Visit Harpa concert hall
- Perlan Museum - ice cave and aurora show (optional, payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Hallgrímskirkja Harpa Concert Hall Perlan Museum - Day 9
Departure from Iceland
You'll wake up in Reykjavik on your final morning in Iceland. Return your rental car to the airport and get ready for your flight home. As the plane takes off, you'll watch Reykjavik and Iceland's landscapes disappear below, but you're taking all those memories of geysers, waterfalls, glaciers, and the raw natural scenery with you.
