USA multi-centre with Iceland: Seattle, Portland, Boston & Reykjavik

Itinerary in brief:

• 6 nights Iceland
• 2 nights Seattle
• 2 nights Mount Rainier
• 2 nights Portland
• 2 nights Cannon Beach
• 3 nights Boston

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 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 can 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 Seattle

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 Seattle.

On arrival, you’ll make your way into the city and check into your hotel for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, international flight, hotel, car hire

Day 8: Seattle

Wander along the waterfront where you can enjoy views across the Elliott Bay to the Olympic Mountains on clear days before touring the Seattle Aquarium, where you can learn about the marine life in this region. Make sure you explore Pike Place Market as you start getting hungry – you can visit the first Starbucks before grabbing coffee in one of the neighbouring independent cafes. The market is full of artisan food stalls – you can try bowls of garlicky mussels, dig into a catfish sandwich and finish off with a sugary cinnamon roll. In the late afternoon take a ride to the top of the Space Needle to watch the sunset over the water.

Included: Hotel

Day 9: Drive to Mount Rainier      

This morning you’ll drive to Mount Rainier National Park, a two-hour drive to the south. On arrival at your hotel, you will check in for two nights.

Included: Hotel, car hire    

Day 10: Mount Rainier

Spend the day exploring this stunning national park where you can hike to the Grove of the Patriarchs, where some of the oldest trees in the Washington Cascades have lived for over a thousand years or along the Snow Lake Trail, ending with spectacular views over the blue-green water. The best time to visit this park is in August when the subalpine meadows of Paradise Valley are carpeted in wildflowers, and the snow has retreated to the mountain tops.

Included: Hotel, car hire      

Day 11: Drive to Portland  

This morning you’ll drive onwards to Portland, the capital of Oregon, a city with a small-town feel, full of restaurants, breweries and cycling locals that make it a popular place to visit. On arrival, you’ll check into your hotel for two nights.

Included: Hotel, car hire     

Day 12: Portland      

Portland is a city that loves to eat – the best way to spend your time here is to hop between cafes, breweries and restaurants, tasting the delicious fare on offer. Portland champions ‘farm-to-fork’ food, grown in the lush farmland of Oregon and served up beautifully in restaurants like Clyde Common so why not enjoy lunch before taking a walk through the Hoyt Arboretum and stopping in at the popular Portland Zoo.

Later grab a snack from Voodoo Doughnuts before heading to one of the many craft breweries that make their home in Portland and enjoy an evening tasting and learning about beer! If you’re more of a wine aficionado, there are many vineyards in the hills surrounding the city so you could either drive over and wander through the vines or simply settle into one of Portland’s slick wine bars to try them out!

Included: Hotel, car hire     

Day 13: Drive to Cannon Beach    

Spend the morning in Portland before driving over to Cannon Beach, one of the nicest stretches of the Oregon coastline. On arrival, you’ll check into your hotel for two nights.             

Included: Hotel, car hire      

Day 14: Cannon Beach

Spend your day here enjoying this beautiful beach. Made famous by an iconic scene in the Goonies movie, this long stretch of sand is perfect to try to stand up paddle boarding or kayaking. At low tide, you can walk right out to Haystack Rock, where pink and purple starfish cling to the sides usually hidden under the water. You could also take a stroll through this tiny beach town, past picturesque shops and cafes before taking a picnic to the beach and watch the sun set into the sea.

Included: Hotel, car hire     

Day 15: Fly to Boston

Your road trip through the Pacific Northwest has come to an end – today you’ll take one last walk along the beach before driving back to Seattle Airport where you’ll return your car hire and catch your flight to Boston. Here you’ll make your way into the city and check into your hotel for three nights.       

Included: Flight, hotel, car hire    

Days 16 & 17: Boston         

You have two days to explore the city of Boston, and there’s so much to see! We recommend that you start by following the Freedom Trail, which will guide you around the historical highlights of the city, including Old North Church and Boston Common. Grab a lobster roll or a bowl of New England clam chowder for lunch before wandering the pretty streets of Beacon Hill and heading over the river to Cambridge, home to Harvard University and MIT. Try and catch a baseball game at Fenway Park – the field is iconic, as well as the hot dogs!

On your second day, we’ve included a whale watching tour to lovely Cape Cod. You’ll head out to the Stellwagen Bank, where humpback, finback and minke whales are found in their natural habitat. Hopefully, you’ll spot some of these beautiful creatures in the waves. Whether it’s a tail splash, a fin slap or a full breach – any glimpse will be a thrill!

Included: Hotel, whale watching tour  

Day 18: Depart Boston

Today is your last day in Boston – spend the morning with one last stroll around the harbour before making your way to the airport in time for your flight back to the UK.

Included: International flight   

Day 19: Arrive UK