Iceland : Magical Christmas at Hraunsnef

Day 1 - 24th December
Explore West Iceland – ‘Adfangadagur’ 
You may wish to ensure you arrive in Iceland the night before (contact us to discuss your options), so that you don't miss out on the celebrations, which start at Hotel Hraunsnef at 18:00! Hotel Hraunsnef is just under a two hour journey from Reykjavik (and around three hours from Keflavik Airport). This friendly and informal hotel is found just north of Borganes in West Iceland approximately 34 km north of Borganes on road 1. Today is the day that Icelanders celebrate Christmas, with the family coming together and opening presents after dinner. Enjoy a Christmas buffet at 18.00, with turkey, ham, smoked trout and accompanying side dishes to compliment the different types of meat and fish. Dessert is ‘sherry fromage’ with one almond – the lucky diner who finds the almond receives a special surprise, but only after they have kept their secret until the end of the evening. Part of the fun is that everyone guesses who ate the almond! After dinner the guests will join the family by the Christmas tree for good conversation and coffee or hot chocolate, and gifts are exchanged (there is a gift for everyone from under the tree). Icelanders dress up for Christmas and the dress code for dinner is smart-casual.

Day 2 - 25th December
Snaefellsnes Peninsula and exploring West Iceland
Today Icelandic people usually just relax at home. The beautiful and wild Snaefellsnes Peninsula is within easy reach of Hraunsnef, and is a great place to explore. Time to explore the beautiful West of Iceland. Perhaps explore historic Snorrastofa and Reykholt, take a walk up and around the purple and grey-hued pseudocrater at Grabrok, which offers amazing views over the lavascapes in this area. There are plenty of natural wonders just a short drive away, including Iceland’s largest and most powerful hot springs at Deildartunguhver and Hraunfossar, where water cascades out from underneath the lava. During the day there will be hot chocolate, coffee, Christmas cakes and cookies on the table for everyone to enjoy. Dinner starts at 17:00 with the traditional hangikjot with uppstuf. Dinner includes turkey, a seafood soup, typical Icelandic breads (flatkokur and laufabraud) and salads, followed by delicious homemade ice cream cake with baked berries and chocolate. After dinner why not take a relaxing dip in the outdoor hot tubs (keep your fingers crossed for an appearance of the northern lights!) – the end to a very different Christmas day far away from home! 

Day 3 - 26th December
Bid farewell to Hraunsnef – ‘Annar i jolum’
Enjoy breakfast at Hraunsnef. You may opt to stay on for further nights at Hraunsnef or elsewhere in Iceland (contact us for a quotation), or alternatively return to Keflavik for the afternoon flight to the UK.