Your Trip Leader Tara Short.  Tara experienced the magic of north Iceland's nature spas and even got past her own cold fears when she swam in the arctic sea thanks to the methods taught to her by Inga. She feels that everyone needs to immerse themselves in the Icelandic bathing culture which provides a soft and slow way to explore Iceland, and has the healing benefits of relaxation while fostering joy, creativity, and wonder. 

Tara fell in love with Iceland in May 2017 after her first visit to the tiny island of fire and ice. Since then, Tara spends at least a month in Iceland each summer and is always dreaming of new ways to help people experience it. 

Iceland wrapped its hands around her heart and inspired itineraries that evolved as Tara became more and more familiar with the people and places of Iceland. It started with multi-sport tours that sampled a variety of outdoor adventures, to multi-day thru hiking in the southern highlands, and then onto softer adventures including a knitting retreat, and this nature spa retreat. 

Tara is the Founder & CEO of Green Edventures Tours and your First Adventure Buddy! She has been a guide for over 20 years from Africa to the Caribbean, from Galapagos, to Iceland, and many places in between. 

She has a B.S Natural Resource Management with an emphasis in Environmental Education / Interpretation. She is also Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certified. Tara lives in Chicago with her partner Kelly, and their two dogs.

Arrival at Keflavik airport anytime. Transfer to Reykjavik on your own.. Drop your luggage off at the hotel, and have breakfast on your own, or with new friends.

3:00 pm Return to hotel. Check in. Relax before dinner. 

5:00 pm Meeting & introductions

6:00 pm Dinner at a local restaurant (included)

Overnight at 3-star hotel (Leif Eiriksson)

Meals: D

Note: Group airport transfer on day one is not included because it is so easy to take the Flybus.is to Reykjavik and allows people to arrive at time the is convenient and economical for them. Detailed instructions on how to get to the hotel will be provided.

Just as water can reflect the surrounding environment, grounding mindfulness can help you reflect on your thoughts and feelings, and bring clarity to your inner state. Water provides a rich sensory experience. When you focus on the sensation of water, whether it's touching, hearing, or observing it, you can anchor your mindfulness in the present moment, which is a core aspect of grounding.

Morning: We have a group session in Reykjavik with Svava Brooks. Svava is a Reiki Master, Meditations and & Trauma Recovery Specialist.  Svava will teach us methods for grounding ourselves, and give insight on how we can heal our bodies from within.  She will help us set the ground rules and intensions for creating our safe space throughout the tour.

Afternoon: We drive out of town to the beautiful fjord of Hvalfjörður for our first hot springs experience. Here, where the mountains hug the sea, you can practice your grounding skills and sensory awareness while soaking in the different temperature pools.  Overnight near Borgarnes at Country Hotel Hraunsnef or similar. 

Meals: B

Waterfalls are often seen as powerful, flowing sources of natural energy. They inspire awe and wonder, and a feeling of being connected to something greater than oneself. 

Morning: We continue our drive to the north with a stop to stretch our legs for a short hike at Grábrókar crater and to learn about the ancient craters that formed here around 3600-4000 years ago. 

Then we drive a little further and visit Kolugljúfur canyon and waterfall. Here the river runs peacefully past a farm and then plunges into the deep, rugged gorge. Its journey then send it cascading over many waterfalls which bear the name Kolufossar Falls in honor of the giantess troll, Kola.

Afternoon: Lunch stop on the way to Spákonuarfur, at The Museum of Prophecies,  about Þórdísi, a woman who was a fortune teller from the 10th century that lived at Skagaströnd. She moved to Skagaströnd to get away from people and wasn’t averse to using the dark arts to keep locals away from her prime grazing land.  We will learn about her life and get our own personal 5 minute readings told in the old Icelandic way.

Overnight and dinner at Hotel Tindastóll.

Meals: B

The rhythmic and repetitive nature of waves and tides at the sea can serve as an anchor for grounding techniques. You can synchronize your breath or movements with natural rhythms of the sea to enhance your mindfulness practice.  

Morning: We start our day on shore of the arctic ocean. While the tide laps against the black sand, participants will practice breathing techniques that have positive effects on the mind, body, and spirit. 

Then we drive to Hofsós.  Hofsós is a peaceful seaside village on the Eastern shore of Skagafjörður Fjord, with over 400 years of history. We will take a walk along the rocky coastline and through the commercial houses and check out the exhibits in the The Emigration Center, about the mass migration of Icelanders to North America in the late 18th century.

Afternoon: 

Swim in the Hofsós swimming pool. It is one of the most scenic infinity-pools in Iceland overlooking the island of Drangey and the fjord. You will feel like there is nothing but you, the pool, and the Arctic Ocean in the distance. Located on the coast just below the swimming pool are the amazing basalt formations at Staðarbjargavík. It is said to have been the capital of the Skagafjörður elf population.

After swimming, our drive to the hotel goes through the polar circle, follows the coast of the Arctic Sea and along farms, an old turf house, and country churches.

Overnight and dinner at Sigló Hótel.

Meals: B

The spring equinox marks the transition from winter to spring. Similarly, achieving balance in life involves periods of transition and transformation, during which people can reassess their priorities, and make adjustments for greater equilibrium.

Today we will experience the yin and yang of winter adventure in north iceland with an activity that activates the body and mind, followed by an experience that will desensitize and relax. 

Morning:  Soak in the hot tubs surrounded by white mountains and colorful buildings. Our guide will take us on a walking tour of this charming coastal town of Siglufjörður. She will teach us about its old herring history, the museum, harbor and beautiful old houses. 

Lunch and then, we will explore the winter wonderland of nature during an easy 3-hour snowshoeing hike.  An alternative activity can be arranged for those who don't want to snowshoe, just let us know ahead of time. 

Afternoon: Floatation therapy in one of the first pulblic swimming pools in Iceland. A floatation therapist will put floats on your legs and head and help you get into a relaxing horizontal position. Then, she will cover your eyes with a weighted mask, and your body with a blanket. Feeling weightless, and covering the eyes reduces the work load of the brain. You will float like a feather in warm water and with cool mountain air will fill your lungs. Your therapist will manipulate your body with water and gentle movements. that stretch your back and muscles, but also stimulates a meditative state known as theta state. Theta state. This state is where our deepest learning and imaginative processes exist.

The theta state is normally only achievable through sleep or deep meditation, but the float therapy allows you to slip into it effortlessly. Throughout your float, you’ll remain in this pre-sleep stage of consciousness, attentive to your mind’s journey.

Overnight at Sigló Hótel. Dinner in town. 

Meals: B

Increased light, whether it be literal or metaphorical, can illuminate and enhance positive emotions, foster connections, and create a sense of warmth, all which nourish the ecosystem for love to thrive.

Morning: 

Sunrise meditation celebrating longer days ahead, followed by a discussion about ways that more light can bring more love into our lives.

Drive along the coastal towns of the longest fjord of the north, Eyjafjördur. We will stop in the small town of Hauganes and take a soak into the hot tubs at the black beach. For those who up for it, we can take a dip or swim in the arctic sea.

Hauganes has the only accessible sandy-beach in North Iceland that faces the sun in the south. Because it is very shallow far out, the black sand heats the ocean on sunny days so the Atlantic ocean even feels comfortable. There are hot tubs with geothermal water from the village. It is a magical place to relax whether on sunny days in June, or cold winter days, listening to the ocean and the birds and enjoying the magnificent ocean and mountain view.

Afternoon: After feeling relaxed and rejuvenated from the hot tubs and swimming in the sea, we head toward Akureyri and stop for dinner on the way to our guesthouse.

Overnight:  Laxá Hótel Mývatn (2 nights). 

Meals: B

Everything in the universe has its own vibration frequency. Earth and its natural phenomenon are part of a larger cosmic tapestry, where energy and vibrations play a fundamental role in the functioning of the universe.  

Morning: Coffee and tea discussion about the Law of Attraction and share examples of how each of us have manifested things, events, or people to come into our lives. Followed by a 15 minute guided meditation.

Afternoon: Guided walk through the Myvatn Geothermal area to see evidence of volcanic activity in boiling mud pools and steam vents. Followed by a relaxing bath in the blue geothermal waters of the Myvatn baths in the nature lagoon. 

Dinner on route on the way back to the Laxá Hótel Mývatn.

Meals: B

Similar to the concept of the alignment of Earth's energies during the equinox, sound healing aims to create harmony with respect to the body’s energy centers (chakras) through balance and alignment.

Morning: Godafoss waterfall. We will walk around the viewing platforms of the "waterfall of the gods," which is one of Iceland's most iconic natural treasures. Your guide will explain how this mythical-looking waterfall has roots in Iceland's religious history.

Afternoon: Drive to Akureyri countryside for our final experience of the retreat, spending 2-hours healing our feminine goddesses during a sound bathing session.

After settling comfortably on a soft mattress with a warm blanket over her, each goddess receives a light head massage with pure organic essential oils.

Guided deep relaxation Yoga Nidra takes place under the guidance of a certified instructor. Gongs, singing blows,  and other instruments are used during the session. Each woman's journey will be unique to her dreams, vision, and spiritual connection to the cosmos. 

The sound bathing tones can have a healing sound effect and release stress and tension in the body and strengthen the central nervous system.

After relaxation, the goddesses have a hot tub, a wood-burning sauna and a spacious room for socializing and light lunch. 

Time TBD: Flights from Akureyri to Reykjavik in regional-sized prop planes, approximately 1-hour. 

Private transfer to our hotel from the domestic airport. 

Evening: Dinner in Reykjavik. Overnight at Leif Eiriksson Hotel.

Meals: BL