Sold Out - thanks adventurers!
MYA is taking on a third adventure to the land of fire and ice - heading back to gorgeous and unique Iceland for seven nights! Adventurers will take in awesome sights while hiking, geothermal soaking, horseback riding, enjoying yummy food, yoga and more…
It all begins with the Blue Lagoon (best thing after flying!) - we'll soak up the goodness of one of the 25 wonders of the world!
Adventurers will relax and indulge in silky pale wonder packed with health benefits. The geothermal water has unique ingredients of silica, algae and minerals. Ahhh...the biggest decision you’ll have to make is whether to have the smoothy or the Prosecco!
Eventually we’ll have to leave our bathrobes behind. Adventurers will start north with a pause in funky downtown Reykjavik for lunch. We love Glo, a super tasty vegetarian restaurant right down the street from the penis museum (not kidding!).
With happy bellies, we’ll head to the magical Snæfellsnes peninsula for two nights of adventuring - a perfect spot for northern lights viewing! We’ll explore the black sand beach, lava fields, Kirkjufell mountain, Snaefellsjokull glacier, the craggy coastline, and more. Maybe luck will bring us an arctic fox again (take a look at the pic below in the peninsula series)!
Our private home will be in Arnarstapi where adventurers will be surrounded by abundant and breathtaking beauty.
Please note that we’ll be cozying up in the house, there are six beds, but absolutely worth it! On one side of the home is the sea on the other side is the glacier completed by the outdoor hot pot (hot tub) to take in the stunning views. Feel free to give me any early heads up if you want one of the twin beds.
“The home is flooded with natural light, beautifully appointed with a chef-worthy kitchen, wood-burning fireplace within a sumptuous living room, large dining area for meals, games and conversation and comfy beds in private rooms for a great night’s rest. Outdoors, the wrap-around deck is the perfect platform for viewing the Aurora Borealis (visible both nights during our stay) as well as the backyard mountain range and ocean bay. A very few steps off the deck leads to stunning views of the backyard waterfall and natural sea-arch carved thru the cliff face - a veritable miniature of Gatklettur - the Hellnar Arch - just down the road. You’re also just minutes away from Songhellur Cave. I can’t imagine a better, more comfortable lodging from which to explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. From our luxurious ‘base camp’ we easily dropped by Olkelduvatn Mineral Spring, toured Stykkisholmur and Grundarfjordar - where we caught fantastic reflecting photos of Kirkjufell - and then headed to World’s End at Öndverðarnes. There we might have spotted whales in season, but settled for the charcoal lava cliffs and Viking gravesite at Skarðsvík, a golden beach with basalt cubes alongside. The volcanic crater Vatnsborg was next, and dramatic Svörtuloft bird cliffs (Saxhólsbjarg), with excellent walkways. A tall, orange lighthouse also lies upon this trail and was well worth the trek. The 30-minute return trip to the house took us past Londrangar (the basalt cliffs). -visitor”
Throughout the duration of the adventure, MYA will be serving up yummy vegetarian/vegan dinners and breakfasts in our well-appointed kitchens. We’ll absolutely be out exploring around lunchtime so we’ll be sure to pack up a lunch to bring along.
Marci, our cook, is a passionate foodie, yogi and travel junkie. She owned her own successful travel company for years before closing shop to raise her kids. During that time she discovered her love of cooking and yoga. After completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training she also attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and the Academy of Culinary Nutrition where she became a certified holistic health and wellness coach and a culinary nutrition educator. Spending time in the kitchen preparing and cooking for others with love and creativity is her happy place.
Adventurers will get in a least one proper yoga practice a day, sometimes more. Beginners welcome! No experience necessary :)
Keep in mind that this is your adventure and as in a yoga practice, you go at your own pace - you decide if you want to hang back and chill in the hot pot or come along for another hike. I bet this hot pot is going to be a great spot at night for taking in the aurora borealis.
From the peninsula, MYA will get in its first experience at an Icelandic hotel and this one looks super fine! Hotel Husafell will host us for one special night - we’ll settle down into a three bedroom and two bedroom house with hot pots, kitchens, and plenty of lounge space. The hotel itself has an outdoor pool and more hot pots!
Moments away from the hotel, there will be plenty of nature to explore including the lava waterfalls, maybe a Langjökull Ice Cave tour, a hike up Mount Strútur and/or wooded paths heading westward for an easy walk along Oddar, a group of brooks with diverse birdlife, from there it is just a short walk upriver to the meeting point of two rivers: the Norðlingafljót and Hvítá which will bring us to the waterfall Hundavaðsfoss. On my scouting trip in April four years ago we visited the lava waterfalls, it’ll be great to see them in September…
After our nature frolicking, we’ll travel further afield to hunker down for three nights in Akureyri, the capital of the north, in our own private home across from the city in a quiet area.
We’ll settle into a five bedroom and 2.5 bathrooms house with a sunroom and a spacious living room that makes for nice relaxation areas with marvelous views over the Eyjafjörður (the longest fjord in Iceland and one of the best places in the country for whale and puffin watching) and Akureyri.
Adventurers will enjoy checking out turf homes, the botanical garden, art galleries, Bjorbodin Beer Spa (optional), Dettifoss waterfall, Goðafoss waterfall, Ásbyrgi canyon, horseback riding (optional) and the community pool - one of Iceland's most popular pools with two outdoor pools, water jets, water slides, a splash pool, an indoor pool, four hot tubs, a steam bath, and a sauna.
We’ll also be close to the gorgeous Mývatn lake region which boasts Dimmuborgir lava formations, bubbling Hverir Mud pools, natural steam vents, and Grotcaja cave.
The Myvatn Nature Baths are a highlight where you can enjoy the baths (optional - MYA will cover 1/2 the fee) similarly to the blue lagoon perhaps with less hype. Yes, more geothermal soaking! And that’s why we’re staying for three nights.
Last year we were very close by on the Troll peninsula (we can explore there too!) just north of the city where we found spectacular sights and even a random iceberg that floated by…
For our last eve in Iceland, we’ll head south with a stop at Baer where we’ll take over a family-owned guest house surrounded by nature yet close enough to the airport for an easy journey back. Located by Hvita River with mountains in view, adventurers will investigate the Snorralaug Hot Spring as well as Reykholt village just twelves miles away. On site we’ll partake in the hot pot (yes!) and simply enjoy the garden, a fab kitchen, wood floors and plenty of room for adventurers to relax and of course, to sleep.
This will probably be MYA’s last visit to this country full of magic and wonder - join us! We’re flying on Icelandair and more than happy to help adventurers with travel details. Feel free to call 207-299-0082 or email maineyogaadventures@gmail.com with questions.
Cost: $2,200 includes 7 nights accommodations, breakfasts & dinners, Blue Lagoon, yoga, hiking, lots of hot pots, fabulous adventurers and more…
