Local Living Iceland— Bakkagerði

This centre–based trip offers a chance to connect with our local hosts in a family-run guest house. In their words, this is your home away from home and their warmth and hospitality will make it hard to leave. Here we enjoy our included breakfasts and dinners which offer a true immersion into local cuisine. Our hosts focus on fresh, local ingredients and support their neighbours; small-scale farmers and fishermen, much to the delight of our palate. While difficult to see, the "hidden people" make Borgarfjörður eystri their home and the area is thought (according to folklore) to hold a large population of elves. The elves make their home in the many interesting rock formations and they have no concern with hikers walking by, so long as you respect their homes and nature. On occasion, they are known to help humans, in particular those being bullied, so be kind to each other.

Set off into Borgarfjörður Valley this morning for a nature walk with your CEO. Wander through the Icelandic wilderness, taking it all in before returning to Borgarfjörður Eystri for lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon with the opportunity to visit the local microbrewery or take time for yourself and wash away the stress of travel with a spa and wellness experience. Cap off a perfect day with a home-cooked dinner of fresh and traditional flavours.

Today is about culture and tradition with a hands-on flair. Begin by visiting the Lindarbakki turfhouse, a historic, grass covered cottage, then continue onward to a local fish factory to learn about the industry. Join a cooking class to try your hand at creating some traditional staples, using fresh and local ingredients. Next, visit an eiderdown company to learn about one of Iceland's beloved sea birds before taking a scenic walk for the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat.

Stretch your legs on a hike from Stapavík, along the Selfljót river before a scenic drive back to Borgarfjörður Eystri where you'll refuel with a lunch of home-style Icelandic dishes. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to relax or choose to check out a nearby working farm - an opportunity to experience the daily life in the picturesque Icelandic community, before another delicious home-cooked dinner in the evening from our hosts.

Head out to a local Icelandic horse farm this morning and learn about what makes the horses so unique. Choose to take part in a ride through the countryside or take some free time to explore on foot or relax. Next, stop at the Gufufoss waterfall for incredible photo opportunities before lunch in the charming village of Seyðisfjörður. Finish up the day at Vök Baths, a geothermal spa where you can soak any lingering real life stress away before returning to our guesthouse for the evening.

Enjoy one last breakfast at the guesthouse before a 6 AM transfer to the Egilsstaðir airport where the tour ends.