Q: Where was the sun over the Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend?
A: In Iceland!
Headcount: 23 teachers, 2 members of the Schools Discover the World team (Addy and Trudi), 1 driver (Torfi), 1 guide (Asdis). We were delighted to have Torfi and Asdis assist us with the trip; Torfi co-owns a very successful adventure activities company in Iceland, so decided to jump behind the wheel ‘just for fun’ on his days off, whilst Asdis is a fantastic guide and geologist (and as a result is much requested by schools). The Icelandic culture means that you work hard and play hard in the summer months, with many people having several jobs on the go (a very good work ethic)! Sound familiar to you teachers out there?!
Aim of the Trip: To explore and find out more about Iceland – some teachers had visited in the past (sometimes many moons ago!) whilst for others it was their first taster of the country. Whilst hotels and excursions featured on the itinerary, the key aim of the Teacher Inspection Visit was to give participants a real idea of what is possible for the students to experience during a study trip, rather than just a long list of accommodation inspections (Discover the World takes care of the latter!).
DAY 1: Sunday 3 June 2012
The Icelandair flight from Heathrow was on time as usual! After a comfortable journey to Keflavik International Airport and a quick call in at Duty Free to buy a bottle or two for a night time beverage (suggested by Addy – an economical option!) it was off to the Blue Lagoon. Trudi had prepared some name tags but these proved superfluous as the group gathered
together with beers in hands, half submerged in the steaming water, and informal introductions began. With bright sunshine and 70 degrees of heat, the weather boded well for the next few days. Then it was the short drive to Reykjavik and a check-in at the Youth Hostel there (accommodation for tonight was in quad rooms with private facs) and then off to Hotel Cabin for an evening meal and a short welcome meeting. A few of the group wandered into town to look at the sunset (this time of year it’s the midnight sun!) and despite the day's travelling some were still awake past midnight, enjoying the dusky twilight!
DAY 2: Monday 4 June 2012
Following breakfast it was an 08:20 arrival at a working Hydrogen Filling Station. In Reykjavik they are trialing a few hydrogen-fuelled buses. Just outside of Reykjavik is Hellisheidi, a Geothermal Power Station
which supplies all of the capital’s hot water. Here the group enjoyed an hour’s guided tour of the plant (a popular option with school groups) and walked up to the bore hole – the station is of particular interest to science students too. Continuing over the ‘heathland’ of Hellisheidi, the itinerary continued through the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi and past Irafoss Hydro-electric Station (which is available for tours),
enjoying fantastic views of Mount Hekla, a much talked-about volcano. The sunshine lit up the beautiful blue lupins, which are an invasive species and now very much part of the Icelandic landscape. At a pit stop Addy took out the phone book and explained that in
Iceland, people are listed by their first names, which is always a curiosity! Upon reaching the UNESCO World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park, Asdis explained about the history of the site; it was here that Iceland’s first parliament was established in 930AD, and rift valleys are clearly visible between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; which pull apart at around 2cm every year. Everyone enjoyed views of the lake and exploring the beautiful waterfall of Oxarafoss. Torfi and Asdis then explained
how the snorkeling excursion is conducted, as another group were donning dry suits and stepping down into the shimmering waters of Silfra. Packed lunch (usually the order of the day on school trips in Iceland!) was at a small café with an outside eating area, before the group put on hard hats, head lights and gloves for an adventure
beneath the surface, in a lava cave. Feedback confirmed that the experience was not at all claustrophobic, as many had expected, and that it provided a very enjoyable and different perspective. As well as explaining about the geology of the landscape, Torfi encouraged everyone to turn off their lamps, and in the pitch black told a haunting Icelandic story. Great fun and
everyone agreed the excursion would be a brilliant addition to any school trip.
It was time to leave Thingvellir National Park, and head towards the gushing hot springs and bubbling pools at Geysir, which never fail to impress. Close by is the two-tiered waterfall of Gullfoss, which is another ‘must-see’ on the Golden Circle trail (which encompasses Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir). A rainbow through the mist made for terrific photographic opportunities. Torfi pointed out
where the Drumbo Base Camp is located; the centre for the rafting (which is how Torfi started out in the adventure activities business), and the coach headed south east, towards the coast. At Seljalandsfoss waterfall it was possible to walk behind the cascading torrent of water, which tumbles down over a former sea cliff – a very unique and slightly damp experience! Then it was on to Hotel Hofdabrekka, just outside the village of Vik, for an overnight stay (accommodation in twin and single rooms). Hosts Bjorgvin, Halla and their family had prepared a sumptuous buffet dinner, including salmon, salad, lasagna, chicken, lamb, white fish and even sushi! Despite a long and fulfilling day, some of the group stretched it out even further, with a dip in the hotel’s hot tubs until the wee small hours!
DAY 3: Tuesday 5 June 2012
Overcast skies greeted the group this morning (rain clearly moving northwards from the UK!) and a photogenic start to the day at the basalt columns at the sea cliffs of Reynishverfi – a popular spot for the obligatory school group photo, and a great place to learn about geology. At the glacier Solheimajokull Torfi and Asdis helped everyone put on their crampons, and distributed harnesses, hard hats and ice picks, together with a clear and detailed review of the safety briefing and procedures for school groups. This was just a 45 minute taster, as more time is usually spent observing the moulins and crevasses of the glacier; one of the most popular activities for study trips. Following the descent from the ice it was on to another waterfall at Skogafoss, for a short walk up to the falls and Asdis pointed out the possible walks from here. The Eyjafjallajokull Visitors’ Centre on the south coast is the brain-child of the people at Thorvaldseyri; a farm that was covered in ash following the eruption of April/May 2010. In typical resourceful Icelandic fashion, the farmers have turned the situation around, and created a
wonderful exhibition to the eruption, offering a poignant insight into their experiences living in such a potentially hostile environment. It was great for the group to pay a visit here; a highlight of any study trip itinerary. Another ‘must’ for non-vegetarians, is a taste of Icelandic hot dog, which is a surprising culinary delight! Addy obliged in making this possible with brief drive-by at the tiny village of Hvolsvollur (home of the best Icelandic hot dog factory), where a stop was made in one of the many garage kiosks. Duly fuelled, it was on to the foot of Mount Hekla; the top of the volcano now visible after the clouds had lifted. Trudi and Addy had planned for horse riding at Eldhestar, and an early evening ride allowed everyone to experience the unique ‘tolt’ gait unique to the pure-bred Icelandic
horse. Addy herself is quite a horsewoman and explained about the culture of horses in Icelandic society, and how the breed is kept pure by allowing export but no import of equine animals. Trudi is definitely not a horsewoman but was given a very patient old horse and really enjoyed it!
Then it was on to the lovely Vatnsholt for the last night's stay (again, in twin and single rooms). The group was greeted by hosts Johann and Margret, as well as several dogs, and a pig-that-thinks-it’s-a-dog called ‘Ham’ – all part of the charm of such a wonderfully friendly and slightly eccentric Icelandic
accommodation! Speaking of which (!), host Johann gave a delightful insight via a slideshow over dinner, of how the farm has developed over the years, including a slight diversion onto pictures of his beloved pet raven and fox cub! The slideshow was accompanied by yet more fantastic food in the form of a 3-course meal to end an action-packed day.
DAY 4: Wednesday 6 June 2012
The last day of the Iceland Teacher’s Inspection Visit already! Heading west from Vatnsholt and it was time to stop at Hveragerdi for a snack of a boiled egg and rye bread cooked in the geothermal hot springs. Things were shaken up a bit at the earthquake simulator,
which gives a tremor of around 6.6 on the Richter scale! It’s great fun for the students, and there is also a model kitchen and videos showing footage of an earthquake, which really helps to bring home Iceland’s position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Back into the capital area the opportunity to enjoy the view from Perlan; an ingenious building which houses hot water tanks supplying Reykjavik. The large 3-D relief of the whole island which is on display at City Hall would be a great spot for students to discuss their itinerary either at the start or end of a trip. Lunch was at the Backpackers Hostel just off the main Laugavegur shopping street, where Addy and Trudi produced a ‘treat’ of fermented shark, dried fish and the Icelandic schnapps, Brennivin (known as
‘Black Death’)! A short walk up to the iconic church Hallgrimskirkja to meet the coach, and it was time to depart Reykjavik. Hafnarfjordur is a lovely town located between the capital and Keflavik International, and is a friendly and picturesque alternative for groups, so a drive-through on the way to the airport allowed teachers to get an overview of the possibilities of accommodation here. Arriving at Keflavik at 14:00, it was time to check-in for the as-ever punctual Icelandair flight home.
Feedback from teachers on this trip shows that it was a very worthwhile, rewarding and informative visit, as well as being rather enjoyable! If you’re thinking about a study trip to Iceland, or indeed any of our destinations, please get in touch with us to find out about a possible place on a Teachers’ Inspection Visit.
Read on to find out what the group said about their time in Iceland:
What a shock to the system coming back to persistent rain and flooding! I had a fantastic time with you and the rest of the gang. A wonderful insight into the wonderful world that is Iceland. Getting through so much in such a short period of time was very helpful and I was amazed at the depth of the experience too. The guides were brilliant! Nothing I would change apart from maybe a few more hours on the day to get a little more in :-)
Phil, Dulwich Prep London
Hi Addy - the trip was absolutely fantastic and really valuable for me to have first-hand experience of much of what we are all going to do in July. I do want to make 2 small changes to our itinerary as a result of it. One is for us all to go to the cinema in Reykjavik to see the Iceland film on the 2nd night and the other is to build in a short visit to the volcano museum by the Farm (near Skogar) where we saw the short film about the 2010 eruption which was great. Apart from that I really think you did a fantastic job giving us experiences and a taste of many different options and accommodation levels that you offer and for that I can't thank you all enough. I am still tired out and recovering after nearly a week!! But I can’t wait to be back in Iceland in a month!! Many Thanks.
Frazer, John Kyrle School, Hereford
THANKS SO MUCH! Brilliant time and we both really appreciated your kindness to us both. It was also so useful to see the accommodation and the equipment/activities etc. The egg boiling was great fun and I think the kids might enjoy that! We'll fill out the activities sheet as soon as possible.
Once again, thanks for such a great trip. Felt I achieved something!! Thanks for the photo too!
Best wishes,
Trish and Nick, The Red Maids’ School, Bristol
Dear Addy
Thank you so much for all you work organising and running the trip last week. I had always wanted to visit Iceland but could never convince my non-geographer husband to come with me! I did so many things that I have always wanted to do! Thank you.
Alex, Invicta School, Kent
Hi Addy and Trudi,
Thanks again for an excellent inspection visit. I felt the balance of seeing the sites and experiencing the activities was spot on and that the itinerary achieved all that could be reasonably expected, compressed into a 4 day /3 night trip. Kind regards,
David, Churchers College, Hampshire
Addy,
Just a brief note to say a big thank you for your help/guidance on the inspection trip. It was really useful to finalise thoughts/ideas of what we can and cannot do. I had a very enjoyable time, as i think most people did. I know there are lots of people who want to keep in touch and exchange photos etc. Thanks again.
Gary, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, West Yorkshire
Hi Addy,
I hope you had a nice stay after we all came back to rainy England!! Myself and Helen had the most amazing time and cannot wait for our pupils to experience it too. The trip was perfect! Everything was organised so well and it was great to see the range of add ons that we can do. Hopefully we may try and fundraise for the caving! It was very hectic but totally worth it. Wouldn't change anything :) Will be in contact soon! Thanks for the pic :)
Marie, St Edmund's School, Hampshire
Hi Beverley,
Oh my goodness, I cannot speak highly enough of the guides and experience that I had in Iceland! I am absolutely blown away and cannot wait to take the kids back next Easter!Thanks,
Amy, Pontarddulais Comprehensive, Swansea
If you've been inspired by the kind words of the group above, we'd be happy to talk to you about a study trip to Iceland, or about a place on a Teacher's Inspection Visit. Do get in touch with our specialist Schools Team!