What a truly unforgettable adventure!
Our Iceland explorers were treated to a stunning sunset flight on the evening of Monday 6th July, when they departed for Iceland, but the weather on arrival was a very different story – cold and wet! 
Thankfully, nothing dampened their spirits! Their first day was packed with adventure, starting with a visit to Grindavík, a town heavily affected by volcanic activity since 2023. The coach even passed by a still-steaming lava flow on the way there! 
Next stop was Reykjavík's famous Lava Show, where real molten lava bubbled and flowed before their eyes, followed by a quick visit to the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church. To round off the day, they explored a fascinating lava tunnel – a natural cave formed by flowing lava thousands of years ago.
The following day involved Puffins, Volcanoes and Icelandic History!
They took a ferry to the island of Heimaey, home to the Eldfell volcano, whose 1973 eruption destroyed nearly half of the town. The group enjoyed incredible views at the puffin viewpoint, spotting plenty of puffins and capturing photos worthy of a Countryfile calendar! 
The local souvenir shop also did a roaring trade, with fluffy puffin mementos flying off the shelves. They then hiked up the striking red slopes of Eldfell, coloured by iron-rich volcanic rock, before visiting the museum to learn more about the eruption and see one of the original homes still partially buried by lava. In the distance they saw the snowy peak of Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano whose 2010 eruption created the ash cloud that grounded flights across Europe. A fantastic day of wildlife, history and breathtaking volcanic landscapes!
The next day, the journey continued through the land of fire and ice, taking in some of Iceland’s most spectacular sights. From glaciers and puffins to waterfalls and volcanoes..
They hiked onto Sólheimajökull Glacier, seeing glacial processes in action. There were certainly some very close inspections of the glacier taking place – although it does look suspiciously like someone had dropped something down a crevasse! Later, they followed the coastal path at Dyrhólaey Lighthouse, spotting more puffins and admiring the spectacular coastal landforms. Next came the waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, where staying dry quickly became an impossible mission. Fortunately, the stunning views were well worth getting a little wet! The day finished at the fascinating Lava Centre Exhibition, where students learned all about Iceland’s volcanic past and the powerful eruptions that have shaped this remarkable island. Another fantastic day of memories, laughter, and adventure!
The final day in Iceland was packed with spectacular sights and memorable experiences
The day commenced at the hot springs of Geysir before heading to the majestic Gullfoss waterfalls. Students then enjoyed some well-earned relaxation at Laugarás Lagoon, with students spoilt for choice between the hot lagoon, waterfall, forest hot tub, sauna, and the rather less inviting 4°C plunge pool. In the afternoon, students walked between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates at Þingvellir. Students made the most of their time here, turning the fissures into an impromptu gymnastics arena. There were dramatic leaps, carefully balanced poses and several Oscar-worthy re-enactments of film scenes involving perilous falls into seemingly bottomless chasms. Thankfully, despite the photographic evidence, no students were harmed 
Later, they met with the Icelandic Search and Rescue team to hear about the evacuation of Grindavík and the small earthquakes that had occurred in the area that very day 
Their final evening was spent enjoying a pizza buffet before a walk to the Old Garður Lighthouse.
What an incredible and unforgettable adventure. Goodbye Iceland - see you again in two years' time!
