From Reykjavik to New York: A Transatlantic Combo

Rise and shine, it’s your first full day in Iceland and there’s not a moment to waste. After breakfast this morning you’ll be met by a clued-up local resident-guide who’ll be taking you on a tour of the city. The walk is relaxed and based around you, so you can be entirely spontaneous. This is a great way to learn about the history of the city and Icelandic customs and culture, as well as to gain some invaluable tips from a local.

For many, the Golden Circle will be the reason to visit Iceland and today you’ll get to see for yourself why exactly this region is so renowned. The Golden Circle is home to three treasures that perfectly encapsulate ‘the land of fire and ice’: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss. Collect your 4x4 hire car this morning and drive an hour through scenic nature to Thingvellir, a splendid park national park located in a rift valley separating the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and your first stop of the day. Enjoy a walk through the dramatic cliffs, flowing rivers and deep gorges where, for centuries, the Vikings lived, laid down the law and administered justice. Your second stop in the Golden Circle is the great Geysir, where Iceland’s mesmerising volcanic activity firmly takes centre stage. Enjoy a show of one of Iceland's natural phenomena, as hot water bursts out of the ground, up to 100ft in the air and dissipates into steam. Finally, take the opportunity to visit Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall, and experience the raw power of this wild beauty. Head back to Reykjavik for a relaxing evening after today’s adventure in the wild.

You might think you’ve ‘completed’ Iceland after three days, but think again – there’s plenty more to see and do in striking distance of Reykjavik. The variety of landscapes in the ‘land of ice and fire’ continue to dazzle on the south coast, which you’ll be exploring today. Beyond Thjorsá River and Hekla Volcano (Iceland's fabled ‘gateway to hell’), you’ll find Skogafoss waterfall. Whereas Gullfoss is the wilder, untamed fall, Skogafoss is more fairytale-like, surrounded by meadows and wildflowers. From here you’re just a short drive away from Seljalandsfoss, a majestic 200ft waterfall that you can walk behind to admire stunning 360 degree views. There is also Myrdalsjökull, a large walkable ice cap that offers panoramic views across the sea, glaciers and volcanoes.

The time has come to bid farewell to Iceland and kick off the second chapter of your transcontinental adventure across the pond in the United States. Head back to the airport, speed through security and kick back in the airport lounge as you await the departure of your six-hour flight to New York. A private driver will be waiting for you on arrival to whisk you off to your home for the next five nights: a swanky urban hotel in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. A metro pass, as well as tickets for the very prestigious MoMa museum, will be ready and waiting at the hotel so you can hit the ground running this afternoon.

Wake up in the Big Apple and get ready for four action-packed days in the ‘City that Never Sleeps’. Your base here is Brooklyn, the hip and trendy hub that produced big names such as Spike Lee, Mike Tyson and Jay-Z. Enjoy morning strolls through the neighbourhood, soaking in its charming bohemian spirt with visits to rustic cafes, local ceramics workshops, antique stores and organic chocolatiers. Brooklyn’s range and diversity means it is also home to world-class nightlife, Michelin-star restaurants and every flavour of fashion store, from vintage thrift stores to high-end boutiques. At some point over the next four days, you’ll have the opportunity to see Williamsburg through the lens of a local with a relaxed walking tour in the company of a clued-up Brooklynite. The rest of your time in New York is yours to spend further discovering the delights of the city at your own pace. You can take a stroll in Central Park, rent bikes and cycle over Brooklyn Bridge, shop ’til you drop in the popular Dumbo neighbourhood, attend a gospel mass in Harlem and sip tea in the midtown oasis of the MoMa garden.