Iceland – The Land of Fire and Ice Photo Workshop - Sept. 22 - 29, 2017

September  22 - September 29, 2017 Iceland – The Land of Fire and Ice – is an experience for non-photographers and photographers alike. The country provides the opportunities to capture mighty glaciers, waterfalls and spouting geysers. Majestic mountains, magnificent coastlines and smoking volcanoes. September is the beginning of the awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights.Iceland is by far an ideal destination for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Its modern infrastructure and excellent location, midway between Europe and the United States and with direct flights, makes it ideal for the sighting of the Northern Lights.In late summer Iceland is truly magical. As this workshop is scheduled for September and solar activity permitting we should have some opportunities for seeing and photographing the Aurora Borealis.Please note: as the northern lights are natural phenomena, we cannot guarantee sightings.On this tour, we will take you to the very best photography locations Iceland has to offer. We will visit the many rugged volcanic landscapes, the iconic giant waterfalls, glacier lagoon, the black volcanic coastline.ItineraryA detailed day by day itinerary will be provided on registration along with recommendations for clothing, equipment and all relevant information to ensure an exceptional experience.Location Highlights Reykjanes peninsula: The lava scarred Reykjanes peninsula lies on the MID-Atlantic Ridge that borders the America’s and Europe. We will photograph, volcanic landscapes, moss covers lava fields, the Icelandic coastline, Lighthouses, ship wrecks and the famous Blue Lagoon. In addition, we will get a chance to photograph geothermal pools and a geothermal plant at night. The Golden Circle: This is the region of Thingvellir – Geysir, – Gullfoss one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls – The Highlands region. We will visit Þingvellir, Iceland’s first national park est. 1930. where the  Viking Parliament was established in 930AD.Geysir geothermal area is known for its erupting springs with the famous Strokkur that spouts regularly every 5 to 8 minutes.Vatnajökull National Park: Vatnajökull glacier is the largest of all the glaciers in Iceland. Jökulsárlón lagoon is beautiful glacial lagoon full of icebergs that range in color from white to deep blue to crystal clear. Exceptional light makes for phenomenal landscapes.Skaftafell, Iceland’s second largest national park.  Here the landscape is representative of the various formations created by volcanic and glacial activityReynisdrangar: basalt sea stacks situated near the village of Vík í Mýrdal. A very photogenic church atop a hill makes for some beautiful photo opportunities. Dyrhólaey: a 120-meter high promontory is the southernmost part of the Iceland. Here you can feel and capture images of the power of the Icelandic seascapes.  Elevated views and sea level views are possible.Skógafoss one of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls in the country, 25 meters wide and a height of 60 meters. On sunny days one or two rainbows are usually visible.Seljalandsfoss, one of the most picture perfect waterfalls.  Here you can actually take a path and go behind the falls and photograph through the falling water.  Búðir is the home of a famous inn and restaurant Hotel Búðir and a very old small church. The original old house and Hotel Búðir burned down on 21 February 2001 and was rebuilt to resemble the original old inn house.Arnarstapi or Stapi is a small fishing village at the foot of Mt. Stapafell. In Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth, Stapi is the last stop on the route the protagonists take before they climb Snæfellsjökull and enter the interior of the planet through a tunnel in the crater.Hellnar is a fishing village. The beach has spectacular rock formations. One of these is a protruding cliff called Valasnös, which reaches across the ocean front and into the sea. Here there is a cave known for its colorful changes of light and shade.We will also visit  Djupalon, Svortuloft, Skardsvik, Bjarnarhofn and many other exceptional photographic locations.RegistrationRegistration requires a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 participants. The trip fees are $3,350. Accompanying non-photographers $2,950 - no special arrangements will be made.The single supplement fee is $950.Fees include accommodation, breakfast each day and all transportation in IcelandThe fee does not include:Your air fare to and from Reykjavik, Iceland, airport taxes, travel insurance (highly recommended). Meals other than breakfast. Personal expenses, tips, alcoholic drinks, telephones, laundry, personal travel if incurred and incidentals.Please complete the registration and release forms A deposit of $1,500 is required to confirm your reservation. The balance is due by September 5, 2017.Please make your payments to Shiv Verma and mail them to 652 Dedham Street, Wrentham, MA 02093-1149.  Credit cards and PayPal are accepted (a 4% fee applies) please call 617.759.0010 if that is how you wish to pay.Travel & Accommodation Please make arrangement to arrive in Iceland Keflavik International Airport on the morning of day 1.  You will take the FlyBus to the Foss Hotel in downtown Reykjavik and check-in to the hotel.  Check-in is in the afternoon but the hotel will do its best to accommodate you. For those arriving very early, breakfast will be available at the hotel.  Fly bus details will be sent to registrants.We will be staying at the Foss Hotel in Reykjavik on a double occupancy basis.  For  two nights we will be on the southern coast in Hali where we will be staying at the Hali Country Hotel InformationContact us at 617.759.0010 or emailsv @ shivverma.com (please remove spaces)