Small Group Travel Blog: Expert Travel Tips, Destination Guides & Tour Advice

Welcome to the Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor travel blog, featuring expert travel tips, destination guides, cruise advice, airfare strategies, packing suggestions, and first-hand insights from more than 17 years of planning small group tours.

Since 2009, we have helped solo travelers, couples, and friends enjoy adults-only small group tours and luxury river cruises with quality hotels, expert local guides, thoughtful pacing, and personal service.

Explore articles on Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Peru, Newfoundland, Paris, Normandy, Santa Fe, Canada, Italy, and AmaWaterways river cruises — then view our current Small Group Tours and River Cruises.

20Sep

Solar Eclipse in Iceland Itinerary

Experience the 2026 Iceland Total Solar Eclipse with The Traveling Professor

On August 12, 2026, a rare astronomical wonder will take place—a total solar eclipse in Iceland. The Traveling Professor invites you to join a small group Iceland tour designed around this extraordinary event. Our 6-day itinerary offers stunning landscapes, rich culture, and the unforgettable experience of watching the moon completely cover the sun while standing 100% in the path of totality.

We have visited Iceland before, but this is an exclusive Iceland eclipse trip combines expert-guided sightseeing with free time to explore at your own pace, giving you the best of both worlds.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – August 10, 2026: Welcome to Reykjavik

After your overnight flight, arrive in Reykjavik and check into the charming Holt HotelThe Traveling Professor always stays at this hotel, which recently received a stellar review from The New York Times.   Later, meet your fellow travelers in the lobby for introductions and a professionally guided walking tour of Reykjavik. Discover the colorful streets, historic landmarks, and unique architecture that make Iceland’s capital so captivating.

Day 2 – August 11, 2026: Thingvellir, Geysers, and Icelandic Ponies

Travel to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Europe’s oldest democracy. Walk through the remarkable rift where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Enjoy a geothermal bread-baking demonstration and lunch at a hydroponic tomato farm. Continue to see spouting geysers, roaring waterfalls, and the charming Icelandic horses.

Day 3 – August 12, 2026: The Total Solar Eclipse

This is the moment we’ve been waiting for—the total solar eclipse begins at 4:45 PM local time. Our group will be perfectly positioned on a scenic peninsula, directly in the path of totality. Watch as daylight turns to twilight in an unforgettable celestial show.

Day 4 – August 13, 2026: Free Day in Reykjavik

Enjoy a free day to explore Reykjavik on your own. Options include whale watching tours, visiting The Perlan museum, browsing shops and cafes, or attending a performance at the Harpa Concert Hall.

Day 5 – August 14, 2026: The South Coast Adventure

Embark on a day trip to Iceland’s South Coast, an area most tourists never see. Photograph volcanoes, black sand beaches, dramatic waterfalls, and glistening glaciers. The raw, natural beauty will take your breath away.

Day 6 – August 15, 2026: Blue Lagoon and Farewell

Check out of the hotel and head to the world-famous Blue Lagoon for a premium geothermal spa experience. Relax in the milky-blue waters before our private transfer takes you directly to the airport for your flight home.

Why Travel with The Traveling Professor?

Our small group tours to Iceland are designed for comfort, convenience, and authentic experiences. You’ll enjoy personalized service, hand-picked accommodations, and insider access to some of the country’s most extraordinary sites.  But hurry and sign up for this tour.  We only take a limited number of travelers and this is a one-in-a-lifetime event.

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Who Writes the Small Group Tour Blog?

Professor Steve Solosky, The Traveling Professor, is the founder of Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, operating since 2009. A former college professor and author of The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Paris, Steve has planned and led small group tours throughout Europe, Canada, South America, and beyond. His travel expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, WCBS Radio, and The New York Times Travel Show.

Each article is written or reviewed from the perspective of a working tour operator who plans real itineraries, works with local guides and hotels, and helps travelers prepare for successful small group trips.

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