Sagas & Vikings
with Nancy Marie Brown
May 23–29, 2025
Not (yet) a rider? This seven-day tour is the perfect trip for lovers of the Icelandic sagas, elf-lore, Norse mythology, or the Viking Age in general. Guided by author and historian Nancy Marie Brown, we explore glaciers, hotsprings, volcanoes, lava caves, waterfalls, and black beaches in the part of Iceland once ruled by saga-master Snorri Sturluson and Viking poet Egil Skallagrimsson. We visit museums and saga sites, and enjoy gourmet meals based on local specialties. We read about and discuss the history behind the Icelandic sagas, various theories about Iceland’s early settlement, the Viking expeditions to America, how Norse mythology has shaped modern culture, how Iceland’s elves can save the earth, and more. We meet the Icelandic horse and learn why “a good horse has no color”; for the adventurous, horseback riding lessons and trail rides are available.
Limited to 12 guests. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot!
All-Inclusive
- Ground transportation
- Accommodation based on double occupancy
- All entrance fees
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (wine and beer is included)
- Expert guide
Price – $4,200 USD (airfare and travel insurance not included)
About Our Guide:
Nancy Marie Brown has studied the Icelandic Sagas and Norse mythology since 1978. She is the author of five nonfiction books on Iceland’s history and sagas: Looking for the Hidden Folk, The Real Valkyrie, Ivory Vikings, Song of the Vikings, and The Far Traveler; a young adult novel set in Viking Age Iceland, The Saga of Gudrid the Far-Traveler; and a memoir about buying horses in Iceland, A Good Horse Has No Color. She is also an editor of The Icelandic Horse Quarterly. Visit her online at www.nancymariebrown.com.
Testimonials:
“A big thank-you for such a wonderful trip. It really was a great combination of history, visiting sites, riding, and hiking. The depth of your knowledge and the crafting of such a memorable experience is admirable! After years of reading so much northern-placed literature and then physically visiting some of the places I’ve read about—it’s quite a ‘buzz.’ I certainly felt a ‘deep vibration’ of sorts while out in some of those more remote places.”—Kimberly, 2023
“Hestaland was the perfect place to stay, with good food, comfortable surroundings, great scenery, friendly animals, and delightful staff. Iceland itself is a very special place, and I was constantly taken with surprises and unexpected observations. I would certainly recommend this trip to almost anyone!”—Pat, 2022
“Not too rugged, and you can opt out of the most strenuous walks and still have plenty to occupy you. It’s not the typical tourist trip: the leader is an expert in sagas and Vikings, so there’s a lot of history. You stay at a farm (horses! bunnies!), and mornings are for wandering around, reading, etc., and usually in the afternoon there’s one historical/cultural visit and one natural wonder. Nancy Marie Brown is a wealth of information not only on the history but also on current Iceland.”—Tracy, 2018
“Nancy, thank you so much for guiding the best trip I’ve ever been on. I miss the wide expanse, the green fields, and those mountains. And of course, the horses. I understand your love for this country and its history. It is a special place.”—Sandy, 2017
“This was such an amazing place! ‘Going to Iceland’ has become the idea that soothes when life gets rough. I did not anticipate that the trip would resonate so much. I loved Nancy’s books, but the trip was something amazing that turned out to be unexpectedly remarkable. It is surprising to me that it has made such a huge difference in my life.”—Elisabeth, 2017
SAGAS & VIKINGS DAILY SCHEDULE
ARRIVAL DAY (day 1)
9:30 MEET at pick-up point in Reykjavík
10-11 871+/-2 Settlement Museum
noon LUNCH (on your own)
1 PM hike tour of Thingvellir National Park
7 PM DINNER at Hestaland
Days 2 – 5
8-10 BREAKFAST at Hestaland
9-noon reading/writing time, horseback riding, or short nature walks on the farm
noon LUNCH at Hestaland
1-7 PM excursions by van to museums, saga sites, farms, and natural wonders in West Iceland (such as Borgarnes, Reykholt, Hraunfossar Waterfall, Háafell Goat Farm, Krauma Spa, Surtshellir, Eiriksstaðir, Grábrók, Hvitá, and others)
7 PM DINNER at Hestaland
Day 6
8-10 BREAKFAST at Hestaland; pack a lunch (or plan to buy)
10-7 All day tour of Snaefellsnes Peninsula
7PM DINNER at Hestaland
DEPARTURE DAY (day 7)
8-10 BREAKFAST at Hestaland
11 AM Leave Hestaland
1 PM drop offs in Reykjavík