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Last updated: Apr 20th, 2026
Recently, members of our team travelled to Iceland on an inspection visit to experience first-hand the excursions, suppliers and logistics involved in planning unforgettable student trips.
From testing thrilling activities and meeting local partners, the trip gave us valuable insights into how we can continue improving our Iceland itineraries for schools.
Discover more below!
Seeing Iceland in person makes a huge difference when it comes to planning safe, exciting and well-organised student itineraries.
One of the most vital aspects of the trip was understanding distances between locations and experiencing the routes first-hand. When planning future trips, this helps our team give more accurate guidance to party leaders about travel times, stop points and daily schedules.
Our team were also able to visit facilities such as lagoons and activity centres to better understand practical considerations for school groups, including:
The visit also highlighted how weather conditions can impact itineraries. During the trip, strong winds meant our driver and Field Studies Tutor had to rearrange parts of the schedule. Seeing how quickly plans can change helped reinforce the importance of building flexibility into school trip itineraries.
Most importantly, we were able to meet local suppliers in person and deepen our partnerships, ensuring we continue delivering high-quality experiences for our groups.
Our team experienced a wide range of Iceland’s famous attractions. Here are some that particularly stood out…
One of the most powerful stops was near Grindavík, where we could see the effects of recent volcanic activity.
Visitors can view lava flows that have impacted nearby homes, with information boards explaining how volcanic eruptions affect communities.
FlyOver Iceland was one of the biggest highlights of the trip!
This immersive ride allows visitors to ‘fly’ over Iceland’s landscapes whilst suspended in front of a huge screen. It’s an exciting and engaging way to see many of the places students have visited throughout the tour.
It works particularly well as a final activity in Reykjavik, helping students reflect on everything they’ve experienced during the trip!
Perlan offers a fantastic educational experience, combining exhibitions, immersive films and panoramic views over Reykjavik.
Highlights include:
The Secret Lagoon provided a more traditional geothermal bathing experience compared to the famous Blue Lagoon.
Some of the team enjoyed the variety of pools, including:
Unlike the Blue Lagoon’s bright blue water, the Secret Lagoon has a darker, more natural colour and a gravel floor, giving it a more authentic feel.
Whilst the Blue Lagoon remains a popular choice (especially as it’s conveniently located near the airport), the Secret Lagoon can be a more affordable and quieter alternative for school groups.
A key goal of the inspection visit was to strengthen relationships with our trusted Icelandic partners.
We met several suppliers who help make our student trips run smoothly.
Our driver, Thorstein, from Hópbílar, shared fascinating facts about Iceland throughout the journey and demonstrated the expertise required to navigate the country’s unpredictable weather and road conditions.
We stayed and met with trusted accommodation providers including Scylla and Hotel Cabin, who regularly host school groups and are well equipped to provide the food and facilities required for students.
We also visited and met teams from:
One of the biggest takeaways from the trip was the importance of experienced Field Study Tutors (FSTs) and knowledgeable drivers.
Weather in Iceland can change rapidly, and during the visit heavy snow and strong winds required adjustments to the itinerary.
Thanks to the expertise of our driver and FSTs:
Despite the challenging conditions, the roads were cleared quickly and the trip continued smoothly.
For party leaders and students, a useful resource is the Icelandic road website umferdin.is, which shows real-time road conditions and closures.
Inspection visits also provide valuable opportunities for team bonding.
Spending time together exploring Iceland helped the team strengthen relationships and share ideas about how we can improve future trips.
Feeling inspired by our team’s brilliant IV tour? Equipped with new-found knowledge, hidden gems to share, and more – now’s the ideal time to begin thinking about your Icelandic escapade! Chat with our specialist staff today.