Description
Iceland Photo Adventure with John Tunney
September 5-12, 2022
$4195 members/$4295 non-members
Join photographer John Tunney and a small group of other photographers for a 8-day/7-night photo adventure in Iceland, the magical land of fire and ice. The journey begins in the early September at the tail end of Summer when the weather is still mild and early Autumn has just started to warm the landscape colors. We’ll have plenty of daylight, plus dark nights and a chance to catch Northern Lights and a rising moon over the extraordinary Icelandic landscape. We’ll travel from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, up to the Snaefellesness Peninsula and then down to Iceland’s famed southern coast to photograph majestic waterfalls, glaciers, icebergs, mountains, black sand beaches, mysterious rock formations, and the ice covered “diamond” beach. Along the way we’ll stay in country hotels where we can relax and recharge and dine on the local cuisine. Throughout the trip we’ll take advantage of opportunities to photograph the aurora borealis if it appears.
Day 1
Arrive in Iceland. You’ll make your way to our hotel where you can store your luggage, and then have the day to explore Reykjavik on your own. We’ll gather that evening for our welcome dinner and to review plans.
Day 2
After breakfast we hit the road and head north to the Snaefellesness Peninsula. The day will includes stops to photograph the area’s dramatic coastline, the little black church of Búðir, and the Snæfellsjökull volcano looming over it all. The volcano is inactive, but rumored to contain a secret passage to the center of the Earth (according to Jules Verne anyway). We’ll end the day at the iconic mountain Kirkjufell and nearby waterfall Kirkjufellfoss. The plan is to have two shoots at Kirkjufell – at sunset and then again in the early morning the next day.
Day 3
We’ll be up early to photograph Kirkjufell in the early morning light. We’re back on the road after a quick breakfast. Our destinations are Geysir, the famous geyser, and Gullfoss, one of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. We’ll spend the night in the area.
Day 4
Today we head for Iceland’s south coast. Along the way we’ll stop to photograph Sejilandsfoss and Skogafoss, two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. We’ll be back to shoot them again later in the trip – Seljalandsfoss at sunset and Skogafoss at sunrise and possibly at night under moonlight. Highlights of the area are the cliffs of Dyrhólaey and the nearby lighthouse, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and its rugged cliffs and giant basalt columns. We’ll spend the night in the Vik area.
Day 5
After a sunrise shoot on the black sand beach and breakfast, we’re off to Skaftafell and the Vatnajökull National Park known for its glacier. From there we’ll head to Jokusarlon, home of the glacial lagoon and diamond beach. We’ll spend the night near Jokusarlon.
Day 6
We’re up early for sunrise at the diamond beach. After breakfast we head west for Fjaðrárgljúfur, a majestic canyon and home to rock formations known as elf homes. We end the day in Skogar, near Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. We’ll head for Seljalandsfoss for sunset and then, if the moon cooperates, to Skogafoss for a night shoot.
Day 7
We’ll photograph the mighty Skogafoss at sunrise and then make our way to the Reykjanes Peninsula, the southwest tip of iceland. Known for its dramatic coastline and sea stacks, active geothermal area and birds, the area offers a variety of great photographic opportunities. There’s also a geothermal plant in the area with pipes and tubes running here and there and steam billowing from smokestacks. It’s a weird site and gives you an idea of what the first moon base may look like. From Reykjanes, we head back to Reykjavik for our last night.
Day 8 You’ll have the morning to explore Reykjavik on your and then it’s off to Keflavik Airport to deliver you for your afternoon/evening flights home.
What’s Included
– Seven nights hotel. You will have a private room with your own bathroom.
– Welcome dinner in Reykjavik and all breakfasts.
– Transportation from Reykjavik to country hotels and shooting locations
– Instruction (help with settings, landscape photography tips, long exposures, composition, etc.)
Not Included
Lunches, dinners (except first night) and beverages
Airfare
Travel and health insurance (recommended)
Covid
The situation is evolving and impossible to predict. We will follow all local protocols. Last year’s trips included the need for proof of vaccination and a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Travelers to the U.S. also needed to provide a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure. We will keep you updated on the latest developments.
Getting to Iceland
Non-stop flights from Boston are five hours and cost approximately $450 (this may change depending on when you book). There’s an easy transfer to Reykjavik and area hotels. You will receive details after booking the trip.
Weather/What to Wear and Bring
The average temperature in September is 50 degrees, and ranges from the low 40s to upper 50s. You will receive a list of recommended clothing and photo gear after signing up.
Cost
$4195 members/$4295 nonmembers
Group Size
Maximum of six people.
Terms and Cancellation Policy
Hotel and car reservations are guaranteed by prepayment by Cape Cod Art Center. If you need to cancel your reservation and we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a full refund less a 5% service charge. If we are unable to fill your spot and you cancel at least 60 days before the workshop, you will receive a full refund less a 5% service charge. If you cancel less than 60 days before the workshop and we are unable to fill your spot you will receive a 25% refund. If you cancel 30 days or less before the workshop you will not receive a refund. You will receive a full refund if CCAC cancels the tour due to Covid.
By registering for this trip, you agree to assume all risks associated with international travel and hold Cape Cod Art Center and its agents blameless for all accidents, injury, illnesses and loss, or damage to persons or property, inconvenience, delay, or extra expense.
Cape Cod Art Center reserves the right to cancel the trip due to low subscription.
The itinerary above is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion due to weather and other circumstances.
Visit www.jtunney.com/iceland for pictures from previous trips.
