The Guitar Social is heading North, like, really, really, North. That’s right folks, we’re off to Iceland. Known for its outstanding natural beauty, that film with Will Ferell, and a unique music scene fostered across a handful of intimate but iconic music venues, this is a chance for the adventurer with a passion for melody and awe inspiring natural beauty with weekend free in mid November, to connect with people that just love music in a packed out weekend to leave you breathless, inspired and with one more item removed off of that bucket list.
We leave London on the 10th of November and return on the 13th. Prices start at £550.
The itinerary
Friday 10th of November
Leave London Luton at 7.15am, arriving in Reykjavik at 10.25pm. Picked up from the airport at 11.20am.
1pm Workshop 1
Icelandic Folk music delivered at the accommodation and served up with a traditional icelandic lunch.
3pm Live music
We leave the accommodation to head to the legendary Hús Máls og Menninga for some early afternoon live music.
5pm Prikio Kaffihus
Drinks, music, and an interior not touched since the 1960’s offering up a timeless atmosphere to root you and your road buddies firmly in the heart of this majestic country.
7pm Dinner
Dinner at Laugavegur, a bookshop combined with a live music venue, for those that are hungry, and like to read.
9pm Cocktails
Rooftop drinks at Edition Bar (bring your hat and gloves) for unrivaled views of Reykjavik.
10.30pm Dancing, or home
Some may wish to return home at this stage and light the fire or jump in the hot tub, but others may wish to join me at Kiki NightClub where we can dance until we feel warm again.
Saturday 11th of November
10am Breakfast
Kelnia, a wholesome Icelandic traditional breakfast and served up by Thomas, from Bradofrd, West Yorkshire.
11am -12.30pm Workshop 2
Music from Iceland, today.
2pm Culture Vulturing at Mengi
Created and managed by a group of local artists, Mengi is an all-encompassing project that includes an art gallery, live-music venue and its own record label.
4pm Architecture and faith at Hallgrímskirkja
A monument that could only exist in somewhere like Iceland, this architectural other worldly wonder is a must see, and made all the better for its 8th floor view of the nearby harbor.
5.30pm Dinner
We have reservations at Islenski Barinn, Reykjavik, a top spot to get some authentic local food.
7pm Keeping it local
We’re heading to Koffin bar to rest and get ready for one of the greatest light shows in the world, because later we’re off to…
9pm-12.30am, Northern Lights tour
The big one, we’re off to see the Northern lights. This 3 hour late night bus trip is a once in a life time experience so bring your best camera and practice your ‘ooohhhhhhs’ ‘ooooooooos’ and ‘ahhhhhhhhs’ before boarding.
Sunday 12th of November
9am Breakfast
Overnight oats, served with love, from Thomas, from Bradford, West Yorkshire.
9.30-11am Workshop 3
The legacy of Icelandic music across Europe and America.
12pm The six hour Golden Circle Tour
Get into the history of Iceland at Thingvellir National Park, witness the powerful beauty of a multi-tiered waterfall at Gullfoss and walk among bubbling geothermal pools at Geysir Geothermal Area across a six hour excursion that offers up the best of what Iceland has to offer.
7pm Dinner
We’re eating at Old Iceland, a family run laid back place famous for keeping it real while blending old school ideas with fine dining
9pm, Party at the house
Did I mention the accommodation has a hot tub? We’ll be using this and the open fire to enjoy the accommodation with an inhouse jam and open mic.
Monday 13th of November
Pack up, tell your folks you survived, we’re going home. Breakfast consists of whatever we have left, served during the Weekends Awards, where we celebrate each person on the trip and the thing that they did that was awesome. Nobody leaves empty handed.
We get picked up for the airport at 8.30am.
Sleeping arrangements
In true Guitar Social style we are sticking together and living amongst each other in a huge apartment. We only ever book the very best of what is available and can house a large a group.
All rooms are shared but you will be housed with careful consideration taken to your needs and gender.
Costs
Bedroom 1, Bunk bed, reserved for female bookings
Bunk 1 £650
Bunk 2 £650
Bedroom 2 Two singles, 1 bunk.
Bed 1 £625
Bed 2 £625
Bunk 1 £550
Bunk 2 £550
Bedroom 4
1 Double, four singles.
Double 1 £625
Single 1 £600
Single 2 £600
Single 3 £600
Single 4 £600
Bedroom 5 (living room) three singles reserved for female bookings. This room will be vacated after 11.30pm.
Single 1 £640
Single 2 £640
Single 3 £640
Utilities and bathrooms
We have four bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, hottub, open fire, terrace, towels and plenty of private space for alone time.
Want your own space?
It is possible for one person to book an entire room, but that individual will pay the price for all separate beds in that room.
What’s included in the price
Northern Lights tour, Golden Circle Tour, three breakfasts, one lunch, one dinner at the Sunday night party, incredible accommodation, airport transfers for people on the suggested flights, 4 workshops and one facilitated open mic/party totalling 8 hours of guitar tuition, reservations and guest lists at numerous spots throughout the trip.
What’s not included in the price
Flights, dinner out, drinks out, inhouse alcohol, any entry fees we encounter.
Doing your own thing
You don’t have to be involved in every aspect of the itinerary and many people opt to do their own thing, however, this doesn’t lower the price.
Flights
Departure: Easy Jet flight U22643 at 07.15am from London Luton on Friday 10th of November
Return : Easy Jet flight Wizzair flight UKW94498 from Reykjavic at 11.10am on Monday 13th of November
These are suggested flights only. You can get there any way you wish, however, transfers will only be paid for for people arriving and departing and returning on these flights.
The Guitar Social’s Liability
TGS retreats only facilitates this trip. Thomas, his partners, or any associated company, are not responsible for delayed or canceled flights, health issues, insurance for personal belongings, medical insurance or any injury sustained on this trip.
Refunds
Please check your availability before booking. Refunds on this particular trip are not available. Do not book unless you know you can attend. The Guitar Social kindly asks that you do not attempt to sell your ticket at a lower or inflated price than the price you paid. Your ticket is your ticket alone.
Last minute drop outs (seven days before we leave)
TGS Retreats will do all it can to sell your place and should we do so successfully, money will be sent back to you, however, money back can not be guaranteed.
Weather and politics
Should we not be able to fly owing to weather or political circumstances, The Guitar Social will not be able to offer a full refund for this trip. However, an assessment will be made depending on the circumstances and some money may be returned, but this is not guaranteed.
Your host
Thomas is on duty for all of the times listed in the above itinerary, but may not be available in gaps in the schedule or after the last event of the day. Late night trips home are your responsibility.
Getting about
Iceland doesn’t have Uber or other such apps. This means that we are traveling using public transport. Public transport is very good, and all journeys from the accommodation to itinerary destinations have been checked, however, should public transport fail, The Guitar Social and TGS retreats hold no responsibility nor is liable for refunds on paid for excursions.
Who typically attends
TGS Retreats are attended mainly by people that have done workshops with The Guitar Social in London. However, we do also get international bookings from people that Thomas, TGS Retreats or The Guitar Social has not met yet. These bookings are made after a zoom meeting and a suitability assessment. All attendees are asked to provide ID, addresses and contact information. The Guitar Social and TGS Retreats never has, but retains the right to ask any person on a retreat to leave, without refund, should that person not be suitable for that retreat.
How to book
To take your place, email rachael@theguitarsocial.com. Rachael is on hand to take care of all booking enquiries and works with Thomas to ensure room shares are matched appropriately.
A final word on the website listing
This trip is listed at a higher price and for a longer duration on The Guitar Social’s website. This is a technical error and will be resolved soon.