We just returned home from an amazing trip to Iceland with 14 of our loyal readers and want to make you all pea-green with envy! It was a fabulous week filled with great sites, fun times with friends (old and new), and many unforgettable “wow” moments. Here is a photographic recap of some of those good times.
Sunday
Our trip to Iceland got off to an early start as the last of our crew arrived in country at about 6:00 a.m. After a brief stop at the hotel to stow luggage, we made our way to the Blue Lagoon where we experienced our first little earthquake. It was incredible and everyone cheered! We learned the buildings are earthquake proof and felt very safe. There really is no better way to stave off jet-lag at the beginning of a trip to Iceland than to soak in these soothing waters!
After a good long soak, we convened in the Blue Lagoon Lava Restaurant for a wonderful welcome lunch and then made our way to Reykjavik. Our guide gave us a brief orientation tour of the city and then set us free to explore or rest before our first Northern Lights Pursuit.
We intentionally timed this Iceland trip for November to maximize our chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) but before the REALLY cold weather set in. It was only 38 degrees that first night. But the winds were screaming so it felt COLD!!!!!
Monday
We conquered the Golden Circle! Along the way, we also climbed through a Lava Cave and marveled at the Kerid Volcanic Crater.
Lunch at Friðheimar Greenhouse was delicious! This is a must-do stop on any trip to Iceland. The lunch is delicious and the greenhouse is amazing.
The Golden Circle consists of the Gullfoss Waterfall, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Thingvellir National Park. After experiencing these sites, we completely understand why it is referred to as “golden.” Thingvellir National Park is where the North American and European Tectonic plates meet. It is also where the very first Parliament in Europe was formed.
Check out our post The Golden Circle of Iceland in One Epic Day
Tuesday
We said farewell to Reykjavik and headed to the South Coast of Iceland. Our tour of Skaftafell National Park was epic! We saw Jokulsarlón glacier, Diamond Beach, Fjallsarlon ice lagoon, Laki Lava Fields, Eyjafjallajokull Volcano, Reynisfjara black sand beach and so much more.
We were told to be careful of “sneaker waves” that suddenly come up high and can drag you out to sea at Reynisfjara black sand beach. But we clearly didn’t let that stop us from investigating it all. And yes, the ice is delicious on Diamond Beach!
That evening we checked into our South Coast Hotel after a long day of touring. We teased our guide that he was taking us to a “container” hotel for our two nights on the South Coast. We were quick to learn that the exterior can be deceiving. The rooms at the Magma Hotel are well appointed and they are situated in a manner to optimize our chance of witnessing the Northern Lights!
Check out our post 5 Great Reasons to Visit Skaftafell in Iceland
Wednesday
We stayed close to the hotel on Wednesday due to high winds, but the scenery was still tremendous! Fortunately, our guide saw the weather issue coming and shuffled our itinerary a bit so we didn’t miss a site along the South Coast.
We visited Dverghamrar cliffs, Eldhraun Lava Field covered in moss, and Fjadrárgljúfur canyon. An unexpected highlight of the day was shopping at the Visitor’s Center and having the famous Icelandic hotdog with everything!
And then there were the gorgeous Northern Lights! The heavens really put on a show for us this evening. You can definitely see why you want to stay at the Magma Hotel when visiting the South Coast of Iceland!
Check out our post 7 Incredibly Interesting Things to See & Do in Vik
Thursday
Our Thursday adventure took us off-road in a jeep through Þórsmörk Valley. Our first stop was Gigjökull glacier tongue. Then we hiked up a (small) mountain at Básar, located between three glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Tindafjallajökull.
Our final stops included three waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, and Urriðafoss. Seljalandsfoss is well-known as the waterfall you can walk behind. It is fun to peak out from behind the cascade of water.
Dinner was a Viking feast at Ingolfsskali Restaurant where we enjoyed Iceland delicacies such as fermented shark. It was also a great time to cut loose and act a little silly!
The ultimate surprise came on our drive back to the city. Suddenly a streak of color raced across the sky. Our guide immediately found a dark place to view the most majestic Northern Lights dance yet! This was our fourth evening to see the lights and it grew more spectacular with each performance.
Check out our post Things to See & Do in the Þórsmörk Valley
Friday
We were all excited to have a free day in Reykjavik to pursue our own interests. Some snorkeled the Silfra fissure at Thingviller. The Silfra Fissure is a spot where you can snorkel between the two continents and touch each!
Some went snowmobiling and explored an ice cave.
While others enjoyed the food, museums, and sites of Reykjavik!
Saturday
Our final day in Iceland was spent in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We visited Kirkjufell, the most photographed mountain in the country. Then we stood inside an extinct volcano crater.
Our last two stops of the day were beaches. Djúpalónssandur had wonderful cliffs and black rocks while Lóndrangar basalt cliffs were breathtaking with arches and stone bridges guarded by a statue of Bárður Snæfellsás. It was a perfect way to end our adventure!
Check out our post Things to See Along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Sunday
All good things must come to an end. So on Sunday we said a final farewell and made our way to the airport. While it was sad to end our adventure in Iceland, we look forward to a future of traveling together.
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