Iceland is nothing short of magical as there’s much to do and much to see.
When one plans a trip to Europe, Iceland isn’t usually at the top of the list of destinations to visit. Everyone talks about climbing the Eiffel Tower or riding a gondola in Venice, but only a few mention exploring Icelandic glaciers, swimming in the Blue Lagoon, or waiting in negative degree temperatures for the northern lights to appear.
My family and I go on a big trip once a year. This year, we decided to forego our initial plan of sightseeing in Spain and binging on tapas and sangria. We ultimately decided to take a different route—an adventure to explore the sweeping landscapes of Iceland.
Visiting Iceland should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list—not just for the promise of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
The gorgeous Scandinavian country offers stunning views of glorious glaciers, icebergs, and waterfalls. It’s a destination that promises unparalleled experiences with nature—expect lava plains, steaming geysers and icy volcanoes. Here are some of the highlights of our Icelandic adventure.
SWIMMING IN THE BLUE LAGOON
The Blue Lagoon is a manmade lagoon that allows you to experience the warmth of a heated lagoon while in sub zero temperatures. It’s definitely a must try—the view of snow capped mountains while swimming is worth it.
NORTHERN LIGHTS CHASE
Everyone visiting Iceland dreams to see the Northern Lights even just once. The lights are seasonal and there’s no guarantee that you’ll see them. But chasing them at night hoping for a glimpse is an unforgettable experience.
After a three hour hunt, we were fortunate enough to catch the lights at 3 in the the morning while sipping our hot chocolate.
WATERFALLS AND GLACIERS
Iceland is such a unique country. It has numerous waterfalls and glaciers to visit along with volcanoes and black sand beaches.
Take a trip to the south of Iceland where you can visit the Gulfoss waterfalls, geysirs and the icebergs in Jökulsárlón.
SIGHTSEEING IN REYKJAVIK
The capital, Reykjavik, is a quaint city with interesting architecture and even more interesting cuisine.
Take some time to go around town to visit Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral, as well as the numerous museums in town.
Iceland is nothing short of magical. Don’t let the temperature or even the name deter you from visiting this small island in the Arctic. There’s so much to do and so much to see that you’d want to go back as soon as your trip is over. Iceland is now part of my all time favorite destinations and I’m already planning my next visit.