Iceland was the perfect getaway for mid-February. Geographers flock to this Land of Fire and Ice that has been shaped by shifting glaciers and volcanic eruptions. During the winter, photographers and tourists travel from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the Northern lights. Everything from the top chef-inspired food to the rugged, beautiful landscape was simply amazing! This may have been our first trip to Iceland, but it certainly won’t be our last!
Planning a trip to Iceland? Read our Iceland Travel Guide
Day 1: South Coast and Glaciers
Our first day in Iceland was spent exploring the southern coast. Right from the beginning we were sent climbing down a snow-packed slope into an underground cave.
Inside we found icicles dripping from walls and giant snow mounds reaching towards the sky.
Inside we found icicles dripping from walls and giant snow mounds reaching towards the sky.
A short drive further we arrived at a cluster of waterfalls cascading down black, volcanic boulders into a green moss valley.
| Seljalandsfoss waterfall was on prominent display. This waterfall was featured in the first leg of the Amazing Race season 6. During the summer, visitors can walk behind Seljansfoss. |  One waterfall tucked away in a crevice |
 On the road again, we found our way to the village of Vik and its famous black sand beach. . Pebbles along the beach have been worn smooth. |  Along the shore a cliff of basalt columns battered by the sea rises up into the air where birds circle as they make their nests.  |
Black basalt sand meets rough, white waves from the Atlantic. The waves keep crashing in with such force that one can easily get dragged out to sea.
An hour driving later, we got out to stretch our legs in the middle of Eldrauhn lava field. This mossy meadow of volcanic rock is the result of two catastrophic eruptions that occurred in 1783 and 1784. Up until the recent August 2014 eruption of Holuhraun, it was the largest lava field in Iceland.
| Back on the road, the landscape quickly changed from black cliffs and yellow fields of moss to white snow-topped mountains and BLUE ice! |
 |  |  |
A few second later, we spotted the glacier lagoon! Giant chunks of bright blue ice surrounded by black sand, and snow-capped mountains. Black streaks of volcanic ash can be seen throughout the layers of ice.
During the summer boat tours go out on the lagoon for an up close view of the icebergs.
During the summer boat tours go out on the lagoon for an up close view of the icebergs.
 | Jökulsárlón “Glacier Lake” was a photographers dream! Unfortunately we only had a few minutes to take our pictures if we wanted to see an ice cave before dark. |
Our last stop of the night was an ice cave that had naturally formed at the foot of a glacier. The highly compacted ice lacks any air bubbles, making it appear blue.
Ice caves can only be accessed during the winter. When the weather warms in March, they begin to collapse.
| Day 2: Snorkeling in the Silfra What could be better than swimming between two tectonic plates in ice cold 2 degree Celsius water? Okay, a lot of things, but where's your sense of adventure? After getting in at 2:00 AM from the previous night's tour, we were up bright and early again, and on our way to Þingvellir National Park. | The park lies in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates have been pulled and stretched apart. It is one of the few places in the world where someone can stand between two continental plates. Every year the plates drift another 2 centimeters apart, causing earthquakes every 10 years. |
North American Ridge
Silfra is a large fissure filled with water from a glacier located 50 kilometers away. Water is filtered underground through porous lava rock, for 30 to 100 years before reaching Silfra. This clear, purified water contributes to its incredible 70 meters of visibility!
We donned our waterproof suits designed to keep everything dry up to our wrists and neck. Neoprene gloves and masks were given to insulate our hands and head. Once everyone was suited up, we walked over to the dock and down the stairs into the frigid water.
We were advised to keep our hands out of the water and use only our flippers to swim around. Once the green light was given, everyone flipped over on their stomachs and put their masks in the water...
The water was so unbelievably clear!
The water was so unbelievably clear!
Silfra was definitely a once in a lifetime adventure!
Day 3: Golden Circle and Northern Lights
Almost every tourist that visits Iceland will end up going on the Golden Circle tour. The three main attractions include Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park.
Our first stop of the morning was Hellisheiðarvirkjun Geothermal Power Plant where we learned how Iceland uses geothermal energy for heating and electricity.
Almost every tourist that visits Iceland will end up going on the Golden Circle tour. The three main attractions include Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park.
Our first stop of the morning was Hellisheiðarvirkjun Geothermal Power Plant where we learned how Iceland uses geothermal energy for heating and electricity.
Next we paid a short visit to Kerid Crater, which is filled with water. The lake is frozen during the winter, but during the summer it becomes a blue pool surrounded by red volcanic rock.
 |  Faxi Waterfall was our next pit stop. Small, but worthy of a few photos. |
A short drive further we came to Geysir hot spring area. Here there are small pools of steaming water and the Great Geysir that erupts every seven to ten minutes.
 | |
We stood around and watched the geysir erupt several times before realizing our own stomachs were gurgling for lunch.
Geysir has two options for dining: a grab and go market with hot food baskets and a cafeteria style restaurant with hot soups, a meal of the day, and a buffet option.
Now that we had refueled it was time for the main event! Gullfoss!
 | This mighty waterfall has several viewing platforms and a walking path leading down to the very edge. It was so cold, mist from the falls was turning into snow. |
After having enough of the cold, we set off towards Þingvellir National Park.
...but first we had to stop and feed the Icelandic horses!
 | These short, shaggy-haired creatures are not to be confused with ponies. Iceland takes great pride in their pure bred horses, often noted for their unique gait. Fact: it is against the law to import any horses into Iceland. If a horse leaves for competition, it is never allowed to return. |
Þingvellir National Park was our last stop on the Golden Circle tour.
Located near the largest natural lake in Iceland.
How's that for a desktop background?
Öxarárfoss waterfall
Now the event we’ve all been waiting for… the NORTHERN LIGHTS!
The night of our Golden Circle tour the skies were clear and the forecast called for plenty of solar activity... perfect conditions for viewing the Northern lights!
At 9:00 PM the chase was on! We sped out of Reykjavik away from the city lights as fast as we could. In the distance we could see faint, green wisps floating in the sky. That was our first glimpse at the Northern lights! The vehicle went off road and we found ourselves in the middle of farmland.
Exiting the bus I immediately went to setup my camera and tripod on a nearby rock. Never having used my DSLR camera before this trip, let alone at night, I went based off of the settings I had researched. After my first 30 second exposure, I knew my research had paid off!
 |   |
The shades of green and purple were moving constantly, sometimes swirling or creating waves across the sky.
  |  |
Every year visitors travel from all over the world to see the Northern lights and most of them leave disappointed. We were very lucky to have witnessed the Northern lights on our first trip!
| Day 4: Reykjavik Reykjavik is the largest city in Iceland and where most tourists will stay during their visit. Our vacation rental was located near the well-known Hallgrimskirkja church. Designed to resemble the basalt columns found at Vik's black sand beach. |  |
The church's observation tower can be accessed by paying a small admission at the church gift shop and taking a lift to the top. From there you have great views of the bay and downtown shopping area.
Strolling along the bay we encountered the Solfar “Sun Voyager” sculpture, a promise of new and undiscovered territory.
| Next we ducked in the Kolaportid Flea Market in hopes of finding a traditional Lopi sweater. These traditional sweaters are made from wool of Icelandic sheep and normally cost between $100 and $200 at the gift shops.  The flea market had used clothing, books, jewelry, souvenirs, a fish market, and an Asian grocery store. |  |
We left the Flea Market empty handed and ready for a bite to eat.
Speaking of food, let’s discuss the Icelandic cuisine...
The typical Icelandic diet is heavily influenced by the sea with plenty of fish, lobster, and the occasional whale.
Speaking of food, let’s discuss the Icelandic cuisine...
The typical Icelandic diet is heavily influenced by the sea with plenty of fish, lobster, and the occasional whale.
typical fish and chips
Another Icelandic delicacy is hakarl, which is fermented shark meat that smells like ammonia.
I said "No, thank you"!
Other protein sources include lamb, horse, puffin, and reindeer.
I said "No, thank you"!
Other protein sources include lamb, horse, puffin, and reindeer.
Smoked puffin
There are several restaurants in Reykjavik that allow you to get a taste of Iceland.
We chose to try the Icelandic Feast at Sushi Samba, which included a shot of Icelandic schnapps, smoked puffin, arctic charr, lobster, reindeer, lamb, and skyr dessert.
We chose to try the Icelandic Feast at Sushi Samba, which included a shot of Icelandic schnapps, smoked puffin, arctic charr, lobster, reindeer, lamb, and skyr dessert.
 Brennivin - Icelandic schnapps |  arctic charr  skyr and sorbet |
There is no shortage of fine dining, creative dishes, and international cuisine. Irish pubs, French cafes, and Spanish tapas can be found. Asian influence is apparent with sushi restaurants, noodles houses, and bubble tea shops.
 One of our favorites was an ice cream parlor called Eldur and Is that served up all kinds of fresh crepes! |  Another favorite we discovered far too late was the Noodle Station, which serves giant fresh bowls of pad thai-style soup topped with tender beef or chicken. |
Day 5: Blue Lagoon
On our last full day in Iceland we decided to take an early bus trip to the Blue Lagoon. Pictures of this geothermal spa have been circulated all over the internet and every tour guide book.
On our last full day in Iceland we decided to take an early bus trip to the Blue Lagoon. Pictures of this geothermal spa have been circulated all over the internet and every tour guide book.
 |  |
The Blue Lagoon is a man-made lagoon fed by water from the nearby geothermal power plant.
It remains warm year round staying at a constant temperature around 38°C or 100°F.
They advertise the milky, blue water as being rich in silica and minerals that are good for the skin. They even have a spa gift shop with different beauty products for sale.
 |  |
Check out my complete Guide to Visiting the Blue Lagoon.
Over the past few years, Iceland has seen a great increase in the number of tourists. In fact, Iceland’s tourism industry is in the process of catching up. New hotels are being built to accommodate the influx of tourists and business owners have started extending their hours. During our visit there were many visitors coming from the UK, the east coast of the United States, and a surprising number that traveled from Southeast Asia.
Icelandair is famous for advertising their free stopover flights in route to your final destination in Europe. From the east coast of the United States, Iceland is only a five and half hour flight. It took equally as long to fly from Italy as it would have from the east coast. While we don’t regret making the trip, it is certainly a vacation that can be made from the states. One thing is for sure, we will definitely be visiting Iceland again!
Icelandair is famous for advertising their free stopover flights in route to your final destination in Europe. From the east coast of the United States, Iceland is only a five and half hour flight. It took equally as long to fly from Italy as it would have from the east coast. While we don’t regret making the trip, it is certainly a vacation that can be made from the states. One thing is for sure, we will definitely be visiting Iceland again!
RSS Feed
