Iceland is truly a world of its own. So when we finalized our trip to Iceland we knew it would be a trip of a lifetime. We started our journey to Iceland in San Francisco Airport. We checked in at WOW airlines with mediocre expectations of the flight as we knew it was a budget airline. Little did we know how well WOW's service was for the price and value we received. (Read more about my WOW review and experience here). The flight to Reykjavik was 8.5 hrs long. During the flight, we saw great views of Greenland as we passed through the Arctic Circle.
After reading through the airline published magazine, a short nap and a snack, we arrived at Keflavik Airport at the early morning of 4:10am. The airport is small and easy to maneuver around. All the signs to the baggage claim and restrooms were clearly visible and all in English, which is a relief when traveling with a kid who has a small bladder. As we patiently waited for our luggage, hoping and praying that it arrived in one piece, we logged on to the free wifi that was offered complimentary by the airport. Since most rental companies don't open until 8am, we had a couple of hours to spend at the airport cafe before we could begin our adventure. Luckily, our rental company Geysir was kind enough to organize their driver to pick us up at 7am. In the meantime, Joe & the Juice was a nice cafe to spend time doing last minute planning and research, all while eating and drinking fresh smoothies and organic sandwiches. To see our top picks for places to eat click here.
One thing to consider when planning a trip to Iceland is the type of accommodation and transportation needed. If you will be traveling to see the marvelous natural formations throughout the country, like the general consensus would say, then renting a camper or motorhome is a must. This allows people to freely span the island without much constraints to hotels or accommodation which are typically found in Iceland's capital city of Reykjavik. More than 85% of the 350K Icelandic people live in Reykjavik, leaving the rest of the land and towns desolate and sparse. We rented a 6 person motorhome, fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, dinning area and an upper sleeping corridor quarters, which scored mega points with our 5 year old daughter.
Iceland requires a LOT of driving. Stocking up on groceries is essential. There are many grocery stores in the main cities, which even offer ample options for people who have dietary restrictions (vegan, gluten free, vegetarian etc). We went to Kronan which offered several organic and gluten free options, which is very important to us. One thing to note, when traveling in Iceland is, skip buying water. Icelandic water is one of the cleanest and purist in the world. Buying it is a waste, as water companies will fill it with the same stuff people usually get for free. Just bring a water bottle (we brought our Yeti and Hydroflask) and fill it up at any gas station, restaurant, or even a waterfall (only if you know that the waterfall comes directly from the glacier mountains without farms or cattle grazing by).
The first waterfall we visited was Seljalandsfoss. A mesmerizing and picturesque 65 meter (213 ft) tall waterfall. This well known waterfall is largely visited by many due to its uniqueness of a natural formed cave behind the waterfall, giving you access to walk behind it. Be careful as the waterfall makes the path slippery and muddy. Also, keep in mind that if you walk behind or within close proximity to the waterfall, you will get soaked. So wear a poncho or waterproof attire to avoid wearing soggy clothes the rest of the day.
A short 10 minute walk away (700m distance) stands another waterfall, Gljúfrabúi. There are only a few waterfall where you can walk all the way up to it, and this is one of them. Often referred to as the sister waterfall of Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi is one of the hidden and less talked about waterfalls. But don't let this fool you. This hidden gem will leave a lasting impression and give you many warm feelings. The waterfall measures at 40 meters tall (131 ft) and it resembles that of a cathedral, as it is tucked away between two stone ridges.
Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist stops in Iceland. It's popularity is likely credited to the fact that it's rich history led to Iceland's first environmentalism movement. In addition to its interesting backstory, the sheer power of waterfall is unforgettable, as you not only hear, but also feel the gushing water cascade down 32 meters (105 feet). Gullfoss is a massive waterfall with even greater views.
One thing that we absolutely loved in Iceland were the Icelandic horses. There were several horses that freely roamed the island, which allowed for many photo opportunities. We even passed through a town where there were no fences separating the horses from the roads, allowing the horses to freely and slowly walk through the road that we drove on. These gentle four legged fur animals are smaller than your typical horse, but don't ever call them "ponies" as this is considered offensive by many Icelandics. We went horseback riding in the golden circle with a gorgeous backdrop of the mountains filling our sights. We even got a chance to experience first hand the fifth gait, tolt, which is found among no other horses.
FUN FACTS ON ICELANDIC HORSES
1. They have 5 gaits (style of gallop)
2. They are the purest breed in the world
3. They are smaller than your average breed but just as strong
4. They are not easily spooked due to the lack of predatory animals in Iceland
5. They are docile, friendly and are the most gentle horses to handle
A trip to Iceland wouldn't be complete without a visit at the Blue Lagoon. Although many have mixed feelings about going to this particular geothermal spa due to the influx of people visiting, I on the other hand strongly feel that this attraction is a magical spot that mustn't be missed! The calm, blue, perfect temperature waters, and well manicured facility, makes it all worth every penny and second of your life. The sight of the lagoon is unreal. You feel like you stepped in to a fantasy world. The water looks like it has some magical healing powers, while the black lava rocks that surround the grounds add a dramatic effect as it contrasts the blue hues of the water. The facility has a cafe serving quick meals like salad, boxed sushi, sandwiches, an array of snacks, plus drinks (both alcoholic as well as non alcoholic). They also have a full service restaurant serving gourmet foods with top notch service. The Blue Lagoon is a full day spa which offers full massage treatments, in and out of the water. Oh did I mention there is a bar in the lagoon as well. Be warned during peak travel times (June-August) the Blue Lagoon can get crowded so prepare to come early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the crowds. Check out 5 things you should know when visiting The Blue Lagoon.
The last thing we did was by far one of the coolest things that tipped our Iceland trip from great to EPIC. This unforgettable night took place in Seljavallalaug's pool. Seljavallalaug is a man-made geothermally heated pool that was built in 1923 to help children learn to swim. Now it is open to the public 24/7 and is absolutely free of charge. From the parking lot, the hike is a mellow 15 minute walk, and fairly straight forward in the daylight. However, we started the trek at 11pm which made it somewhat difficult to see. But once we found the obvious path leading to the base of the mountain where the man-made pool was situated, it was a huge sigh of relief. We knew there weren't any bathrooms or lighting so we came prepared with our swimsuits on and flash lights in tow. We soaked in the pool for a good while and to our delight, we looked up in the sky and had the great luck and fortune to experience the northern lights. This truly topped our charts of having the most magical moment in Iceland.