Winter Break in Iceland
A big highlight of my trip was a Full Circle day tour. Our adventure began being picked up from the hotel in a monster super jeep, we headed out in style through Iceland’s stunning natural scenery; Gullfoss Waterfall, geysers and hot springs. Already travelling in ultra-comfort, the super-jeep also has the ‘something special factor’ and allows your journey to be taken off road to take in those hidden beauty spots. Driving out on top of the glacier with the winter sunshine gleaming off the ice was incredible and having access on to the glacier also meant we could take in the addition of a snowmobiling excursion. Driving our own snowmobiles up the glacier for an hour was exhilarating and the beautiful views were so rewarding, something I won’t forget and the ultimate icing on the cake for a truly amazing day out.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, this early morning whale watching excursion is for you. We set sail on our whale tour and after about half an hour sailing, we were fortunate enough to have sightings of three humpback whales and multiple white-beaked dolphins playing around our boat. Even more remarkably they stayed around our boat for about 45 minutes, I feel very privileged to have witnessed them in their natural habitat for such an extended period of-time, truly magical. It was a picture-perfect moment, set in front of the most incredible mountainous backdrop with snowy white peaks alongside the city scape of Reykjavik.
I would recommend making sure you take some time out to relax in at least one thermal pool, both the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon were fantastic and had different qualities but were equally stunning and offered some well needed time out from the hustle and bustle over the rest of the weekend. The Blue Lagoon lived up to its hype and I would highly recommend a visit to marvel in its gorgeous blue pools, I would personally recommend heading just before sunset for that extra special experience. Sky Lagoon, a new offering in Reykjavik, offers a slightly more ‘spa like’ visit, with its proximity to the city centre this may make this a more attractive option for some. The thermal infinity pool looking out over the mountains and ocean will instantly leave you feeling more relaxed, you can even enjoy a glass of bubbles from the bar should you be so inclined!
The elusive Northern Lights did make an appearance although we only got a faint glimpse, but this is mother nature and I am more than happy to have an excuse to return to Iceland. A winter wonderland city with a small village feel amidst a wide range of restaurants and bars for every taste. Plenty of happy hours throughout the afternoon for those that have any time out from the activities to enjoy the local scene. A 4-night winter break is perfect for first time visitors, and I would highly recommend. Personally, I already know I will make a return visit at some stage to explore the Spring and Summer months!