Iceland Adventure

Sarah McCarthy 09 October 2021
If Iceland is not on your radar then I recommend you add this unique and diverse destination to your bucket list right away. Whether you are looking for a weekend break abroad, celebrating a special occasion in your life or want to head away to somewhere different with the kids, Iceland ticks all the boxes.

You should spend at least 3 nights there, although if you want to go at a leisurely pace 4 nights may suit better. For those who love exploring and hiking you could take a car rental and spend up to 10 nights exploring the Island.

So my friend and I did a whistle stop trip and let me outline the itinerary below:

We flew with Iceland Air direct from Dublin to Reykjavik. The flight duration is just over 2 hours and it takes about 45 mins to reach the city.

On the day of our arrival we checked in, dropped the bags and headed down to the Old town of Reykjavik to soak up the atmosphere and it didn’t disappoint. The city has a bustling vibe, loads of beautiful shops, restaurants, lovely bars & cafes.

After an early dinner we walked to Reykjavik pier and bought 2 tickets for “Fly Over Iceland” which is simulator ride giving you the feeling of flight. You will hang suspended, feet dangling, and the film whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across Iceland. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combined with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience, it was amazing and the best of fun.

Later that evening we boarded a Cruise in search of the Northern Lights. Whilst the lights did not put on much a show we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

We woke up on day 2 to the beautiful sunshine. Perfect conditions for a whale watching cruise from the Old Harbour in Reykjavík. Whilst we did spot a few Minke whales in the distance, the highlight had to be the many dolphins that circled the boat. Boy did they put on a show. The views from the cruise were breath taking, a truly wonderful experience.

After lunch we got the bus to the Blue Lagoon for an afternoon of relaxation and it did not disappoint. We opted for the comfort package which included entry to the thermal baths, Silica mud mask, towel & drink of your choice. In hindsight for approx. €30 more we should have opted for the Premium package which includes all of the above and 2 additional masks of your choice, slippers & bathrobe. I would highly recommend this trip and due to its distance from the city (45mins approx.), I would be encouraging my clients to head straight to the Lagoon on the day of arrival from the airport, or indeed on the way to the airport on the day of departure.

For our final day we opted to do the Gold Circle Tour by Super Jeep & Snowmobile - WOW WOW WOW. Our first stop was at Þingvellir National Park, one of Iceland’s most significant historical sites. It’s the home of the country’s first parliament which was founded in 930 A.D. and is the oldest extant parliamentary institution in the world.

From Þingvellir, we headed inland towards the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with it’s boiling mud pits and spouting hot springs. We then continued on to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. Located on Hvítá river, the waterfall is fed by Langjökull glacier and plummets down 32 meters in two stages into a rugged canyon.

To top it all off we drove towards Langjökull glacier, got suited and booted and sped across the glacier on snowmobiles while taking in some awesome views of the peaks and ice surrounding us. This was a full day tour. We arrived back at the city around 6pm. A day I will never forget and a tour that I will certainly be offering to all my clients going forward.

After a delicious steak sandwich and beer at a local food market we decided to give the Northern Lights one last go. Thankfully the cruise company invited us back free of charge so we hopped on the boat at 9pm and within 30 mins we were gazing at the Northern Lights of Iceland....what an epic end to an epic trip....