Since last week was all about beaches and tropical destinations, I decided to switch it up and travel further north for the next place on my bucket list: Iceland! If you’re anything like me and despise winter (except for the holidays—and hot chocolate), the first thing you’ll probably think is “Iceland? The country’s name literally has the word ‘ice.’” And yeah, it is cold; the average high temperature is only 60 F, which is practically spring or fall around here. However, this Nordic country is home to some of the most spectacular—and scientifically intriguing—views that we don’t get to experience in the Keystone state.
Don’t know where to start? If you plan your vacation between September and April, you will be captivated by the beautiful and vibrant aurora borealis—more commonly known as the Northern Lights. But, do you know what causes these dancing waves of lights? Scientists hypothesize that charged particles from the Sun strike Earth’s atmosphere, composed of nitrogen and oxygen molecules; these collisions heat up the gas and cause them to “glow” in captivating shades of green and purple. Although this light show can be seen in many places across the country, dark rural areas such as Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon or Grótta Lighthouse make for the best viewing experience due to limited light pollution.
Iceland is also famous for its extensive network of hot springs and geothermal pools due to its location smack dab in the middle of two tectonic plates, which cause volcano-like forces to naturally heat bodies of water. Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spot in southwestern Iceland, is only a 20 minute ride from Keflavík Airport and offers a relaxing spa-like environment. Indulge in steaming hot pools with a complimentary silica mud mask (a popular facial treatment) and rinse off using the spa’s original haircare and skincare line: BL+.
You can get all of these plus a towel and drink for just 90 USD (a steal that won’t last long!). Although just a few hours is enough to utilize all the amenities, Blue Lagoon also offers luxurious hotels and dining to extend your stay.
If you are looking for a thrilling adventure after relaxing, look no further than Ring Road, the main road that loops around the entire island and features waterfalls, hiking trails and so much more. The entire trip usually takes a week with stops along the way (check this link for a guide), but if you are pressed for time, I would check out Skógafoss; one of the largest waterfalls with a jaw-dropping drop of 197 feet, Skógafoss offers a 30 minute hike to the top along gravel trails. When you make it to the top, you are greeted with a picturesque landscape of rolling green hills, seabirds and occasionally, a rainbow.
Finally, end your vacation at the quaint town of Vik, whose population is only 381—it’s really tiny! It is the home of Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, formed from volcanic ashes (just like Greece). Not only can you take a leisurely walk on the beach, but you can also see the long hexagonal basalt columns that provide yet another view of the crystal blue glacier water.
Even though Iceland may be cold, it still holds a special place on my bucket list; it is one of the only places that provides serene relaxation and thrilling adventures all in one vacation.
I only got to spend a few days in Iceland, but seeing all of this brings me back! It was such a wonderful location to visit. I hope you get to experience it one day! If you ever find yourself there, be sure to spend a night in Reykjavik; there are some great shops, food, and entertainment.
Iceland is such a cool country; it’s definitely near the top of my bucket list! I think I’d look most forward to visiting the black sand beaches and maybe strolling up a volcano. The environment seems so incredibly calming and, yes, thrilling at the same time. I read about the 5 Million Star bubble hotel, which is really dreamy. A road trip around the country would be super nice.
The use of punctuation here really made the writing strong! There were parenthesis, hyphens, colons, or semicolons in pretty much every paragraph, which made each sentence feel a little different and made the blog post fun to read. The trip that you outlined sounds really amazing! The pictures were gorgeous, and I love the idea of the day at the beach that you talked about.
Iceland is also one of my dream vacation spots. I think I’m a little more receptive of cold weather than you, but the main appeal of Iceland is the beautiful landscape. There’s so many fascinating features that I haven’t had the opportunity to see in person before, and it would be amazing to experience them all at once. I especially want to see the Northern Lights there, as well as swim in the geothermal pools.