Highlights of Iceland

To be perfectly honest, Iceland might just be the most beautiful country in the world. And we’re not just saying that. The extreme landscapes and surprising geological variety make for an absolute wonderland of scenery. Driving the countryside in Iceland, expect awe-inspiring moments at every turn. Honestly. This all sounds like exaggerations in a travel blog but it’s true. Volcanoes, lava fields, geysers, black sand beaches, glacial lagoons, massive glaciers, waterfalls, narrow fjords, picturesque lakes, magnificent mountains and yes, even some fairytale woodlands, Iceland kind of has it all. Highlight all of these features with the midnight sun in summer or northern lights in winter, and you have yourself visual moments that you’ll never forget. What makes it even greater are the vast open spaces and short distances to unbuilt areas where you can literally get away from it all, within a safe distance from a petrol station. If you travel to Iceland, make sure to get out of the city and see as much of the country as you can. That being said…

Yeah, we’re listing Iceland’s capital and only city as a stand-alone reason for traveling to Iceland. Why? Because it’s a small, safe, colorful metropolis full of big-city culture with a small-town atmosphere. Wandering the streets of Reykjavik, you should feel comfortable, at ease, with everything you could possibly need within reach. The downtown area is large enough to get lost in but small enough to not be lost for very long at a time and there’s always something going on. With a vibrant and free nightlife, clubbers and bar hoppers are in for a treat and with a world-famous art scene, the more cultural globetrotters can spend weeks roaming galleries, museums, concerts and live art events in and around Reykjavik. It’s also a surprisingly green city and make sure to pet some of its many housecats that roam free in the streets all day long and sample some of Reykjavik’s many public pools and wonderful restaurants. You’re guaranteed at least one celebrity sighting but stay cool, making a fuzz about celebrities is a major faux pas in Iceland.

You read that right. One of Iceland’s most notable features and what arguably makes it inhabitable is the abundance of geothermal heat. Icelanders are therefore accustomed to long, hot showers and crispy warm houses and often feel unusually cold when they travel abroad. But the best part of all this natural hot water are the outdoor public pools and luxury spas that you’ll find everywhere in Iceland. The public pools function much like pubs do in the UK. It’s where you meet your neighbors, friends, buddies, and complete strangers for a chat in the hot tub after a long day to wind down and get the latest gossip about town. This goes for every weather: rain, storm, sun or hail. The luxury spas are a high-end treat, complete with water features and wellness products. These include the famous Blue Lagoon, Geosea in Husavik and the recently opened Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik. Most of them are quite pricey but absolutely worth it. Treat yourself to the best Iceland has to offer in the form of geothermally heated pools, natural springs and spas.

Yeah, the housecats of Reykjavik are a real treat for cat lovers but wait till you meet our whales, our seals, our reindeer, the Icelandic horse, the falcons and of course, the most adorable creature that ever walked the planet, the puffin. We highly recommend sightseeing tours to meet these cute little guys or the gentle giants of the sea. Not to sound too full of ourselves, we’re also listing human Icelanders as a major plus. Most Icelanders are laid back, helpful and friendly and quite enjoy the fresh perspective of a visitor. Almost everyone speaks English pretty well and service should be easily available in major languages.

We can’t guarantee that your vacation will be perfect, but we can pretty much guarantee that it will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Take a break from the mundane and enjoy the magic of Iceland.