3 Reasons I'm Going to Iceland plus My 1-Day Stopover Plan
Iceland, Iceland, Iceland. Seems like it’s the place to go to these days and thanks to Iceland Air deals, many who didn’t know much about Iceland before (like myself) are discovering it. Trip stories from family and friends put Iceland on my radar. Now I want to see and feel the place for myself. Here are three of the friends and family experiences that have influenced me:
My sister spent almost a week in Iceland, driving around in a rental car exploring various areas... fabulous.
My friends Wade & Erinn started their UK & Italy vacation with a stopover in Reykavik, giving them a taste of Iceland including good pub experiences over a soccer match which was just what they needed to help their jetlag.
A cousin once explored Iceland on more of a luxury tour and summarized as, “The whole country is like Yellowstone Park.” Enough said.
So, next month I will be in Iceland for a 1 day stopover in Reykjavik. Here are the three main reasons why Iceland ended up on my destination list this time:
Iceland Air I saw an offer I could not refuse. Iceland Air is a powerhouse of promotions, offering generally low airfares from the US to Europe. When they have “Flash Sales” there can be some amazing deals to be had. This is why I am visiting Iceland. I found a screaming deal on airfare to a place I hadn’t been yet, and I am notorious for taking that kind of bait to determine my next vacation destination. During a Flash Sale last December I discovered Seattle to Scotland for $425 RT in April, with a full day stopover in Iceland. Who could resist that? Not me.
Iceland is a gateway to elsewhere in Europe (see reason #1). I will get an easy +1 on my list of countries visited. Iceland will clock in as country #29 for me, and that makes me happy. With the stopover offerings on Iceland Air, it was easy to book a cultural Europe vacation experience, with a stopover in Iceland to close out our trip with some rugged nature. Oh yes, and increase the number of countries I’ve visited by +1.
The Blue Lagoon This just looks amazing. Google it yourself to see if you agree on this. Actually wait, click this link because I Googled it for you. And guess what? The Blue Lagoon not far from Reykjavik or the airport so it is accessible during a 1-day stopover. While this is a place that I want to see for the sheet unique splendor of it all, I also truly wonder, “Is the Blue Lagoon worth the hype?” Beyond pictures I can find on the internet, I want to know from experience what it actually feels like being there, looking at and being inside of Iceland's Blue Lagoon. What are the sounds, smells, sights, plus sensations on my skin from the air, and water? And what about that funky white mud? Will I feel amazing or self-conscious and silly being in my bathing suit amidst hordes of tourists in the same water pools wiping white mud on our faces?
The end result? I decided to add an Iceland stopover to the tail end of a trip to Scotland (based on a screaming deal airfare from Iceland Air). So, after a week of seeing Scottish castles, the Highlands, eating fish & chips, trying to figure out the Scottish accent and exploring historic sites, we will end our trip with a brief but intense dip into natural rugged Icelandic beauty. So, what's our plan?
Reykjavik Stopover Plan: Six Steps to Amazing Experiences, crammed into 24 hrs (NOTE: This is the list I am putting out BEFORE we leave for this wonderful vacation, I’ll need to remember to update you later with what we actually did plus share opinions, experiences and photos.)
Arrive airport, pick up rental car, drive to Grindavik to check into seaside cottage (Airbnb)
Enjoy Blue Lagoon at night
Overnight @ cottage on cliff above the sea, on the coast of Iceland with stunning views
Wake up to drink coffee while soaking up coastal view then find the nearby walking trail
Walk the trails around our cottage, beach, shipwreck, ruins, lighthouse all possible
Drive to Reykjavik to see the city, then back to Keflavik airport for return flight to Seattle 5 Resources to Plan Your Iceland Trip
Are you considering a trip to Iceland? Here are some resources for you:
Iceland Air website - THE place to book your airfare Airbnb Iceland search- discover unique accommodations in Iceland Airbnb $40 credit - for those new to Airbnb, your first booking Iceland on TripAdvisor - find hotels, airfares, things to do, and reviews from travelers Iceland packages from Tour Radar - interesting small group tour options