Driving the Golden Circle : Open Roads and Endless Skies in Iceland

October 3, 2016

We stayed right near Thingvellir National Park our last night in Iceland this trip so the day we left, we drove back into Reykjavik through the Golden Circle, a trio of tourist sites on the island. We started at Gullfoss, then drove through Geysir to see one of the springs erupting as we drove past and then through Thingvellir National Park. This drive is a beautiful one and has such a unique vibe compared to other areas of Iceland. At some points we were the only car for miles and it seemed like looking out on the horizon it was just open roads and endless skies. Oh and horses, yes, lots of horses on this route – so be sure to stop and make some animal friends.

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Where to Stay in Iceland

Morning at Gullfoss : Returning to the Golden Falls in Iceland

September 30, 2016

On our first trip to Iceland years ago in November, we visited the standard sites of Iceland’s Golden Circle, including Gullfoss. If you’re not familiar, Gullfoss is basically the waterfall that every tourist sees in Iceland and it’s enormous and it’s close to Reykjavik. When we saw it 4 years ago it was frozen over in parts and covered in snow, which made it really beautiful. Back then there were just ropes hung to keep you from going over the snowy edge and a small visitor center with a small cafe and shop.

On our way back to Reykjavik on this last trip we stopped by Gullfoss again and we were blown away by the changes. A larger visitor center, viewing areas built up with decks and platforms. For me, this was an analogy of how much Iceland has changed in these past years since we first stood there in the snow over Gullfoss. And as the tourism industry grows in Iceland, I find myself wondering how the country will change.

Another huge difference from our first time at Gullfoss to this most recent visit, seeing the falls in the bright daylight of September with no snow or ice, made the whole area a completely different place. We spent a couple hours here, just taking it all in and admiring the sheer power of the waterfalls here. Gullfoss is one of those places that is famous for a reason – and it’s well worth a visit for your trip to Iceland.

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Visiting Skógafoss Waterfall : Cascading Water and Green Mountains

September 28, 2016

Skógafoss is a well known massive waterfall about 20 minutes West of Vik and it was the top priority on Nick’s list for this particular trip to Iceland. We decided to wait until late afternoon/early evening to make our stop here, both to try and stay away from the hoards of tour buses in the area as well as to get softer light for photos. When we arrived around 4pm, the light was softening and the tour buses were leaving. We pulled up right in front of the parking lot and wandered up to see this gorgeous waterfall.

You can also climb up and see if from the side and top, but we opted for the ground views to really take in all its glory. As the water cascades down, the cliffs next to it are sprayed with water, keeping it endlessly green. For a waterfall stop, Skógafoss is truly one not to miss.

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Exploring Vik : Black Sand Beaches + Church Overlooks

September 27, 2016

One of the spots we knew we wanted to see on this most recent trip to Iceland was Vik and the black sand beaches that are found in this area of the island. In retrospect, we wished we would have actually stay in Vik to explore that area more and we would definitely do that next time. This whole area of Iceland is stunning.

We spent a couple hours exploring the black sand beaches, and while cold and windy, we loved our time exploring the fairly empty beaches of Vik. Next we headed up the hill overlooking the town where a church stands. We took in the views, snapped some photos and then headed back up the road for our next stop at Skogafoss.

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Exploring Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

September 26, 2016

When we booked this most recent trip to Iceland, we knew we wanted to head in the direction of Vik on the Southern Coast of the island. In previous trips we’d always explored inland or to the West and North, so heading somewhat South East was a direction we were intrigued by. Interestingly enough, it’s usually this direction that most people head (we apparently didn’t get the memo), so it was a lot more crowded than some of the other parts of the island we’ve explored previously.

But regardless of the crowds, as we headed toward Vik, there were 2 waterfalls we wanted to stop at. The first one about an hour and half outside of Keflavik is Seljalandsfoss. I’ve seen lots of pictures of this famous Icelandic waterfall, but I have to say, seeing it in person doesn’t do those photos justice. Not only is this amazing site spectacular to see, you can actually walk behind it and see it from every angle which is a pretty unique feature. It’s places like this where Iceland is truly at its best, a giant waterfall in the middle of gorgeous scenery that you can explore on all sides. And while it was a little busy, it didn’t even distract from how stunning it really was. If you’re headed this direction in Iceland, don’t miss climbing behind the waterfall at Seljanlandsfoss!

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Driving Iceland’s South Coast : Lava, Moss + Horses

September 23, 2016

On our first trip to Iceland almost four years go in November, we hired a private guide to drive us around to some spots on the Golden Circle tour. And while we did see the major spots, our driver also ventured off quite a bit to show us some beautiful places that not many other tourists were heading. One such area of the island that I remember vividly falling in love with on that trip was Iceland’s South Coast. Imagine miles and miles of lava rocks covered in inches of think olive green moss, coast line stretching on and on with backdrops of volcanic cliffs. And then in an instant, the landscape changes to flowing fields of Icelandic horses, coming up to the fences to greet you. Iceland’s South Coast was always a beautiful memory from our first trip, so when our GPS took us through this very same area when heading to Vik on this most recent trip, we reminisced the entire drive at home much we loved that first trip and the landscapes we saw that made us fall in love with Iceland.

So this trip, we spent a few hours driving the windy coast highway that curves along Iceland’s South Coast, this time seeing it in all it’s September glory, instead of snowy November. And another change? This time we drove it on our own, stopping every so often for photos or to play with the Icelandic horses that Nick had to basically tear me away from. To start out our third trip to Iceland, I couldn’t think of a better are of the island to drive along while in awe of the incredible scenery that Iceland offers.

Headed to Iceland?

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Where to Stay in Iceland

The Truth About Traveling : Why You Should Revisit Places You Love

September 21, 2016

After we returned home from Iceland a couple weeks ago, our third trip to the amazing country, I got to thinking about returning to those places we love as a traveler. We hear all the time from travel bloggers about all the places they see, about the places we’re supposed to want to visit. And in reality, most of us, myself included, often travel to places to experience them and check them off our travel list. Some we like, some we don’t. But some we love, and when we do fall in love with places we visit, I’m a huge believer in returning to experience them again.

Personally, I’m not a traveler just for the sake of traveling. And in all honesty, as much as I love traveling, I love being home too. So when I travel, I’m traveling to feel something, to find love with a destination. I’m not in it for the thrills, if that makes sense. I’m in it for the “feels.” So when traveling becomes something else, when we’re just checking countries off a list, when we visit some place one time and have no idea why anyone would go back – I don’t quite get that and I think it’s not doing the world any good service.

You see, sometimes we’re too abstract as travelers or tourists. Sometimes we forget all these beautiful places we visit have a whole story to them other than what our story as a traveler there might be. And until we can open up and see more, visit more deeply, see places in different times of year or different times in our lives, we don’t really know much about a place. We never get to see beyond the surface until we revisit, until we come back.

There are places that I don’t have a real desire to go back to, sure, but some places I revisit regularly because they mean something deeper to me. This was our third trip to Iceland and we visited again not because we didn’t have a million other places on our travel list (we do!), not because it was a necessity, but because we love the country so much we want to keep exploring it, keep opening ourselves to it, keep seeing more of what Iceland really is. We try really hard (it’s getting harder and harder) to return to Paris at least once every calendar year because it’s a city we adore deeply. There are some places you’ll encounter in your travels, and they will be different for each person, places that just call you back to them. So if you’re just starting out traveling or if you’re seasoned already, I think it’s really important to remember not to just travel for the sake of travel, but to revisit places again and again, even if you have more new places to see. It’s important for us to return to places that pull at us, places that call to us on a deeper level. It’s important to dig deeper, to explore further, and to let our souls be drawn in to destinations that connect with our souls.

Top 5 Essential Items to Take to Iceland

September 20, 2016

Having visited the amazing country of Iceland three times now, all in very different times of the year, I’ve realized that no matter when you go to Iceland, there are 5 things that you really shouldn’t go without while there. Whether it’s September or November or May, Iceland has crazy weather and you never know what you might encounter, like the huge snow blizzard that came out of nowhere when we were driving through Iceland’s North last year or the crazy wind on Vik’s beaches that almost blows you over. No matter when you’re headed to this magical country, and you totally should, here are the top 5 essential items to take to Iceland.

A really good waterproof jacket.

The top thing you have to have before a visit to Iceland, no matter the time of year, is a really good waterproof jacket. It rains often in Iceland and yet even when it’s not raining, you’ll probably be exploring waterfalls of all shapes and sizes where the water sprays long distances – so bring a really good waterproof jacket to protect you from it all. It’s terrible already being cold, but cold and wet – that’s the worst! I love my Barbour jacket for trips like Iceland because it truly doesn’t let any moisture through.

A camera to capture everything you see.

Iceland is truly one of the most remarkable and surreal places you’ll ever see in your life. So don’t forget a camera to capture it all. Whether that’s just your iPhone camera or a DSLR, make sure you capture it to remember exactly how magical it really is!

Rubber boots with rubber soles.

One thing I take on every trip to Iceland – rubber boots! Or as the Brits call them – wellies. Whether you’re climbing up and down waterfalls or exploring the countryside, my rubber boots have saved me from a ton of slippery situations as well as keep your pants clean.

Warm weather essentials : hat, gloves and ear muffs.

No matter the time of year, Iceland can be cold. Especially on the coasts when the wind if howling, it’s important to stay warm. I always bring a hat, gloves and ear muffs that I keep with me at all times. You might not need them the whole time, but you probably will at some point!

Leggings for dual purposes.

I love having a good pair of leggings with me on trips to Iceland, first and foremost, it’s nice to have something casual to throw on with a sweater when around the hotel or when you’re driving around the island. But they also serve a great dual purpose to wear under jeans when out and about exploring if you get cold. I do this in really cold locations to have an extra layer to keep warm and I’m always so thankful for it!

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10 Must See Spots in Iceland

September 19, 2016

After three trips to Iceland, I can now definitively say I’ve seen a lot of this magical island. And yet in all that we’ve seen and explored, there is so much more to see in this amazing place, which is a great reason to keep returning! Though if you’re heading to Iceland for the first time, it might be overwhelming to know where to go and what to see with such a huge landscape to explore. So in order to help narrow down your list, I’ve come up with the top 10 must see spots in Iceland that I have found throughout my trips to this incredible country!

And if you need hotel recs for these amazing places, here’s Where to Stay in Iceland.

1. Vík’s Black Sand Beaches

We only made it to this gorgeous area of Southern Iceland on our most recent trip to Iceland a couple weeks ago and I can’t believe we waited so long to explore it. One of the most beautiful spots surely has to be the famous black sand beaches of Vik, where the water rushes against the lava sand beaches against dramatic cliffsides. It’s truly not to be missed.

2. Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral in Reykjavik

This famous church rules the skyline of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city. It’s architecture and form are truly a site to see and experience.

3. Húsavík + Akureyri

One of the areas I’ve loved most in Iceland, was the far North where Akureyri and Húsavík are located. Not nearly as many tourists get up to this part of the island because it’s so far North, but once you make the trek, it’s breathtaking.

4. Goðafoss

Meaning the Waterfall of the Gods, this enormous waterfall in Northern Iceland is truly perhaps one of my favorite spots on the whole island. We visited during the days of the Midnight Sun and arrived at “dawn” around 3am to be the only ones there for miles around. The sheer power and beauty of this waterfall is truly incredible.

5. Gullfoss

While Gullfoss might be one of the busiest waterfalls in Iceland, it’s also still well worth seeing. Gullfoss is one of three stops on the tourists’ Golden Circle tour, and while it definitely sees its fair share of tour buses, the key here is to go early to truly get it in all its glory.

6. Seljalandsfoss

We first visited this waterfall on our most recent trip and while we didn’t have super high expectations going into it, it turned out to be amazing! Seljalandsfoss is a large waterfall with a cave behind it that you can walk through. The views from the side and inside the cave here are truly magical and an experience I’ll never forget. This one does get crowded too though, so go early!

7. Skógafoss

Yet another waterfall to see in the land of waterfalls – and while you might be thinking, ok I’m good with waterfalls, each one truly is so unique in Iceland! Skógafoss is a huge set of falls near Vik and a truly breathtaking surround landscape as well. This one is super easy to access with parking right in front of it and just a pull off from the road. Skógafoss is truly not to be missed!

8. Snæfellsnes Peninsula

I still tell people that the Snæfellsnes Peninsula of Iceland is in my top 5 most beautiful spots on the entire planet. We drove all around this incredible area of Iceland last year and I am aching to return. We witnessed some of the most surreal and breathtaking scenery on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula that I’ve ever seen in my life.

9. Þingvellir

This gorgeous and historic national park in Iceland is not only beautiful in terms of scenery, but also the first site of Parliament in Iceland thousands of years ago as well as where the North American and European tectonic plates collide. Needless to say, it’s well worth a visit. It’s also really easy to get to from Reykjavik.

10. Blue Lagoon

While I find the Blue Lagoon to be a bit touristy and well overpriced for what you get, it truly still is an experience to have in Iceland, at least once. Take advantage of a quiet afternoon there, relaxing in one of the most beautiful countries on Earth!

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5 Places to Totally Escape Normal Life

September 16, 2016

Some places just take us out of time or place, they transport us to another work and we can totally escape normal life. Travel has a way of bringing out other things within us and these 5 places are sure to bring you out of your comfort zone and help you totally escape normal life!

For the Adventurer:

There is perhaps no other place on Earth like Machu Picchu! For the adventurer, set on hiking through jungles and climbing ancient Incan stairs, the trek to Machu Picchu is perfect.

For my advice on where to stay, see my Peru picks here.

For the Beach Hippy :

If all you want to do is lay on a beach and sip fresh fruit juice, Bali is the place to be. Combine that with an exotic flare and amazing local culture, you’ll wish you could say on this beautiful island for weeks and weeks.

For my advice on where to stay, see my Bali picks here.

For the Starlet :

Want to feel glamorous a la Princess Grace? Head to the South of France, Nice in particular. With gorgeous architecture, insane sea views and a cafe life to rival the best in the world, spend your days sipping Rosé on the French riviera.

For my advice on where to stay, see my Nice picks here.

For the Spiritualist :

If you want a trip to bring our your spirituality and go to a zen place while on holiday, look no further than Udaipur. This beautiful city on lakes will be sure to pull you out of your routine and teach you more about your spiritual side than anywhere else!

For my advice on where to stay, see my Udaipur picks here.

For the exotic collector:

Ever want to just escape life and head somewhere to wander markets for hours and hours? If that’s you, Marrakech is the place! From lanterns to tea pots to spices, the markets and souks in Marrakech will transport you to another time. Head here if you want to collect exotic items for your house!

For my advice on where to stay, see my Marrakech picks here.

Driving the Golden Circle : Open Roads and Endless Skies in Iceland

Morning at Gullfoss : Returning to the Golden Falls in Iceland

Visiting Skógafoss Waterfall : Cascading Water and Green Mountains

Exploring Vik : Black Sand Beaches + Church Overlooks

Exploring Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Headed to Iceland?

Driving Iceland’s South Coast : Lava, Moss + Horses

Headed to Iceland?

The Truth About Traveling : Why You Should Revisit Places You Love

Top 5 Essential Items to Take to Iceland

A really good waterproof jacket.

A camera to capture everything you see.

Rubber boots with rubber soles.

Warm weather essentials : hat, gloves and ear muffs.

Leggings for dual purposes.

Headed to Iceland?

10 Must See Spots in Iceland

1. Vík’s Black Sand Beaches

2. Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral in Reykjavik

3. Húsavík + Akureyri

4. Goðafoss

5. Gullfoss

6. Seljalandsfoss

7. Skógafoss

8. Snæfellsnes Peninsula

9. Þingvellir

10. Blue Lagoon

Headed to Iceland?

5 Places to Totally Escape Normal Life

For the Adventurer:

For the Beach Hippy :

For the Starlet :

For the Spiritualist :

For the exotic collector:

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Travel Reviews

Headed to Iceland?

Headed to Iceland?

A really good waterproof jacket.

A camera to capture everything you see.

Rubber boots with rubber soles.

Warm weather essentials : hat, gloves and ear muffs.

Leggings for dual purposes.

Headed to Iceland?

1. Vík’s Black Sand Beaches

2. Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral in Reykjavik

3. Húsavík + Akureyri

4. Goðafoss

5. Gullfoss

6. Seljalandsfoss

7. Skógafoss

8. Snæfellsnes Peninsula

9. Þingvellir

10. Blue Lagoon

Headed to Iceland?

For the Adventurer:

For the Beach Hippy :

For the Starlet :

For the Spiritualist :

For the exotic collector:

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