The land of Vikings and the northern lights, Iceland is a country full mystery and wonder. Seeing the Aurora Borealis has been on my bucket list since I first started it and I finally got to tick it off year-end of 2019.
The land of fire and ice completely whisked me away with its friendly nation, moody lighting, and rugged landscape. All this is complemented with the Icelanders keen interest to drink and be merry. Overcoming heavy heads in the morning is easy to do with a country ladened with hot springs and fresh air. More on this later though…
I used a tour agent I found in the centre of Reykjavik and booked to do a super Jeep tour with EastWest Tours. The lady selling me the tour described the men from EastWest as the 'cowboys’ of northern light hunting, and she couldn’t have been more correct.
I was collected from my hotel and taken with a group of 10 to go and hunt down the lights on a perfectly clear evening. With blankets and hot chocolate in hand, we originally went to the common viewing points. With no luck there, Björgvin put on that metaphorical cowboy hat and sped into the night.
Of course, I had to visit the world-famous Blue Lagoon hot springs while I was in Iceland. The weather in Iceland in November is crisp to put it lightly, and I couldn’t resist booking into the Blue Lagoon hotel to spend my days in the warm springs.
Iceland has a long and interesting list of things on offer. From the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival to the quirky Penis Museum, Iceland has no shortage of things to keep you entertained even in its cooler months. The country now holds a very special place in my heart and I will be sure to be back.
Tours
I travelled to Iceland on my own and found that the tours I took part in helped to socialise and get to know other people along the tourist route. The most notable of these tours must be the very one that gave me my bucket-list tick.
We found a spot, without any other tour groups insight, at a fjord just outside of the city. We sat and waited, until eventually the breath was knocked straight out of us. In the distance, a faint green light began to dance across the horizon. It began to build and grow until the whole sky was alive with the phenomenon that is the glorious Aurora Borealis.
It was a spectacular evening and made perfect by the intimacy and efficiency of the tour group.
Hot springs
My days were spent getting face masks, massages, and cocktails in the aqua blue waters that have become so iconic. The hot waters surrounded and hugged by the ice-cold air is definitely a cure to the abundance of wine you enjoy with your lavish hotel dinners each night.
The Bubble Hotel
One of the most memorable hotels I have ever stayed in! And this simply can’t be stressed enough. The Bubble Hotel is located in the middle of the snow-covered forest along the Golden Circle Route.
Visitors can find themselves in a luxurious, but completely see-through bubble to enjoy stargazing, and for the lucky few, northern lights watching. A completely unique experience and one I have never had before, this hotel blew my mind.
The rooms had lush faux fur blankets and a fortress of soft feather pillows to make you feel completely relaxed in the outdoors. It feels as though there is no barrier between you and the wilderness, which of course isn’t true due to the fact that you’re so warm and toasty.
