3 nights in an alien landscape filled with steaming hot springs, geisers, frozen waterfalls and the northern lights. A mini-break with a difference, Iceland is the perfect destination for an escape from the ordinary. The spectacular scenery and bright sunshine are a stark contrast to the biting wind and freezing air. We were lucky to get amazing weather every day, but it was properly cold & you need to wrap up warm!
We stayed at Centerhotel Thingholt on Thingholtsstraeti in the centre of Reykjavik, a gorgeous little city with clean streets & interesting architecture with a backdrop of snowy mountains and the icy sea. The amazing art deco Hallgrímskirkja church designed by Guðjón Samuel in 1937 is worth a visit and if you’re peckish the little noodle station on Skolavordustigur has lovely affordable noodle soup. We also stopped at Eldur and Is on Skolavordustig for some delicious crepes.
We explored Iceland on a Golden Circle & Fontana Wellness Tour with Reykjavic Excursions. The Fontana Steam Bath is lovely and remote – a pretty, bijou version of the Blue Lagoon. On the other hand, the Blue Lagoon is more spectacular – set amoungst black volcanic rock with milky blue waters & tonnes of steam. But it comes with a price tag to match and a throng of tourists, luckily the steam can make you feel like you’re alone in your little corner if you venture out far enough!
On our last night in Iceland we ventured out with Time Tours to try to spot the elusive northern lights. Even though the forecast was low, we caught about an hour of lovely swirly light about half an hour out of Reykjavik. It mostly looked white to our naked eyes but the camera managed to pick up the bright green (these photos were taken with 30 second exposures) and we got a few flickers of brighter white turning into green in patches. Now I’ve had a taste of the northern lights, I’d love to see the full colour display so next time we might have to try Norway or Finland.
What we did:
Hotel: Centerhotel Thingholt
Golden Circle & Fontana Wellness Tour with Reykjavic Excursions
Northern Lights Tour with Time Tours
Blue Lagoon
Go if you: like an adventure and spectacular landscapes
Photography: Miss Gen Photography
Still not taken a trip to Iceland and the northern lights continue to elude me – but this post makes me even more determined to make sure I see both before too long!
You should definitely go! it is stunning.
Beautiful, Gen.
Love!! I’ve always wanted to go to Iceland. Fabulous images x
Amazing, desperate to go there on holiday!