Iceland is surging with popularity, but still feels like a hidden gem crafted for the environmentally friendly, wellness-seeking adventurer. You can rent a car and drive the Ring Road for days across open land and feel as though you are the only person in the world. Geothermal pools, dramatic mountainscapes, sparkling glaciers and volcanoes are scenes straight out of a Viking myth almost too enchanting to be real. Whether you are looking to explore the colorful capital city of Reykjavik, get lost in fields under the Northern Lights or hike up an active volcano, here are a few handpicked Icelandic adventures and stays to get your imagination ignited.
What We’d Do
ATV Tour on The Black Beach
Depart from Reykjavik and explore the iconic scenery of Iceland’s south coast on a black volcanic beach alongside the Atlantic Ocean. Drive an ATV along a trail between black and green sandy dunes while paying respect to the land and learning more about it from local guides. Longer tours will cover inland trails where you will drive into lava fields and stop by the sea cliffs at Hafnarberg, a popular spot among bird watchers.
Northern Lights Luxury Experience
This ultimate 7-day Iceland experience takes place anywhere from September to April when the magical aurora borealis dances across the sky and the sun doesn’t rise far above horizon, offering the most dramatic sunrises and sunsets. Kick off your journey at the Blue Lagoon’s healing waters before driving the Golden Circle with highlights including Thingvellir National Park, the famous Golden Falls and alpine hiking to glacier lagoons.
Walking Tour of Reykjavik
The capital of Iceland is small but cosmopolitan; vibrant and sophisticated; young at heart yet full of unique history. Before you head off to the more rural parts of the island, join a local guide and see all the main sights: the Hallgímskirkja church, the highest and most iconic building in town, the Dome Church, which is Reykjavik’s Lutheran Cathedral and the bishop’s place in Iceland, located next Alþingi, house of parliament. You will also see the “Sun Voyager” sculpture created by Jon Gunnar Arnason, the Harpa building, the cultural and social center of the city, and Old Harbour.
Where We’d Stay
The Reykjavik EDITION
The Reykjavik EDITION is one of the newest and hottest hotels in the city located in the scenic heart of downtown Reykjavik by Old Harbor Port. The hotel is a 45-minute drive from the airport and steps away from the vibrant shopping on Laugavegur Street, the Harpa building and Conference Center. The hotel is home to 253 modern guest rooms, 26 spacious suites and a chic rooftop bar with one-of-a-kind views of the city, Mt. Esja and Snæfellsjökull Glacier. The hotel is the perfect home base for exploring the island with the Blue Lagoon within driving distance and the Northern Lights visible during the winter solstice.
Swan Hellenic Vega, Iceland in Depth
Spend 8-nights on a boutique ship circumnavigating the geologically active island, accompanied by breaching whales, to see the puffin capital of the world, Heimaey Island. Along the way, you will discover breathtaking fjords, spectacular waterfalls and volcanic scenery while meeting locals proud to share their traditional heritage like fishing or eiderdown making. The new SH Vega holds only 152 guests and is specifically designed to journey off the beaten path, making for the most up-close-and-personal experience in cruising.
