Iceland
When I planned my birthday trip to Iceland in late September, I had one goal in mind: finally see the Northern Lights!
Spoiler alert... I never saw them.
Every single night the skies were covered with clouds. We checked the forecast, crossed our fingers, and looked outside more times than I can count, but Mother Nature had other plans. We even attempted a Northern Lights outing one night, stopping at this cool church called Strandarkirkja to wait and see if the skies would clear. No luck!
Strandarkirkja
And honestly, I'm okay with that because what I got instead was a trip I'll never forget.
One of the coolest parts of this adventure had nothing to do with Iceland itself. It was the people. My birthday group was made up of friends from completely different chapters of my life. Some knew me from school, some from MLB, some from travel ball, and others from years in between. Most of them had never even met before stepping off the plane. Crazy, I know! But within a day, it felt like they'd known each other forever.
Watching everyone laugh together, share meals, pile into vans, and swap stories from different decades of my life was probably my favorite surprise of the entire trip.
Well... maybe my second favorite. Because Sky Lagoon absolutely stole the show!
But before I get into that, here's where we stayed, what we did, where we ate and some places I would absolutely recommend if you're planning your own Iceland adventure.
Where We Stayed in Reykjavík
We stayed at the Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, and it was a great hotel! No complaints about the hotel itself, but if I were planning the trip again, I would probably stay closer to downtown Reykjavík.
We ended up taking rides into town whenever we wanted to go out to restaurants or explore, which wasn't ideal. The reason I originally chose the Hilton was because I wanted larger, adjoining rooms for our group. Since so many of my friends had never met before this trip, I thought having connecting rooms and extra space would make everyone more comfortable.
Looking back, I'd probably sacrifice a little room space to be within walking distance of the restaurants, shops and nightlife.
My tip: If connecting rooms and extra space are important, the Hilton Nordica is worth considering. But if you're visiting Iceland for the first time and want to explore Reykjavík on foot, I'd recommend staying closer to the city center.
Our Iceland Tours with EastWest
We booked tours with EastWest to explore Iceland, including the famous Golden Circle and South Coast. If you're visiting for the first time, these are two great ways to see some of the country's most incredible scenery without having to navigate everything yourself.
The Golden Circle Tour
The Golden Circle is one of Iceland's most popular sightseeing routes, and for good reason. Waterfalls, geysers, volcanic landscapes, a tomato greenhouse restaurant and even a dairy farm with homemade ice cream!
EastWest's Golden Circle itinerary includes:
Þingvellir National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart.
Öxarárfoss Waterfall: A beautiful waterfall inside the national park.
Efstidalur Dairy Farm: More on this below because the ice cream deserves its own mention!
Geysir Geothermal Area: Home to Strokkur, a geyser that erupts approximately every 5 to 10 minutes.
Gullfoss Waterfall: One of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls.
Friðheimar Tomato Farm: A unique greenhouse restaurant where tomatoes are grown year round using geothermal energy.
Kerið Crater: A volcanic crater with red rock surrounding a beautiful blue green lake.
The published Golden Circle tour takes approximately 8.5 hours. Food is an additional expense.
See the EastWest Golden Circle Tour
You Have to Stop for Ice Cream at Efstidalur!
Okay, this place deserves its own paragraph because the ice cream was OUTSTANDING!
Efstidalur II is a family owned dairy farm where they make homemade ice cream using milk from their cows. And the fun part? You can actually see the cows while you're there! Such a cool little stop and definitely not something I expected to find in Iceland.
If you're driving the Golden Circle on your own, put this one on your list, especially if you have kids with you.
So many gorgeous waterfalls in Iceland!
Exploring Iceland's South Coast
The South Coast is where Iceland really starts showing off. Giant waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers and scenery that honestly doesn't look real in photographs.
Some highlights of EastWest's South Coast itinerary include:
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: Famous for the pathway that allows visitors to walk behind the waterfall when conditions permit.
Skógafoss Waterfall: An enormous waterfall with frequent rainbows in the mist.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: Black volcanic sand, dramatic basalt columns and powerful Atlantic waves.
Vík: A charming little village along Iceland's southern coastline.
Sólheimajökull Glacier: An incredible glacier surrounded by volcanic landscapes.
Gljúfrabúi Waterfall: A hidden waterfall tucked inside a narrow canyon.
One thing to understand about Iceland is that the weather can change quickly, so not every stop is guaranteed. Be prepared for wind, rain and lots of walking around outdoor attractions.
Don’t pass up Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon Was My Favorite Experience!
I've been to spas before, but Sky Lagoon is something entirely different.
Sitting in the warm geothermal water while looking out over the North Atlantic Ocean is one of the most peaceful experiences I've ever had. The seven step ritual left me feeling completely relaxed, and if you're planning a trip to Iceland, this would be the one thing I would tell you not to skip.
Seriously. If I went back tomorrow, Sky Lagoon would already be on the itinerary.
My tip: Book a package that includes the seven step ritual, not just admission to the lagoon, and allow enough time to enjoy it without rushing. We did it the first day and it was a great way to relax after travel!
Let's Talk About the Food!
I'll admit, I wasn't sure what to expect from Iceland's food scene, especially after seeing horse and puffin on some menus. But every restaurant surprised us! Fresh seafood, incredible lamb, amazing soups and desserts. I honestly don't remember having a single disappointing meal.
Friðheimar Tomato Farm
This was one of the more unusual dining experiences of our trip. Imagine eating inside a greenhouse surrounded by tomato plants! It's a really cool concept and the food was very good. The farm grows tomatoes year round using geothermal heating, which makes the whole experience even more interesting. The bread and salads were excellent. The Tomato soup is famous!
ROK Restaurant, Reykjavík
I think ROK was my favorite restaurant of the entire trip. The food was fantastic, and our waitress even looked like she was right out of the show Vikings. LOL.
If you're staying in Reykjavík, I would definitely put this restaurant on your list.
Between ROK, the tomato farm, the dairy farm ice cream and everything else we ate, Iceland earned a spot on my list of favorite foodie destinations.
Exploring Reykjavík
Make sure to leave some time to walk around Reykjavík instead of filling every day with tours.
One of the most photographed spots in the city is Rainbow Street, officially called Skólavörðustígur. The colorful painted street leads toward Hallgrímskirkja Church and has lots of shops, cafés and places to wander around.
It's a fun area for pictures, souvenirs and just exploring the city.
A Few Tips Before Visiting Iceland
Bring waterproof clothing. Even if the forecast looks promising, Iceland's weather can change quickly. A waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes with good traction are a must.
Don't count on seeing the Northern Lights. We visited in late September, which is within Northern Lights season, but clouds can completely ruin your chances. Plan a trip you'll love whether you see them or not.
Book Sky Lagoon ahead of time. It's popular, and I wouldn't want to miss out on the time or package I wanted.
Consider staying downtown. While we enjoyed the Hilton Nordica, staying within walking distance of Reykjavík's restaurants and shops would have been much more convenient.
Plan a full day for each major sightseeing tour. The Golden Circle and South Coast are long excursions, but they're worth making time for.
Give yourself some downtime. Between sightseeing, restaurants and exploring Reykjavík, it's easy to fill every minute. Some of my favorite memories happened when we were just enjoying being together.
And one other thing I noticed? The people were welcoming, the towns felt incredibly safe, and there was such a calmness everywhere we went. It felt like a place that naturally encourages you to slow down and enjoy the moment. And no bugs!
Would I Go Back to Iceland?
Absolutely!
Would I have loved to see the Northern Lights? Of course. That was the original reason for booking the trip. But somehow not seeing them made me appreciate everything else even more. It also gives me the perfect excuse to plan another adventure someday because those lights are still on my bucket list.
Maybe Norway. Maybe Finland.
One thing is certain, I'll be chasing them!
If you want to check out what I packed for Iceland, click HERE