đŽđ¸ Sam & Elliottâs Iceland Diaries â Chasing Adventures & Making Memories
đŽđ¸ Reykjavik Diaries â Day 1
Well, we certainly hit the ground running after a 5am start! After a full day exploring Reykjavik, weâve clocked up an impressive 18,000 steps, so I think weâve earned a little rest! đ
Tomorrow weâre heading to the famous Blue Lagoon for a much more chilled day, giving the legs a chance to recover and enjoying a little relaxation after all that walking.
One thing thatâs really struck me about Reykjavik is how much the city comes to life as darkness falls. The little shops, restaurants and bars all light up, creating such a lovely atmosphere as you wander through the streets.
One of my favourite spots today was SkĂłlavĂśrustĂgur, better known as Rainbow Street. I thought it was absolutely beautiful, with its colourful street and vibrant atmosphere. Itâs a wonderful symbol of Icelandâs LGBTQ+ pride and inclusivity, and the views looking towards HallgrĂmskirkja make it even more special.
And speaking of HallgrĂmskirkja, what an incredible sight! This iconic church towers 74.5 metres above the city and looked absolutely breathtaking illuminated against the night sky. Itâs one of those places that really takes your breath away when you see it in person.
Iâm looking forward to exploring inside later in the week when we have a little more free time.
So, thatâs day one in Reykjavik done and dusted! A fantastic first day, plenty of exploring and lots more Icelandic adventures still to come.
Now, time to put the feet up and get ready for the Blue Lagoon tomorrow!
đŽđ¸ Reykjavik Diaries - Day 2
After a busy day exploring Reykjavik yesterday, today was all about slowing things down, relaxing and a little bit of pampering at the famous Blue Lagoon. đ§ââď¸
We opted for the Premium package, which included entry, three face masks each (detox, mineral and algae), a bathrobe, a complimentary drink from the swim-up Lagoon Bar (alcohol or non-alcoholic) and some silica samples to take home.
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most famous geothermal spa, renowned worldwide for its milky turquoise, mineral-rich waters, surrounded by dramatic black lava fields. Located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, it's approximately 20 minutes from Keflavik International Airport and 45 minutes from Reykjavik.
The lagoon contains around nine million litres of geothermal seawater, which naturally renews itself every 40 hours. The temperature stays a wonderfully comfortable 37-40°C year-round, making it feel like one enormous warm bath!
For anyone fancying a bit of hot and cold therapy, there are also cold plunge pools.
Elliott lasted considerably longer than me in the cold plunge... definitely one for the boys! đĽś
The iconic milky-blue colour comes from the silica in the water, which reflects sunlight, while the combination of minerals and algae is renowned for its skin-conditioning properties.
I'm hoping to come home looking at least 10 years younger! đ
There's plenty more to enjoy, including multiple saunas, steam caves and a wonderfully warming waterfall.
Lunch with a volcanic view đ˝ď¸
Dining options range from the casual Blue CafĂŠ to the upscale Lava Restaurant and Michelin-starred Moss Restaurant.
We pre booked a table at Lava Restaurant and was certainly not disappointed. The food was beautifully presented and, most importantly, absolutely delicious. One of the added bonus was that you can dine in your bathrobe until 3pm, making it easy to wander straight from the lagoon to lunch and back again.
The restaurant itself is incredibly unique, built directly into an 800 year-old volcanic cliff on the western bank of the Blue Lagoon.
I love discovering characterful and unusual places like this to dine - it really adds something special to the experience.
We spent around seven hours enjoying the Blue Lagoon, including transportation, and it was definitely worth dedicating a full day to it.
One of my personal highlights was having a proper giggle with Elliott while we put on our silica face masks. Those little moments are often the ones you remember most from a trip â¤ď¸
Tomorrow's adventures...
Another busy day awaits, with a morning of whale watching followed by an evening chasing the Northern Lights đŤ â´ď¸
Let's hope Iceland has a few more magical moments in store for us!
đŽđ¸ Reykjavik Diaries - Day 3 đŤ
Well, what a morning! An early start, but I'd read that the early morning was one of the best times to spot whales, and we certainly weren't disappointed. Today, we were lucky enough to see lots of Minke and Humpback Whales.
We'd pre-booked a whale-watching excursion, which also included a visit to the Whales of Iceland Exhibition, and started our adventure by boarding the Andrea. đĽď¸
The boat had two viewing platforms and could accommodate up to 169 passengers. Luckily, it was only half full today, meaning we had plenty of room to move around and get the best views, depending on where the whales appeared.
There were toilets onboard, a bar serving snacks and drinks, and even complimentary seasickness tablets if needed (always handy when you're heading out into the Icelandic waters!).
Once onboard, you also had the option to change into thermal clothing before heading up onto the deck.
The tour itself was incredibly informative, and both Elliott and I couldn't believe just how many whales we saw up close.
The Minke Whales are incredibly quick and difficult to photograph, but the majestic Humpback Whales came remarkably close to the boat, giving us absolutely incredible views.
It was a truly magical experience, lasting around three hours, and one we'll both remember for a long time.
After our whale-watching adventure, we also visited the Whales of Iceland Exhibition, which was a really fun and informative way to round off our morning.
Seeing the life-size whale models hanging above us really brought home just how tiny we are in comparison! It's quite incredible when you stand underneath them and appreciate their sheer size.
The exhibition also has plenty of interactive displays and videos, making it interesting for both adults and children. It's definitely worth a visit if you're in Reykjavik, especially if you're travelling with little ones or curious minds like Elliott! đł
We finished off with a little stop at the cafĂŠ, where we sampled some traditional Icelandid Rhubarb Cake. And I have to say, it's definitely worth a try! đ°
Another fantastic Mum & Son experience, combining a little adventure, learning and, of course, something tasty along the way. đ
đŽđ¸ Reykjavik Diaries - Day 4 (Part 1)
Into the Glacier - Icelandic Horses, Waterfalls & a Whole Lot of Adventure!
Today was a big one! One of our longest excursions of the trip, and an adventure that took us from meeting some beautiful Icelandic horses to exploring one of Iceland's incredible glaciers.
We started the day at Sturlureykir Horse Farm, where we were introduced to the fascinating history of the Icelandic horse through a short video presentation.
Icelandic horses are incredibly special, and we learnt that once they leave Iceland, they are not allowed to return! They also have five distinctive gaits, including two unique equine movements known as the TĂślt and Flying Pace. Who knew horses could be so interesting?
Afterwards, we enjoyed a little tour around the stables, where we were able to pet and feed the horses. They were all incredibly friendly, and I particularly loved their beautifully braided hair. Very fancy indeed!
But it wasn't just the horses that made this stop special. The farm also has a natural hot spring, producing water at temperatures exceeding 100°C and pumping around four litres of water every second. đ´
This natural hot water is put to some fantastic use, including baking traditional Icelandic rye bread underground, known locally as RĂşgbrauáť. We were lucky enough to sample some freshly prepared bread alongside a complimentary hot chocolate. âď¸ It was absolutely delicious, and it reminded me of malt loaf when served with butter which is what they recommended. Definitely one of those little local experiences that makes travelling so special.
And, of course, Elliott couldn't leave without saying hello to the two lovely dogs on the
farm. đś
Next up was the Lava Field Waterfall, which made for a brilliant photo stop and gave us the chance to take in a little more of Iceland's
incredible scenery.
Then came the exciting part...
We picked up our absolute beast of a truck, ready to make our way up towards the glacier. The vehicle itself was an adventure, and we were certainly glad to be travelling in something so impressive!
The scenery was already spectacular, but the main event was still to come as we prepared
to experience the glacier both inside and out.
Keep your eyes peeled for Part 2, where we finally get to explore inside the glacier itself. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those Iceland experiences we'll never forget! đŽđ¸
đŽđ¸ Reykjavik Diaries - Day 4 (Part 2)
A Glacier disappointment... followed by a Northern Lights adventure!
Well, unfortunately, our glacier adventure wasn't meant to be today!
After making our way to the glacier, we were told it was deemed unsafe to proceed onto
the ice due to the heavy rain. There were concerns that the truck could get stuck up there, and when they say stuck, they mean potentially for days! đŤŁ
So, sadly, our glacier experience wasn't meant to be. But that's the thing with nature, you can't control it, and sometimes you just have to accept things as they are and appreciate whatever the day brings.
Thankfully, tonight's excursion was a completely different story!
We were picked up from our hotel at 8.30pm and headed approximately an hour out of Reykjavik, away from the city lights, to a very dark car park where we would hopefully catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Luckily, there was a mobile waffle and hot chocolate van on hand to keep us warm whilst we eagerly waited to see whether nature would put on a show for us. âď¸ đ§
For anyone wondering, the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display caused by solar wind particles interacting with the Earth's magnetic field and upper atmosphere.
From September to April, Iceland is a fantastic destination for experiencing this magnificent spectacle. Its location close to the Arctic Circle places it within the Auroral Zone, making it one of the world's best places to witness the lights.
We were advised that cameras can often capture the lights much more vividly than the human eye. Elliott was absolutely brilliant at spotting them, whereas I struggled a little more to see them clearly!
Looking through my camera lens, however, gave me a much clearer view and allowed me to capture some lovely photographs. We were also advised to put our cameras into night mode, which definitely helped. đ¸
And what a magical experience it turned out to be! We were absolutely thrilled to have seen the Northern Lights. Once again, nature reminded us that we can't control everything, but sometimes it rewards us with something truly spectacular.
Tonight, it certainly put on one incredible show for us!
Tomorrow, it's home time for me and Elliott, but what an absolutely jam-packed four nights we've had exploring Iceland.
Would we recommend Iceland? Absolutely đŻ!
We've experienced so much, explored some incredible places and gained a wealth of knowledge about this beautiful country.
From glaciers and waterfalls to whales, geothermal spas and now the Northern Lights, Iceland has certainly delivered an unforgettable adventure.
Four nights, countless experiences and memories that will last a lifetime đŽđ¸ â¤ď¸
