I remember my first time…(and think fondly of the four subsequent trips!) It was late October and while I knew I was going some place “other worldly,” I had no idea to what degree. It sort of feels like you have landed on another planet, a surreal, volcanic, pristine planet that boasts one of the world’s highest standards of living…an unpolluted environment for the lover of high adventure, glacial sports and sophisticated city life.
Reykjavik is spectacularly cosmopolitan, offering a broad range of dining, lodging and shopping experiences. There IS something for everyone. We stayed at a lovely small hotel apartment called the Luna that was centrally located downtown, had a fully stocked kitchenette and some of the nicest bedding we ever slept in. We walked the city (easy to do), hiked a volcano, enjoyed the Golden Circle tour and swam at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s famous geothermic springs…a fine sampler of “must do” activities for the first timer. Since then, I have added glacial snowmobiling, whale spotting, riding the fabulous Icelandic ponies and a trip to the Westman Islands for the trickiest back nine I ever played.
Iceland truly offers great vacationing year round (I am very fond of spring and fall), but summer is quite magical, as it is the land of the midnight sun. 80 degree days and the place is green beyond words (except for that big glacier!) It is an easy flight…just a short 4.5 hour flight from the east coast and well set up for tourism. Great for singles, families, nature lovers of all varieties, adventure enthusiasts…or if you just need a solid dose of the cleanest air and great therapeutic waters nearby….it’s a really cool place!
Travel thoughts from Fairfield Connecticut….