You read that right. I went to Iceland! Iceland has been on my bucket list for the longest time, and this year, I finally decided to trade my ski break for an Icelandic adventure. While I did miss the après-ski vibes, Aperol, champagne, and all the fun that comes with it, Iceland was absolutely worth it. It was everything I imagined, aside from how incredibly expensive it is!
Initially, my main reason for wanting to visit Iceland was to see the Northern Lights, but I scratched that itch a few years ago when I visited the Northwest Territories. I wouldn’t say it wasn’t on my list this time, but I knew I’d be fine even if I didn’t see them. Nature had other plans, though I ended up witnessing one of the most beautiful and rare types of Northern Lights! A truly spectacular experience.
This trip was also my way of showing myself some love, I planned it around Valentine’s Day as an excuse not to buy another gift . More than that, it was a reward for a personal milestone I reached, and, of course, I needed a way to justify the trip! Coincidentally, the Blue Lagoon had a Valentine’s package that was too good to pass up, making the timing absolutely perfect. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
I arrived in Iceland on a crisp morning. Since I planned to be out on day trips most days, I decided to stay in an Airbnb. My experience in the Northwest Territories taught me that even five-star hotels in remote regions can be both basic and expensive, so opting for an Airbnb was a no-brainer.
I landed in Reykjavík quite early, well before check-in, so I decided to grab breakfast. I found a cozy café where I enjoyed a hot chocolate and a croissant. While paying, I noticed an intriguing bread, its seed-to-bread ratio was at least 90-10. I usually enjoy seeded bread, but I had never seen one with such a high concentration of seeds. Naturally, I bought it. It was a massive loaf, and I ended up having it for breakfast every day with some protein until I left. I almost brought some back, but since I was traveling with only hand luggage, I didn’t want the hassle of checking in an extra bag.
Once I finally checked into my Airbnb, I settled in and took a much needed nap. The flight had been rough, so I hadn’t slept well, and given that the next few days were going to be intense, I wanted to be well rested. Later, I bumped into my host and asked for a recommendation for an authentic Icelandic meal. He suggested a bar that, in his opinion, wasn’t a tourist trap and was popular among locals.
When I arrived, the place was fully booked. However, being alone, I asked if I could sit at the bar while waiting for a table, and they agreed. One of the perks of solo travel is the ability to skip restaurant lines though, to be fair, I always try to get the best seat regardless. I ordered lamb shank with mashed potatoes, garnished with peas and cabbage. When the food arrived, I was slightly disappointed to see canned peas and cabbage. I avoid processed food, but I didn’t say anything. Later, during my tour, I learned that this is the traditional way Icelandic meals are served. Given the country’s limited ability to grow fresh produce, it makes sense that preserved vegetables are more affordable and accessible. The lamb shank, however, was cooked to perfection, which made up for my initial disappointment.
Another surprise was how expensive the food was. Normally, when I travel, I check the price of my first meal just to gauge the cost of dining. This time, I was shocked, my simple meal had cost a whopping $75! I was annoyed, as it wasn’t even an upscale restaurant. Only then did I fully realize the kind of trip I was on. From that moment on, I made it a habit to convert prices before making any commitments. Welcome to Iceland.
Day 1: The Golden Circle & Waterfalls Tour (Valentine’s Day)
The next morning, my day started at 8 AM. I had specifically booked the Golden Circle and Waterfalls Tour for Valentine’s Day, I wanted to do something truly memorable. The tour included Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Falls, Strokkur Geyser, and the stunning hues of Kerid Crater. It was both an educational and awe-inspiring experience.
At Thingvellir National Park, we witnessed the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Standing on the rift valley, we could see the slow divergence of the plates. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing insights into the area's volcanic history and how eruptions have shaped Iceland’s dramatic landscape. Walking between two continents at Thingvellir was a definite highlight.
Another striking site was Drekkingarhylur, or the “Drowning Pool,” where women were historically executed by drowning often for crimes like incest, even when they were victims. Our guide shared the story of a woman who was drowned while her father, the perpetrator, was pardoned. I can only imagine what life was like for women in those times.
From Thingvellir, we moved on to Gullfoss Falls, a breathtaking two-tiered waterfall. It was extremely windy, so we didn’t linger for long. Next, we headed to Strokkur Geyser, located in the Haukadalur geothermal area. It erupts every 6-10 minutes, and I stayed to watch at least six eruptions before heading back. It was the highlight of the trip for me, seeing a geyser in action for the first time was surreal.
Our final stop was Kerid Crater, a volcanic crater believed to have formed when a cone volcano erupted, emptied its magma reserves, and collapsed into itself. This geological wonder is estimated to be 6,500 years old. Truly remarkable.
On our way back, we visited Fridheimar Farm, where they use green energy and technology to grow tomatoes year-round. I tried their famous tomato soup, and I can confirm it was outstanding.
By the time I got back to my Airbnb, I was utterly exhausted and went straight to bed.
Day 2: Chasing the Northern Lights
The following day, I had work to do, so I needed my full day free. However, I had booked a Northern Lights tour, which typically starts at 9 PM and runs into the early hours of the morning, usually ending around 3 AM.
One thing I truly appreciate about the Northern Lights is the unpredictability, they are a spectacle that depends entirely on nature. It’s always a gamble, but with some research and a bit of luck, I’ve taken that gamble before, and nature delivered. I was hopeful this time would be no different.
At 9 PM, we set off in search of the aurora. Our tour guide advised us to manage our expectations and simply hope for the best. I remained optimistic. As we drove further north, Icelandic music playing in the background, I started noticing some activity in the sky. My excitement grew, I knew the show was about to begin.
Before we had even been off the bus for five minutes, the sky erupted into a dazzling display. I had never seen anything like it before, it was truly magical. The lights danced vividly, and even the rare red aurora was visible. I made sure to soak in the moment before reaching for my camera. Every wave of light was mesmerizing.
Honestly, I could have ended the night right there and been satisfied, and yet, we weren’t even an hour into the tour. We stayed at that location for another hour before continuing our chase. After driving for about 30 minutes, we stopped at another spot, hoping for another show and nature did not disappoint. Once again, the Northern Lights graced us with their presence.
Our tour guide took more photos, demonstrated some fun camera tricks for those who wanted to participate, and educated us about the science behind the aurora. Meanwhile, we enjoyed Icelandic doughnuts and hot chocolate. By the end of the night, the entire group agreed, we had seen enough. Everyone was thrilled, and we happily called it a night. I arrived back at my Airbnb around 2:30 AM and went straight to bed, another tour awaited me at 8 AM.
Day 3: Exploring the South Coast
Day three was dedicated to exploring the South Coast, a tour I had been eagerly anticipating. The highlight for me was the Sólheimajökull glacier.
For full transparency, I had seriously considered hiking the glacier and had even been training for it at the gym. However, after experiencing the wind that day, I was grateful I didn’t follow through with that plan, it was strong enough to knock someone over!
For the first time, I found myself bartering when it came to taking pictures. I quite literally told someone, "I’ll take your photo if you take mine!" I wasn’t joking. And honestly, I was glad I was traveling alone because if I had come with anyone I’d traveled with in the past, they probably wouldn’t have been willing to go that far for a photo.
The reason I wanted to see Sólheimajökull so badly was that it is the fastest melting glacier in Iceland. About 2.2 km of ice has already melted, transforming what was once a massive glacier into a lake. Sadly, it continues to retreat each year, and in the future, Sólheimajökull may disappear entirely. I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’m so grateful I got to experience it.
Another fascinating fact I learned on the tour is that the glacier sits between two active volcanoes: Katla and Eyjafjallajökull. The ash from past eruptions is still visible, and these eruptions aren’t ancient history, the most recent was as recent as 2010. Reports indicate that seismic activity has been increasing, and experts anticipate that another eruption could occur in the near future. After visiting Sólheimajökull, we continued to Skógafoss waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland. As a Game of Thrones fan, visiting this location was a no-brainer, after all, my girl Daenerys and her dragons bodied that scene! On sunny days, Skógafoss is known for its beautiful rainbows, but on this particular day, the wind was brutal. My hands were freezing, though it still wasn’t as intense as the glacier.
There’s also an old Viking legend about Skógafoss, apparently, a settler hid a chest of gold behind the waterfall. When someone tried to retrieve it, the heavy chest vanished, leaving only a metal handle in the boy’s hands. That handle is now displayed in a museum in Skógar.
Next, we stopped at Seljalandsfoss, where I hiked behind the waterfall, an exhilarating experience despite the relentless wind.
Our final stop of the day was Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach. The sand is a result of past volcanic eruptions, where lava flowed into the ocean and solidified. The wind was absolutely ferocious, strong enough to knock people off their feet. I personally fell twice! We all stayed away from the shoreline, as the waves were alarmingly high. If anyone got caught in them, surviving would be a miracle, unless they were a pro surfer.
By the time we arrived back in Reykjavík around 5 PM, I was completely drained. I called it a night.
Day 4: The Blue Lagoon & Farewell to Iceland
On my last day, I had specially booked The Blue Lagoon to spend my final hours in Iceland before departure. Honestly, I don’t think there’s a better way to wrap up a four day trip.
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa set within the lava fields. The water is naturally milky blue due to its high silica content, and it’s also rich in minerals, renewing itself every two days. Interestingly, the silica, algae, and salt in the water are believed to help treat psoriasis.
My flight was at 5 PM, so I arrived at the Blue Lagoon at 9 AM. I had booked a Valentine’s package, which included access to the lagoon, a variety of face masks, an alcoholic beverage, champagne, and a three-course meal. And before you ask, yes, it was quite pricey. However, I did the math, factoring in Michelin-star dining, drinks, and the overall experience, and I was able to justify the cost.
I made sure to immerse myself completely in the experience, and it was worth every minute. It was exactly the cleanse I needed.
The atmosphere was lively, some visitors were FaceTiming their families, sharing the moment in real time. Others were on a girls trip, meticulously planning when to apply their face masks and order drinks. As for me, Madam Solo, I inserted myself into a few conversations but mostly enjoyed my time in solitude. It was the zen I needed. And, as a bonus, I was gifted some face masks to bring home.
At 3 PM, I headed to the airport.
On the flight back, I sat next to a gentleman who was on a father-son trip, his wife had opted out. We joked about it, and he even bought me a meal on the flight. We couldn’t stop talking about how ridiculously expensive Iceland was, but we both agreed that it had been an unforgettable experience.
Travel Tips
Before I planned my trip, I did some research and came across a guide named Björn Július Grímsson, who shared some valuable tips on Icelandic travel. As fate would have it, he ended up being my tour guide for the Golden Circle Tour! I introduced myself, and we had a great chat. Since I originally found him through a travel blog, I’ve decided to link his Instagram page here or "bjorntheguide" on instagram. If you ever plan to explore Iceland, whether on a private or group tour, he’s your guy. Extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Iceland, I highly recommend him.
And with that, my Iceland adventure came to an end. What a trip!
