After enduring another sizzling summer in my fair city, it’s time to cool off with a trip to the land of fire and ice. That’s right—Iceland! This trip is all about crossing off a major bucket list item: seeing the Northern Lights, while also diving into Icelandic culture and landscapes.
Day 1: The Journey Begins
My Iceland adventure kicked off with a flight from Vegas to Seattle, connecting onward to Reykjavik. It was my first time flying Alaska Airlines. The flight was delayed by about 30 minutes—nothing too crazy, these things happen. I had a window seat, which wasn’t ideal for me, but I made it work since it was a short leg of the trip.
Navigating SeaTac airport was a bit of a challenge, but with some help, I made it to my connecting Icelandair flight with time to spare. My carry-on got checked even though it could have fit in the overhead bins—a sneaky move by the airline, but hey, at least it was free. The flight left late as well, but by 7:23 pm, we were in the air for the 7-hour journey to Reykjavik.
Icelandair wasn’t the most comfortable flight—definitely less spacious than I’m used to. Fortunately, I grabbed an aisle seat, so that helped. After flying all the way to Sydney back in February, this flight didn’t feel too long. I just knew I wouldn’t get real rest until late in the day after arrival.
-Blue Lagoon Stopover
After clearing customs in Reykjavik at around 9:15 am, I had a solid gap before hotel check-in at 3:00 pm. What better way to kill time than visiting the world-famous Blue Lagoon? It’s a popular stop for tourists either on the way in or out of the airport, and it’s conveniently located about 45 minutes from downtown.
Upon arrival, I stored my luggage and checked in for some much-needed relaxation. Between the sparkling strawberry wine and exfoliating lava scrub masks, the experience was top-notch. After the 7-hour flight, it was just what I needed. My skin has never felt so smooth—no wonder the ladies love their spa days! The steam baths and saunas were a great touch, although I was shocked to get sunburned in sub-40 degree weather!
After about three hours, I was feeling refreshed and ready for the next leg of my journey. I hopped on a bus and made my way to my hotel in the city—The Hotel Reykjavík Grand, right in the heart of the city.
-Settling In
Check-in was smooth, and my room? Wow, what a view of the city! After a quick nap and some freshening up, I was off to dinner at the hotel’s Grand Brasserie. The beef tenderloin was fantastic, though I had to rush through it a bit because my Northern Lights tour got rescheduled for that evening due to weather. The tour bus picked me up around 8:45 pm, and after a couple of stops to gather more passengers, we headed into the mountains to try and catch a glimpse of the lights.
Days 2 & 3: Cloudy Skies & Culinary Delights
Unfortunately, the Northern Lights tour was a bust—the clouds refused to cooperate. That’s travel for you, though; plans change, and you have to adapt. I’m hoping to get another chance before I leave, but we’ll see how the weather plays out.
Day two was mostly about recuperating after a long day of travel and my first full day in Iceland. Traveling solo has its perks—I can adjust my schedule as I please. By evening, I was ready for another delicious dinner at the hotel before calling it a night.
Sunday morning, I set out on a food tour starting at Harpa Concert Hall and ending at the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church. The tour was fantastic! I sampled everything from Icelandic pancakes to the famous Bæjarins Beztu hot dogs, but the highlight for me was the lamb soup—so hearty and delicious. Afterward, I did a bit of souvenir shopping and took in the beautiful Leif Erikson statue outside the church before heading up to check out the view from the bell tower. Then it was off to grab some drinks at the old bookshop capped off with live music.
Day 4: Museums & Glaciers
After breakfast, I headed to the Perlan Museum. Walking through the ice caves and watching the planetarium show were definite highlights. The museum’s interactive exhibits were fun, and I even treated myself to lunch and ice cream there. Later, I caught a lava show—very cool stuff! I also gave the Northern Lights another shot, but again, no luck. Fingers crossed for one last try.
Day 5: South Iceland Adventure
My final full day in Iceland was a 10-hour tour of South Iceland, including waterfalls, glaciers, and the Black Sand Beach. We started with a scenic drive along the Ring Road before stopping at Skógafoss waterfall—an epic sight, though I didn’t attempt the steep hill climb.
After a quick lunch in the town of Vik, we explored the Black Sand Beach, famous for its volcanic ash and powerful waves. The next stop was the Solheimajokull Glacier, where I marveled at the melting ice and its lagoon. The tour wrapped up at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where I braved a little spray to walk behind the falls—an unforgettable experience. Shoutout to my tour buddy Sara for helping with photos along the way!
Day 6: Homeward Bound
All good things must come to an end. After a final breakfast and a quick stop for last-minute souvenirs, I headed back to the airport for the long journey home. Despite missing out on the Northern Lights, this trip was a blast. From the incredible food to the stunning landscapes, Iceland didn’t disappoint. Here’s hoping I’ll return someday to catch the elusive lights and explore even more of this magical place. Until the next adventure!
