Iceland

This story is a retrospective of our trip to Iceland in 2021, during Covid and before we decided to start sharing our travel experiences. As Iceland is a bucket-list destination for many (including us), we felt it was worth sharing what turned out to be an incredible adventure.

Our journey began with a flight from Houston to Reykjavík via Newark on United. After arriving at Keflavík International Airport, we headed straight to pick up our rental car. One important note for anyone planning a similar trip: due to Iceland’s extremely high winds, every review we read strongly recommended purchasing the full insurance offered by the rental company. This turned out to be very sound advice. Winds can wreak havoc in parking lots—especially when car doors are opened at the same time—and throughout our travels we saw multiple vehicles with broken windows and dented doors from exactly that scenario.

From the airport, we drove into Reykjavík and spent the day exploring the city and getting a feel for its culture. It was the perfect way to ease into the trip. Expecting jet lag, we planned a low-key day—and in retrospect, that was a great decision, as we ended up taking a long nap shortly after arriving.

The next day, the trip truly kicked off with a bang as we headed to The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon. This luxury resort sits adjacent to the famous Blue Lagoon but features its own private lagoons. From the welcome bubbles on arrival to the stunning views, it was immediately clear we were in for something special. The food, service, and lagoon experience were all exceptional. It was so good, in fact, that we canceled our final night back in Reykjavík and rebooked our stay here to end the trip.

After leaving the Blue Lagoon, we began driving up Iceland’s northwest coast, stopping to explore the dramatic landscapes and countless waterfalls along the way. That evening we arrived at our hotel in Arnarstapi. Following a great meal and some relaxing porch time at our cabin, we turned in early, knowing the next day would take us farther inland toward Borgarnes.

The following day was one of the more challenging drives of the trip. As we headed east on two-lane roads, we encountered sustained winds nearing 60 mph—not the most enjoyable driving conditions. To add to the adventure, we got a flat tire just a few miles outside of town late on a Friday afternoon. Thankfully, we found a repair shop just before closing, got the tire fixed, and continued on to our next base: Hotel Húsafell, where we stayed for two nights.

One of the highlights of the trip came the next day when we boarded a bus that took us up onto a glacier for a guided walk inside the glacier itself. Walking through the ice tunnels was surreal and unlike anything we had ever experienced.

From Húsafell, we drove south to the Frost and Fire Hotel, where we spent the next two nights. This location served as our base for exploring the Golden Circle, a route filled with dramatic scenery, waterfalls, geysers, and geological wonders that truly showcase Iceland’s raw beauty.

Next, we continued on to Vík to experience the famous black sand beaches and take part in a glacier hike. While there, we stayed at Hotel Kría. Between the beaches, the glacier walk, and the surrounding landscapes, this portion of the trip felt like stepping onto another planet.

To close out our Iceland adventure, we returned for one final night at The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon before heading back to Keflavík Airport and flying home.

We traveled at the end of September 2021, and while the weather was hit or miss, the country itself—and its people—were nothing short of amazing. We’re already looking forward to returning someday, though we may reconsider just how much driving we want to do ourselves next time.