A
last minute trip to Iceland. I had the chance to be gracefully hosted by Icelandair on a #mystopover journey to discover this Nordic gem only 5 hours away from New York.
The main goal of this trip was to discover Iceland in 36 hours. An adventurous program that started by a nightlife experience making the rounds of (pretty much) all the clubs in Reykjavik, until the crack of dawn. Just a few hours after, we are on the road to discover the real Iceland. You know, the one that you see in the books and travel magazines.
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After a 45-minute drive we arrived at the beautiful Thingvellir National Park [ where the Althing, an open-air assembly representing the whole of Iceland, was established in 930 and continued to meet until 1798. ]
On the road again, we headed in the direction of the Fontana Geothermal Baths where we had the chance to eat the lovely geothermal baked bread, dug out only a few centimeters out of the earth.
20-minutes from there we went jet boating with Iceland Riverjet, the only white water jet boat company in Europe, a full speed experience in the rapids of Hvita river below Gullfoss waterfall. The 40-minute river ride guarantees an adrenaline rush.
From there went to see the Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir geothermal area. Two of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
Onto the next day of Icelandic adventures – it’s cooking time! We arrived to Salt Eldhús (Icelandic for kitchen) where we were greeted by the lovely Audur Ogn Arnadottir to cook and eat a delicious, traditional three-course meal.
The last day, on the way to the airport, was a surreal exit – grey sky, pouring rain and lava fields covered in moss.
No trips to Iceland should end without a swim at The Blue Lagoon.
The Blue Lagoon was formed in 1976 during operation at the nearby geothermal power plant. In the years that followed, people began bathe in the unique water and apply the silica mud to their skin. Those with psoriasis noticed an incredible improvement in their condition. Over the years, Blue Lagoon has been innovative in harnessing this gift of nature to develop different spa services and products. Today, Blue Lagoon is recognized as one of the wonders of the world. www.bluelagoon.com
” Submerged, the almost unbearably hot water engulfs my body, lapping over my floating limbs and filling my ears with an eerie calm. I languish in the bitter odorous smell of silica and sulfur; the minerals keep me afloat, bobbing and swirling with the eddies and tides. I almost drift into a quiet sleep until I am reminded that I am in a lagoon and my eyes snap open. I take in the stark, black volcanic mountains around me. Treeless and puckered, the volcanic boulders allude to a lunar landscape; it is easy to forget I am on planet Earth.” – excerpt of Alex Winston’s Icelandic Journey
On your next journey across the Atlantic, with Icelandair #MyStopover program, you have the option to stop in Iceland for up to seven nights at no additional airfare.
For more information visit https://www.icelandair.us/stopover.
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A huge thank you to Icelandair for inviting us on this wonderful journey.