Its time to talk BIG bucket list trips I am planning this year and you may have guessed it already but you know Iceland is my number one must see before I die places. You may know I am on a Bucket list mission at the moment.
So let's talk Why?
For as long as I can remember I have been in awe of Iceland. I remember watching David Attenborough on Tv when I was a small child. He was in Iceland looking at volcanos and I was mesmerized. Iceland has over 100 volcanos. 18 of which have erupted since human settlement.
I have been very lucky in my life and I have witnessed the Aurora Borealis or northern lights. But I know that Iceland is one of the best places in the world to witness this natural wonder in all its glory.
Iceland like the highlands of Scotland was established by the Vikings. My own family can be traced back to Norway and settled here in Scotland during the Viking invasion. I have always had an interest in other Viking settlements. Iceland, in particular, has always fascinated me.
wildlife
I love animals and Iceland has loads to be seen from the Icelandic cattle and sheep to whales. This island has it all.
I have always dreamed of hiring a camper van and travelling around Iceland. Imagine being able to park up and wake up to the wonderful Icelandic scenery. That would be a dream come true. I plan on doing a camper van trip with my husband at some point soon but first this trip. I have already chosen the campervan company we will use when we go Cozy Campers. They have a variety of camper options from smaller more budget options to bigger more roomy options.
The who?
Who is coming, This is important as when I tell you what we will be doing there maybe people doing different things. There are four adults, my husband and I are both into biking and want to take a spin out there as well as see the best sights. My husband parents. They will not want to do the active things we want to do.
Let's get down to business. The plan.
I want to go in winter when Iceland is at its most awesome. I know this is not everyone's cup of tea but I love the extreme. We are actually looking at leaving the UK on boxing day.
flights to Iceland were super expensive but there have been a few budget airline routes to Iceland lately. So this amazing place is a lot more accessible for the budget-friendly traveller.
It looks like it will be London to Reykjavik this is £118 per person. I can't fly to London from the highland for that. What a bargain. After lots of internet hours, I have decided the best place for us to book is Golden circle tours. They are by far the best price for what we want to do.
Here is where the hard choices came in, My husband was willing to drive us around the island so we looked at self-drive holidays. but I am honest I really love to learn and I want a tour guide. Tour guides have knowledge of the island that you can't get from a book. plus it seems unfair to make my husband do all the driving and it is a bucket list trip, right?
We Have chosen the 5 days winter package -the golden circle, ice cave northern light and blue lagoon.
Our itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Iceland & Blue Lagoon
This day all depends on our flight, If we arrive early we will do the blue lagoon spa. if not we will enjoy ReykjavÃk at night check into our hotel and have dinner.
Day 2 - The Golden Circle
Today it's off to the historic Þingvellir National Park. Here my husband and my father in law can go snorkelling in the amazing Silfra, a fissure located on the boundaries of the two continents. this giving unquiet views with depths of up to 100m.
Next Geysir geothermal area and hot spring Strokkur. I can not wait to see this. shoots of water can reach 15 meters. Then over to Gullfoss the Golden Waterfall. I have dreamed about seeing this in real life and here is have added the snowmobile trip to travel across the glacier. We bit of adrenaline did no one harm. My mother in law will be sitting this one out. Then tit back to our hotel to relax and have dinner and talk about the day's activities.
Today is all about waterfalls and I can not wait to see Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Skógafoss. I could go on and on about these but let me just say I am thrilled they are part of the tour.
Then off to black sand beach of Reynisfjara with the rock stacks of Reynisdrangarblack lava sand plains, the results of a single volcanic eruption. then off to Vatnajökull glacier. We will stop on Skaftafell Nature Reserve which has a vie of Hvannadalshnúkur the highest peak on the whole island.
Lastly, it's off to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon to watch the glacier Icebergs and the chance to see the northern lights. Then I think we will collapse happily in our hotel.
Day 4 - Blue Ice Cave in Vatnajokull National Park
Today day is the thing dreams are made of time to go and see the ice caves. We will be in an SUV over harsh terrain to see these natural wonders. I am so fricking excited about this. then off to ökulsárlón glacier lagoon for a bit of seal spotting. There is another chance today to see the northern lights and then its back to the hotel.
Day 5 - Reykjavik City and Departure
Time to explore Reykjavik museum and galleries and head to the airport.
I think this is the day my husband and I plan on renting bikes to have a road ride. This would complete the trip for us. I wonder if any other trip will ever compare to this.
This is going to be one of the best things I have done in my life. I know no matter whatever the weather we will have a trip of a lifetime. Iceland has all the food, the culture and the people. I will do a travel diary for you all.
This is going to be one of the best things I have done in my life. I know no matter whatever the weather we will have a trip of a lifetime. Iceland has all the food, the culture and the people. I will do a travel diary for you all.
MissLJbeauty
All photo credit in this post are given to www.iceland.is
