Exploring Iceland: Waterfalls, Glaciers & Remarkable Memories

Eight Day Iceland Adventure

Our eight day Iceland adventure took us far beyond the familiar. With dramatic scenery and new experiences ahead, we traded our everyday schedules for a journey that gave us plenty of reasons to keep the camera handy.

Packing extra layers had been sensible. Making extra room for photos would have been sensible, too.

Beginning in Reykjavik

After an overnight flight from Minneapolis–St. Paul, we arrived in Reykjavik. Free time offered a chance to rest or explore before an evening cruise in search of the northern lights.

Discovering the Golden Circle

Our travels included Thingvellir National Park, geothermal bread tasting in Laugarvatn, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.

Bread baked with heat from the ground certainly gave us a new way to think about a kitchen.

Following Iceland’s South Coast

We visited the LAVA Centre, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and Reynisfjara’s black sand beach before crossing the Eldhraun lava field.

This stretch of the journey offered one reason after another to pause and look around. The challenge was remembering to put the camera down occasionally.

Exploring Glacier Country

The scenery changed again around Vatnajokull National Park, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Diamond Beach, where ice contrasted with dark sand.

Unwinding at the Blue Lagoon

Our route back toward Reykjavik included Hveragerdi and the Reykjanes peninsula, with a visit to the Blue Lagoon.

After days of sightseeing, a change of pace fit the itinerary perfectly.

Discovering Iceland’s Stories Before Heading Home

West Iceland brought the Settlement Center in Borgarnes, Reykholt, waterfalls, and Deildartunguhver hot spring. A farewell dinner in Reykjavik closed our final full day before the flight home.

We returned with a new collection of memories—and a much longer answer to “How was your trip?”