An unforgettable Fam Trip to Iceland
When I was first told I was going to be going to Iceland, I was so excited. Iceland has always been on my bucket list – the land of fire and ice, home to breathtaking landscapes, natural wonders, and a culture rich in history and warmth.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have been invited on this trip. There’s something about Iceland that draws you in and makes you want to return again and again, which I know for a fact, I will.
Here’s a glimpse of the three days I spent exploring some of the island’s iconic spots:
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik
Our journey began with a smooth flight on Icelandair from Manchester. After a swift check-in with our fast-track passes, we made our way to the lounge to relax before the flight.
From the moment we boarded, the airline’s signature Scandinavian design and friendly crew set the tone of our trip. Icelandair’s in-flight service was impressive offering comfortable seating, a well-curated selection of Icelandic snacks, and a glimpse of Icelandic culture through the onboard entertainment system. One film down and we were already ready to land. The flight had flown by… (pardon the pun).
As our group landed at Keflavik airport, we were greeted by our driver, welcoming us to Iceland and we also met up with the other half of the group travelling from London Gatwick. From here, we were whisked away to our hotel, The Reykjavik Edition, the first five-star modern luxury hotel in the city located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik by Old Harbour port.
After settling in, and sampling one of the delicious complementary Icelandic biscuits that was waiting for me in my room, we had a tour of the hotel which perfectly blended Icelandic minimalism with upscale comfort. The sleek design, featuring natural materials, created such a warm atmosphere. We were shown the beautifully designed rooms offering stunning views of the North Atlantic Ocean and Harpa Concert Hall as well as the restaurants, seating areas, bars (including a rooftop bar offering panoramic views) and the hotel’s very own Sunset nightclub. Yes, a nightclub!
Once we had finished looking around the hotel, we enjoyed a drink or two on the rooftop bar watching the sunset before we sat down and enjoyed dinner at Tides, the hotel’s signature restaurant where we sampled the best seafood from the waters of Iceland and the locally sourced meats and ingredients.
Day 2: Golden Circle adventure
Day two was all about Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, a must-do for first time visitors. We started our journey at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is a huge part of Iceland’s history and Geological phenomenon, standing on two tectonic plates that are gradually moving away from each other. After wandering around the park, we headed to Laugarvatn Fortana Geothermal Baths, a reinvigorating site where you can enjoy the healing powers of the geothermal water.
We experienced the geothermal energy firsthand with a geothermal bread baking tour as we watched fresh bread that had been baking for 24 hours being dug out of the hot black sand in a pot and served to us to try, it was delicious!
Next up, we grabbed lunch at Efstidalur, a family run farm right in the middle of the Golden Circle that offers products straight from the farm including their famous ice cream before we moved on to Gulfoss waterfall, Iceland’s most famous waterfall.
Plummeting down 32 metres into a rugged canyon below, the sheer power and volume of water thundering down was mesmerising and created a mist that danced in the sunlight where we were able to capture a stunning rainbow across the waterfall. We took our time and walked along the viewing paths, marvelling at the natural beauty at all angles as well as taking hundreds of photos!
Once we could finally tear ourselves away from the awe-inspiring Gulfoss waterfall we made our way to the nearby geothermal area of Geysir. Home to a number of hot sprouting geysers, we were able to see the most famous and energetic geyser, Strokkur, erupt every few minutes, sending plumes of hot water into the sky. It felt like we were walking on another planet, and I could have spent hours watching Strokkur perform its natural magic.
A hidden gem along the way was Faxafoss Waterfall (also known as Faxi), a lesser-known but equally charming spot. Tucked away from the bigger tourist crowds, Faxafoss was our last place on the Golden Circle to soak in the surroundings and appreciate Iceland’s natural wonders.
Our final stop for the day was at Friðheimar, a unique greenhouse farm renowned for its sustainable cultivation and growing tomatoes all year round under artificial lighting. We were welcomed with a tour of the greenhouse and showed how the tomatoes are grown before we sat down and sampled the food ourselves.
Day 3: Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon
On our third and final day we were given free time in the morning to explore the city before we drove towards the Reykjanes Peninsula and the Blue Lagoon.
Up bright and early, I strolled into the city and wandered around the colourful streets, admiring the city’s vibrant murals and stopping in local shops that featured everything from handcrafted wool sweaters to contemporary Icelandic art.
One of the most colourful spots I encountered while exploring Reykjavik was Rainbow Street (Skólavörðustígur), a colourful pedestrian street leading up to the iconic church, Hallgrímskirkja, the church that dominates the Reykjavik skyline. Following Rainbow Street to Hallgrímskirkja, I couldn’t help but feel overshadowed by its towering presence. Inside the atmosphere was serene and I took the lift to the top of the church’s bell tower for a panoramic view of the city, where I was greeted with colourful rooftops stretching out to the surrounding mountains and sea.
After visiting Hallgrímskirkja, I made my way back down towards the hotel and stopped in Harpa, Reykjavik’s stunning concert hall and conference centre, a building with a striking glass façade.
After a slow morning it was time to head to the Blue Lagoon and to our surprise, we were travelling there in style… by helicopter! Flying over the Reykjanes Peninsula which is a hotspot for volcano activity is an experience I will never forget. The pilot gave us dramatic panoramas of craters, smoking lava fields and geothermal features, and we even got a close view of the most recent eruptions. This was an absolute highlight of the trip!
Finally, no trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to the Blue Lagoon. Nestled in a lava field, the lagoons milky-blue, mineral rich waters were calling after a busy couple of days! With access to the retreat spa, a more secluded and private part of the Blue Lagoon, we enjoyed a complementary drink before moving to the main lagoon where we soaked in the warm geothermal waters, surrounded by the rising steam and serene Icelandic landscape. The lagoon also offers silica mud masks, which I eagerly applied to give my skin a refreshing boost!
Lastly, we enjoyed our last group meal at the Lava restaurant. Built into a cliff of solidified lava rock, the restaurant blends seamlessly with its surroundings as it overlooks the lagoons steaming waters. The menu showcased the best of Icelandic cuisine, with fresh locally sourced ingredients and it was the perfect way to finish off the trip.
And the Northern Lights? Well, we didn’t see them this time around... but I guess I’ll see them when I return to Iceland.
A huge thank you to Private Travel Iceland, The Reykjavik Edition Hotel and Icelandair for organising an unforgettable trip to Iceland with memories that will last a lifetime.