I C E L A N D

In the heart of the shopping district of Reykjavik, the boutique-style Alda Hotel is the perfect tranquil oasis after a day of exploring. Conveniently located near multiple bars and restaurants, it is also walking distance to a grocery store and multiple sights like the Hallgrimskirkja church, the waterfront, the marina and multiple museums.

The perfectly appointed rooms include a flat screen TV, coffee maker, bathrobes, slippers and – for those lucky enough to snag the top floor – a wraparound balcony overlooking the bay. The bathroom was huge and included L’occitane toiletries, which were a real treat. Hotel guests have access to a large gym with a private shower and bathroom, an outdoor hot tub and a sauna. No stay will be complete without the breakfast buffet, a delicious spread of everything you could possibly dream of to start your day. From mini pastries to the more typical American breakfast of eggs and bacon, everything was delicious and the variety allows you to sample something different every day.

Perhaps one of the best perks of visiting Iceland is the never ending supply of deliciously cold water, even from the tap, so bring your portable water bottle and don’t forget to fill up at the hotel before you leave for the day.

Fish Company – A recommendation from a local guide, this fine dining restaurant has a cozy vibe and even has a small patio for those preferring to dine al fresco. The menu is inspired by different countries and offers a wide variety of delicious dishes. You have the option of a set menu or simply order à la carte. I had the sushi platter, the restaurant’s signature dish, while my friend had the Greek-inspired vegan eggplant dish.

Reykjavik Fish – A great spot for a casual and quicker meal, this place has delicious fish soup. Place your order at the register, grab a table and the food will be delivered in no time!

OmNom – Discovered thanks to Zac Efron’s Netflix docuseries Down To Earth, this delicious chocolate shop is tucked away in the marina but it’s worth the long walk. From ice cream concoctions you can enjoy on the spot to yummy chocolate bars you can bring home as souvenirs, this is a stop you won’t want to miss.

No Iceland trip is complete without a stop at Braud & Co. There are multiple locations in Reykjavik where you’ll see employees hard at work behind the counter, frosting pastries, rolling dough and pouring steaming cups of coffee. No matter what you end up ordering, do yourself a favor and include a cinnamon roll. It will change your life – and you may never eat one from anywhere else ever again, but hey, it’s worth it!

I visited Iceland with my best friend and we opted for daily organized tours. It was a stress-free way to explore the island and get a taste for what it offers. Now that I have experienced it and learned first-hand how easy it is to navigate, I recommend renting a car and exploring on your own. Here are the main highlights of everything we did and saw during our week-long stay:

Snorkeling between two tectonic plates – Located in Þingvellir national park, Silfra Pond is a great place to float over lava, swim between large volcanic canyons and discover the crystal clear waters that flow between the North American and Eurasian continents. Book your experience through Arctic Adventure Tours who will arrange a pick up in the city, take you to the diving point and prepare you for the adventure of a lifetime. You’ll be given a dry suit to keep you warm in the icy cold water – not for the claustrophobic! – and you’ll make your way to the immersion site with your dive guide. You’ll be in the water for about 30 minutes, exploring the underwater caves and rocks while the guide snaps photos with a GoPro which will make for great, although quite goofy-looking, memories.

Golden Circle is one of the most touristy areas in Iceland and we explored it on a small group tour with an extremely sweet and knowledgeable guide. While driving, she answered a million questions about the island’s history, geography, customs and folklore. We made a few stops but here are some of the highlights:

Thingvellir National Park – Where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and also where the first parliaments in the world were held.

Fontana geothermal baths – Not only is this another wonderful place to enjoy the geothermal baths, but it is also where Geothermal bakering takes place. You’ll be able to taste Icelandic rye bread that was baked in the ground and learn all about the process.

Geysir – our lunch stop included a quick walk to a geysir where we saw it erupt every few minutes. Also learned that we have been pronouncing this word wrong. It is actually pronounced gay-see-errr.

Gullfoss waterfall – perhaps some of the most breathtaking falls I’ve ever seen, you’ll be able to walk alongside them and make your way to the top. The area is surrounded by green which makes for a perfect place for a picnic if you visit during the warmer months.

A couple of hours drive north of Reykjavik, you’ll find the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a stunning natural park made almost entirely of lava fields with no shortages of sights to explore and photograph. We joined a tour for this as well but it was not my favorite – the bus was small and cramped, the guide was quite monotone and not the most personable and there were no stops for food. Simply add this to your itinerary and visit at your own pace (and include ample time for meals!) Some of the most memorable stops made along the way:

Kirkjufell mountain – it sits right by the water and across yet another beautiful waterfall, you may recognize it as it was featured in one of the final episodes of Game of Thrones.

Ytri Tunga Beach – we took a stroll along the water to reach a seal colony and spent time quietly watching them from afar.

Budir black church – this tiny little church draws people from all over the world for its beautiful simplicity. Small and located in an isolated corner of the peninsula, its distinctive black color stands out against the vastness of the skies and lush greens of its surroundings.

Cliffs of Arnarstapi – perhaps the most relaxing stop of the day, this is an ideal place to stroll along the cliffs, admire the stunning view of the ocean and maybe lay on the grass for a quick cap nap.

Saxholl Crater – a walk up about the 400 steps to the top of this dormant volcano will give you a peek inside its crater. I did not join in this adventure as I am terrified of heights, but it sounded cool nonetheless.

There is also plenty to see in the southern part of the island and we explored it with Get Your Guide. It was a full day of sightseeing but it included a lunch stop and our guide, Sigurjon, was probably one of the best I’ve ever had. He was a man of all trades – an attorney, a musician, a shepherd, just to name a few. He introduced us to many Icelandic bands and overall made the day extra special. Cool things we saw:

Skógafoss – another beautiful waterfall featured in Game of Thrones

Reynisfjara Beach – a black sand beach with terrifying and dangerous waves (keep away from them!!). This place was magical despite the stormy weather and we even spotted puffins high up on the cliffs.

Seljalandsfoss – another stunning waterfall (there are too many to count in Iceland). This one has a walking path that takes you right behind it which is worth the trek despite the slick and wet terrain.

Sólheimajökull glacier – the name translates to “glacier where the sun lives” and this was my very first time seeing one in real life. Sadly, like all the glaciers in Iceland, it is shrinking rapidly and it is predicted to be gone in ten years. We only visited the bottom but we saw different groups preparing to climb it.

No visit to Iceland would be complete without a visit to one of its geothermal baths. We opted for the popular Blue Lagoon due to its proximity to the airport and it was truly the best way to relax after an overnight flight from Newark. One of the 25 wonders of the world, the thermal baths are approximately 100 F and owe their milky blue hue to the high content of silica and other minerals. This rejuvenating sanctuary includes two restaurants (one of which is Michelin rated), a cafe, a hotel and a luxury spa. If you opt for a day visit, you will have access to the lagoon – complete with a face mask bar and drinks bar – the sauna, steam room and well-appointed locker rooms where you can shower and change. It does tend to get crowded so I suggest going as early as possible. We arrived around 9am and seemed to be among the first few to arrive which made the experience even more magical.