A Five-Day Iceland Adventure with My Sons

Morning: My youngest son and I arrived in Iceland early in the morning. It’s a rather short flight from NYC (5h45m), so we decided to stay in Reykjavik on the first day and explore the city. Picking up our rental car at Keflavik Airport was a breeze, and the drive to Reykjavik was straightforward, with plenty of parking options available in the city.

Afternoon: Reykjavik, with its charming streets and friendly atmosphere, immediately felt welcoming. We set off on foot:

• Hallgrimskirkja Tower: Iconic church with stunning views.

• Sun Voyager Sculpture: Beautiful coastal monument.

• Harpa Concert Hall: Architectural marvel at the harbor.

• Rainbow Street: Famous colorful street.

• Grocery Store Stop: We stocked up on delicious Icelandic candy at Krambudin.

Evening: Dinner was easy at Pósthús Food Hall & Bar, a vibrant collection of small restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. It was perfect for dining with my teens, each of us finding something delicious to enjoy. There are plenty more food halls in Reykjavik. Other restaurant options include the Michelin-starred OX for dinner, Matbar, Brauð & Co for bread and croissants and, of course, the famous Icelandic hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu or Laugardalslaug.

Accommodation: Our first hotel of this trip was the ION City Hotel, a modern choice right in the heart of Reykjavik (and our room had a sauna!). For those seeking a bit more luxury, The Reykjavik EDITION is absolutely fabulous and comes with extra perks such as complimentary breakfast, early check-in and room upgrades if available.

Morning: Our second day began with a visit to FlyOver Iceland. Though slightly touristy, this immersive experience gave us a fantastic overview of Iceland’s diverse landscapes and left us eager to explore further. Fun start.

Mid-morning & afternoon: Leaving Reykjavik behind, we embarked on our journey around the Golden Circle. Our stops included:

• Thingvellir National Park: We walked between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at the Almannagjá Gorge and saw the Öxarárfoss Waterfall.

• Efstidalur Farm: A stop for a snack.

• Gullfoss Waterfall: A breathtaking two-tiered waterfall.

• Strokkur: A very active, iconic geyser.

Evening: Our hotel was nestled at the foot of the famous geysers, Geysir & Strokkur. The hotel offered the thrill of watching the Strokkur erupt every 5-10 minutes after all the buses had left, making all the difference. The hotel’s restaurant provided a good dining experience, rounding off a perfect day. The Golden Circle is the most popular area for travelers, and hence the busiest. There were tour buses at Gullfoss Waterfall and likely at Strokkur, where we were lucky to be at night and early morning when it was blissfully peaceful.

Accommodation: Several lovely hotels in the Golden Circle. We were very happy with the Geysir Hotel because of the superb location and the restaurant. Another option is the ION Adventure Hotel, very unique and an hour closer to Reykjavik.

Morning: We set off from Geysir early, eager to see all the waterfalls and reach Vik. The drive was nothing short of spectacular, with stunning landscapes unfolding at every turn. Our first stop was Fridheimar Tomato & Horse Farm for everything tomato. Make reservations if you want to enjoy lunch here.

Afternoon: Our journey continued with visits to some of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls. We absolutely loved this.

• Seljalandsfoss: You can walk behind this iconic waterfall, feeling the mist on our faces. You might get wet.

• Gljúfrabúi: This ‘hidden’ waterfall is tucked away down the path near Seljalandsfoss.

• Skógafoss: Majestic and powerful, Skógafoss took our breath away with its sheer force and beauty.

Evening: In Vik, we indulged in a thrilling ziplining adventure. Having experienced ziplining in Costa Rica and Belize, we were curious about what Iceland had to offer. It was completely different and loads of fun. Afterward, we enjoyed Vik’s famous ‘black pizza’ and attended a lava show, which turned out to be quite interesting.

Accommodation: Vik is an interesting small town on Route One, with tales of drowned sailors and trolls. It’s located at the base of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which covers the Katla volcano, one of Iceland's most dangerous, known to cause large floods during eruptions. Vik is famous for its black beaches and offers plenty of outdoor activities. We stayed at Vik & Myrdal, which was comfortable and well-located. Another good option is Hotel Katla.

Morning: We began our day with an unforgettable hike through the Katla Ice Cave. Exploring the volcanic Mýrdalsjökull glacier below the volcano was awe-inspiring, showcasing the incredible combination of fire and ice. The surreal blue ice formations in combination with volcanic ice, it’s very unique. We went with Troll Expeditions, and our guide was exceptional. They provided us with helmets and crampons, essential for safety while hiking the glacier. The surrounding landscape resembled an otherworldly terrain.

Afternoon: Our journey continued with a visit to two of Iceland’s most famous natural attractions:

• Reynisfjara Beach: The black sand beach, with its towering basalt columns and powerful waves. Also the backdrop for Game of Thrones, Star Wars, etc.

• Dyrhólaey: This promontory offers stunning views of the rugged coastline and the striking Dyrhólaey arch jutting out from the coast into the sea.

Accommodation: We drove to the 360 Hotel, my favorite accommodation on this trip. Its serene atmosphere and stunning views provided the perfect respite. This boutique hotel features a restaurant, thermal baths and saunas. Very relaxing. Another option is Hotel Ranga, a rural resort offering outdoor geothermal hot tubs with volcano views.

Morning: Our final day was a leisurely drive back to Reykjavik. Our first stop was the Kerid Crate Lake, a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater in the Grímsnes area, part of the Golden Circle. The lake's incredibly blue water and the easy hike around the crater provided spectacular views. We also stopped at Kleifarvatn Lake, a picturesque spot. Next time, instead of Blue Lagoon, I’d hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Springs, also on this route, where you can soak in the warm waters surrounded by rugged landscapes.

Afternoon: Our last stop before heading to the airport was the Blue Lagoon. It offered a relaxing soak in its milky blue waters. While it was enjoyable to end our trip at the Blue Lagoon, it's not something we'd necessarily do again. It is pretty touristy. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner here at Restaurant Lava. Interestingly, as I publish this, the Blue Lagoon has just reopened following an eruption at Sundhnúkagígar, which is currently at a safe distance from the lagoon. We conveniently spent the night at an airport hotel for our early flight to Amsterdam the next day.

Iceland turned out to be a memorable surprise, offering a perfect blend of adventure, astonishing, mind-blowing nature and relaxation. It’s a destination in its own right and an excellent addition to a longer European trip. I’ll be back, maybe next time for a winter trip.