24th March 2022 Early start to fly from Birmingham to Iceland. Seems a very long time since we have been on a touring holiday due to Covid restrictions. Landed in Keflavik airport around 11am and were immediately struck by the beautiful landscape surrounding us, snowcapped moutains and lava fields. A short 45 minute transfer through more stunning countryside to our hotel Thingholt in the centre of Reykjavik. The hotel was very modern and welcoming. After dropping off our things we went into the city for an explore. Reykjavik is very small and easily covered on foot. We headed down to the harbour and had a spot of lunch and our first Icelandic beer in Rost, a lovely coffee bar right on the harbour. We continued our tour, past Harpa the opera house, the sun voyager sculpture right on the sea front and climbed a very steep hill to Hallgriskirkja, which is a very modernist church, with a large illuminated tower, the concrete pillars are meant to resemble lava and symbolise the Island's volcanic origins. On the way down the hill we found another lovely bar, Einstok, and sampled Icelandic gin, as well as beer. Due to our early start we decided to go back to the hotel for a rest before going chasing the Northern lights, later that evening.
We were picked up at 8.45pm to go in search of the Northern lights. We set off for a spot just beyond the airport on the Reykjanes peninsular. Gardur lighthouse was right at the end of the peninsular and was very cold and wind swept. Luckily we had wrapped up warm, we spent 2 hours looking for the elusive Northern lights, but unfortunately we were not in luck. To give you an idea how cold and windy it was, one of my sheepskin mittens was blown off my hand and hit Nik round the back of the head before continuing its journey into the North Atlantic.
25th March 2022 Another early start, after a lovely breakfast we met the mini bus for our Golden Circle tour. Our guide Gooli was very informative and kept us entertained on the trip. First stop was Thingvellir national park where the European and North American Teutonic plates meet. It was also the site of the first Icelandic parliament. A very wet and cold day, but it didn't stop us taking a walk down the rift valley and admiring the stunning scenery. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!!! On our way to see the famous Geysers we stopped at Laugarvatn. which is home to a lake and the National Swimming centre, it is also an area of geothermal activity and the smell of sulphur and rising steam was clear evidence of this. Here they cook rye bread under ground using the geothermal heat, much like they do in New Zealand. We had lunch at the Geysir centre, before heading off in the rain to see the bubbling mud and more impressive Stokkur geyser. It ,was then off to the Gullfoss falls again very wet and windy, but breathtakingly beautiful. Next stop was a volcanic crater with a frozen pool in the centre, we walked all around the crater and admired the wonderful views. Final stop for coffee and a cake before heading back to the hotel to warm up and dry out. That evening we had fish and chips at the harbour, complete with wine in a little plastic bottle, it was fabulous.
26th March 2022 Big day today Nik's 60th birthday. We celebrated in style with a trip to the Blue Lagoon. It certainly lived up to the hype. The colour of the water is a vibrant cloudy blue, it's actually the waste water from the geothermal energy plant next door. Even though it was cold outside the water was wonderfully warm. We had silica mud face masks and enjoyed drinks at the swim up bar, it was like being in the Caribbean! The 2 hours of complete relaxation passed so quickly. When we returned to the city, the weather had taken a turn for the worse so we sought shelter in the American bar, as Nik wanted beer and ribs for his birthday lunch. Several drinks later we made our way back to the hotel and slept off the effects of swimming and day drinking. That evening we had a gorgeous dinner at Duck and Rose, followed by drinks in Einstok.
27th March 2022 Last day in Iceland, so we decided to explore the city more. First stop was the Settlement Museum for some culture, it contains the remains of a traditional long house and was very informative about Icelandic culture. After coffee by the harbour we went to the Maritime museum. Lunch was at Rost again, we do love to be beside the sea to eat. After a last look around the city, we headed back to the hotel to pack. Dinner that evening was in Caruso, an Italian in an old corrugated iron clad building, which used to be the court and prison. A fabulous short break to Iceland, we will be back to explore more of the beautiful island.
Jet2 City Breaks - Highly recommended
Nice Travel Iceland - Small group tours
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Iceland
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