A Week in Iceland, Part One

I’m thrilled to present you with another guest blog, this one by my dear friend and fellow writer Nicole List. She set off on an adventure to Iceland over Christmas that was beyond my wildest imagination. The adventures she had are illustrated beautifully here through her photos and stories in two parts. Enjoy and check back tomorrow for Part Two.

By Nicole List

Typically, vacationers run away from the cold, but this particular hotspot is very cool. Iceland is tucked between Greenland, the Arctic Ocean, Norwegian Sea and 600 miles away from the British coastline.

Anyone who hasn’t done her research would be quick to assume at least three things about Iceland: Bjork, vikings and the possibility of polar bears. If so, that assumption isn’t totally off. However, polar bears are really nowhere to be found and Iceland offers a lot more to visitors than one might anticipate. Here’s a slightly abridged version of what to do while visiting this Nordic Winter Wonderland.

Day 1 – Blue Lagoon Spa, Grindavik

This is undoubtably one of Iceland’s biggest highlights and one of the best experiences in my travel life, thus far. The fort-like building is surrounded by a winter-blue moat, pure white snow and black volcanic rock. You’re greeted by a charming lodge offering changing facilities, a restaurant, café, spa and store.

Although the indoor amenities are impressive, nothing compares to the actual experience of swimming outside and partaking in the gorgeous Icelandic landscape. You may wonder how you swim in such freezing cold temperatures. Well, expect a one-minute chill, and then jump right into the geothermal hot spring. It’s the most comforting and exciting feeling.

Although it’s hard to pull your arm out of the warm water and into the wind, it’s worth it to swim up to the Lagoon bar (located in the middle of the spring) where you can purchase natural mud masks and cocktails.

Tip: Before jumping in, condition your hair so that it doesn’t get dried out from the salts in the water. Make sure to bring your own hotel robe and towel with you, and especially flip flops!

Day 2 – Snowmobile Riding with the Mountaineers of Iceland

It might be redundant to say this, but wear a lot of layers for this excursion. I’m talking double gloves, double socks, the works.  Here, the guides will take you into a small cabin where you’ll be able to change into their snowmobiling gear. Next, you’ll partner and learn how to properly ride these two-seater snowmobiles. Then, it’s go time. Prepare to be transfixed by the untouched beauty that is Iceland. For an hour, you’ll be able to glide through the beautiful, snowy vastness to your heart’s content. Pictures don’t do the scenery justice.

Day 3 –Eyjafjallajokull Sighting, Glacier Hike & Climb, Hotel Ranga

I was a bit thrown by the concept of glacier hiking, but I attempted to put my nerves at bay to explore more of Iceland’s splendor.

On our way to the glacier site, we stopped by the infamous volcano Eyjafjallajokull, located north of Skogar and west of Myrdalsjokill. This is the same active volcano that caused a major air travel disruption for Europe four years ago.

After realizing the close proximity to the volcano, we approached another middle-of-nowhere hiking spot (you’ll learn quickly that off-roading and middle-of-nowhere happens quite often in Iceland), my nerves jittered again. We threw on hiking boots attached to ice spikes that are meant to cling onto the glacier ice with more “ease”. These bad boys are sharp and difficult to walk on. After imagining a lot of ways to die and discovering magical ice caves, I was ready to head back. It took me longer than expected, but I finally limped my way over to home base.

After an emotionally panicky accomplishment, we celebrated our exhaustion and hunger at the lovely Hotel Ranga. This luxurious hotel is the perfect midpoint to all of the daytrips and Reykjavik. We indulged in hearty meals, much-needed beverages: cold, hot, alcoholic and caffeinated.

Hotel Ranga has a cozy feel the minute you walk in, there’s an overwhelming wave of warmth, humorous bare-butt bar stools, wooden décor and hot tubs right outside of the hotel lodges. What’s also so grand about this spot is it’s the perfect setting to sit back and watch the Northern Lights.

Day 4 – Golden Circle: Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir, Night out in Reykjavik

Another much-frequented site is the Gullfoss Falls and Geysir. If you’re purely in a sightseeing mood, this is the perfect place for picture-taking. Geysir is one of the first geysers known to modern Europe. Eruptions at Geysir can hurl boiling water up to 230 feet in the air.

Gullfoss is located in the canyon of Hvita River in southwest Iceland. There’s a lower and upper deck for pictures, and to warm up, there’s a convenient café.

After a fairly lax day, we prepared to take Rejyavik by night. We stopped by dive bars and lounges until we found our comfort zone, B5. At this female packed club, we enjoyed mainstream dance mixed with Icelandic pop hits. The drinks were exorbitantly expensive, but the melodic beats and dance offs were worth it. We sealed the deal with cheeseburgers that night and they were delicious.

Born and raised in New York City, Nicole List now resides in the sixth borough, Miami Beach. When she isn’t writing, she’s a Community Manager for a leading design + digital marketing agency. Follow her on Twitter @nicolelist_  and keep up with her jet-setting around the world, trying out new food spots, exploring new jams and admiring new fashion trends. Come back tomorrow to see Part Two of her Icelandic adventure.