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10 Reasons to Go to Iceland

10 Reasons to Go to Iceland

Iceland is a magical place, and after two trips there to explore the country from end to end, I can easily say it’s one of my favorite travel destinations.

Here are 10 reasons you should visit Iceland!

dive

10. Diving the Silfra Fissure

Ever since getting PADI Open Water Diver certified, I’m always keeping my eyes peeled for epic diving experiences. Diving at the Silfra Fissure is often referred to as one of the top 10 dive experiences in the world.

Divers and snorkelers swim between the North American and Eurasian continental plates in some of the clearest water on Earth with over 100 meters of water visibility.

READ MORE: Diving the Silfra Fissure in Iceland

Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland

9. The Golden Circle

Geysers and waterfalls and volcanic craters… oh my!

The Golden Circle is perhaps one of the most epic road trips in the entire world. Drive around the island in “The Golden Circle” for a stunning display of nature’s incredible beauty.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Driving Iceland’s Golden Circle

horses

8. Iceland Horses

Cuz. Horses. Are. So. PRETTY!

Gold Coast Girls Blog at the Blue Lagoon

7. The Blue Lagoon

AKA one of the most epic swimming pools in the world, the Blue Lagoon’s water temperature averages 37–39 °C (98–102 °F) year round making it one of the most popular destinations in Iceland.

The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is said to have healing and rejuvenating benefits for your skin.

READ MORE: Visiting The Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Iceland Police

6. The Reykjavik Metropolitan Police

Perhaps one of the most peaceful places on the planet, Reykjavik (the capital of Iceland) is a great place to be a police officer. The Reykjavik Metropolitan Police instagram account is full of kittens, selfies, ice cream cotton candy!

I’m not kidding. Check it out.

5. The Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis

Seeing the Northern Lights is on many people’s bucket lists and Iceland is one of the best places for viewing them. When skies are extra dark (particularly in the Winter), companies like Arctic Adventures take guests on a once-in-a-lifetime Northern Lights hunt for the beautiful and elusive natural phenomenon.

READ MORE: The Beginner’s Guide to Photographing the Northern Lights

4. This Video

If this video doesn’t make you want to jump on a plane and high five the first Icelander you meet upon landing, I don’t know what will! Even Iceland’s Tourism Board is awesome!

ion

3. The Ion Hotel

I’m all about eco-friendly hotels, but give me one with a view of the Northern Lights and I may just never leave. The Ion Luxury Hotel is an award-winning design hotel set against the backdrop of lava fields.

READ MORE: A Luxurious Stay at the Ion Hotel in Iceland

Iceland Volcano

2. Volcanoes

Take an Icelandic super jeep or helicopter and tour the volcanic landscape of Iceland. There are about 130 volcanic mountains, some active and some extinct. Descend 120 meters into the Thrihnukagigur volcano or fly over an active one.

Glacier Trekking in Iceland

1. Glacier & Ice Cave Trekking

Grab your ice axe and set out to explore one of Iceland’s incredible glaciers. The Sólheimajökull glacier is made up of ancient frozen water is perfect for exploring ice formations and caves.

*Bonus: Iceland is a total foodie destination. They have some incredible dishes to try!

READ MORE: Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing in Iceland

Do YOU want to go to Iceland?

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    1. Heiddis

      Hi, just came across your blog tonight as I am planning a weekend trip to Athens, thanks for the tips, they were really helpful!
      As a proper Icelander I had to check if you had visited my home country and I can see that you are going soon or maybe you are in Iceland at the moment. How nice!

      Anyways just wanted to say I agree with Chris and Jökulsárlón is definitely worth the visit!

      Few other tips; Fishmarket and KOL are good places for nice dinners but for lunch I recommend Gló, a healthy restaurant on the main street Laugarvegur. Recommend the raw snickers cake for dessert, its to die for! http://glo.is/glorestauranticeland
      One more thing I know its cold and its snowing in the Capital at the moment but that doesn´t stop us to go for a Ice-cream drive. There are quite a few Ice-cream shops in Reykjavík and I highly recommend you try some.

      Hope you enjoy your stay!

      October 22, 2014 at 2:49 pm · Reply
      • Kiersten Rich

        Thank you SO much for the tips! So bummed it’s my last night here, but I’m sure this will be super helpful to other readers. I’m DEFINITELY coming back and will use your tips!

        October 22, 2014 at 3:53 pm · Reply
    2. Tate Nanje

      Oh boy, now I must definitely go to Iceland. I am super pumped after reading your post. The photos look amazing and swimming at the blue lagoon is most definitely on my to-do list.

      November 20, 2014 at 12:09 am · Reply

    Instagram

    #EGAmbassador Wondering where to plan next year’s adventures? 🗺️
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
    If you’re looking for a different kind of vacation destination, one that’s not all over your feed or overrun with tourists, then @expedia’s got you covered!

    Expedia just launched Unpack ’26, their definitive guide to emerging travel trends for the year ahead, powered by first-party data from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, and enriched by global insights, Unpack is designed to help travelers explore more consciously and creatively.

    Some of these were a HUGE surprise, but I wasn’t shocked to see The Cotswolds made the cut! I traveled there last fall and fell in LOVE! So much so that I’m planning a month-long stay with Ollie so he can enjoy all of the cute lambs and cozy cottages too!

    The Cotswolds are a region in the UK compromising of over 100 villages and 300 towns! There’s so much to be discovered here, but these are the 7 villages you have to visit if you’re planning a trip to The Cotswolds this fall and beyond:

    •Castle Combe
    •Bourton-on-the-Water
    •The Slaughters
    •Stowe-on-the-Wold
    •Broadway
    •Snowshill
    •Bibury

    For more amazing, best-kept travel secrets, check out @expedia’s Unpack ‘26 list (in my stories) and hurry to book your travels before these less-explored gems become part of the beaten path!

    Have you been to The Cotswolds? Which were your favorite villages?
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
    #UnpackTravelTrends #autumn #TheCotswolds

    705 37
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18141583144435117
    #EGAmbassador Wondering where to plan next year’s adventures? 🗺️ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠ If you’re looking for a different kind of vacation destination, one that’s not all over your feed or overrun with tourists, then @expedia’s got you covered! Expedia just launched Unpack ’26, their definitive guide to emerging travel trends for the year ahead, powered by first-party data from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, and enriched by global insights, Unpack is designed to help travelers explore more consciously and creatively. Some of these were a HUGE surprise, but I wasn’t shocked to see The Cotswolds made the cut! I traveled there last fall and fell in LOVE! So much so that I’m planning a month-long stay with Ollie so he can enjoy all of the cute lambs and cozy cottages too! The Cotswolds are a region in the UK compromising of over 100 villages and 300 towns! There’s so much to be discovered here, but these are the 7 villages you have to visit if you’re planning a trip to The Cotswolds this fall and beyond: •Castle Combe •Bourton-on-the-Water •The Slaughters •Stowe-on-the-Wold •Broadway •Snowshill •Bibury For more amazing, best-kept travel secrets, check out @expedia’s Unpack ‘26 list (in my stories) and hurry to book your travels before these less-explored gems become part of the beaten path! Have you been to The Cotswolds? Which were your favorite villages? •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠ #UnpackTravelTrends #autumn #TheCotswolds

    Raise your hand if Autumn is your favorite 🤚
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
    I don’t know what it is about the magic of Fall foliage, but the whimsy of apple picking and leaf peeping is just too strong to resist!

    If you find yourself wanting a similar adventure, I have something just for you: My New England Map & Autumn Travel Guide 🍂

    Last year, I did a ton of research in anticipation of my dream road trip across this area for the best of the best when it comes to fall foliage, farms, orchards, scenic drives, tasty eateries, cozy inns and picturesque towns. And I want to pass that knowledge onto you!

    Let me know below if you’re interested with ‘MAP’ and I’ll make sure to send it your way 🍁
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
    #fallfoliage #newengland #autumn

    390 72
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18099026854675939
    Raise your hand if Autumn is your favorite 🤚 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠ I don’t know what it is about the magic of Fall foliage, but the whimsy of apple picking and leaf peeping is just too strong to resist! If you find yourself wanting a similar adventure, I have something just for you: My New England Map & Autumn Travel Guide 🍂 Last year, I did a ton of research in anticipation of my dream road trip across this area for the best of the best when it comes to fall foliage, farms, orchards, scenic drives, tasty eateries, cozy inns and picturesque towns. And I want to pass that knowledge onto you! Let me know below if you’re interested with ‘MAP’ and I’ll make sure to send it your way 🍁 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠ #fallfoliage #newengland #autumn

    FALL-ing in love with New England one leaf at a time 🍂 🍎🍁
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
    Last year, I took my dream trip to New England to experience some exquisite leaf-peeping and all of the fall things with my mom and son and it was truly one of the most magical trips I’ve taken.

    I did a ton of research and scoured the internet for the best of the best when it comes to fall foliage, farms, orchards, scenic drives, tasty eateries, cozy inns, and picturesque towns. And I want to pass that knowledge onto you!

    If you’ve been dreaming of a trip across New England during the fall season, I created a New England travel guide and map, including my itinerary, a packing list, and a downloadable map of the region.

    Let me know below with ‘MAP’ and I’ll make sure to send it your way.
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
    #fallfoliage #newengland #autumn

    581 225
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18298915438268787
    FALL-ing in love with New England one leaf at a time 🍂 🍎🍁 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠ Last year, I took my dream trip to New England to experience some exquisite leaf-peeping and all of the fall things with my mom and son and it was truly one of the most magical trips I’ve taken. I did a ton of research and scoured the internet for the best of the best when it comes to fall foliage, farms, orchards, scenic drives, tasty eateries, cozy inns, and picturesque towns. And I want to pass that knowledge onto you! If you’ve been dreaming of a trip across New England during the fall season, I created a New England travel guide and map, including my itinerary, a packing list, and a downloadable map of the region. Let me know below with ‘MAP’ and I’ll make sure to send it your way. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠ #fallfoliage #newengland #autumn

    Here’s how we spent a weekend in Philadelphia #MarriottHotelsPartner
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
    We were lucky enough to stay at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, located right in the heart of the city! From there, we made sure to see the best the city had to offer families:

    🥞 Breakfast at The Pantry (inside the Marriott!)
    🖐️ Please Touch Museum
    🔔 The Liberty Bell + Independence Hall
    🍲 Lunch at Reading Terminal Market
    💦 Splash time at Sister Cities Park
    🧬 Visit the Franklin Institute
    🏮 Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square (annual summer event)

    There’s so much for families to do in Philadelphia and being a Marriott Bonvoy member makes it so much more accessible.

    From the location to having toddler amenities on-hand and staff who actually understand what traveling with a toddler is like — it’s those small comforts that make a huge difference on family trips.

    Thank you for the stay @MarriottHotels!
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
    #Philadelphia #travelPennsylvania

    320 47
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18061867520570740
    Here’s how we spent a weekend in Philadelphia #MarriottHotelsPartner •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠ We were lucky enough to stay at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, located right in the heart of the city! From there, we made sure to see the best the city had to offer families: 🥞 Breakfast at The Pantry (inside the Marriott!) 🖐️ Please Touch Museum 🔔 The Liberty Bell + Independence Hall 🍲 Lunch at Reading Terminal Market 💦 Splash time at Sister Cities Park 🧬 Visit the Franklin Institute 🏮 Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square (annual summer event) There’s so much for families to do in Philadelphia and being a Marriott Bonvoy member makes it so much more accessible. From the location to having toddler amenities on-hand and staff who actually understand what traveling with a toddler is like — it’s those small comforts that make a huge difference on family trips. Thank you for the stay @MarriottHotels! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠ #Philadelphia #travelPennsylvania
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