RKV: I was SO excited to go to Iceland!!! It had been a bucket list trip for a while and is becoming a very popular destination from the Northeast. So, we made a long weekend of it…
We flew on Iceland Air which has direct flights from New York. If you plan to visit somewhere else in Europe, I recommend taking advantage of their Free Stopover experience.
When we first arrived, we went straight to the Blue Lagoon . (more on Spas and taking care of your body at another time 😉 I recommend going to the Blue Lagoon immediately on arrival. It was a nice way to start the trip and relax from the long flight. You can also do it on the return, heading back to the airport but I suggest on either side of your trip, not in the middle.
The water massage was so interesting. You are literally floating on a mat and the masseuse is massaging you in the water. It started raining and made the experience that much more special. I was in Iceland to explore the country and it’s nature and this was definitely a natural force to enhance my experience.
That evening we “chased” the Northern Lights. WOW! It was one of the most incredible travel experiences I have had. It was like a movie in the sky, but it was actually mother nature dancing!! I would recommend doing this tour with a small group so that you can go off-roading and have a better chance of seeing the lights.
The following day we did the Golden Circle tour. Seeing the Geysirs and Waterfalls were breathtaking and really gave us an overview of this beautiful country. If time allows, this is a great route for a self drive . We also went snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which is an icecap covering one of Iceland’s largest volcanoes, Katla. It felt as if we were riding on top of a cloud! It was stunning!!
To get acquainted with Reykjavik city and get in your active walk or run, I recommend starting along the Marina where you will also go past the Harpa Concert Hall . Run up the stairs inside for great views and incredible architecture of the building. Then head towards the Hallsgrimskirka Church and go to the top for amazing views of the entire city. Make your way to the impressive City Hall and continue your run along Tjörnin Pond. This is framed by beautifully colored old houses. It is a natural pond and home to countless ducks, swans and geese that stay for the entire winter season thanks to the famous geothermal heating known throughout Iceland. The city is small and can be covered in a day.
Spending 4 days / 3 nights in Reykjavik was plenty of time to experience the city while visiting neighboring natural sites. There is not much of a fitness scene but luckily many of the tours are active and biking/running seems to be the norm for locals. If time permits, I would recommend renting a car and self driving – also allowing for additional hikes and workouts.
Need more information and insight do a long weekend visit? Contact me for a more detailed itinerary and information.
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