When my niece turned 20, we knew we wanted to celebrate with something more memorable than a wrapped present. So, we gave her Iceland: four nights of waterfalls, whales (hopefully), hot springs and family time, in a country that none of us had visited before. It felt like the perfect excuse to combine a special birthday with a destination I had wanted to experience for years.

After much debate about the best time to go, we settled on early spring in Iceland. It turned out to be an inspired choice. The main tourist season had not yet started so we could enjoy a calmer atmosphere, nature was just waking up after winter, the snow was beginning to melt and the waterfalls were at their most powerful. As a bonus, the whale watching season was getting underway, so we hoped to spot some wildlife on a boat trip too.

Getting there: two starting points, one adventure

Our little party was starting from two different countries. My partner Simon and I flew from London, while my mum and my niece travelled from Katowice in Poland, which is closer to their home than Prague. The plan was to meet in Keflavik and start the birthday adventure together from there.

On 12 May, our trip officially began. We flew with Icelandair and the flight felt pleasantly short, around three hours, with a comfortable onboard experience. Arriving in Iceland for the first time, with snow‑capped mountains in the distance but the sun was shining and it was pleasantly warm.

Because we landed earlier than the “Czech half” of the family, Simon and I used the time to collect our rental car. The shuttle picked us up from the designated meeting point inside the terminal and took us about ten minutes down the road to the car hire depot.

There was a small hiccup at the desk: the specific car brand we had booked was no longer available. Instead, we were offered a different model, and it was automatic. This was slightly terrifying news for Simon, who had never driven an automatic before. After a few minutes of “test driving” the gears in the car park, he got the hang of it, relaxed into it and we were soon back on the road to pick up the ladies when they landed. Crisis averted, and a new skill gained before we had even left the airport.

Our base in Reykjavik: Reykjavik Natura Hotel

For this trip we based ourselves in Reykjavik, choosing the Reykjavik Natura – Berjaya Iceland Hotels as our home for four nights. The location was a big part of the decision. It is just a short drive or around a 20‑minute walk into the city centre, which made it easy to dip in and out of Reykjavik without worrying about parking or long transfers.

The hotel sits beside Reykjavik’s domestic airport, which sounds unusual but actually works very well. On one side you have views over the runway, and on the other you look towards the city and the Perlan, the striking natural history museum that sits on a hill overlooking Reykjavik. For us it added a sense of place: we really felt we were in a working, living city, not just a tourist bubble.

We booked the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, which was absolutely worth it. Each morning there was a generous buffet with a big choice of continental European options alongside a cooked breakfast selection, so everyone in our little group was happy and well fuelled for the day ahead.

The rooms themselves were simple but comfortable and, most importantly, very clean. A small touch that we really appreciated was the use of L’Occitane products in the bathroom, which added a little hint of luxury to our daily routine and made it feel that bit more special for a birthday trip.

Practicalities matter on a short break and the Reykjavik Natura ticked a lot of boxes:

A large car park made coming and going with our rental car very straightforward.

The on‑site spa was a huge bonus, especially after busy and cold days exploring Iceland’s elements.

Easy access into town meant we could head out for sightseeing or a stroll along the waterfront without needing to plan a big expedition each time.

It turned out to be a great base for a mixed‑generation family trip: comfortable, convenient and relaxed, with just enough style to feel special for a birthday celebration.