Hot springs & cold star gazing !
We flew out from Manchester to Keflavik early on the Tuesday morning with Easyjet, great flight in just under 3 hours. We landed onto a very snowy runway and headed over to pick our hire car up from the depot. I took this opportunity to take a selfie of my 'happy face' and send it to my colleagues back home. It really felt quite magical even at the airport.
Car hire picked up and sorted out very quickly, we set off (winter tyres in full use) to the Blue Lagoon which is about half an hour’s drive from the airport so a great way to start your Iceland adventure without having to drive too far. How do I describe the feeling of stepping from the cold and snowy air to hot, steamy, milky water? Well, it was pure heaven! Everyone's reaction as they step into the water was the same... ahhhhh! I would recommend getting the bath robe included if you are planning on coming out of the water to go to the bar or restaurant but if you just plan on staying in the water as we did there is no need to pay the extra. The facilities were very modern and clean (very busy but that is to be expected!) You get a free drink from the swim up bar and a silica face mask included in the standard package too.
After our relaxing time at the lagoon we set off on our 2-hour drive to our first hotel, just down the coast heading south to the Hotel Ranga. I was recommended this hotel by one of my colleagues’ clients. It did not disappoint. A log cabin style hotel, cosy bar, sofas dotted around, outside hot tubs and the nest bit was a night-time wakeup call should the Northern Lights become visible!
The hotel offered star gazing also from their outdoor observatory. We wrapped up as by now the temperature had dropped to -15 brrrrr! I hasten to say I lasted about half an hour but well worth it as the night sky was just amazing and something you just don't see normally in our light polluted cities! The Northern lights made a very faint appearance during the night which we were woken up for.
The next day we headed out around 9am (still pitch black!) to join our snowmobiling guide. After a quick demo we set off across the snowy wilderness! What he failed to mention was how easy it was to fall off these things, which funnily enough we managed to do several times before getting to grips with how to stay on the thing! Great fun though and the views were worth it. My husband is now slightly deaf though due to me screaming in his ear to slow down!
The journey back across through the mountains to Reykjavik was exciting to say the least! Beautiful scenery but slightly scary due to the roads being very snowy. They are so geared up for it though and the cars all have winter tyres on them.
We stayed in a lovely little hotel in Reykjavik called the 105 Townhouse. Very modern and boutique style, warm and cosy with a little kitchen in the rooms should you wish to make yourself breakfast. The walk into town took us about ten minutes along thick snow-covered pavements. So be sure to take your snow boots!
I can honestly say that we had the best meal we have had in a long time in randomly a Lebanese restaurant (Sumac) on the main street. Although all the hotels along the street looked amazing too. The bars offer happy hours that last longer than the hour in most of them! Don't worry about completely breaking the bank. It is still expensive but worth every penny.
All in all, Iceland has claimed a space in my heart and will be a place I will most definitely be returning to with the whole family as there is so much more to discover and experience.
Tips : * Pre book the Blue Lagoon (they have limited space per hour) * Take snow boots and lots of layers - it’s cold! * Plan your trip so you don't waste time (obviously I will do this for you!) * Hire a car * Don't just stay in Reykjavik * If travelling with children take snacks (very expensive for that type of thing)