Iceland is the best trip I've ever taken - Top 20

Mar 9, 2017

2 min read

My list of the most memorable parts of Iceland - the good & (some) bad.

1. First glimpse of the Northern Lights

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Living in a very light polluted area, there are close to zero opportunities to practice night photography - so of course, I wasn't too confident what I could capture the Northern Lights. Lots of research and reading definitely paid off.

2. Snorkeling in some of the clearest water in the world

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Floating in the clearest (and coldest water I'll never let myself experience again) was amazing.

3. Staying up to just admire the stars

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Don't take clear skies for granted (at least in Iceland).

4. Having your tour become a private tour

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"Early bird gets the worm." YEP.

5. Getting stuck in a beach sand storm

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Rain? sure. Snow? okay. Sandstorm at the ominous Black Sand Beach? not okay. There's still black sand in my coat pockets.

6. Icebergs

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"A ghostly procession of luminous blue icebergs."

7. Glaciers

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Vatnajökull is the largest ice cap in Iceland - and pictures don't do it justice.

8. Off Roading + Iceland Sunset

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Apparently you don't get the full off-road experience in Iceland, for all F-roads are closed. I did get a taste of off-roading when we went to find this cave.

9. Iceland Sunrise

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No excuses - sunrise is 10am (End of January, at least).

10. Droning in Iceland

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Iceland is a drone pilot's dream.

11. Iceland Waterfalls

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Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Svartifoss - just all the fosses.

12. Icelandic Horses

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If Icelandic horses had social media, they would have Myspaces.

13. Getting someone who 'gets it'

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I've definitely have had bottom of the barrel travel partners, so let me just say that that having someone who 'gets it' is invaluable.

14. Ice Caves

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Seeing the glacier is one thing, going inside is a whole another story.

15. Photography - capturing those shots

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Iceland is the most photogenic country I've ever been to.

16. Icelandic Food

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Not pictured: puffin & whale. P.S. - Whale was my favorite.

17. Reykjavik art

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Wonder around Reykjavik, and you'll no doubt run into some great artwork.

18. Renting a Car

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After some research and with holiday timing planning, I was able to get a great deal on a car. Definitely makes one's schedule more flexible and I'd say I highly recommend a rental overall. Also, don't forget it name it.

19. Hidden pools in the middle of nowhere