Reviewing holidays in Iceland.
Regarding Iceland as your next vacation destination, first let me say: yes, it's worth it, but also remember a jacket. Also, an impermeable one. And perhaps two more jackets in case. Iceland is essentially a place where the weather struggles with commitment. One minute, it's bright; the next, you're wondering whether you somehow entered a Nordic horror movie. Iceland is one of those unusual places where every turn raises questions about why you would ever spend money on Instagram filters, even if the weather is erratic.
Most people start in Reykjavik, the capital, and yes, it is charming in a hipster-coffee-shop type of way. The streets are vibrant, the structures resemble LEGO-inspired ones, and the residents seem to have an unspoken rule: no one would ever grumble about the cold, since why bother wasting effort on whining when one might be exploring instead? Bonus points if you go to the Hallgrímskirkja church and find your legs are burning from going up the tower stairs, all for a sweeping view of the city that makes you feel both victorious and a little guilty for breathing loudly in public.
The real wonder lies outside the city: the Icelandic countryside. Imagine waterfalls so dramatic they might have agents working on movie deals, glaciers that make you feel small yet heroic at the same time, and black sand beaches that are both lovely and feel like you are in some dystopian art installation. Let's not even talk about the geysers. Strokkur, the most well-known, erupts every few minutes, which is ideal for indecisive photographers like myself who can never determine if they are ready to grab the "perfect" shot.
Operating the Ring Road is like registering for a journey to another planet. You'll pass hot springs that make you wonder why you ever paid for a spa back home, puffin colonies cuter than any motivational poster, and lava fields like they belong on Mars. And yes, everyone mentions the Northern Lights, which are really the cosmos showing off. Seeing them in person is one of those moments when you're so amazed you're too humiliated to even gaze at the photo you just grabbed with shaky hands and dubious camera skills.
Iceland costs a lot. If you're hoping for cheap travel, be ready to cry a little every time you come across the cost of a coffee or a lunch. Here's the rub, though: it's almost impossible to feel sorry for spending money here since everything from the surroundings to the odd villages seems meant to help you forget your bank account.
Iceland finally humbles you, makes you laugh, and sometimes scares you with its raw natural beauty. You'll go off with soggy socks, sunburn on your face from reflected snow, and a strong need to let everyone you know about the time you nearly froze your brows off. But somehow, despite all the little inconveniences, you will already be planning your trip back. And really, isn't that the sign of a fantastic vacation?
