Revisiting Iceland – With the Children this Time

We went to Iceland one winter, before the children were born. Flying into Reykjavik, we hired a car and toured a lot of the tourist attractions within that area. I would love to go back, but I want to take the children with me next time. Working out when is best to visit is a difficult decision, as some of the ‘wish list’ items are seasonal. I will book the hotel, flights and car hire in Iceland in the same transaction if I can, hopefully finding a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast! This is a lot easier than booking everything separately.

There are a few things I’d specifically like the children to see/experience.

The Blue Lagoon

The famous Blue Lagoon

When we went to this world-famous hot spring, the entry cost was quite high, but nowhere near as expensive as it is now! But having never stepped into a geothermal pool before, it was such an incredible experience that justified the cost. I’d like the children to have similar memories, which is why it tops my list.

The Geysers

The Geysir Field in Iceland

Keeping on the theme of geothermal heat, I remember us driving through the countryside to the geysir field. There were not many people around, so we followed the boardwalk between the bubbling pools. We were lucky enough to see several of them spout during our visit – including the Great Geysir and Strokkur. It is such a phenomenal sight the kids would love to see it.

Gulfoss Falls

The path leading down to Gulfoss Falls

Continuing on the Golden Circle driving route, we would have to revisit Gulfoss Falls. When we visited it was raining, and very cold. The waterfall was immense – quite scary as it was so powerful. You need to see it to believe it … so we’d definitely head here, and hope for better weather!

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park, where you can clearly see the two continental plates – the North America plate and the Eurasian plate

Again, this is on the Golden Circle route – and is a must-place to visit. It’s the place where the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates meet and drift apart. You can clearly see the two plates.

This is also where Iceland formed its first parliament.

Northern Lights

Northern Lights over Iceland

For anyone who knows me, they’d have thought this would have topped my list. The truth is I’m fed up looking for the Northern Lights! I went to Iceland to find them – nothing. Then to the north of Alaska, still nothing. Lapland, and Finland, at Christmas – nope. I was once on a flight when the captain said to the passengers to look out the left windows as there was a good show of the Northern Lights … guess who was sitting at the window on the right-hand side of the plane?! I’ve figured that if I stop actively seeking the lights, they’ll find me …

Whale Watching

Whale watching off Iceland

You can take boat rides from Reykjavik harbour to search for whales. Minke, White-Beaked and Humpback whales can be seen – there’s a success rate of 90% to see whales on each trip. I’ve been whale watching many times, but the children never have … so this is a must-do.

Visiting Ikea!

I know, a strange one! When we first visited Iceland the cost of food scared us into starvation. That was until we spotted Ikea in Reykjavik. More expensive than in the UK, but the restaurant had affordable meals … and we ate here most evenings! We’d have to go back ‘for old time’s sake’!

New things

Knowing my children there will be a request for a horse-riding tour. Visiting a volcano, and then an ice cave, with some white-water rafting thrown in, would probably make their wish list too.

Horses in Iceland: Millie will want a ride!

For the oldies (Huw and myself), it would be nice to do a foodie tour – I’m not talking rotting shark, but to be shown that there’s more to eating in Iceland than what Ikea has on its menu!