Sarah’s Icelandic Adventure
After a quick 2 hour flight from Edinburgh to Reykjavik we had arrived! There is no time difference between the UK and Iceland, which is great especially for a short break. It was about 7pm so we dropped our bags at our beautiful hotel, the Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel Curio Collection By Hilton and headed straight out for dinner.
Grillmarkaðurinn, Reykjavik
We had booked Grillmarkaðurinn (Grill Market) just a 2 minute walk from the hotel and were so glad we did as it was full. This urban restaurant was cladded inside with lava rocks, grey slate and dark wood giving it a cool underground feeling. The food was delicious, we had: puffin, whale and mountain char (fish). Not our usual Friday night dinner but we just had to try it while we were here!
Mountaineers of Iceland Truck & Geysir, Iceland
Up bright and early for our 8.30am pick up, we were super excited for our day out with the Mountaineers of Iceland for their Pearl Tour! We were picked up in the biggest black truck you have ever seen – wow we were in for a proper adventure! Our first stop was just over an hour out of Reykjavik to the Geysir that was an exploding hot spring it goes roughly 20 – 30 metres high when it erupts, which just now happens roughly ever 7 minutes. Its really impressive, we stood and watched it several times!
Gullfoss Waterfalls, Iceland
Our second stop was the breath-taking Gullfoss waterfalls. We couldn’t quite believe the sounds of the water and just how magical it looked covered in a bed of fresh snow – nor how cold it was being so high up and exposed.
Kenny & Sarah, Snowmobiling, Langjökull Glacier, Iceland
It was time to jump back into our truck to head higher up for the highlight of the tour – Snowmobiling on the Langjökull Glacier (Europe’s second biggest glacier)! It was time to take this huge truck off-road to get there, however by this time it was snowing heavily and we couldn’t see a thing! We arrived at some huts hidden in the snow to get changed into big warm snow suits and then it was time for a quick lesson with the snowmobiles and we were off – into the unknown, it was a complete white out! What a thrilling experience, we loved every minute.
The last stop on the Pearl Tour was the Þingvellir National Park where you can see the separation of 2 tectonic plates, beautiful waterfalls and stunning views! We walked right the way through the park in the snow and warmed back up with a coffee in the small café at the top.
Hard Rock Cafe & Restaurant Reykjavik, Reykjavik
Safely dropped off and back in the centre of Reykjavik we were quite hungry and right in front of us was the Hard Rock Café and it was ‘happy hour’ – perfect! We then went for a couple of drinks at local brewery bar called Bryggjan Brugghus, we were in for a treat as they had a Jazz band on, so it was super busy with a great atmosphere. Lastly we went to Pablo’s Disco Bar (don’t judge by the name) it was a lively late night bar with amazing cocktails!
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland
We managed to get a little sleep-in, before we were up for breakfast, checking out and jumping on our Reykjavik Excursions bus to the Blue Lagoon. I have to say I was really looking forward to it, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. From the hot (it really was) 38 degree water, the well-stocked swim up bar and all of the different face masks I was in heaven. I think we must have stayed for about four hours, it was just so relaxing. It was the perfect ending to our trip to Reykjavik.
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland
After our chilled afternoon we then hopped on another bus that took us straight to the airport, roughly 20 minutes away. The Blue Lagoon is the ideal stop on route back to the airport by breaking up the journey a little. Then it was time to board our flight back to Edinburgh.
Iceland we loved you!
To find out more about Sarah’s short break to Reykjavik or to go on a similar trip, give the team a call on 0131 243 8098 or send us an email.
