I Gained a Free Journey to Iceland—Right here’s What Occurred

You understand these fortunate individuals who win all-expenses-paid journeys simply by being the hundredth caller or having their raffle ticket drawn? By some stroke of destiny, I turned one in every of them. Properly, technically, my mother did—however I used to be fortunate sufficient to reap the advantages.

Again in 2019, my dad and I wouldn’t shut up about going to Iceland. We had our sights set on the Northern Lights, and my school commencement lined up completely with peak photo voltaic exercise. It was all simply speak till a fateful evening on the Colorado Automotive Corridor of Fame induction ceremony. My dad swears he appeared away for only a second, and immediately, they have been saying my mother’s identify because the winner of an Iceland Journey journey.

Then life occurred. Between 2019 and 2024, the journey sat on the again burner. However final fall, I received a textual content from my dad: “Need to go to Iceland?” Seems, due to COVID-19, our five-year redemption window had stretched to 6—and 2025 can be our final probability to go.

With the journey largely deliberate by a journey firm, I received to expertise firsthand the advantages and downsides of letting another person take the reins in your itinerary. Right here’s what labored, what didn’t, and what I’d do in a different way subsequent time.

Ask locals or frequent Iceland vacationers, they usually’ll inform you Reykjavik is greatest loved in two to a few days. We have been set for six. Having a journey agent fill these further days was extremely useful.

For starters, they booked us at Sand Resort, a boutique keep proper on the primary metropolis drag. It was trendy, comfy, and—better of all—strolling distance from practically the whole lot. Complimentary breakfast didn’t damage both.

We had 4 excursions lined up all through the week: a foodie strolling tour, Northern Lights expertise, Golden Circle journey, and South Coast exploration.

The largest perk of getting a journey agent? They did all of the filtering for us. If you happen to Google “Iceland Northern Lights Tour,” you’ll get tons of of outcomes. As an alternative of sifting by infinite choices, we had specialists select high-quality excursions.

The meals tour was an ideal option to pattern Icelandic delicacies with out the dedication of ordering full dishes. Would I’ve ever voluntarily ordered fermented shark? Undoubtedly not. Am I glad I attempted it? Completely.

One cease was the legendary Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a scorching canine stand that’s drawn the likes of Anthony Bourdain, Kim Kardashian, and Invoice Clinton. The beer-braised lamb-beef-and-pork canine lived as much as the hype.

Individuals courageous Iceland in February for one important cause: to see the Northern Lights. However even in peak season, sightings aren’t assured.

The journey firm recommended scheduling the tour on the starting of the journey as a result of most corporations supply a free reschedule if the lights don’t seem. We went out on our second evening and received fortunate—the lights have been out in full power. They didn’t present up once more for the remainder of our journey.

May now we have rented a automobile and chased them ourselves? Positive. However would now we have had selfmade scorching chocolate and cinnamon rolls whereas doing it? In all probability not.

Each the Golden Circle and South Coast excursions have been 10-hour excursions full of waterfalls, geysers, black sand seashores, Icelandic horses, and even a tomato farm.

Some spotlight spots:

• Thingvellir Nationwide Park – the place two tectonic plates meet

•Gullfoss Waterfall – a thundering double-tiered cascade

•Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss – iconic waterfalls you’ve positively seen on Instagram

•Reynisfjara Seashore – eerie black sand, towering basalt columns, and crashing waves

It was among the most breathtaking nature I’ve ever seen—phrases don’t do it justice.

We had a alternative between Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon. Blue Lagoon is the well-known one, however our journey agent gave us the within scoop: it’s change into a little bit of a vacationer lure—at all times crowded, not as well-kept.

We opted for Sky Lagoon, and I’ve zero regrets. It was extra spa-like, providing a seven-step “tranquility journey” that included a chilly plunge, sauna, steam room, and salt scrub. Plus, the views? Unreal.

My largest concern going into this journey—as somebody who has been on press journeys the place each minute is, sadly, accounted for—was that it might be too scheduled. However our Iceland itinerary struck an excellent stability. Reykjavik isn’t an enormous metropolis, and we had loads of unstructured time to wander, take a look at native bars, pop into bakeries (the cinnamon rolls are a should), and store for souvenirs. (Nordic homeware is elite, by the way in which.)

One space the place we had virtually full freedom? Dinner.

Some would possibly discover that overwhelming, however I love researching and selecting eating places. My dad doesn’t. I got here ready with an inventory but in addition took suggestions alongside the way in which. A couple of standouts:

• Skál – an off-the-cuff, Michelin-recommended spot

• Fiskfélagið (Fish Firm) – cozy, artistic seafood

• Sushi Social – an Icelandic-Japanese fusion gem

• La Primavera Ristorante – an Italian spot with an Icelandic twist

• Ban Thai – unexpectedly among the greatest Thai meals I’ve had

Past the deliberate excursions, we checked out:

• Perlan – particularly nice earlier than the Northern Lights tour, because it features a detailed (and visually beautiful) rationalization of the auroras

• FlyOver Iceland – principally Iceland’s model of Disney’s Soarin’

• The Settlement Exhibition– an interesting take a look at Viking historical past

Total, having a journey firm deal with the majority of our itinerary made this journey extremely seamless. Would I do one other absolutely pre-planned journey? Perhaps, relying on the vacation spot. However Iceland was the proper place to have the logistics dealt with—leaving us extra time to soak within the magic.

And to assume, it began with a fortunate raffle ticket.

Have you ever ever received a visit or traveled with a pre-planned itinerary? Would you do it once more? Let me know within the feedback!