Where else is it possible to view some natural wonders and return to work on Monday?
It is unusual to hear over a long weekend break in the summer, "You just watched the newest land on earth be made." But hours after wrapping up the week's worth of labor, my tour guide informed me of that. I spent just two nights in Iceland, which was my first travel abroad since February 2020. Amazingly, it was the ideal length of time to enjoy a must-do excursion, explore the city, and get some much-needed rest.
I decided to fly to Iceland where the majority of people (understandably) might spend their long weekends traveling to the beach or the countryside. I know that sounds insane, but I assure you that it is very feasible. And you might even encounter a volcano like mine that is still active.
Flight restrictions and COVID
Reykjavik can be reached from New York in only five hours thanks to Icelandair's daily nonstop flights at 8:25 p.m. (JFK) and 8:30 p.m. (EWR). Thus, you may complete your work on a Thursday, go directly to the airport, and begin your overseas trip by 6 am on the following day. With a daily departure at 5 pm from Reykjavik to the New York region, the return journey is equally simple, giving you nearly three full days on the ground. A week's worth of FOMO-inducing activities can be squeezed into a few days because some of the greatest sights are only a few hours from the airport.
I chose to leave on a Friday and return home on a Monday when I made my reservations for the brief flights from Newark. A negative COVID test was no longer required at the time I was traveling if you were immunized. All I had to do was register my arrival at covid.is and take a COVID exam no later than 72 hours before flying back to the United States (you can book that return COVID test here). All quarantine and COVID testing requirements from a few months ago have been lifted.
It's crucial to remember that these regulations slightly changed as of July 27, 2021. All passengers must now show a negative COVID-19 test result that is no older than 72 hours while boarding a flight to Iceland, regardless of their immunization status. However, neither quarantine nor testing upon arrival in Iceland is required. If you have any questions, Icelandair answers them on their website.
Although testing and quarantine are not necessary, you should plan on spending at least an hour going through customs and the document verification procedure. However, due to early arrival, my spouse and I had already boarded a bus to my Reykjavik hotel by 7:30 am. As the wait times for group transportation can often be longer, I'd advise reserving a transfer in advance. We decided to choose Airport Direct's Premium transfer option, which has a direct drop-off at the hotel and costs about $100 for two persons traveling one way.
It was finally time for the vacation to get started after the arrangements were taken care of.
Day 1
The original plan for our first day was to take a little power sleep in the morning, go swimming in the early afternoon, have lunch at the new Sky Lagoon, then spend some time exploring Reykjavik's neighborhoods. All of that changed when our tour guide, Ryan Connolly of Hidden Iceland, informed us that, based on weather forecasts, Saturday, the day we arrived, offered the best potential of viewing molten lava. We were originally supposed to go on a hike on Sunday morning. We changed the agenda a little bit, though, because seeing lava was my top aim for the trip (I'm a great volcano fan).
As a result, by 9:45 am, Ryan and I were in the car with him after checking into the ION City Hotel (many hotels allow early check-in), grabbing the most wonderful cinnamon roll I've ever had at Brau & Co and getting a latte at Sandholt. After a brief stop at the COVID testing facility to obtain the speedy tests we required to travel back home (which took approximately 30 minutes), we promptly departed for the Geldingadalir volcano.
Ryan informed us on the way there that this volcano is possibly the most visitor-friendly in the entire globe. This is because you can go there from the airport in just 30 minutes. We also did.
To get to the primary crater viewing site, we took the C route, which changes access routes based on the direction of the lava flow. The eruption that started on March 19, 2021, after 800 years of dormancy, was visible along the road as the smoke that was still rising and newly cooled lava. Sadly, there was also severe fog at times, which reduced visibility to almost nothing. I was mentally bracing myself to NOT see lava as I had hoped, despite my optimism. And after making the roughly hour-long hike to the lookout, it appeared as though that might be the case. We were unable to see much, but we could hear the booming sound of lava shooting from the crater.
Ryan questioned us, "Are you willing to veer off the route a little bit?" One of my guides noticed a little lava flow in the distance. The answer was undoubted yes.
We continued to hike for a little while in the dense fog when suddenly, I noticed a glimmer. The clouds parted, and a large lava flow emerged at that instant. I'm describing a molten river flowing down one side and a waterfall of lava pouring down the other. The burning of the landscape was audible, audible in sound, and smelled. It is a sensory sensation that is difficult to put into words. Additionally, lava was geysering out of the crater every few seconds.
Ryan considered that we could safely approach closer if that wasn't enough (he had a gas level monitor). We continued hiking a little further and eventually found ourselves next to some slowly moving lava. It was hotter than if you were seated right next to a bonfire. However, it was amazing to see how the world changed right in front of our eyes.
Before heading back to the car, we lingered in the area for almost an hour to take it all in. We covered nine miles of simple to somewhat strenuous hiking in about four hours. It was time to start relaxing after the weekend's most exciting activities were through.
We arrived at the Sky Lagoon just before 5 o'clock to decompress after our lava-fueled afternoon, covered in some mud and a little moist from the rain. The geothermal pool, which is roughly 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavik, just recently opened. So it comes as no surprise that it has drawn attention right away. It has its appeal despite being much smaller (and a different color) than the Blue Lagoon. The restorative location is placed directly on the ocean, with rock formations framing the area where the thermal pool, sea, and sky appear to converge.
Despite the crowds, there was still plenty of space in the locker rooms for us to change (we chose the Sky Pass with private changing facilities) and locate a private spot in the water. Before trying their seven-step process, which included relaxing in an oceanfront sauna with a floor-to-ceiling window, we even had a few cocktails at the swim-up bar.
Having dinner close to our accommodation in Reykjavik was the final activity on the schedule for the day before we completely crashed. Ban Thai was our option. It's true that in Iceland, Thai food might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, there are several eateries, and this one offers a menu with more than 200 handcrafted products. So, before our 12-hour-long (and much-needed) night of sleep, it was a wise decision.
Day 2
Despite a minor noise problem at about 11 p.m., we felt rested when we woke up. Our hotel, ION City, is ideally situated on a street that is reserved for pedestrians, making it the perfect base for exploring the city. However, on weekends, the local bars can get a little boisterous (something the hotel warned us about). To make sure we got the rest we needed, a sound machine on our phones worked.
We grabbed another cinnamon roll from Brau & Co (because it's that wonderful) and coffee from the well-known Reykjavik Roasters to start our day before exploring the quaint seaside city. Here, you might easily lose days. Even with our limited time, we visited The Settlement Exhibition to see the ruins of one of Iceland's first homes, took photos on the Rainbow street between Bergstaastraeti and Laugavegur, strolled by the 244-foot-tall Hallgrmskirkja church, ate the world's best hot dog (according to Bill Clinton) with everything (ein meöllu), and visited several shops similar to those in T+L's Iceland guide.
We were prepared to travel to The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, our weekend's last destination, by 2 o'clock.
The famed Blue Lagoon is direct across the street from the architecturally cutting-edge five-star hotel, which also features private pools with the same vibrant waters. We immediately entered the water via the hotel's spa after receiving our complimentary champagne and touring the accommodation. The spa and its emphasis on rejuvenation are so prominent that visitors are urged to wear their bathrobes everywhere but the upscale restaurant Moss. Yes, you wear them to the free afternoon tea as well.
In the spa section, which has several amenities from a room with hanging "nests" and a steam cave to the blue waters themselves, phones are not permitted. We participated in the four-step, 45-minute routine, which consisted of three masks, showers, and oil treatment. After spending so much time unwinding, we became hungry, so we quickly ate at the casual (again, bathrobes) Lava Restaurant before taking a shower in preparation for our 8:30 p.m. dinner date at Moss.
It was enjoyable dressing up for the approximately three-hour, seven-course lunch and wine pairing. Only tasting meals are available at the renowned restaurant, which serves seasonal food and regional specialties like skyr. Even the lamb, another favorite of Icelanders, was placed on a recently chosen lava rock from the volcano we had just hiked the day before.
We retired to our room, which had one of the most breathtaking vistas ever, after a satisfying meal. The last thing we saw as we closed our eyes for the night was a field of lava rocks and azure rivers.
Day 3
Sadly, it was now our last day in Iceland. However, since our flight wasn't until 5 o'clock, we had time for one last relaxing session. After breakfast, we decided to attempt a floating massage that was offered in a roped-off area of the Blue Lagoon. It wasn't the most vigorous massage you'll ever receive, but the floating experience made it soothing. My lower body was even repeatedly shoved into the water by the therapist, which oddly helped me achieve a state of serenity.
We took one more dive in the Blue Lagoon's public area with a few hours left. Despite the crowds, there may be enough room for you to wander and quietly take in the natural beauty. (Pro tip: if you want pictures, pack a waterproof carrier for your phone.)
We had a short shower, packed our bags, and then headed to the airport to catch our flight. Unfortunately, it took us more than an hour to check in and pass through immigration because of COVID restrictions. Therefore, arrive at least 2.5 hours beforehand.
I couldn't believe we were already returning home and how much we had accomplished in that brief period as we boarded the aircraft. We visited two spas, had a seven-course supper, went on a four-hour hike, saw two natural wonders, and experienced a new city's culture and amenities. Even on Monday, we arrived home in time to put our three-year-old son to the bed.
Ryan, our tour guide, said that if you wanted, you could add an extra adventure to the schedule. For instance, the semi-private Volcanic Eruption Hike & Reykjanes Peninsula Tour offered by his business may transport you there in nine hours, allowing you to view the volcano, Gunnuhver hot spring and geyser, and Krsuvk geothermal area. You may still see Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon on that schedule.
I've always known a trip to Iceland would be fantastic. But the fact that it is feasible over a long weekend makes it even more alluring. So bear Iceland in mind when planning how to spend the remaining summer Fridays. After all, you won't find geysers, geothermal springs, or volcanoes in the Hamptons.