2023 Iceland Road Trip
The Land of Fire and Ice – Iceland is an otherworldly destination that’s in complete and beautiful juxtaposition with itself. From the striking black volcanic sands of Reynisfjara to the effervescent magical green hues of the Aurora Borealis; there’s something special about Iceland.
Iceland is for adventurers, it’s for photographers, it’s for geographers, it’s for anyone who appreciates the natural world. As an outdoor enthusiast and landscape photographer it’s easy to see why I have been longing to go to Iceland for many years now.
After much anticipation it is safe to say that Iceland did not disappoint. In fact, I would go as far as to say it’s one of my favourite places I have ever visited. I travelled by campervan for two weeks to some incredible Icelandic spots. Though I travelled to the top sites along the famous Golden Circle, I also ventured north to AkureyrI and the charming town of Húsavík as well as to Egilsstadir in the east.
Being a remote worker in such a place like Iceland requires some severe self-control and discipline. Simply waking up and never logging onto your computer is a very real temptation when faced with the prospect of exploring Thingvellir National Park, seeing the mighty Skógafoss or searching for seals at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
During this two-week trip I managed to take several thousand photos and that was with some extreme discipline. If you want my top Icelandic packing list recommendation it's definitely a spare SD card! One of the best things about Iceland is its accessibility. You can be at so many incredible destinations within just a five-hour drive from Keflavík International Airport. A trip to Iceland can feel a bit overwhelming to plan owing to the vast array of natural wonders. What are the must-see spots? Which volcanoes should you see? And what driving route is best? You can use the route I followed and see where I stayed along the way by checking out the map.
One of the problems with Iceland is it's too beautiful for its own good. A part of me feels so grateful to have seen Iceland now, before it becomes overrun with tourists. My hope of course is that the government and the Nordic mentality of protecting and appreciating natural beauty allows for provisions to prevent the tourism footprint from becoming too impactful.
Iceland is one of those places where you really do need to see it to believe it. Is there really any other place like Iceland? It is believed that more than 50% of Icelandic people believe in elves or fairies, calling them the “hidden people”! Iceland has around 130 volcanoes across 30 volcanic systems. The former Icelandic football co-manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson was also a dentist! And the Icelandic language has more than 100 words for “wind”. It’s a wildly odd and intriguing country but in all the best possible ways.