Plan Your Trip to Iceland

Featured in our Wish List in the December 2009 issue of ISLANDS magazine (on newsstands November 16), Iceland is the perfect balance of green waterfalls, snow-white glaciers and hearty food. Here’s your day-by-day guide for your next Icelandic adventure:

Lobster Appetizer at Silfur

Day 1: Fly Iceland Air into Keflavik Airport (KFL), about 45 minutes from Iceland’s biggest city, Reykjavik. Check into the Hotel Borg and explore Reykjavik. Buy something made of wool — a sweater, socks, hat or even a pin. Be sure to eat lunch at nearby Fish Market and dinner at Silfur (the lobster appetizer is amazing). Afterward, if you have enough energy, go to an Ice Bar for a Brennevin shot — It’s your Icelandic rite of passage.

Pingvellir National Park

Day 2: Drive to Pingvellir National Park and spend at least 2 hours taking in the beautiful scenery. Afterward, sit down to the perfect clam chowder from Restaurant Lindin, really only accessible on this leg of the trip. From there, head to the Geysir and Gulfoss waterfall (the largest in Iceland). This is an all-day affair with a lot of driving, but it’s an absolute must-do. Check into the Hotel Ranga, a luxurious log cabin in South Iceland. Ranga also has a great restaurant for dinner and breakfast.

Snowmobiles Ready on the Myrnajokull Glacier

Day 3: Dress warm. Today is snowmobiling day! Drive up the winding, icy road to the base camp on Myrnajokull glacier, where they’ll provide a jump suit. Follow closely to your guide — she knows this glacier like the back of her hand (and drives very quickly!). Only bring your camera if you have a very warm place to hide it (mine froze around my neck). Grab a quick, hot lunch, but then take your time at dinner at Rauda Husid, or Red House, in Eyrarbakki. The half portion of lobster is ample — trust me.

View from Hotel Ranga

Day 4: Arrange with Hotel Ranga to go horseback riding at nearby Eldhestar. Dress very warm! Spend the rest of the day taking in the gorgeous scenery at Ranga from one of their outdoor hot tubs. I suggest either a glass of red wine or a hot chocolate in hand at all times. Looking south, you’ll watch fishermen catch salmon in the river less than 100 feet away. If they graciously offer you a catch of the day, humbly accept — Ranga will gladly turn the fish into your delicious dinner that night.

Fish House Ambiance

Day 5: Transfer back to Reykjavik and back into Hotel Borg, where you’ll meet Nordurflug for your helicopter ride. The weather has to be just right (hope for no snow storms). Dinner tonight is at the Fish Company. Get excited. The food and the ambiance match perfectly — old Iceland meets new. The building dates back to 1884 and originally stood a few hundred yards east of its current location. They actually picked up the entire building and moved it, keeping one of the old harbor walls in tact.

Exclusive Lounge at the Blue Lagoon

Day 6: On your way back to the airport, allot at least 3 to 4 hours for the Blue Lagoon (it’s on the way to the airport). Book an in-water massage where they will use all Blue Lagoon products made from the rich, milky blue mineral water. Pay a little to gain access into the Exclusive Lounge. You’ll have your own personal bathroom with a rain shower and a separate, private entrance into the lagoon. At the airport, head to the Duty Free store and grab a souvenir bottle (or two or three) of Brennevin and Reyka vodka.

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