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

You realize 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 grew to become one in all 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 discuss till a fateful evening on the Colorado Automotive Corridor of Fame induction ceremony. My dad swears he regarded away for only a second, and abruptly, they have been saying my mother’s title 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 acquired 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 likelihood to go.

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

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

For starters, they booked us at Sand Lodge, a boutique keep proper on the principle metropolis drag. It was fashionable, comfy, and—better of all—strolling distance from almost all the pieces. 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. In case you Google “Iceland Northern Lights Tour,” you’ll get a whole lot of outcomes. As a substitute of sifting by means of countless choices, we had specialists select high-quality excursions.

The meals tour was an ideal technique 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 major cause: to see the Northern Lights. However even in peak season, sightings aren’t assured.

The journey firm urged 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 acquired fortunate—the lights have been out in full power. They didn’t present up once more for the remainder of our journey.

Might we’ve got rented a automotive and chased them ourselves? Certain. However would we’ve got had home made 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 a number of 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 develop into a little bit of a vacationer entice—all the time 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 greatest concern going into this journey—as somebody who has been on press journeys the place each minute is, sadly, accounted for—was that it will 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 nearly full freedom? Dinner.

Some may discover that overwhelming, however I love researching and choosing 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 a number of the finest 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) clarification of the auroras

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

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

General, having a journey firm deal with the majority of our itinerary made this journey extremely seamless. Would I do one other totally pre-planned journey? Possibly, relying on the vacation spot. However Iceland was the right 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 gained a visit or traveled with a pre-planned itinerary? Would you do it once more? Let me know within the feedback!