Jokulsarlon, which translates to “glacier river lagoon” is one of the most breathtaking sights I’ve ever seen. The icebergs originate in Vatnajokull National Park, where huge pieces of icebergs break free and linger in this lagoon until they drift off into the sea. My whole family consider this to be one of our coolest days in Iceland. (No pun intended!) Here’s my plan for a fun day at Jokulsarlon:
55th Annual Windjammer Days
June 25- July 1, 2017
Windjammer Days is the official kickoff to summer in Boothbay, a charming coastal Maine town. It is a week-long celebration of maritime history, and it focuses on the sense of community in this quaint town.
What exactly is a windjammer? They are grand merchant ships that have between three and five masts that were used to carry cargo for long distances in the 19th and early 20th century. Looking at them will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.
Our first stop on our family trip to Iceland was the Hotel Klettur, in Reykjavik. After an overnight flight, in which I never fell asleep, my head was dying to hit the pillow and this hotel provided a wonderful spot to do it. Cozy beds, Moscow mules, and soccer… read here to read all about our stay.
Before we went to Iceland, we talked about our top “must-do” activities and my daughters chose to see some adorable, colorful puffins up close. Their colorful beaks and speedy wings make them such interesting birds. Little did we know that each year about 30,000 puffins come to a tiny island was only a 15-minute boat ride from the city. We decided to use Special Tours , since it is the original puffin tour out of Reykjavik.
We approached this modern building and it was not what I expected from what I’d read about Iceland. The grey color and vast windows made this elegant building stand out in the countryside. The hotel is in a great location, close to the southern coast. It is a good driving distance to the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, and Vik. The hotel is only a 40-minute drive from Reykjavik and the drive from there is unforgettable as you pass endless fields of lava rock and moss.
Click here to read all about our experience at Hotel Selfoss…
My kids are so fun to travel with, but every once in a while, it’s nice to be alone to relax. Since the end of the school year is full of obligations, I thought this would be a great time to rejuvenate before the final stretch of school, and the Lake Opechee Inn and Spa was the perfect place to go. I couldn’t have imagined how relaxed I would feel when I left.
Since this was our first trip to Iceland we decided to move around southern Iceland and exploring the area around each hotel. Hotel Laki is a wonderful place to call home if you would like to be in an area close to Jökulsárlón (the iceberg lagoon), since it is only about an hour and a half to get there. It is also a great location to explore the black sand beaches of Vik and the amazing waterfalls around the southeast coast.
Iceland has so many amazing places to explore. One of our favorite days was when we drove along the southeast coast, stopping to see some of nature’s best pieces of art. We spent the day hiking into a valley to find a hidden swimming spot, climbing waterfalls, and even walking behind one. Here is my itinerary for a perfect day in Iceland: