[Top Tips] Be sure to pack good shades (strong glare), a cap and sunscreen. Always travel with your swimsuit so you don’t miss out like we did, watching on enviously at the hikers who jumped into the random geothermal pools along the trails. Won’t hurt to bring along a bathrobe or towel from the hotel. Even though we visited during summer, it does get windy! Layer, layer, layer. On the glaciers we were in our Boston weather best.

#1 – Blue Lagoon
This is actually close to the airport. We went straight there with our luggage; they have free storage space, lockers and changing rooms. It was easy to book bus ticket packages online, but they have become increasingly stringent about booking timeslots. To my own surprise, we spent a good 4 hours floating around. Would recommend to bring your own bathrobe though as it is cold walking out to the pools and the rental towels are impossible to differentiate. Also try to bring your camera in a water-resistant case, the photos are priceless! There are a few mud vats you should definitely use to coat yourselves with; great for the skin! And most importantly – do NOT soak your hair in the water because the salt will tangle your hair and take days to wash out. Blue Lagoon requires you to shower NAKED before entering the pool for hygiene purposes, take the opportunity to wet your hair and lather on tons of conditioner before going in (miracle at repelling the salt). There is a simple cafeteria onsite if you need to grab a bite, although I have friends who have also stayed a night at their “Clinic Hotel” for the full spa experience. Regardless, do check out back door of Blue Lagoon and walk around for the beautiful view and lots of moss before you leave.

#2 – Golden Circle
The classic day trip – will bring you to the Geysir and up the glacier. Book the Golden Circle & Glacier Super Jeep Tour with Omar (+3548995438) http://mountaintaxi.is. At the Golden Waterfall pit stop you must order some Icelandic lamb soup (free refills).

#3 – Other tours
https://www.icelandtravel.is/ http://www.icelandexcursions.is/ are also good for other tours. We chose to take the day trips from Reykavik for the guided experience. If you choose to drive on your own, overall signage is good but do rent a serious 4 wheel drive as many of the roads are simple gravel and single lane. We did an inland day tour to the beautiful mineral Landmannaluger Mountains for a 1-2 hour hike, but many of my other friends prefer to take coastal trips for ease of driving on the main circle ring highway.

#4 – FOOD !
Icelandic food is incredible (even just the bread and butter). Best meal was our tasting menu at Grill Market (Grillmarkadurinn) although Seafood Grill (Sjávargrillið) was also good (D tried the infamous fermented whale Anthony Bourdain claims is one of the worst things he has ever tasted). For casual food… Baejarins Beztu Pylsur is a famous hot dog stand (Conde Nast – One Thing to Eat in Iceland), and there is a waffle stand next to it too – YUM.

#5 – Roaming Reykavik
My top request for Iceland was to go puffin sighting; would recommend the 1030am morning ride on Puffin Express. They can arrange for a morning pick up from your hotel, but I would personally prefer to head to the wharf earlier for a spot of breakfast by the water. There is some very contemplative contemporary art at the Reykavik Art Museum, we also loved the volcano movies on the hour (40min) at Volcano House. For must see architecture visit the Cultural Center on the waterfront, Hallgrímskirkja Church, and if you have a car do drop by the Perlan. Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur are the main shopping streets; even souvenir stores can offer VAT free shopping so always remember to ask and you can get refunds at the Tourist Centers in downtown.

#6 – Where to Stay
Iceland is expensive! We stayed in the refurbished shed of a quaint B&B for maximum value. Mainstream top choice would be the 101 Hotel but I think Radisson Blu 1919 is in a good location too (close to the hotdogs!). There is a chain called Center Hotel with 3 locations (Center Hotel Plaza being most central). Hilton is common for people booking on Icelandic Air travel packages but it is outside of the main town and not conducive to walking around town for food and shopping.

#bucketlist #iceland #puffins #glacier #bluelagoon #foodie #adventure