Where else can you see several natural wonders and be back at work on Monday?
But that’s what my tour guide was telling me just hours after finishing up work for the week.
I was inIcelandfor my first international trip since February 2020 and was there for just two nights.
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It might seem crazy, but I promise it’s more than doable.
And you might even get to see anactive volcanolike me.
I booked those quick flights out of Newark, opting for a Friday departure and Monday return home.
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During my travel dates, if you were vaccinated, a negative COVID test was no longer required.
All arrival COVID testing and quarantine restrictions from a few months ago have been removed.
It’s important to note that as of July 27, 2021, these rules shifted slightly.
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But, you still don’t have to get tested on arrival in Iceland or quarantine.
Icelandair makes the updated rules clearon their websiteif you have any questions.
I’d recommend pre-booking a transfer as the wait times for group transportation can be longer.
Christopher Lund/Courtesy of Sky Lagoon
Now that the logistics were done, it was time for the vacation to really begin.
Initially, we were scheduled for a Sunday morning hike.
Unfortunately, there was also heavy fog at times, making visibility drop to nearly zero.
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Though hopeful, I was mentally preparing NOT to see lava liked I hoped.
And after about an hour of hiking to the viewpoint, that seemed like it might be the case.
“Are you willing to venture off the route a bit,” Ryan asked us.
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“One of my guides saw a small lava flow around the corner from here.”
Obviously, the answer was yes.
At that moment, the clouds lifted, and a significant lava flow appeared.
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You could feel the heat, hear the crackling, and smell the burning of the landscape.
It’s a sensory experience that is impossible to describe.
To top it off, lava was bursting out of the crater every few seconds like a geyser.
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So, we hiked a bit more and ended up within an arm’s length of slowly moving lava.
The heat was more intense than sitting right next to a bonfire.
But, it was incredible to watch the earth change before our eyes.
In total, we hiked about nine miles (easy to moderate difficulty) over about four hours.
With the most adventurous part of the weekend already completed, it was prime time for the relaxation bit.
The geothermal pool opened just a couple of months ago and is about 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavik.
So, it’s no surprise it’s become an instant attraction.
Although much smaller (and a different color) than the Blue Lagoon, it has its own appeal.
Last on the itinerary for the day before totally crashing was grabbing dinner near our hotel in Reykjavik.
Our choice?Ban Thai.
Yes, Thai food might not be the first thing that comes to mind in Iceland.
But there are several restaurants, and this one has a menu of over 200 homemade items.
So it was a solid choice before our 12-hour-long (desperately needed) night of sleep.
Day 2
We woke up feeling recovered despite a brief noise disturbance around 11 pm.
But the nearby bars are a bit rowdy on the weekend (something the hotel warned us about).
A sound machine on our phones did the trick to ensure we got the rest we needed.
You could easily spend days here.
After our welcome champagne and room tour, we got right into the water via the property’s spa.
Yes, you even wear them to the complimentary afternoon tea.
Tastings menus are the only option at the highly-acclaimed restaurant and feature seasonal ingredients and local favorites like skyr.
With full bellies, we retired to our room that had one of the most stunning views ever.
Day 3
Sadly, our final day in Iceland had come.
But with our flight not until 5 pm, we could squeeze in some final relaxing moments.
Despite being busy, you could have plenty of space to roam and enjoy the natural wonder in peace.
(Pro tip: bring a waterproof carrier for your phone if you want pics).
Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, it took us over an hour to check in and clear immigration.
So, arrive at least 2.5 hours early.
And we even made it home in time on Monday to put our three-year-old son to bed.
Our tour guide, Ryan, noted that you could pack more adventure into the itinerary if you wanted.
Even with that schedule, you could still visit Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon.
I’ve always known Iceland would make for an incredible vacation.
But knowing that it’s possible over along weekendmakes it all the more appealing.
