A few months ago, I got the opportunity to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Iceland with my family and I've been wanting to tell you all about it ever since. I'm not sure if it was the gorgeous vistas, the beautiful wildlife, or the incredible restaurants that we visited, but something about this trip really spoke to me. It was hard to leave. I really hope you enjoy reading this blog about our trip to Iceland as much as I enjoyed writing it.

My Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip to Iceland

What was the journey like?

I had always wanted to see the Northern Lights, so this past January I packed my bags and went on a trip that would take me all over the world. When I landed in Reykjavik, the cold hit me like an ice wall. It was time for one of my first adventures: horseback riding through lava fields near Hallmundarhraun. When we finally came upon some hills we ascended them only to be met with more and more hills-all covered in snow. The sun was beginning to set behind us as our guide took us back down the hill. The picturesque scene before me is one I will never forget.

What were our top tips?

-       Dress as if you're in Colorado on a blustery winter day - Lots of layers. It's dark out for most of the day, so there is no use for shorts or skirts. If it starts snowing or raining and you need to get in your car, you'll be glad you had something more substantial than jeans.

-       Be prepared for anything - The weather can change rapidly from sunny to snowy and back again in just an hour or two. 

-       Pack some snacks - The grocery stores are sparse, so make sure you pack some food with you when driving into Reykjavik from Keflavik Airport (or any other place).

What did we do with our time?

Rental cars in Iceland are easy to book which makes travelling around the country quite accessible, thus we did a lot of awesome things. There were many tour options in Reykjavik, but we ended up renting a car and doing our own thing. We did an easy day trip to see the Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall. For more adventurous types there are plenty of opportunities for climbing or hiking adventures. It's also worth noting that things can get quite expensive in Iceland - so budget accordingly. I had such a great time on this adventure with my family that I'll never forget it.

What should you pack when visiting?

Packing for a trip is always stressful, but knowing the right gear will make things go smoother. A common mistake people make when travelling overseas is not packing enough. This can be dangerous and expensive. Here are some things that are useful to bring when visiting Iceland: Warm clothes (i.e., gloves, jackets, hats), waterproof shoes, and headlamp or flashlight (important if you're camping).

Where did we stay?

We stayed at Hotel Kviknes, which is situated just a short drive from the airport. The hotel was in a very scenic area with rolling hills and lush forests all around us. On top of that, we were just steps away from the water. With it being February, winter was setting in hard and fast outside so being able to watch the snow fall while sipping on hot cocoa felt pretty luxurious. After enjoying our brief stay, we checked out and set off for our next stop: Skógafoss waterfall. As soon as we got there, I knew this place would be incredible. It was much bigger than I thought. There were two parts to the waterfall - one part where you could walk right up next to it and another part where you had to use stairs or go down some steep rocks (or both) to get down close enough for a good photo op.

Where to eat in Reykjavik?

One of the things I wanted to make sure and do while in Reykjavik was try some Icelandic cuisine. I spent some time reading reviews for different restaurants, but when I saw mention of an authentic fish dish made with guillemot - a type of small seabird - as a main ingredient, it was an easy decision. After finding the address for the restaurant near the water on Google Maps, we set out for an awesome adventure.