Author Archive for Ryan Connolly
Ryan Connolly is the Marketing Manager and Co-Founder for Hidden Iceland. Hidden Iceland is a carbon neutral travel company that specialises in private or small group tours that take you across the whole of Iceland. Hunting for the Northern Lights, discovering ice caves, hiking on glaciers and walking to the tops of volcanoes are some of the more adventurous activities Hidden Iceland take part in. But many of their customers also enjoy relaxing in natural hot pools, enjoying local cuisine and chance encounters with the wildlife too. Ryan has guided in many different countries and is proud to have stepped foot on all seven continents in his pursuit of new terrain. He is a qualified Glacier Guide, Wilderness First Responder and permanent resident of Iceland.
Top 15 things to pack for Iceland: An evergreen list
By Ryan Connolly on Mar 13, 2022 in Accessories, Clothing, Europe, Gadgets, Iceland, Luggage, Photography, Regions, Travel Equipment, Western Europe
Aside from, when is the best time to visit Iceland, the biggest follow-up question I tend to get is: What should I pack when coming to Iceland? Well firstly, you would assume (rightly and wrongly) that travelling to Iceland in winter is going to require a very different suitcase than if you are travelling in 
Iceland drops all COVID-19 border and domestic restrictions
By Ryan Connolly on Feb 28, 2022 in Europe, Health & Safety, Iceland, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
It’s been a little while since I wrote with A Luxury Travel Blog but I’m glad to be back and sharing such illuminating news. Hopefully I’ll be sharing more good news on Iceland more regularly again going forward. Iceland drops all border and domestic restrictions As of the 25th of February 2022, the Icelandic authorities 
Iceland opens its borders to the entire world (if vaccinated)
By Ryan Connolly on Mar 17, 2021 in Europe, Health & Safety, Iceland, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
This month’s post will be a little more ‘breaking news’ style than normal. But for good reason. Iceland, as of the 19th of March 2021, will officially open its borders to anyone (and I mean anyone) around the world who has been double vaccinated or has a certificate confirming you have antibodies. Read on to 
The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
By Ryan Connolly on Feb 25, 2021 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe
Similar to last month’s post, I want to hand out another love letter to one place in particular in Iceland that never fails to impress – the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. And by extension, the Diamond Beach. This is a location in the south east of Iceland that changes every time I see it. I don’t 
Sapphire ice cave in Iceland
By Ryan Connolly on Jan 20, 2021 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe
If you haven’t heard about the ‘Sapphire’ ice cave in Iceland yet, you will once you arrive. It’s worth coming to Iceland for that reason alone. Add in the Northern Lights, a snowy landscape and a remote location (perfect for social distance holidays) and you have an incredible trip awaiting you. So this blog post 
The darkest days in Iceland: A wonderful contradiction
Don’t forget the stars while looking to the heavens. As I write this, on the 13th of December, I am squeezed into the few daylight hours left in Iceland. The sun didn’t rise until 11:16 today and will say good bye at 15:30. That’s barely more than 4 hours. On the darkest day of the
Iceland in 2021 - social distance locations
Despite news of vaccines and a changing political environment, I think it’s safe to say that the COVID-19 virus won’t be fully eradicated any time soon. Not in the first half of 2021 anyway. However, that doesn’t mean that travel and ‘life’ can’t take on a semblance of normality as countries and borders get to
Winter is coming for Iceland
Winter is coming! A phrase adopted by Game of Thrones many years ago, but also something often muttered by the locals when the first snow falls in the autumn months. For the locals, it spells the end of harvest season and the start of a difficult winter. For tourists, it’s the beginning of a winter
Quarantining under the Northern Lights
By Ryan Connolly on Sep 15, 2020 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe
Last night’s surprise Northern Lights were breathtaking. The KP index showed low activity and it was forecast to be quite cloudy. And yet, in the middle of night, they appeared over Reykjavik, drowning out the sporadic street lights. It got me thinking. In Iceland right now, you need to do a test on arrival, quarantine 
Iceland in the shadow of COVID-19: A day on top of a volcano
The title, ‘In the shadow of COVID-19’ sounds a little ominous, don’t you think? Trust me, it’s intentional! Iceland is operating again, that’s for sure. Tourists are returning, albeit in small numbers. And people are starting to relax into everyday life. However, to say it is business as usual is simply not true. In fact, in the
The midnight sun on the glacier lagoon
In the past few weeks Iceland has seen a small amount of tourists filter back into the country. This is largely thanks to the success of comprehensive border testing. The few people who have chosen to take the risk of travelling this year have been met with empty landscapes and untouched terrain. A stark change
Iceland update: start planning, but maybe not flying just yet
Since my last post there have been a number of developments in Iceland. Many positive and some that require re-examining. Therefore I have dedicated this month’s blog post to adding additional information and including any changes. The question posed 1 month ago was, ‘Is it now the right time to come to Iceland?’ My answer to
Iceland to re-open to tourists on 15th June with airport testing
By Ryan Connolly on May 14, 2020 in Europe, Health & Safety, Iceland, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
To say I’m excited by this news would be a bit of an understatement. Especially since my livelihood relies on people coming to Iceland. But, I am cautious as to what this will actually mean for travellers who do decide to make the journey to Iceland this year. So I’ve put together a short list 
Tales of Iceland: The Snaefellsnes Peninsula under the Northern Lights
“I’m dreaming with my eyes open!” The Snaefellsnes Peninsula always seems to enjoy more media coverage than the rest of Iceland. In fact, as far back as 1864 when Jules Verne wrote Journey to The Centre of the Earth, Snaefellsnes has been a traveller’s dream spot. The protagonist in the book exclaimed, “I’m dreaming with
