Iceland Archives - A Luxury Travel Blog : A Luxury Travel Blog

Iceland to re-open to tourists on 15th June with airport testing

By Ryan Connolly on May 14, 2020 in Europe, Featured, 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

By Ryan Connolly on May 14, 2020 in Europe, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe

“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 […]

Tales of Iceland: An ice cave story

By Ryan Connolly on Apr 16, 2020 in Europe, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe

Now is the time to remain indoors. Now is the time to protect your health and stay safe. But now is also the time to take stock of your life and think about the future. Has that dream trip to Iceland eluded you until now? While you are based at home, are you now looking longingly […]

Something to look forward to? Iceland in the Summertime

By Sigurður Magnússon on Mar 25, 2020 in Europe, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe

With much of the world in lockdown right now, there is still no reason why we can’t use the time spent indoors to look forward to happier times. And there is little doubt that there will be a lot of pent-up desire to travel just waiting to be fulfilled once this unfortunate situation passes. So […]

Iceland: the world’s most peaceful country

By Ryan Connolly on Mar 09, 2020 in Europe, Health & Safety, Iceland, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008 – Global Peace Index According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world… 12 years running. Followed by New Zealand, Austria, Portugal and Denmark. Other countries like Bhutan have risen impressively over the […]

Top 5 places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

By Ryan Connolly on Feb 05, 2020 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe

February and March (near the solstice) are statistically better for spotting the Northern Lights than the darkest months of the year. So there is still time to plan that long weekend this year with the Aurora Borealis in mind. The first week of April is the last week I would give anyone a good chance […]

Luxury travel in Iceland

By Ryan Connolly on Jan 21, 2020 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe

“It is in Iceland’s authenticity that luxury can be discovered.” This month’s blog post comes from the cosy cocktail bar situated in the luxurious Canopy by Hilton hotel. It is a 4 star hotel (there are no official 5 star hotels in Iceland). This hotel is based in downtown Reykjavik and a stone’s throw from the […]

Top 8 ways to experience the Northern Lights

By Dave Warne on Jan 18, 2020 in Europe, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe

The Northern Lights are Scandinavia’s most spectacular natural wonder and, unsurprisingly, one of its biggest draws. And, spotting the ethereal display is easier – and more luxurious – than you may think. From Finland to Norway; Sweden to Iceland; Scandinavia and the Nordics offer endless ways to witness the aurora, from heated glass igloos to […]

ETIAS: the new visa waiver program for the Schengen Zone

By Paul Johnson on Dec 26, 2019 in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eastern Europe, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Health & Safety, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Regions, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Are you thinking of one day visiting one or more of the Schengen member states of Europe? Whether you’re drawn by the dramatic landscapes of Iceland, the sunshine and beaches of Spain or the relaxed pace of life in Greece, you need to be aware of some changes that are due to take place. From […]

What to expect in an Icelandic winter – the good, the bad and the stormy

By Ryan Connolly on Dec 23, 2019 in Adventure Travel, Europe, Iceland, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

“Memories are made from experiences, not from pictures.” This month’s post was started while cuddled up under a big blanket, stuck indoors during the first ever Red rated storm in Iceland’s history. However, this post was also completed two days later while chilling out in a cafe under perfectly blue skies and not a whisper […]

5 of the world’s most spectacular hiking routes

By Linas Ceikus on Nov 30, 2019 in Asia, Attractions, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Europe, Going Out, Greece, Iceland, Leisure Travel, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” The words of Henry David Thoreau, a man who knew more than a thing or two about the value of the great outdoors to the human condition. It’s no secret that Thoreau was a firm believer in the merits of donning […]

7 top tips for hunting the Northern Lights in Iceland

By Ryan Connolly on Nov 14, 2019 in Arctic, Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Iceland, Photography, Polar Regions, Regions, Travel Equipment, Western Europe

Years of hunting the Northern Lights in Iceland with a strong background in science has given me the skill and understanding to know 100% of the time when it’s worth going out searching for them. Just kidding! It’s still incredibly difficult to predict, despite my acute knowledge of the forecasts. And just as difficult to […]

The Northern Lights in Iceland: how to avoid disappointment

By Ryan Connolly on Oct 14, 2019 in Attractions, Europe, Events, Going Out, Iceland, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

There are few things more magical than hunting down the Northern Lights in Iceland… when you’re successful! But for every great story heard from a friend who witnessed the green and pink dancing curtains 3 nights in a row, there’s the misery tale from another friend who was driven around in a big bus night […]

Exploring ice caves in an Icelandic winter

By Ryan Connolly on Sep 08, 2019 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe

Exploring ice caves in an Icelandic winter. Stepping foot into your first crystal clear blue ice cave is a memory that will last a life time. If you haven’t explored an ice cave in an Icelandic winter for yourself it’s hard to describe the feeling. Standing inside this magnificent flowing structure of ice and looking […]

The 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iceland

By Ryan Connolly on Aug 19, 2019 in Adventure Travel, Attractions, Europe, Featured, Going Out, Iceland, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

As of July 5th 2019 Iceland now has 3 World Heritage Sites, with the newest being the Vatnajökull National Park which is dominated by a city sized ice cap. Along with the volcanic island of Surtsey and the Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle these protected areas cover a whopping 15% of the entire […]

10 of Scandinavia’s top luxury hotels and experiences

By Dave Warne on Aug 18, 2019 in Accommodation, Arctic, Denmark, Europe, Finland, Hotels, Iceland, Norway, Polar Regions, Regions, Sweden, Western Europe

Scandinavia has had something of an awakening over recent years, with adventure-seeking travellers being opened up to its innovative hotels, gourmet food and spectacular landscapes. Whether it’s a log cabin or luxury glass igloo, this region offers some of the world’s best and most memorable hotels and experiences. Take a look below for our top […]

Category: Iceland