Iceland is full of otherworldly sights, and it's a truly fabulous family vacation for those who want a self-drive. You have freedom to go from place to place while stopping whenever you see something incredible outside your window that you want to explore. But for that perfect vacation you're going to want to balance the driving and looking with some doing! There are SO many activities to choose from, but here are four of my favorites:
Set Sail on Glacier Lagoon
Glacier Lagoon is at the foot of the Vatnajökull Glacier. You'll see it from Ring Road when you cross the Jökulsá River - which runs from the lagoon down to the Atlantic Ocean. As you approach you'll glimpse the floating icebergs, and as you get closer you might be able to see the glacier calving into the turquoise water. Those icebergs, some with glittering blue ice, make their way to the sea and to the Diamond Beach, a black sand beach dotted with icebergs, just a few minutes from Glacier Lagoon. A great tour is Ya one hour excursion on a Zodiac boat. The boats are small and can move in and out of smaller areas quickly - so you can sail pretty closely around massive icebergs in the truly picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón.
Glacier Hike Solheimajokull
Feel like walking on a glacier? You can take a safe tour right on the tongue of the Sólheimajökull glacier. Your certified glacier guide will lead you through a frozen wonderland of white, blue, and crystal clear ice. You'll see deep crevasses and water cauldrons while your guide teaches you about the the ever-changing landscapes of the Icelandic glaciers, their formation, and how they impact the surrounding volcanoes and mountains. There are no technical skills needed, and you'll be provided with all of the necessary glacier equipment. This is a great, family-friendly way to experience an Icelandic glacier.
Lava Tunnel Tour Raufarhólshellir
Curious about the fire in the Land of Fire and Ice? The lava tunnel Raufarhólshellir, one of Iceland's longest and best-known lava tubes, is a perfect way to learn - while you're inside the tunnel itself. You can take a 30 minute guided tour and see the inner workings of a volcanic eruption (there are also longer tours for those who want to spend a LOT of time underground). Every winter ice sculptures form inside the cave entrance, making the experience of visiting the lava tunnel even more extraordinary. The total length of the tunnel is 4500 feet long and up to 98 feet wide in portions and up to 32 feet high - which makes it one of Iceland's largest lava tunnels. This is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the forces of nature that emerge from the center of the earth. (Note - I don't overuse the word unique - this actually is).
Venture into a Volcano Ice Cave
Want to go inside an ice cave? Hop in a Super Jeep ride to the highlands. On your way to Katla Volcano and the massive ice cap above it you'll take in the sweeping views of black volcanic deserts of flood plains, mountains, and fields of moss that make up the landscape. Your guide will share tales of the incredible geology as you make your way to the glacier's edge. During the tour you'll go through multiple ice formations in the volcanic glacier outlets of Mýrdalsjökull glacier - which is only accessible on these tours.
Looking for smaller but impactful activities to add on to your vacation? Take a look at our blog HERE with four of our favorites you can add on for some down time - but still have a really great time.
These are just a few of the awesome sites you can see in Iceland. Want to talk about your family's trip to Iceland? Set up an initial free consultation HERE.
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