Iceland Adventures
Iceland is truly an incredible destination that offers unforgettable adventures and natural beauty like no other place on Earth. I had the pleasure of experiencing this first-hand on my recent trip, which was packed with exciting activities and delicious meals, all while staying at the stunning Hotel Rangá.
Our journey began with a snowmobiling tour atop the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, led by the fantastic South Coast Adventure company. This thrilling experience allowed us to witness the pristine snow and ice sculptures, and to take in the stunning views over South Iceland. After a few hours of high-speed adventure, we returned to the hotel for some leisure time before dinner.
Speaking of dinner, the Nordic cuisine at Rangá Restaurant was truly outstanding. Their menu, which emphasizes the highest quality local ingredients, offered a range of delicious and adventurous dishes, including wild mushroom soup and reindeer carpaccio. And of course, we couldn't resist the opportunity to try the famous Icelandic cod oil!
We embarked on a super jeep tour to explore the Katla Ice Cave with South Coast Adventure the following day. The cave's breathtaking ice formations and unique colours left us in awe, and the day was made even better with a stop for burgers and beer at Smiðjan Brugghús.
No trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to the black sand beach and some of the South Coast's most stunning waterfalls, which we were able to explore in the afternoon. We returned to the hotel for another delicious meal and some well-deserved relaxation.
On the third day, we embarked on another super jeep tour to the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve. Þórsmörk is located in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve deep in the interior highlands of Iceland. This was an all-day adventure, but the stunning hot springs and landscapes made it well worth the long drive. We finished the day with dinner and drinks, reflecting on the many highlights of our trip so far.
The following day, we visited Skeiðvellir, a family-run horse farm that taught us all about the unique Icelandic horse, including its fifth gait. The horses themselves were the best hair models in town! We had some leisure time after that, which was a great opportunity to snap some photos around the hotel or take a dip in the geothermal hot tub.
Our last dinner was at a surprise location, which added to the spontaneous and adventurous spirit of the trip. It was the perfect way to cap off our incredible journey. It was the Cave Dinner Experience by Hotel Ranga. Dining like a Viking in a cave in the middle of nowhere is definitely one of the most unique dining experiences I have ever had.
The cave itself is a truly spectacular setting for dinner. It's far away from the ring road, in the very middle of nowhere, giving us a true feeling of isolation from the outside world. The restaurant only serves private groups of up to 15 people, making it an intimate and exclusive experience. It's a high-end option, but worth it for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
In summary, my experience in Iceland was nothing short of amazing. Every moment was a new and exciting adventure, from snowmobiling on glaciers to zip-lining over waterfalls and exploring hot springs and ice caves. And with the awesome service and hospitality of the locals, each experience was even better than I could have imagined. The food, the views, and the culture of Iceland all came together to create a trip that will stay with me for a lifetime.
