By Taylor Domson

A vacation. An escape, perhaps. A place quite incomparable to the fair normality of Richmond monotony. Yet, a crisp breath of Icelandic air exhales fragments of American culture—the English language, traditional Icelandic hot dogs, and fair courtesy to tourists. So, an adventure ensues—welcome to Iceland.

At the conclusion of 2019, my family and I ventured to Iceland for a New Year’s trip quite unlike our previously small celebrations in Richmond. Yearning to see the Northern Lights, my parents hastily organized the trip that fall of my freshman year. Enchanted by social media posts of Iceland’s main attractions, my sister and I viewed the trip with searing excitement, but having completed little extended research. Amidst freezing temperatures and good cheer, we rang in the New Year unlike ever before. Even when our excursions were a mystery, the trip was indeed magical. 

The quaint island country in northern Europe boasts mountainous terrain, freezing glaciers, and even volcanic rock, posing a truly distinct traveling experience. The Golden Circle, a 186-mile circular route to Iceland’s three most popular natural phenomena, advertises some of Iceland’s jewels of geography. At every corner, local stores, traditional foods, and natural phenomena awaited us, sculpting a trip diverse in itinerary and creative in culture. 

A morning at the Blue Lagoon.

It all began at the Blue Lagoon Retreat Hotel & Spa, located in Norðurljósavegur. A steaming oasis awaited us at the geothermally heated pools of the lagoon. Clay and silica masks, fresh smoothie stations, and special bridges and waterways adorned the majestic scene, creating the ultimate location for rest and relaxation. A large room filled with warm white robes and reclining chairs iced the cake of our first, jetlagged experience in Iceland. After a peaceful meal at the facility’s attached restaurant, we left satisfied. Our dishes of local fish, rice, and traditional desserts were simple, yet well-executed. Relaxation spread, yet more adventure awaited. 

The Golden Circle encapsulates the duality of serenity and power in Icelandic nature. We soon ventured to such sites of rushing water, geysing air, and crater lakes. 

At the Gullfoss Waterfall overlook.

Our circular journey began at the Gullfoss Waterfall, a two-stage waterfall cascading into a canyon approximately 105 feet deep. A short hike led to the dramatic overlook—a short challenge bore the most beautiful present. However, evidence of Gullfoss presented itself along the trek as much as at the viewpoint, as watery mist sprayed fellow tourists, and the booming rhythm of flowing water conquered all listening ears. With two separate levels, the falls are often denoted as delivering the image of two separate features. During the winter months especially, as portions of the waterfall begin to freeze entirely, the scene takes on a special level of magic.

Not far away, the Geysir Geothermal Area bursts forth with steaming water, given its name in reference to its idyllic hot springs. The Great Geysir, the scene’s most popular feature, sprays steaming water that can reach a potential 557 feet. Although most famous for the Great Geysir, the area features smaller, more active hot springs, such as Strokkur, which spouts hot water in intervals of about five minutes. As we gawked at the beauty of such a powerful natural phenomenon, the surrounding air took on the essence of fog, covering the ground in mystic clouds of steaming water vapor. As sunlight and steam culminated in a scene of natural majesty, we sipped hot soup and munched on traditional Icelandic fish and chips at nearby restaurants.

A plume of water vapor at the Geysir Geothermal Area.

To finalize the path of the Golden Circle, we drove to the Þingvellir National Park, which features areas such as the Continental Divide and Kerid Volcanic Crater Lake. Volcanic rock and green moss adorned the physical remnants of tectonic plate movement. A natural ice skating rink lay in the valley of a rocky crater lake. Just as my parents viewed the Continental Divide with an air of historical awareness, my sister and I slid on the natural ice rink in snow boots, garrulous in our laughter. The glamor of these locations attracts mobs of tourists, similar to ourselves, yet more secluded ventures lay not far away.

As our tourist van rode smoothly along Iceland’s exceptionally paved roads, it seldom stopped unless at a major attraction. However, our guide shared a more private experience, parking near a small field to feed grazing horses. With thicker fur and shorter legs, these fairly domesticated Icelandic animals—often called original Viking horses—deliver an inherently adorable appearance irresistible to almost all passersby. After horse feeding, we even found a nearby sunset overlook. Due to Iceland’s northern location, its winter sun rises at a late 11:00 a.m., granting opportunity for a scenic view without lack of sleep. The piercing sun connects with snow-capped mountains in a stunning photo, redefining sunrise standards. The country life delivers a quaint comfort and a captivating beauty, but the city surges with life. New Year’s approached!

Icelandic “Viking” horses.

Reykjavík—the final stop. The busy city combines the bustling aura of New York and the calmer, local ambiance of Richmond in an amalgamation of tourist appeal. Restaurants serve food in art and in earnest at well-known restaurants and local cafes. Almost all locals speak fair English, offering generous recommendations to tourists like ourselves, aimlessly trekking the city’s streets. Despite the allure of well-known restaurants, smaller businesses, such as the Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand, attain local and international fame. The small stand—similar to a food truck—attracted lines extending into nearby streets, as we scrambled for a quick mid-day meal. In between shopping and souvenir searching, we also visited Hallgrímskirkja, one of the tallest buildings in Iceland. The Lutheran church’s foreboding structure and intricate architecture are a sight for curious eyes, attracting pedestrian traffic everywhere. After 41 years of construction, the architecture is meant to mimic Iceland’s volcanic geography and Nordic myths (such as Thor’s hammer), culminating in a free-standing structure. At a mere 4:30 p.m., as the sun began to set, a golden yellow overcame the church’s silver stone. The day died down. As so, the excitement of the impending New Year spread. 

New Year’s cruise view of Iceland’s firework show.

After a dinner meal accented by dessert macaroons, my family and I ventured to the docks. We boarded a humble vessel equipped with champagne and hot chocolate. As 12:00 a.m. approached, we climbed steps to the outdoor balcony. The countdown began, and we shared sentimental hugs and celebratory toasts to ring in the New Year. And then, the show began. At every point on the horizon, fireworks adorned the night sky. Endless color lit the indigo night, creating a scenic view incomparable to mere 4th of July celebrations. The fireworks continued for several minutes, covering the sky in shapes and colors representative of Icelandic pride. Soon, however, the boat floated back towards the docks. The night concluded; the vacation slid to a close. As we boarded our flight returning to Richmond, it was clear: Iceland is magical.

All photos by Taylor Domson.