Here’s Why I Will Come Back To Iceland Soon.

A month to experience Iceland, a country where less than half a million people live should be enough, right?

How WRONG I was.

In this land, carved by extreme weather, well-defined seasons, and tons of natural landmarks where to get lost, my five weeks were nothing but an introduction, an appetizer to come back again, revisiting all the places that took my breath away and continue exploring new ones.

Three years and a half have already passed since I said goodbye to my – still unbeaten – favorite country in the world, and I have craved it almost every day since then.

It is about time that I pack my stuff and head North again, and when that happens this is what I don’t want to miss this time around.

MY 2nd ROUND ICELAND WISH LIST 

1. Arrive at Seyðisfjörður by ferry from the Faroe Islands

Having previously enjoyed the lava fields around Keflavik airport, getting to the East coast this time makes a lot of sense! Plus, the Faroe Islands are included in the combo as well!

2. Dance to Iceland Airwaves tunes.

Because I know how fun Reykjavík is. Add some music gigs and there you go!

3. Be surrounded by the Northern Lights

Isn’t Mt Kirkjufell in Grundarfjordur stunning?

After being fooled by a Umeå light show last year, I want to see the ‘Aurora Borealis’ more than ever! On top of this, Iceland seems to be a great place to do so along with other Nordic countries. And then there are all those final announcements every Winter telling us that the current year is the best to witness the Northern Lights.

4. Shoot (pictures) till I drop in an Icelandic ice cave.

Glacier caving in Vatnajökull Glacier, because of this:

5. Get a helicopter ride over Iceland.

Vivid memories of the patterns and colors of this country from the air as I was leaving still come to my mind. Unluckily, the plane quickly reaches heights where you no longer can appreciate this.

Landing on a glacier-like Þórisjökull, only accessible by helicopter is something I can’t stop dreaming about!

6. Hiking around Landmannalaugar and Mt. Hekla

Only doable during the Summer months, you need a 4 wheeler to reach these colorful mountains in the South lowlands. Once there, trekking and camping for a few days sound like a plan!

7. Continue exploring the Westfjords

The westernmost part of not only Iceland but also Europe,  the Westfjords is like a little country within the country. Far from the ‘busy’ (if something, Iceland is never busy) Ring Road and with some unpaved roads, I was based in there for two weeks. More precisely, it was Djupavik, a small town with just 2 inhabitants and a dog – Freja – my home away from home and I can’t wait to go back and spend a few days with Eva, her husband, and the dog to continue uncovering all the hidden jewels around.

8. Scuba Diving in Silfra

A natural wonder, the Silfra rift in the Unesco recognized Thingvellir national park, is something that can be explored underwater. Must do!

9. Test my snowmobile skills in Sólheimajökull Glacier

And get that super famous shot of the nearby plane wreck, which by the way, in a time without Instagram I wasn’t even aware of its existence back then!

10. Glacier trekking

Exciting and, at the same time, it scares the hell out of me thinking that the ice can collapse anytime and I can disappear forever among huge icebergs. Let’s see what I do once I am there again.

11. Play tourist in The Blue Lagoon

12. Get to know every significant waterfall

I can’t believe I didn’t make it to the one pictured here by National Geographic, Litlanesfoss, for instance.

13. Drive the Ring Road again

This time clockwise, taking as much time as it is needed and stopping everywhere I feel.

Probably every 2km.

PLEASE.TAKE.ME.BACK.TO.ICELAND.NOW!