Glacier Landing

by Nikki Cornell

The Essential Iceland helicopter tour was the perfect way to spend the last day of our trip. At that point, we had been traveling for 9 days, driving around the Ring Road, so it was refreshing to experience the views from up top. Seeing the island over the course of an extensive road trip was so much fun, with the best guide ever (Alex)! But there are places a helicopter can reach that a car cannot...

We retraced our steps, flying over Thingvellir (and our hotel Ion Luxury Adventure), the geothermal power plants, both Gulfoss and Háifoss waterfalls, Strokkur, Geysir, Mt. Hekla, and a breathtaking view of the rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar. This quick overview of the Golden Circle was an overwhelming conclusion to our week exploring the epic Icelandic landscape. My top highlight from the journey was our stop after Thórsmörk Valley and Eyjafjallajökull glacier where we landed for a picnic lunch by Gígjökull. It was one of the the most extraordinary meals I've had and can taste the Skyr just thinking about it.

Photos by Alex Cornell

Floating in the Blue Lagoon

by Nikki Cornell

Finally back home from Iceland! It was my first time visiting the country, and after this trip, it's safe to say it's one of the most incredible places I've ever been -- probably one of my favorites in the entire world. There really isn't anywhere else remotely like it. My mind is still blown by the beauty and intrigue of the landscape that constantly changed every minute.

10 days driving around the Ring Road will fill you with more than enough inspiration, not to mention appreciation for nature. We spent every second combing the island for the best photo ops -- whether we were chasing waterfalls, sunsets, arctic foxes, or in this case above, geothermal pools -- aka the Blue Lagoon. It's hard to convey how amazing it was to be there; I'll just let all the pictures do the talking and mark one check off my Bucket List!