Iceland? Why not!

When we decided to take a two-week trip to Iceland last summer, our friends were most amused! “Why?” they asked. “Why not!” we replied. It turned out to be one of our most wonderful family trips.

Accommodation was no problem, thanks to Airbnb, which features a number of boarding and lodging options. The Icelandic people are trustworthy, and they value their positive reputation as an emerging tourist destination. They are not out to fleece tourists. Help, hospitality and safety are high priorities in Iceland.

Once you land at the airport in Reykjavik, call the car rental (which you should have booked in advance). Hit the highway or the Ring Road, stopping at your pre-booked accommodation each night. By the way, traffic is sparse, but the rules – if broken – can set you back a few hundred euros. A note of caution: when travelling with kids, make sure your car boot is filled with water and food at all times. And take a loo break at every little stop. Restrooms and restaurants are not something you’ll find around every corner in Iceland!

The summer days In July and August are long, with practically no nights. The kids will marvel at this. They know their body rhythms and will fall asleep eventually – let them experience this night-less state of existence.

What to see and do

Whether you drive west along the country or east, you will go through absolutely amazing scenery that changes with every bend and turn. My eight-year-old remarked, “Mama, Switzerland is beautiful, but this is so different and still so very pretty.”

You’ll be surprised at the lack of large trees and grass here. Most of what is green is moss. Step onto the mounds – you’ll actually feel a light bounce. Just round the bend, the Atlantic stretches out in shades of deep blue on one side, and rugged, harsh cliffs and fjords stand out on the other. Waterfalls cut through the multicoloured lava mountains, and a little ahead the mountains give way to flat, green open spaces dotted with sheep.

Yes, that’s where all that Icelandic wool comes from. If your kids are into handicrafts, head to the Alafoss store at Mosfellsbær (close to Reykjavik) and select wool from a mindboggling range. The friendly staff will explain what works best for what types of craftwork. Obviously, here’s where you can buy your own Icelandic sweaters and woollens, too. And if you’re keen on knitting your own stuff, online help is on hand!

Back to the sheep – your kids will love chasing them when you take a short break for a quick picnic meal. What will probably engross them most in the latter part of your long drives is sheep counting and horse counting. We counted over 5000 sheep and 7000 horses in just the first few days.

Puffins are a great attraction among the birds in Iceland – one not to be missed. The German word Papageitaucher is the best one for this “diving parrot.” Puffins really do seem a little like a parrot and a bit like a penguin… and they fly like a bee!

Among the many waterfalls – each prettier than the previous one, each differently positioned within or without the volcanic craters – it would be unfair to name just the Gullfoss as the prettiest. So if you see water cascading down the lava slopes, stop and walk to – and perhaps through – the falls. It’s a fantastic experience and you never know what jewel of nature you might discover.

Hot sulphur springs are another “must.” Consider skipping the popular Blue Lagoon and head to Myvatn open springs instead. A note of caution: do not simply step into any steaming sulphur spring (you will see many), for the sands around just might be shifting and boiling! The geysers, bubbling and shooting through the earth at Geyser, the stone towers, and the fjords are all worth a stop. Take it all in. The Skaftafel will reveal beautiful blue icebergs that have sailed in the ocean. The sight is pure and magical.

Walk along the crater edges and see the magical reflections of the earth peaks and clear skies. But do be careful if you have a toddler with you – the strong gusts of wind may be too strong for a small child to handle. Walk on the European and American tectonic plates. It’s amazing to be on two continental plates at one time!

Food and drink

Absolutely delicious hotdogs are served up at gas stations and in corner shops. Expect to find European food, including seafood (often not a favourite for kids), pork, and lamb. Even if you aren’t into dairy, try the local Skyr (a type of yogurt). Another must is the delicious full-fat or low-fat milk – you simply must try it to believe it! My daughter, who despises milk, gulped a litre a day!

Iceland is a true picture of raw nature in the process of settling down. Naming places would do injustice to the sheer volume of what this country has to offer. My recommendation: drive around the country, take in the scenery, trek up the lava mountains, dip into the sulphur springs, walk through beautiful Reykjavík and other towns – experience it all without worrying about sleep time and food time. Bend the rules for the kids.

As a mother, I’d say this was quite a learning experience for my inquisitive kids, who wanted to know why the sands boiled and changed colour, why the water smelt of rotten eggs, what causes geysers, and why the days were so long. And after their Icelandic experience, they had their answers and could connect the dots for themselves!

Text and photos by Aradhna Sethi

Aradhna is the former chief editor of Swiss News and has been a consulting editor for other English-language publications. An aspiring author, she blogs and writes while balancing the demands of growing kids and her entrepreneurial husband. Read her at:  https://aradhnasethi.wordpress.com/