Ok, this is going to sound crazy . . . . Certainly this space is all about things to do around Vancouver, but one of the great things to do is . . . well, LEAVE (!) by taking advantage of our amazing airport minutes from our doorstep. You may remember, I have featured the airport as a great destination of its own with seven great reasons why in this article.
From PDX, there are direct flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, and Iceland! So let’s explore what a little getaway to Iceland might look like. The photo below shows flights that are available in the near future as I write this. (yes, direct to Iceland from Portland for $350!!)
I was in Iceland last weekend with my daughter, and granted — not a “weekend getaway” but rather a bookend on a trip returning from Europe, with the idea that we could take advantage of the direct flight and check out the country.
We landed on Saturday morning at 10am and were back at the airport for our flight home by the next afternoon at 2pm, so it was literally just a 28 hour visit. And yet — it did not feel rushed and we were delighted with every moment. Iceland was one wonderful surprise after another.
We rented a car and immediately headed out to Hvammsvik Hot springs which was about an hour and a half drive. The drive itself was a big part of the fun with gorgeous vistas, horses and sheep, and empty roads. It was 50-50 whether the roads were paved, so we were glad to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle that really helped with control over potholes and thick gravel.
There are many hot springs to choose from, and while the Blue Lagoon is the one most of us have heard of, we carefully read all the reviews and selected Hvammsvik with its 7 different hot pools including one with a swim-up bar. When we arrived, there was excitement as a whale had been sighted all day in the sea, but we weren’t lucky enough to get a viewing ourselves. We spent a glorious few hours at the hot springs and even ventured into the cold water of the sea a couple of times.
We left happy and relaxed and with fingertips puckered from hours in the water, and started driving to our overnight destination: something called a “camping pod” that looked cute on google maps.
We couldn’t believe how lovely this spot was when we arrived about an hour later. With a restaurant sitting over rushing water, wonderful Troll-themed trails to explore, and sleeping accommodations that were cozy and comfy. Exceeded expectations and then some!
The next morning, after a lovely breakfast in the restaurant overlooking the water, we drove to Thingvellir National Park. Of course, I always love a museum, and the visitor center was filled with the fascinating history of Iceland: how it was formed geographically, as well as how its first settlers arrived and began to make a life on this remote island. The views here are dramatic with Iceland’s largest lake nestled among the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
So, while a weekend tour of this beautiful country might sound rushed and maybe even crazy — it was incredibly relaxing and wonderfully fun. Highly recommended!