Iceland Family Adventures – My Family Travels

I’m dressed for an Iceland household journey: puffy, waterproof space-like go well with, crash helmet, rubber boots, goggles and gloves. This is Mother Nature at its most interesting and we’re able to embark on a rugged journey.

Discover Iceland, the proper place to introduce children to journey journey and a world international from their very own.

I’ve traveled miles off-road, forded streams, traversed fjords. I park my all-terrain buggy to stroll over barren, lava rock-strewn fields. Dormant volcanos, cascading waterfalls and towering glaciers loom within the distance.

I really feel like a girl on the moon, alone with the weather. It looks as if a magical, other-worldly dream. Known as ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’ Iceland is among the hottest journey locations on the earth. Yet, there stay areas so distant you possibly can expertise an out-of-this-world feeling every day.

Iceland Is Something New for Us

Here, every part is vastly completely different from what most U.S. children expertise every day.

Many households dwell in distant villages. Tell your children there’s no quick access to a mall, movie show or grocery store. Teens can drive two hours to highschool. Kids feed chickens or herd sheep amongst different chores.

The surroundings, language, cash, climate, gentle and even the evening skies are completely different. An Iceland household trip is a wild and wooly expertise like none different.

Did you recognize?

• Iceland is about the identical measurement as Kentucky and barely smaller than Ohio.
• In 1980, it grew to become the primary nation on the earth to elect a feminine president.
• Only about 20% of the nation is liveable.

Our Base on the Hotel Rangá

Experience all of the enchantment throughout an Iceland household trip. But don’t get me fallacious. Visitors can have these far-flung experiences whereas nonetheless having fun with luxurious and luxury.

We drive 90 minutes from the Reykjavik airport alongside volcanic ash-littered fields. The adventures begin on the Hotel Ranga in Hella. The log-cabin-like one-story constructing has 51 rooms. Seemingly in the course of nowhere, it is extremely centrally situated for entry to all of the scenic South Coast has to supply.

Hrammur (which means “Paw”), a 13-foot resident polar bear, greets you. Ask proprietor, hotelier Friðrik Pálsson, to inform his story (amongst others) for a singular lesson in all issues Iceland.

Feeling More Cozy Than Home in Iceland

Hotel Rangá rooms are cozy and environment friendly, with heated towel rods and huge soaking tubs. Each one has a special mural painted by an area artist. In summer time, when daylight can final for as much as 19 hours, mother and father respect that black-out curtains present some darkness. Kids like to hang around on the sport room with pool desk and board video games. There are additionally loads of nooks to twist up with an excellent guide whereas eying the peaceable surroundings exterior.

Days begin right here with a panoramic morning view of moss- coated lava fields and snow-capped volcanos within the distance. Nights finish beneath a blanket of stars. It is ideal serenity. No one else is round. Oh wait…there are a number of sheep grazing close by.

Hotel Rangá presents probably the greatest lodge perks: shoe heaters! We left soiled, moist boots with the entrance desk after the buggy journey. They had been returned the following morning, clear, dry and prepared for extra motion.

Hot Tubs + Northern Lights for an Iceland Family Adventure

I plunged every day into the lodge’s deliciously heat geothermal scorching tub. (Since it was steps from the room, I didn’t even want the fluffy gown that’s supplied). For the courageous, there’s an icy river a number of yards away. Locals favor to run in for a dip earlier than leaping again into the heat of one of many many scorching tubs and pure springs.

You could also be fortunate sufficient to catch the Northern Lights in the course of the months of September to April. The sky above places on a present of glowing inexperienced and violet swirls that dance throughout winter. Watch the forecast for a transparent evening. Keep your fingers crossed. Be certain to hit the “Aurora Wake-up Call” button in your room’s telephone to get alerted ought to they make an look in the course of the evening.

If the lights are seen, Hotel Rangá gives the proper entrance row seat to admire them (typically proper out of your room), since nights are pitch darkish right here.

Additionally, use the 2 high-tech telescopes within the lodge’s observatory to view the celebs and planets. On clear nights, native astronomers are available. They share tales the youngsters will love concerning the constellations and the way they bought their names.

Iceland is a Magnet for Movie Locations and Celebrity Sightings

To get your children prepared for Iceland, learn books or watch motion pictures or TV exhibits that seize a few of its magic. J. R. R. Tolkien, writer of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, was impressed by Iceland. His legendary fantasy world of Middle Earth was formed by facets of the panorama, language, folks tales and Norse mythology.

Numerous blockbusters have been filmed throughout Iceland. Among them: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Interstellar, Batman Begins, Thor 2 – The Dark World, and two James Bond motion pictures, A View to Kill and Die Another Day. This map exhibits the place every was set in Iceland.

Kids can even get a kick out of figuring out that Justin Bieber as soon as stayed within the Hotel Ranga’s room 10. He featured the Fjadrargljufur Canyon and different lovely surroundings in his 2015 music video, “I’ll Show You” and got here again to present a live performance the following 12 months.  

Kim and Kourtney Kardashian and Kanye West, plus the solid of The Real Housewives of Orange County, are additionally followers of Hotel Rangá. They stayed in a number of the exquisitely embellished suites themed after the seven continents. Play chess with polar bear and penguin items within the Antarctic suite. Sleep underneath an outsized Icelandic sweater/blanket within the Iceland suite. And soak in a standard Japanese picket bathtub within the Asia suite.

Southern Iceland Family Adventures

Horse-lovers will need to go to close by Icelandic Horse World. Get a guided tour of the stables and be taught concerning the Icelandic horse’s distinctive 5 gaits. Compare this bodily capacity to most horses who solely have three gaits.

Icelanders try to maintain this breed pure. Once the horses depart the island for competitors, they’ll’t return, for concern they might convey again ailments. Admire the loopy, flowing hairdos these beautiful beasts sport. Pet them they usually’ll snuggle as much as you. You may also prepare for a experience.

Next up, we entered the Caves of Hella, Iceland’s oldest archaeological stays. Four artifical sandstone caves are open to the general public. Examine the traditional wall carvings and underground chimneys. These archeological wonders stay a thriller as to when and by whom they had been constructed. Some recommend they had been made by Celts who inhabited Iceland earlier than the official Norse settlement within the late ninth century.

Then we headed to Reynisfjara, the Black Sand Beach about an hour additional south. The coarse sand will get its shade from eroded volcanic materials. Be certain to really feel the sand; do to not take any residence. Fierce waves pound the seaside so no swimming is allowed. Instead, take nice pictures of the putting basalt rock formations.

Explore the Icelandic Village of Vik

We arrived by lunchtime on the picturesque village of Vik. Stop by the red-roofed church, perched excessive up for great views. Then get pleasure from burgers and craft beer at Smiojan Brewery. Kids are certain to devour the Nutella fries! Yes, you heard that proper. French fries smothered in Nutella, hazelnuts and powdered sugar.

Get an schooling in Iceland’s fascinating geology at Vik’s LAVA Show. The interactive exhibition is concerning the pure forces which have formed the nation’s panorama. Kids are fascinated by the real looking recreation of a volcanic eruption, full with molten lava, on this cool science museum. 

That is, for those who aren’t on the island when an actual volcano erupts. It may occur any time since Iceland is among the many most volcanically energetic locations on the earth. There’s roughly one eruption each 5 years.

Family Adventures in Iceland’s Natural Beauty

Be certain to guide an amazing tour information to study Iceland’s geography, historical past and mythological tales concerning the elves. These supernatural beings, often known as the “hidden people,” are favorites.

The tremendous adventurous join first for the distinctive glacier ice cave expeditions. Dress warmly, seize a helmet and strap on ice crampons for a go to to pure ice caves, fashioned as glaciers soften. The faceted ice partitions shine like diamonds and {photograph} blue. It’s exhilarating to climb by one thing solely Mother Nature may create. Note: Recommended for kids ages 10 and older.

All ages love the buggy tour by the Pórsmörk Nature Reserve, website of early seasons of Game of Thrones.

The nation has an estimated 7,000 waterfalls. The dense mist at Skógafoss, one of many largest waterfalls, virtually ensures a vivid rainbow on nearly any sunny day. Climb the adjoining 527 steps to see it from above. Continue alongside the path on the prime to see extra waterfalls and miles of breathtaking surroundings. Stop at Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall you possibly can stroll behind. Be able to get moist from the thundering curtain of water as you are feeling its full pressure.

We had been amazingly fortunate to be in Iceland throughout Réttir. During the annual fall occasion, sheep are rounded up from their summer time highland grazing and returned to their farms for winter. Locals and guests are welcomed to assist wrangle the sheep into their proprietor’s pens. Trust me, it’s not straightforward to seize the horns of a bucking animal and transfer it alongside. The custom dates again 300 years and is an expertise your children can be speaking about endlessly.

Culinary Adventures in Iceland with Kids

If you’ve gotten adventurous eaters, there’s heaps to attempt in Iceland. Herring in mustard sauce and gravlax (often called lox to most) are standard. Lamb is served some ways from soups to stews and on the bone. Kids could not need to eat “Rudolph,” however the Hotel Ranga makes an incredible reindeer carpaccio.

Parents ought to attempt a shot of Icelandic cod liver oil that’s supplied at breakfast, to present you vitality for the day. I’m unsure the fermented shark – a pungent Icelandic delicacy – will go over as nicely.

A child-fave will possible be hotdogs — virtually the Icelandic nationwide dish. Learn costume one native type. First into the bun goes chopped uncooked onions, then fried onions. Add ketchup, remoulade after which place the new canine on prime. Whether you add mustard atop or beneath varies.

Another must-try is Icelandic chocolate. Stop in any native sweet retailer or grocery store and also you’ll be shocked in any respect the unfamiliar – however scrumptious – sweets. Top of the record is the Ris bar with crispy corn puffs encased in chocolate. Draumur (means “dream”) is a licorice rope coated with chocolate, a deal with for many who love the strong-flavored sweet.

Trip Planning Details for an Iceland Family Adventure

Everywhere, locals are variety and welcoming. Chat them up they usually could invite you over for some conventional meat stew.

When To Go, What to Pack. The climate is unpredictable all 12 months lengthy. Pack for heat and wetness and be prepared for the sudden. Sometimes you’ll encounter 4 seasons in a day, so layers are key. Bring swimsuits for a dip in a lodge scorching tub or one of many nation’s geothermal pure scorching springs. Waterproof mountain climbing footwear and heat socks are a should.

Getting to Iceland. Icelandair has direct flights from New York, Boston, Chicago and different main U.S. cities. They provide an amazing bonus, too. Fly Icelandair transatlantic and select so as to add a one to seven-day stopover in Iceland at no extra price.

Getting Around Iceland. To get to Reykjavik from the airport, hop a reasonable metropolis bus, or the non-public Flybus to take you to your lodge. To discover the island, lease a automotive or rent a information. You can drive your self for a southern Iceland household street journey.

However, it’s an amazing concept to take a minimum of one daytrip with a information. We had the great native knowledgeable Stefan Arngrímsson from South Coast Adventure. The children will be taught a lot and also you’ll be safer going off-road to the ice caves or glaciers.

By the best way, we heard there was an amazing Northern Lights present the evening earlier than we arrived. But sadly, we didn’t see them, so we’ll have to come back again. There’s a lot extra of this wonderful nation to find.

Bethany Kandel is a contract author primarily based in New York. She’s taken her now-grown kids on her adventures around the globe.