To Reykjavík and Beyond!

Our 2025 family vacation has been a dream in the making, and it exceeded every expectation. Iceland has been creeping up to the top of our bucket list, and the more I researched, the clearer it became: a Northern European cruise was the perfect way to experience it all. When I told Mr. FamTrav about Norwegian’s 10-night Reykjavík to London (well, Southampton), he was equally excited. We the pitched the idea to the teens and their enthusiastic reply sealed the deal. The date was locked in, and the countdown officially began!

Then came a twist of perfect timing. Earlier this year, Icelandair launched direct flights from Nashville to Keflavík starting in June. Talk about serendipity! The flight was smooth, the aircraft sleek and modern, and the service was top notch. Mr. If-I-can’t-fly-Delta-I’m-not-going had a change of heart.

Our epic Icelandic cruise adventure kicked off with a thrilling 2-night pre-stay based near the airport in Keflavík. We touched down early in the morning, indulged in a power nap at the hotel, then hit the streets, ready to soak in every quirky, colorful corner of downtown Reykjavík.

Pro-tip: Icelandic weather is a wild ride – sunshine one minute, sideways rain the next. But that didn’t stop us from getting our steps in and making memories.

First stop? The infamous Iceland Phallological Museum. Yup, you read that right! With a jaw-dropping collection of 284 specimens, it proudly holds the title of the world’s largest display of…well, you know. 😳 It’s marked “family-friendly,” but let’s just say it’s a cheeky kind of fun. Definitely one for the travel scrapbook!

Next, we dove into some of Reykjavík’s most iconic landmarks! First up: the grassy slopes of Arnarhóll, crowned by the proud statue of Ingólfur Arnarson – Iceland’s legendary first permanent Norse settler. From there we strolled down the vibrant Rainbow Road, a dazzling symbol of Iceland’s commitment to gender equality and inclusivity.

Then came the showstopper: Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík’s basalt-inspired church. Towering at 244 feet, it’s not only the tallest building in the city, but also the sixth tallest in all of Iceland. Its dramatic design – rooted in Scandinavian Modernism and Functionalism – mimics the raw beauty of the Icelandic nature. The church’s soaring tower echoes the striking basalt columns found across the island.

Christmas ornament shopping is a must, and we got to meet Ophelia (TikTok famous) in her very own lopapeysa (traditional Icelandic wool sweater).

Day one ended with an exquisite seaside dinner back in Keflavík. Truly one of my top 3 favorite meals ever.

Bright and early on Day Two, we met our driver/guide aptly named Thor, who was ready to lead us on a full-day adventure of Iceland’s stunning South Coast. Our journey began in Grindavík, a resilient fishing town near the Blue Lagoon that faced a dramatic evacuation during the volcanic eruption of November 2023. Thor stopped for a moment so we could truly take in the path of the lava flow and see the land it transformed.

Getting around Iceland might take a while, but every mile is pure magic! The roads wind through jaw-dropping landscapes, making the journey as thrilling as the destination. We chased waterfalls all day like the stunning Seljalandsfoss, where you can actually walk behind the cascading water, and the mighty Skógafoss – which we conquered by climbing all 527 steps to take in the epic view from the top!

I must include the amazing view of this glacier and Icelandic horses, and a pit stop at Bra Fence. Legend has it a very handsome man lived here and women would leave their bras for him. The tradition continues. 😄

By the time we reached the haunting remains of the Sólheimasandur plane crash – an eerie navy plane wreck sprawled across a stark black sand beach – the weather took a turn for the worse. Ominous clouds were rolling in swiftly and we expected a torrential downpour any minute. As we approached, the wind howled like a beast whipping sand in our faces. It felt like we were being stung! It was raw, untamed nature at it’s most intense – an experience I’ll never forget.

The rain eventually paused long enough for us to visit the otherworldly Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Towering basalt columns rise like ancient sentinels, and the dramatic Reynisdrangar sea stacks loom just offshore. But this beach isn’t just about dramatic scenery. It is also notorious for it’s powerful sneaker waves. Despite warning signs, thrill seekers still edge too close to the surf.

Just a little further in the village of Vík is the iconic Víkurkirkja (Vík í Mýrdal Church), one of Iceland’s most photographed landmarks. With its bold red roof and crisp white walls in stark contrast with the brooding volcanic terrain, it makes for a memorable scene. As luck would have it, the lupines were in bloom painting the landscape in purples and blues. If only the sun had peeked through the clouds, the photo would have been absolutely stunning!

Our tour ended with a short hike to the rapidly shrinking Sólheimajökull glacier. Its appearance is by the fusion of ancient ice and volcanic ash. This ever-changing glacier is a hotspot for adrenaline seekers. Ice climbing is a favorite here, and if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of its elusive ice caves. But don’t go it alone! A guided tour is a must to safely navigate the hidden crevasses, slick surfaces, and the occasional rumble of falling ice or rock.

Twelve hours later, we returned to our hotel exhausted but exhilarated. What a day it had been with Thor! And we’d only just begun to uncover the magic of Iceland!

This country is breathtaking in every sense, and what you experience here depends so much on the season. For us, summer was perfect: long days, vibrant landscapes, and just the right pace for where we are in life. But I can’t help dreaming about a winter return: chasing Northern Lights, wandering through the polar night, and stepping into a glittering ice cave. It would be like discovering a whole new world.

Up next, we board the beautiful Norwegian Prima, which takes us further north in Iceland. Stay tuned.

To Reykjavík and Beyond! / Norwegian Prima / Ísafjörður: Iceland’s Hidden Fjord Gem / Chasing the Midnight Sun in Akureyri / Exploring Ålesund: Norway’s Most Striking Seaside City / Flåm, Norway: A Fairytale Tucked Between the Fjords / Where Mist Meets Magic: Bergen’s Quiet Grace / Wandering Amsterdam: A Day of Reflection, Beauty, and Shopping / Belgian Fam and London Icons: Cruise Finale