Iceland isn’t a destination for the average traveler. With a population of roughly 360,000, this Nordic island boasts a stunning, uncongested landscape filled with experiences catering to those with a strong sense of wanderlust and excitement. While some visitors may opt to rent a car and cruise the country solo, the Wedding Style team chose to explore Iceland with Troll Expeditions, leading to a full day of Golden Circle sightseeing with our wonderfully entertaining guide, Pawel. Gazing upon beautiful scenery (no matter where you travel) is great; but learning about a region’s history, culture, and miscellaneous facts from a local expert is even better. Here are some of the highlights.
Gullfoss and Surprise Turns
Unlike other tour companies in popular vacation spots, Troll Expeditions focuses on taking small and private groups around Iceland for a bespoke, personalized adventure. Although there were some key stops on our itinerary, such as Iceland’s iconic Gullfoss waterfall, we also made some surprise turns along the way to explore other areas and check out sweeping vistas less frequented by tourists.
Icelandic Horses
For animal lovers, feeding Icelandic horses is a must. We spotted dozens while driving through the countryside, stopping at one particular farm stocked with horse treats and a hospitable caretaker tending to the animals. After, we paid a visit to Efstidalur dairy farm, which has been owned by the same family since 1850. Guests are free to sample freshly made ice cream while visiting with the dairy cows and a pack of adorable Icelandic sheepdogs
Land of Geysers
Iceland is well ahead of other nations in terms of eco-friendly living, with nearly 95% of the country being powered by green, renewable resources like geothermal energy. During our tour of the Golden Circle, we stopped to leisurely stroll through a field of active geysers and hot springs. The energy coming from the earth was palpable, and the heat generated by those hot spots helped to warm us (ever so slightly) from the arctic winds while waiting for the “Strokkur” geyser to erupt.
Snorkeling the Silfra Fissure
As the “pièce de résistance,” the final portion of our Golden Circle tour with Troll Expeditions involved snorkeling the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park – one of the world’s top diving sites, according to National Geographic. The Silfra Fissure refers to the gap between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, allowing snorkelers and divers to literally swim between two continents. Whether travelers are visiting Iceland during a honeymoon or treating themselves to an impromptu excursion, this is one experience that is truly unforgettable. Although the water is freezing, divers are kept warm and comfortable in a dry suit, as their Troll snorkel guide captures the moment with an underwater photo session. The water is pure glacial melt with incomparable visibility, and it’s a thrill one can only experience by traveling to Iceland.
Team Troll
Hiking up mountains, walking through geyser fields, looking around ice caves, or snorkeling frigid waters may not sound like the typical “luxury vacation,” but Troll Expeditions allows visitors to explore Iceland in a remarkably personalized way. Taking in the unspoiled Icelandic scenery in the company of a friendly and knowledgeable guide from Team Troll should absolutely be on everyone’s Travel Bucket List – after all, you won’t find this kind of experience anywhere else in the world.
Visit troll.is for more information and inquiries.
>Written By: Lauren Malamala
