• Thursday 20 November 2025

ICELAND: LOcaL FOOD, STUNNING SCENERy & sustainability

Our Dara is just back from a trip to Iceland- read her blog about the experience:

Last week I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Iceland for 5 incredible days. The journey began from Dublin airport with Iceland Air. The journey was seamless. A larger plane was used for the Dublin to Reykjavik route holding 262 passengers offering 2-3-2 in Economy and 2-1-2 in Saga Premium- Icelandair’s premium cabin class. All seats are equipped with a tv, a USB charging port and Wi-Fi for an additional charge. The flight is approx. 2 hours which is ideal for passengers travelling from Ireland.

We pre booked a private transfer from the airport to Reykjavik city centre. This journey takes approximately 40 minutes and the views are stunning along the way. We arrived at our hotel in Reykjavik where we spent two nights, ideally located within walking distance to all main attractions. The first afternoon and evening was spent exploring the city followed by drinks in Tipsý Bar & Lounge serving up the most stunning cocktails,and dinner at Gandhi Indian Restaurant and Bar offering traditional India food. We ended our first evening in Hús máls og menningar, a book shop by day and live music venue by night– a must when visiting Reykjavik.

We began our first full day with The Golden Circle tour, where we visited three of Iceland’s most iconic natural attractions Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. Booking as part of a tour is the ideal way to see The Golden Circle. The peaceful countryside offers a perfect backdrop to your adventure, with volcanic mountains and ancient lava fields adding to the dramatic scenery.

We ended our tour at Friðheimar Greenhouse, a family run business that grows tomatoes all year round. Visitors are given a tour of the greenhouse where you can taste some delicious home-grown tomatoes (all free of pesticides). Many experiences are offered at the farm including a unique food experience surrounded by tomato plants, where the menu is heavily tomato based. If dining amongst tomato plants isn’t your thing, they have recently opened Vínstofa Friðheima Winebar & Bistro. Here, you can enjoy a quality glass of wine or a light meal, meet friends or just relax with a book.

In the evening, we were invited to newly opened Laugarás Lagoon. We were one of the first to experience the stunning two-story swimming pool with steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool and even a waterfall. The lagoon offers two bars where you can enjoy a drink and take in the breathtaking views.

Following on from the lagoon we had dinner at Ylja Restaurant located on site. The chef, Gísli Matt, who offers a seasonal menu with locally sourced ingredients, served up a three-course meal to remember. We started with Arctic thyme-cured lamb, followed by cod fillet with fermented carrots, kale and pearl barley to finish we had Skyr dessert with local berries & herbal granita before heading back to our hotel.

Day two began with a domestic flight to the north of Iceland. We flew from Reykjavik to Akureyri in just 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive- which takes approximately four and a half hours. Once we landed, we were met with light snowfall and headed straight to Goðafoss, one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland with breathtaking views. We had built up an appetite for lunch which was hosted in Vogafjós Café & Restaurant. Located inside a cowshed, they offer homemade local food. While enjoying your meal, you can experience great views of Lake Mývatn.

Next, it was time for an adventure through Mývatn with a buggy tour offering an off-the-beaten-track experience of Iceland. We were lucky enough to experience the buggy tour at sunset which meant for breathtaking views of the Icelandic landscape. Tonight’s hotel was surrounded by nature. The perfect place to relax after a day exploring the beauty of Mývatn.

Day three began with another adventure. This time to Hverafjall, a volcano crater near Lake Mývatn. Transport was by super jeep which was an experience in itself. We got to see areas that aren’t accessible by cars, which was topped off by a short walk to take in the snowy views over Lake Mývatn.

Following on from an excitement-fuelled morning, we departed for Akureyri City for a walking tour and food tasting of local delicacies. Including the famous Icelandic hotdog. We then drove along the Arctic Coastline to Hjalteyri, a local fishing town & Hauganes, where we got to visit the local Kaldi Brewery, where we got to sample some of the beer produced on site.

This evening, we were treated to a nine-course tasting menu in North Restaurant. An experience that heavily focuses on Icelandic ingredients, especially those from the North of Iceland. After a memorable dinner, our hotel for the night was a modern hotel with some quirky touches.

Our final day began with a short domestic flight back to Reykjavik. Once we were back in Reykjavik, we were invited to visit the Iceland Travel head office, where we got to learn all about their values and how important sustainability is to the future of travel. The company slogan “Because we’re local” perfectly describes them as a business.

The whole experience had local touches, from the food to local tour guides telling stories about the area the grew up in. It was the perfect way to experience Iceland in a way you could never imagine!

Start planning your own Iceland adventure now, Dara is here to give you advice and recommendations. Get in touch on info@shandontravel.ie, 021 4277094 or 01 6965135