Thought stopovers were dull? Think again.
Two travel experts have revealed how they can be thrilling if you pick the right place – and they prove their point by showcasing incredible 36-hour stays in Iceland.
A stopover here can break up a transatlantic journey between Europe and the USA, with the travel gurus demonstrating how it can be enjoyed in two completely different ways.
One of the experts is Nicky Kelvin, Editor at Large at The Points Guy. He opts for an adventurous break – staying at the remote Highland Base at Kerlingarfjöll, snorkelling in between tectonic plates and eating bread cooked inside the earth using geothermal energy.
Influencer Maz Green unveils a luxurious Icelandic break, with a stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Her itinerary includes a Michelin-starred meal and an in-water massage at the property.
The pair captured their experiences in a fascinating video and you can view a sneak peek of that here (below).
They have also revealed exclusively to MailOnline Travel what surprised them about Iceland, the misconceptions associated with the country – and whether they think it makes for a good-value destination.
Read on for more.
Nicky Kelvin, Editor at Large at The Points Guy, and influencer Maz Green showcase the joys of a stopover in Iceland. They’re pictured here on an Icelandair flight at the start of their escapade
What surprised you about Iceland?
Maz told MailOnline Travel: ‘The proximity of the wild terrain.
‘As soon as I drove out of the airport, I saw vast expanses of rugged, black lava fields formed from ancient volcanic eruptions.
‘Framed by coastal views of the Atlantic Ocean, the views were stark and completely otherworldly. If that wasn’t shocking enough, there was actual smoke coming off the lava fields because the nearby volcano had erupted just days before I arrived.
‘I thought you had to travel far out to reach this sort of dramatic terrain – I couldn’t believe how quickly I’d experienced Iceland’s powerful nature.
‘Also, we went during the summer solstice, so getting to experience the midnight sun was such a surreal experience! Having nearly 24 hours of daylight was quite disorientating at first, but personally I love longer days and the midnight sun casts such beautiful lighting.’
What misconceptions are there about Iceland?
Maz unveils a luxurious Icelandic break, with a stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon (above)
Maz said: ‘That Iceland is a very remote country, when in fact it’s incredibly accessible and well-connected for international travel.
‘Iceland’s location between North America and Europe makes it an ideal stopover point for travellers crossing the Atlantic.
‘Many people think Iceland’s natural wonders can’t be experienced in such a short visit, but so many of its sights were close to the airport and could absolutely be enjoyed within just 36 hours.’
What are the top sights?
Maz describes The Retreat at Blue Lagoon as an ‘utterly premium experience’
Maz enjoys an in-water massage at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
Maz remarked: ‘I only saw the Blue Lagoon, but that was always such a bucket list sight of mine and it certainly lived up to the hype.
‘Getting to bathe in the warm, mineral-rich geothermal water was such a rejuvenating experience. And the backdrop of black volcanic rock and moss-covered lava fields created such a striking contrast with the bright blue waters of the lagoon.
‘When I return to Iceland I’d love to see the black sand beach, Reynisfjara, and some of the dramatic waterfalls like Kirkjufellsfoss and Seljalandsfoss.’
What’s it got that other wild places haven’t
‘If you’re looking for a high-end, bucket-list-worthy stay, The Retreat is definitely one to add to your list,’ says Maz (above)
Maz said: ‘The diverse terrain. With geothermal hot springs, active volcanoes, black sand beaches, lush green valleys, dramatic cliffs and glacier ice caves, this country’s landscape is uniquely diverse in comparison to other wild places around the world.’
What is the food like?
Maz commented: ‘I only ate at Michelin-starred Moss restaurant in The Retreat Hotel, but based on my dining experience there, Icelandic cuisine uses the country’s natural resources and cultural heritage.
‘I was told that many modern restaurants offer contemporary twists on traditional dishes and there’s a heavy emphasis on sustainability.
‘I enjoyed a lot of fresh seafood and meats produced on Icelandic farms, which were all of the highest quality.’
Is Iceland good value?
Maz is pictured here at The Retreat’s Michelin-starred Moss restaurant
Maz concluded: ‘My experience in Iceland was showcasing the luxury wellness hotel, The Retreat. While it may have an expensive price tag, it was by no means a rip-off. With exceptional service, a world-class spa, exclusive location, unique architectural design, Michelin-starred dining and focus on sustainability, the hotel offered a unique and utterly premium experience, making the cost justifiable.
‘If you’re looking for a high-end, bucket-list-worthy stay, The Retreat is definitely one to add to your list!’
NICKY KELVIN – ADVENTURE
What surprised you about Iceland?
Nicky told MailOnline Travel: ‘One of the most surprising things is the diversity of experiences you can have in Iceland.
‘It’s possible to enjoy ultimate comfort and luxury, and also wild adventure – but even more surprising is how places in Iceland manage to combine that adventure and luxury in one.
‘The prevalence of, and reliance on, geothermal energy was also surprising, not just because of how green and future-looking the power grid of Iceland is, but because the source of the energy is visible as you drive around the island.
‘The whole place spurts and boils and bubbles with energy.’
Nicky opted for an adventurous stopover in Iceland, with bread baked in a geothermal below-ground oven one of the highlights (above)
Nicky eats his geothermal bread amid Iceland’s wild terrain
Any misconceptions you had that were changed while there?
Nicky said: ‘There is perhaps a misconception that you need lots of time to have an enriching, exciting adventure in a destination, but this trip proved that you can experience something magical in just 36 hours, and just while you’re on your way to your final destination. It is also a misconception that adventure equates to roughing it. Iceland has found a way in many spots to be wild but in exulted luxury at the same time.’
What are the top sights?
Nicky told MailOnline Travel: ‘Of course, we only had 36 hours to pack everything in on this stopover, but the real standout for me was hiking through the volcanic massive of Kerlingarfjoll, where the Highland Base hotel was situated. It really felt like being on the moon, with the lunar landscape made extra dramatic by a mid-summer snowstorm and the bubbling geothermal pools of boiling water surrounding the paths.’
What’s it got that other wild places haven’t?
A stopover that makes a splash: Nicky goes snorkelling between tectonic plates
Nicky drifts in the water… as the tectonic plates drift
Nicky’s Icelandic base was the remote Highland Hotel. He likens its surrounds to a lunar landscape
Nicky said: ‘First of all, it has proximity on its side. A couple of hours’ flight from Europe and only a few more to North America. Such a short flight transports you to an otherworldly landscape. You would have to travel much further to experience the same kind of wild environment elsewhere in the world.’
Is it good value?
Nicky remarked: ‘I was surprised that costs were not as high as I might have expected. While luxury experiences were not cheap, they didn’t feel like bad value, and things like coffees and snacks at service stations were no different from the prices you’d find in the UK.’
For more from The Points Guy visit thepointsguy.com. To view the full Points Guy Iceland video click here.
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Publish date : 2024-11-25 07:57:00
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