Travel

Honeymoon Planning

Iceland Escape

Turn your honeymoon visions due north to Iceland and enjoy the travel experience of a lifetime. By Jennifer Haskett

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We know what you’re thinking: Iceland as a honeymoon destination? We thought the very same thing, but once we arrived we realized this tiny northern European country is the perfect place to head after your “I dos.” The rugged terrain—complete with glaciers, mountains and volcanoes—is breathtaking and begs for exploration. But there is so much more to Iceland than these extreme landscapes. Discovered over 1,000 years ago by the Vikings, Iceland has a history that is very much a part of its future and lives on through generations in art, language and cultural traditions. At the centre of Icelandic culture lies its capital city, Reykjavik. Voted the European City of Culture in 2000, this thriving city centre is home to numerous museums and galleries, and has recently emerged as one of Europe’s premiere destinations and the perfect choice for an exciting and memorable honeymoon.

Our introduction to Reykjavik began at Tjornin Lake, walking distance to many of the city’s highlights, including the historic Austurvöllur Square. A small city, Reykjavik is pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to explore the quaint streets lined with boutiques and restaurants. At Tjornin, you’ll find Reykjavik’s city hall—a modern building that both complements and contrasts with the neighbouring heritage buildings—and the National Gallery of Iceland (listasafn.is), home to the country’s largest collection of Icelandic art. From there, we discovered Laugavegur, the main shopping street, which runs through the downtown. Here, you can explore cool Icelandic designer shops like Elm Design (elm.is) and 66 North (66north.is). Even more reason to do retail detail: Iceland offers tax-free shopping for visitors!

After spending the day discovering Reykjavik, you’ll most certainly want to sample the city’s world-famous dining and nightlife. Restaurants vary from international cuisine (French and Asian) to native fare consisting largely of lamb and local seafood. Our eatery of choice: the Fish Market, a relative newcomer to the city’s food scene but one of the best places in town. The Asian-inspired menu here is exquisite, and the service is impeccable (point of interest: tips are not accepted throughout Iceland). My meal left me more than sated and ready for Saturday night, when everyone in Reykjavik (and I do mean everyone) goes out. To keep up with the locals, be prepared to start your night out at 1 a.m. and party into the wee hours of the morning.

Busy days and boogie nights will leave you feeling in need of a little body and soul rejuvenation, and there’s no better place to get that in Iceland than at the Blue Lagoon (bluelagoon.com). Located 40 minutes outside of Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon is a veritable oasis, situated alongside a low range of rocky mountains and enveloped in a thick cloud of steam. The iridescent blue waters come from the earth’s core and, due to their high mineral content, are believed to have healing powers and beauty benefits. Once you’re recharged and ready to continue your Icelandic adventure, there’s a host of ways to indulge the explorer in you. From caving and mountain climbing to glacier walks to the most inclusive tour of the interior—the Golden Circle tour—Reykjavik Excursions (re.is) has options for all levels of adventurers. If you are a low-octane adventurer, opt for a short excursion focused on the south coast. Here, you’ll witness breathtaking landscapes but also be able to visit some of the smaller communities of Iceland, which give the country such amazing character. 

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