Ted Walsh and his family were accustomed to spending the holiday season in sunny Australia, and wanted to switch things up with a real White Christmas somewhere beautiful. And what better place than Iceland? They went all-in with an immersive cultural experience: a homestay in a remote fishing village, complete with authentic Icelandic traditions and, of course, plenty of snow.
**Tell us a bit about you and your family. What are some of your previous favorite destinations, and how would you describe your travel style?**
My family is a close-knit group, consisting of my wonderful wife, our son, our daughter, and her significant other, who has been a part of our family for many years. We consider ourselves to be relatively independent travelers, comfortable forging our own paths and making our own discoveries. However, we are also open to the enriching experience of joining short, well-organized tours that can offer unique insights and access.
During our time residing in London, we spent our summer holidays embarking on memorable road trips throughout western and central Europe. We took great pleasure in the freedom of booking our own accommodations, carefully selecting our activities, and immersing ourselves in the local cultures at our own pace. We enjoyed the independence of crafting our experiences. In 2005, on our return journey back home to Australia, we opted for a different approach, participating in a professionally guided Nile river cruise and a Masai Mara tour. These experiences gave us a deeper appreciation of the region and a valuable perspective that we would not have gained travelling solo.
It’s difficult to single out one destination as a definitive favorite because we’ve enjoyed almost all of the travel we have undertaken. Each location has possessed its own unique attractions, its distinctive character, and its own set of unforgettable experiences. The allure of Morocco cannot be truly compared to the somber history of Poland. The wildlife of Kenya is completely different from the geothermal landscapes of Iceland. And the French-Canadian charm of Quebec has little in common with the ancient wonders of Egypt. What we cherish most about travel is the opportunity to encounter variety, to embrace new experiences, and to continually expand our horizons.
**How did you first become interested in Iceland as a winter destination?**
My interest in Iceland began many years ago. I first encountered the country through reading about the Cod Wars during my undergraduate years in the early 1980s. Later, in the same decade, I was captivated by the unique sounds of the Sugarcubes and their distinct Icelandic rock music. From that point onwards, Iceland had been a place I’d wanted to visit for over 30 years.
As a family, we’ve experienced six Christmases in the northern hemisphere. However, none of these holidays had been spent in a truly snowy environment. So, during our 2016 Christmas lunch, as we sat on a hot summer’s day in Australia, an idea sparked in my mind. I suggested that we should embark on a journey to Iceland in 2017. This would not only scratch my long-standing travel itch, but also allow us to experience the magic of a White Christmas, a dream we had all held.
The idea was met with unanimous enthusiasm and agreement, and everyone concurred that it would be a splendid idea. Therefore, I promptly contacted a local specialist to start the process of planning our Icelandic adventure.
**What appealed to you about doing a Christmas homestay at the Herring House in Siglufjörður? What are your favorite memories from that experience?**
The reviews that we carefully considered regarding the Icelandic Christmas experience at the Herring House in Siglufjörður played a pivotal role in our decision-making process. These reviews unequivocally convinced us that this was the perfect destination and the ideal experience that we were seeking for our White Christmas adventure. Furthermore, my own thorough weather research indicated that we could almost certainly expect plenty of snow on Christmas Day, which was an essential element of our dream Christmas experience.
While it might seem commonplace to those who are accustomed to it, the most memorable and enchanting aspect of our experience was witnessing the gentle snowfall over Siglufjörður on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For us, it felt as though we had stepped into the pages of a beautiful postcard, experiencing the very essence of a winter wonderland. The picture postcard became reality!
Coming in a close second to the captivating snow and scenery was the exceptional quality of the food and drink that we enjoyed during our stay, as well as the unique local experiences that our gracious hosts meticulously facilitated. We were particularly eager to immerse ourselves in authentic Icelandic holiday traditions, rather than being exposed to customs that had been imported from other countries. In this regard, we were not disappointed. The food we sampled during the St Thorlak’s Day feast was especially memorable. While we might not be rushing to eat *skata* [fermented skate fish] again in the near future, we are genuinely grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the festivities and to have experienced a truly unique aspect of Icelandic culture.
**You mentioned the dog sledding excursion as a highlight of the trip. Tell us what made it great – had you ever been dog sledding before?**
Although my children had previously experienced dog sledding with me near Rorøs, Norway, on that occasion, they were passive passengers, simply enjoying the ride without taking an active role in driving the sleds themselves. Therefore, they were particularly excited to have the opportunity to try driving a dog sled themselves in Iceland. Inspiration Iceland provided us with that incredible opportunity.
We were fortunate to have perfect conditions on the day we went dog sledding, with pristine fresh snow and beautiful, clear weather. Following some clear and concise instruction from the experienced guides, all four of us were able to mush our own dog packs. My daughter commented that it was more challenging than it initially appeared, which only added to her sense of enjoyment and accomplishment. The physical challenge combined with the amazing scenery to make a truly memorable experience.
**What other parts of your trip stand out as especially memorable?**
Beyond the wonderful memories of our Christmas spent in Siglufjörður, several other experiences from our trip stand out as being particularly vivid and unforgettable. The spectacular sunset that we witnessed at Reynisdrangar on New Year’s Eve was truly breathtaking. The experience of walking up a frozen ravine to reach the face of a glacier on our super jeep tour to Thórsmörk was both awe-inspiring and exhilarating. And the joyous, almost anarchic atmosphere of the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Reykjavik created a sense of celebration and wonder that will stay with me for a long time.
While we had hoped to create equally lasting memories of seeing orcas on our whale watching tour and witnessing a spectacular display of the Northern Lights, unfortunately, we missed out on those opportunities during this particular trip. Perhaps we will have better luck on a future visit!
**Even with 12 days, it’s hard to see everything a destination has to offer. What do you want to do and see next time you visit Iceland?**
Our next visit to Iceland is planned for the summer months, which will allow us to experience a completely different perspective on the country’s stunning landscapes. We intend to revisit some of the same places we explored during our winter trip to observe how they transform in the summer season. We also plan to venture into the Westfjords and explore the eastern side of the island, regions that we did not have the opportunity to visit during our previous trip. The summer landscape will offer a contrast to the winter wonderland.
**Would you recommend this trip to other travelers? Where there any challenges?**
I would wholeheartedly recommend this trip to other travelers who are seeking a similar experience. However, it’s important to acknowledge that it wouldn’t be suitable for everyone. Driving during a snowstorm presented a bit of a challenge, requiring careful attention and skilled navigation. Additionally, finding a consistently good espresso proved to be surprisingly difficult in some of the places we visited. Nevertheless, overall, the trip was quite manageable, and the rewards far outweighed the challenges. A spirit of adventure is key!
**And last but not least: where are you planning to go on your next adventure?**
Our next significant journey will probably be on the Orient Express, followed by a relaxing European river cruise. While these destinations may not be as overtly adventurous as Iceland, they represent a new and exciting experience for us, allowing us to explore different facets of the world and create lasting memories. It will be a different kind of adventure.
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