Every Christmas, kimkim travelers Jen and Garrison Draper give each other the gift of travel. This year, their goal was to glimpse the Northern Lights – so they headed to Iceland for a once-in-a-lifetime winter road trip. From climbing glaciers to eating hot dogs, Garrison shares his favorite moments and some great advice.
**Hi Garrison! Tell us more about you and your wife Jen. Have you always been avid travelers?**
For a few years now, my wonderful wife Jen and I have come to an agreement, a delightful pact if you will, that instead of exchanging traditional, material Christmas gifts, we would much rather bestow upon each other the invaluable gift of adventure. This cherished tradition began rather modestly, with a simple, yet exciting, drive up the local interstate to explore and adventure in the vibrant metropolis of New York City. The following year, seeking something more exotic and far-reaching, we spent a truly unforgettable week in the beautiful Riviera Maya, where we had the incredible opportunity to explore the famous and historically significant Chichen Itza. Then, last year, in a nostalgic turn, we dedicated a few days to the magical Disney World, joyfully reliving all of the great and heartwarming memories of our childhood, embracing the wonder and joy that it brought us.
Planning our trip for this year was driven by a specific and long-held bucket list item, a dream that we both shared: to witness the breathtaking spectacle of the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky. A quick and simple search led us to Iceland as the top destination in the entire world to experience this natural phenomenon during this specific time of year. And after a couple of more clicks and some further exploration, we serendipitously ended up on the planning our trip.
**What drew you to Iceland as a winter destination?**
Along with the captivating allure of seeing the Northern Lights, our primary goal for this trip was to immerse ourselves in something truly different, something entirely new, and unequivocally exciting. Many of our friends and acquaintances have previously visited Iceland, but always during the warmer summer months. However, we were consciously seeking a vastly different experience, something profoundly unique that we could later speak about as a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Our trip, thankfully, did not disappoint in the slightest; it was an awe-inspiring experience that felt almost otherworldly, mirroring the surreal and dramatic scenery that is so characteristic of Iceland. The stark beauty of the landscape in the winter truly took our breath away.
**What appealed to you about self-driving through the country? Do you think it ultimately enhanced your experience?**
When we were initially planning the trip, I must confess that I was somewhat skeptical, even apprehensive, about the idea of a self-driving experience through Iceland. I was genuinely worried that we might miss out on a significant portion of the experience, being constantly occupied in the driver’s seat and focusing on navigation. However, I am now delighted to admit that I was completely wrong in my initial assumptions. The self-guided tour, as it turned out, allowed us to experience so much more than we could have imagined, and importantly, it allowed us to do so entirely at our own pace, adapting to our own interests and preferences. We very quickly learned during this trip that the true adventure lies in the spaces between the designated stops, as Iceland’s diverse and dramatic landscapes and the warm and welcoming people are such a magnificent treat to behold. Learning to navigate the island proved to be surprisingly simple and straightforward. The iconic Ring Road elegantly runs the entire perimeter of the island, so once you have a clear understanding of the direction you are heading, the remainder of your time is spent cruising along wide open roads, providing you with unparalleled freedom and flexibility. However, a crucial tip for fellow travelers: be absolutely sure to fill up your gas tank before leaving the charming town of Vik, as gas stations in either direction from this lovely city are surprisingly sparse!
**Did anything about Iceland surprise you?**
We embarked on our journey to Iceland with the hope of discovering and experiencing a new and unique cuisine, a culinary adventure to complement our exploration of the country. However, what we found was something even more unexpected and delightful. We unexpectedly fell head over heels in love with a tiny, unassuming hot dog stand and a fantastic street food shop. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is located in Reykjavik. My wife and I stumbled upon it quite by chance on our very first evening in the city, and the hot dogs were so utterly delicious that we immediately vowed to return on our final night in Iceland. Both visits were absolutely worth it. The other fun and memorable place we discovered was a restaurant named Icelandic Street Food, where tourists and locals alike can sample a diverse array of different kinds of authentic Icelandic food, offering a true taste of the local culture. We found all of the hearty and satisfying food to be absolutely perfect for fueling our numerous walking adventures through the city, especially considering the harsh and biting cold weather that we experienced.
What consistently impressed us beyond measure was the sheer majesty and breathtaking beauty of the scenery. I highly recommend that you bring your camera and your tripod, because the photo opportunities on this remarkable adventure are truly once in a lifetime. The other significant advantage of indulging in photography in Iceland during the winter months is that you barely even need an alarm clock to capture the perfect sunrise shot, as the sun generously rises around 9:30 AM, allowing you to capture the golden hour without sacrificing too much sleep!
**Tell us about your glacier climb experience. Had you done anything like that before? What were your impressions?**
The glacier climb was undoubtedly what I was most excited about in the weeks and months leading up to our trip. I always eagerly look forward to outdoor adventures, and the views that unfolded before us during this particular adventure were nothing short of spectacular and awe-inspiring. Our guide’s name was Maximo, and we were both incredibly impressed by his extensive knowledge and his palpable passion for the Icelandic glaciers, which truly enhanced our experience. Our tip to all future glacier climbers would be to strategically position yourselves toward the back of the group while hiking. The ice and snow can be unexpectedly tricky and challenging to navigate, and the group is generally required to hike in a straight and orderly line. Being positioned at the back afforded us the strategic advantage of having more time to take in the scenery and snap pictures without feeling as though we were holding up the rest of the group. Some of our best and most cherished photographs come directly from this incredible experience, including our personal favorite picture of “Helen the Troll” on the mountain.
**What advice do you have for other travelers interested in a winter trip to Iceland?**
I wholeheartedly recommend a winter trip to Iceland to any adventurous and intrepid traveler, but I would also offer a word of caution: it is certainly not for the faint of heart, as Iceland is undeniably chilly in the winter months. When we first arrived at the iconic Sellfoss waterfall on our very first morning, I momentarily regretted my somewhat rash decision to venture to such a cold and unforgiving place for vacation. However, as the day progressed and the adventure unfolded, I very quickly realized that it was going to be a truly unforgettable experience. But it is absolutely essential to come prepared with the appropriate gear and mindset!
Due to a fortunate change in our departure flight, we were unexpectedly able to visit the renowned Blue Lagoon upon our arrival in Iceland, which is another experience that we would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone visiting the country. Our flight landed unexpectedly early in the morning, and having flown all night, we were not feeling our absolute best. We promptly picked up our rental car and drove directly to the soothing and restorative Blue Lagoon. We were then able to take advantage of the excellent shower facilities in the locker room and luxuriate in the warm and comforting geothermal spa, which proved to be the absolute perfect way to begin our Iceland experience. After a blissful 90-minute soak, we enjoyed a bite to eat and still managed to hit the road before sunrise, feeling utterly refreshed and rejuvenated. We strongly advise that you set up an appointment in advance if you are able to, as it is a very popular destination.
**Last but not least: where are you planning to go on your next adventure?**
Following our truly remarkable Iceland experience, we are both eager and enthusiastic to continue checking more incredible experiences off of our ever-growing bucket list. While we were indeed fortunate enough to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights, we both hope to see them again, only this time even brighter and more brilliantly, so I am quite certain that we will actively seek them out again or perhaps even construct an entire trip specifically designed around obtaining the very best aurora experience imaginable. The allure of the aurora borealis is simply too strong to resist!
(Word Count: 1368)
B-1141