Jenny Lane of Blue Eye Travel says Iceland is more than just a winter destination
Iceland's popularity has soared over the past few years from the Northern Lights, stunning landscapes and wildlife Iceland offers something for everyone.
Most clients want to travel in winter for a chance of seeing the Northern Lights, but Iceland shouldn?t be overlooked for a summer holiday.
I had a family of five vist Iceland over summer and they had a great time. For them it wasn?t about seeing the Northern Lights, but exploring the landscapes and seeing amazing wildlife. In one week, they explored Reykjavik where they had a comfortable apartment that could accommodated the whole family. They pre-booked the Puffin Express and a visit to the Blue Lagoon. Then they picked up their hire car and drove to Sn?fellsnes Peninsula, known for a glacier which hides a volcano in a national park. This area lets your clients interact with all the natural phenomena on offer, as well as being a place to go whale-watching. Do check what times of year are best for seeing whales before booking, as trips fill up fast in peak whale-watching season.
There is not an abundance of hotels in this area, however. There are some basic options and not much in between until you reach the high end of the spectrum. It is important to inform your clients that unless they?re prepared to pay for higher end hotels, the remaining hotels are relatively basic but fine if you just want a base to explore from.
After exploring the countryside, my clients headed to Hella a small town on the south coast, to explore attractions such as the Helka Volcano, and the Golden Circle which includes the Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and ?ingvellir National Park. There are various tours on offer within the Golden Circle but for a family I would suggest the Private Superjeep Tour which takes clients right out onto the ice and close to the geysers ? it?s better than being crammed into a mini bus or coach. The Superjeep is private, allowing more flexibility. Some tours have age restrictions for children so ask before booking.
Iceland is not only a winter destination for seeing the Northern Lights, but a great alternative summer family destination for those looking to be a bit more adventurous than the traditional beach break.
