This spring we’re meeting my parents in Iceland for a week. It’s an interesting time of year to go. We’re a bit too early for whales and puffins, and some of the recommended day-hikes are still inaccessible. However, we should be there at an ideal time for spotting the Northern Lights–assuming the solar flares and cloud cover cooperate!

Given the amount of time we have, we aren’t able to drive the full Ring Road. Instead, we’re focusing on day trips from Reykjavik. We gathered some ideas attending one of Rick Steves’ travel classes, and my Facebook call for recommendations generated dozens of responses from friends who have traveled throughout Iceland.

We have our accommodations and some guided tours booked so it’s beginning to feel like our itinerary is coming together. At this point, it’s a matter of prioritizing all of the ideas and diving into the details.

It’s also time to ask for feedback on how this is taking shape. Below is our tentative Iceland itinerary—I’d love your recommendations for things to do and places to eat, as well as your insights on whether we will have enough time for our plans or if we should add more things to the list. All ideas are welcome!

Iceland Itinerary

• Day 1: Reykjavik, including guided walking tour downtown
• Day 2: Golden Circle, visiting Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, and Selfoss
• Day 3: South Coast, visiting Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabull, Skogafoss and Kvernufoss waterfalls, Solheimajokull, and Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara beaches
• Day 4: Vatnajokull National Park, Skaftafell, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, including ice cave tour
• Day 5: Reykjanes Peninsula, including lava tube tour before saying farewell to Mom and Dad
• Day 6: West Iceland, including Borgarnes, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, and Búðardalur
• Day 7: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
• Day 8: Icelandic horseback riding tour, afternoon at the Blue Lagoon, and our flight home

What else should we add to the list?

Cover Photo by Robert Lukeman on Unsplash