20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Iceland

Driving the Golden Circle — Golden Circle

Arnastarpi Arch — Arnarstapi

Silfra Fissure — The Silfra Fissure

Aerial view over Reykjavik — Reykjavik

Godafoss Waterfall — Goðafoss Waterfall

Swimming in the Blue Lagoon — Blue Lagoon

Rainbow over the Blue Lagoon — Blue Lagoon

Waterfall Climbing — Skógafoss Waterfall

Iceland Black Sand Beach — Black Sand Beach in Vík

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Natural Geothermal Pool — Seljavallalaug Geothermal Pool

Arnastarpi Landscape — Arnastarpi

Iceland Volcanic Crate — Kerið Crater

Scuba diving the Silfra Fissure — Silfra Fissure

Standing under the Northern Lights — Goðafoss

Iceberg Lagoon — Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Camper Van on the Ring Road — Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Northern Lights over Lighthouse — Garður

Iceland has easily stayed at the top of my list– I love the natural beauty, the food, and the culture.

There is no place better to enjoy the great outdoors than in Iceland. This Scandinavian country is absolutely stunning and perfect for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

On my first trip in 2014, I explored Reykjavik, drove the Golden Circle, and went glacier hiking and snorkeling the Silfra Fissure! My most recent trip last year took me all the way around the island, as I traveled the Ring Road in a camper van with Happy Campers.

We explored the town of Vík and the southern coast, Mývatn and the northeast, the capital of the North, Akureyri– and then we followed the west coast down to Reykjavík. This time I chose to dive the Silfra Fissure along the Golden Circle!

With a population of about 300,000 people, Iceland has the atmosphere of a small town everywhere you go. I could rave all day about Iceland—it’s natural wonders are truly something to behold—from massive glaciers and bubbling lava to picturesque fjords and waterfalls.

Iceland is one of the safer destinations I have traveled solo, and that is why I highly recommend it to solo female travelers, and especially travelers taking their first solo trip!

With friendly locals, stunning scenery and a lively tourism scene, you should experience Iceland at least once in your lifetime.

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Ghada Arabi

Amazing photos!! Love your blog. I am actually planning to go this September. I was wondering if you drove the happy camper van yourself or can you hire someone to drive you. I would love to do it myself however I’m worried about driving in Iceland. Any advice?

Thank you !

June 10, 2017 at 2:48 am · Reply

Kiersten Rich

Hi! You can check out my guide here: https://theblondeabroad.com/2016/12/11/how-to-survive-icelands-ring-road-in-a-camper-van/ 🙂

June 19, 2017 at 5:26 pm · Reply

Instagram

Welcome to day 8 and the finale of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series autumn 🍂🍁 🚗

Be sure to save this post for all the best Boston has to offer!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
After a leisurely breakfast and 2 hour drive from @trappfamilylodge, we concluded our 10-day road trip with a couple of days in the historic town of Boston—staying at the @fsboston!

This hotel treats kids like royalty, with lots of luxury for adults too (full review coming soon)!

If you find yourself visiting Boston in the Fall with a little one, here are some must-sees:

- @bostonducktours
- @museumofscience
- @campstores x Bluey (ending soon)
- Public Garden
- Beacon Hill
- Tadpole Playground
- @bplboston
- Childrens Wharf Harborwalk
- @bostonteapartyships
- @rosekennedygreenway
- Commonwealth Avenue Mall
- Esplanade Playground
- Charles River Esplanade

And for the foodies, you know I got you covered!

- @tattebakery
- @saltiegirl
- @faneuilhallmarketplace
- @maproom_lounge
- @bovasbakery
- @bostonpublicmarket
- @parishcafe
- Quincy Market
- Legal Sea Foods - Burlington Mall

After traveling around New Hampshire and Vermont, it was nice to get a glimpse of this bustling and historic city.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for joining us on our epic autumn road trip! Be sure to follow along for more adventures! There’s plenty of tips and tricks to come this Fall season!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@meetbostonusa @visitma
#visitmassachusetts #boston #newengland #fallroadtrip

541 16

Welcome to day 8 and the finale of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series autumn 🍂🍁 🚗

Be sure to save this post for all the best Boston has to offer!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
After a leisurely breakfast and 2 hour drive from @trappfamilylodge, we concluded our 10-day road trip with a couple of days in the historic town of Boston—staying at the @fsboston!

This hotel treats kids like royalty, with lots of luxury for adults too (full review coming soon)!

If you find yourself visiting Boston in the Fall with a little one, here are some must-sees:

- @bostonducktours
- @museumofscience
- @campstores x Bluey (ending soon)
- Public Garden
- Beacon Hill
- Tadpole Playground
- @bplboston
- Childrens Wharf Harborwalk
- @bostonteapartyships
- @rosekennedygreenway
- Commonwealth Avenue Mall
- Esplanade Playground
- Charles River Esplanade

And for the foodies, you know I got you covered!

- @tattebakery
- @saltiegirl
- @faneuilhallmarketplace
- @maproom_lounge
- @bovasbakery
- @bostonpublicmarket
- @parishcafe
- Quincy Market
- Legal Sea Foods - Burlington Mall

After traveling around New Hampshire and Vermont, it was nice to get a glimpse of this bustling and historic city.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for joining us on our epic autumn road trip! Be sure to follow along for more adventures! There’s plenty of tips and tricks to come this Fall season!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@meetbostonusa @visitma
#visitmassachusetts #boston #newengland #fallroadtrip

🎶 The hills are alive with the sound of music 🎶
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Love the Sound of Music? What if I told you that you can visit the real Von Trapp family’s lodge from the famed musical starring Julie Andrews in the quiet town of Stowe, Vermont?

Day 7 of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) started the day by driving through Smuggler’s Notch—it’s a short and super windy drive through a mountain pass that’s seriously beautiful.

Helpful Tip: Get started on the drive as easy as possible. Traffic is notorious during foliage season so we hit the road at 7am and had it to ourselves!

We then spent the entire day exploring nature trails and hanging with animals at @trappfamilylodge, an Austrian-inspired mountain lodge with 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Stowe.

The Von Trapps, made famous from the movie The Sound of Music, fled Austria during WWII and ultimately landed in Stowe, VT where their hospitality lives on today. Did you know the Sound of Music is one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time??

Had we had a little more time, we also would have added:

🥾 Moss Glen Falls
⛪️ Stowe Community Church
🍻 @alch3mistb33r
☕️ @blackcapvermont
🥞 @butlers_pantry_stowe

We did manage to catch a glimpse of the famed Stowe Community Church from afar, but any closer meant fighting traffic and huge crowds.

Come back for day 8 and the final video of the series as we explore the beautiful and family-friendly parts of Boston!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@vermonttourism @visitnew_england
#vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

727 11

🎶 The hills are alive with the sound of music 🎶
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Love the Sound of Music? What if I told you that you can visit the real Von Trapp family’s lodge from the famed musical starring Julie Andrews in the quiet town of Stowe, Vermont?

Day 7 of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) started the day by driving through Smuggler’s Notch—it’s a short and super windy drive through a mountain pass that’s seriously beautiful.

Helpful Tip: Get started on the drive as easy as possible. Traffic is notorious during foliage season so we hit the road at 7am and had it to ourselves!

We then spent the entire day exploring nature trails and hanging with animals at @trappfamilylodge, an Austrian-inspired mountain lodge with 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Stowe.

The Von Trapps, made famous from the movie The Sound of Music, fled Austria during WWII and ultimately landed in Stowe, VT where their hospitality lives on today. Did you know the Sound of Music is one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time??

Had we had a little more time, we also would have added:

🥾 Moss Glen Falls
⛪️ Stowe Community Church
🍻 @alch3mistb33r
☕️ @blackcapvermont
🥞 @butlers_pantry_stowe

We did manage to catch a glimpse of the famed Stowe Community Church from afar, but any closer meant fighting traffic and huge crowds.

Come back for day 8 and the final video of the series as we explore the beautiful and family-friendly parts of Boston!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@vermonttourism @visitnew_england
#vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

Arguably the MOST “autumnal” day of the trip: 🍎 🍂 🍩
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Welcome back to my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series! We’re over halfway through our road trip on Day 6 and this was the perfect day of all things autumn.

After a slow morning leaving @woodstock.inn, we were on our way to the famous town of Stowe, Vermont!

I had originally created a jam-packed itinerary, but traveling with a toddler can definitely call for some readjusting and going with the flow. We made 2 of the stops I had planned:

🍎🌳 Hunger Mountain Orchard
🍎🍩 @coldhollowcidermillvt

If we had a little more time, a lot of people add the 🍦 @benandjerrys factory tour on this day.

We ended our day by checking into the @trappfamilylodge —owned by the real family from the Sound of Music where we enjoyed the lodge and property before dinner and bedtime.

Be sure to come back for Day 7 with more on this amazing property and all the furry friends that live here!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@vermonttourism @visitnew_england
#vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

572 22

Arguably the MOST “autumnal” day of the trip: 🍎 🍂 🍩
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Welcome back to my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series! We’re over halfway through our road trip on Day 6 and this was the perfect day of all things autumn.

After a slow morning leaving @woodstock.inn, we were on our way to the famous town of Stowe, Vermont!

I had originally created a jam-packed itinerary, but traveling with a toddler can definitely call for some readjusting and going with the flow. We made 2 of the stops I had planned:

🍎🌳 Hunger Mountain Orchard
🍎🍩 @coldhollowcidermillvt

If we had a little more time, a lot of people add the 🍦 @benandjerrys factory tour on this day.

We ended our day by checking into the @trappfamilylodge —owned by the real family from the Sound of Music where we enjoyed the lodge and property before dinner and bedtime.

Be sure to come back for Day 7 with more on this amazing property and all the furry friends that live here!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@vermonttourism @visitnew_england
#vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

Fall fashion is my favorite! What about you? 🍁
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
My recent trip to New England was the perfect opportunity to pack my @meet.nex bags with some cute new styles perfect for any trip!

Nex luggage is super high-quality and will hold up on any adventure. Their Million Mile Care program is also one-of-a-kind. You can trade in your used luggage towards credit for new luggage!

I get so much use out of the Nex crossbody and backpack in Lanikai Amber—they’re my go-to for camera gear and toddler essentials. And you can style them with just about every outfit!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Click my link in bio for my luggage and favorite fall styles! #ad

704 16

Fall fashion is my favorite! What about you? 🍁
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
My recent trip to New England was the perfect opportunity to pack my @meet.nex bags with some cute new styles perfect for any trip!

Nex luggage is super high-quality and will hold up on any adventure. Their Million Mile Care program is also one-of-a-kind. You can trade in your used luggage towards credit for new luggage!

I get so much use out of the Nex crossbody and backpack in Lanikai Amber—they’re my go-to for camera gear and toddler essentials. And you can style them with just about every outfit!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Click my link in bio for my luggage and favorite fall styles! #ad

Bienvenidos a Oaxaca! 🇲🇽
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I recently visited this vibrant, colorful city just in time for some of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations and it did not disappoint! From walking the cobblestone streets lined with colorful murals to witnessing centuries’ old architectural marvels, this entire city is an UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful sites around every corner.

There are tons of epic @vrbo vacation homes in Oaxaca—perfect for a group trip!

One of the major highlights of Oaxaca is the FOOD 🤤 Traditional cuisine like mole, mezcal, tlayuda, quesillo, and even… chapulines (aka fried grasshoppers! 😱) are a must. Foodies and adventurous diners alike will find themselves with more than a few delicious options here in Oaxaca.

Add these highlights to your Oaxaca bucket list:

🇲🇽 Shop at the artisan markets
🇲🇽 Get down on some delicious street food
🇲🇽 Try a traditional cooking class
🇲🇽 Take a day trip to Hierve el Agua
🇲🇽 Experience a temazcal ceremony
🇲🇽 Discover the countless murals
🇲🇽 Visit during Dia de Los Muertos

Did you know you can also book activities with some of the best local, hidden gems, through @expedia?

Try a traditional cooking class, book a local photographer, or enjoy a mezcal and mole tasting with a certified sommelier through the @Expedia app!

Have you been to Oaxaca? What time of year did you go and what was your favorite part??
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#mexico #oaxaca #diadelosmuertos

1181 35

Bienvenidos a Oaxaca! 🇲🇽
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I recently visited this vibrant, colorful city just in time for some of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations and it did not disappoint! From walking the cobblestone streets lined with colorful murals to witnessing centuries’ old architectural marvels, this entire city is an UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful sites around every corner.

There are tons of epic @vrbo vacation homes in Oaxaca—perfect for a group trip!

One of the major highlights of Oaxaca is the FOOD 🤤 Traditional cuisine like mole, mezcal, tlayuda, quesillo, and even… chapulines (aka fried grasshoppers! 😱) are a must. Foodies and adventurous diners alike will find themselves with more than a few delicious options here in Oaxaca.

Add these highlights to your Oaxaca bucket list:

🇲🇽 Shop at the artisan markets
🇲🇽 Get down on some delicious street food
🇲🇽 Try a traditional cooking class
🇲🇽 Take a day trip to Hierve el Agua
🇲🇽 Experience a temazcal ceremony
🇲🇽 Discover the countless murals
🇲🇽 Visit during Dia de Los Muertos

Did you know you can also book activities with some of the best local, hidden gems, through @expedia?

Try a traditional cooking class, book a local photographer, or enjoy a mezcal and mole tasting with a certified sommelier through the @Expedia app!

Have you been to Oaxaca? What time of year did you go and what was your favorite part??
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#mexico #oaxaca #diadelosmuertos