20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Iceland • The Blonde Abroad

Driving the Golden Circle — Golden Circle

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

Natural Geothermal Pool — Seljavallalaug Geothermal Pool

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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There’s something really special about finding a place that feels like your own childhood… and what you always dreamed of for your own kid 🤍
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Tucked away in the Cape Winelands, about an hour from Cape Town, South Africa, @camp.canoe is one of those places that somehow feels both completely off-grid and perfectly convenient.

Set on one of my favorite family-friendly wine farms, @boschendal, you get the best of both worlds—wide open space, no distractions, and just enough nearby to make it effortless with little ones (and fun for the adults).

Days here look like:
– swimming in the dam
– slow mornings outside
– wood-fired hot tub soaks
– braai (bbq) under the stars

It’s a little bit luxe, it’s nostalgic, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay just a little bit longer. ✨
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#campcanoe #capetown #southafrica #capetownwithkids

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There’s something really special about finding a place that feels like your own childhood… and what you always dreamed of for your own kid 🤍
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Tucked away in the Cape Winelands, about an hour from Cape Town, South Africa, @camp.canoe is one of those places that somehow feels both completely off-grid and perfectly convenient.

Set on one of my favorite family-friendly wine farms, @boschendal, you get the best of both worlds—wide open space, no distractions, and just enough nearby to make it effortless with little ones (and fun for the adults).

Days here look like:
– swimming in the dam
– slow mornings outside
– wood-fired hot tub soaks
– braai (bbq) under the stars

It’s a little bit luxe, it’s nostalgic, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay just a little bit longer. ✨
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#campcanoe #capetown #southafrica #capetownwithkids

Spending a year abroad sounds exciting… until you see the planning involved.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Flights, edits, contracts, itineraries — not to mention the admin of being a mom. I’m usually running everything at once, so having a laptop that can keep up makes a huge difference.

I’ve been using an AMD Ryzen AI–powered laptop to keep everything organized, run AI tools even when WiFi isn’t available, and work from wherever we happen to be in the world.

So I can finish what I need to do… and get back to what’s most important ❤️
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower #ad

@AMD

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Spending a year abroad sounds exciting… until you see the planning involved.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Flights, edits, contracts, itineraries — not to mention the admin of being a mom. I’m usually running everything at once, so having a laptop that can keep up makes a huge difference.

I’ve been using an AMD Ryzen AI–powered laptop to keep everything organized, run AI tools even when WiFi isn’t available, and work from wherever we happen to be in the world.

So I can finish what I need to do… and get back to what’s most important ❤️
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower #ad

@AMD

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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Cancel reply

Kaitlin

Curious to know if you had any issues in October with camera equipment freezing? I’ve heard rumours that it gets so cold that digital camera and lenses freeze and people miss out on photo opportunities!

May 2, 2017 at 5:45 pm · Reply

Kiersten Rich

Hi Kaitlin! I didn’t have any issues with that personally!

May 2, 2017 at 8:07 pm · Reply

kristen

Hello – love your photos! We are traveling Iceland by campervan in a few weeks. Could you tell me a bit about your time at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon please? Looks like you’re pulled right up somewhere.

Thanks!
Kristen

May 22, 2017 at 7:23 am · Reply

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