Travel

7 Must Visit Hot Pools in Iceland and Where to Find Them

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Icy blue water contrast against black lava field at Blue Lagoon

Icy blue water at Blue Lagoon

There are a million reasons to visit Iceland: the dramatic stark landscape, waterfalls, and of course hot pools and hot springs. Exploring the hot pools is a unique experience that combines the beautiful Icelandic scenery with its geothermal activity. Hot pools in Iceland are beloved by both locals and visitors alike.  This traditional pastime of bathing in thermal water is deeply ingrained in local Icelandic culture dating to Viking times.  The pools became a place where people went to socialize after a long day.  Aside from the social aspect, the pools are also said to have health benefits from the mineral rich water.

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Iceland in 11 Days: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary and Guide

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Black beach at Stokksnes with mountain in background

Stokksnes black beach

Iceland sits at the top of everyone’s bucket list because it’s such a unique place with rugged landscapes that look completely out of this world. A road trip around Iceland’s Ring Road is an adventure you’ll never forget.  A visit to the  Land of Ice and Fire is not complete without soaking in geothermal hot springs, admiring beautiful glaciers, trekking to a secret waterfall, and exploring lava fields.  The wild untamed landscape will make your jaw drop and leave an impression that will not soon fade.

We spent 11 days driving ourselves around the country, including Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and the famous Golden Circle. In that time, we managed to easily see all the major sites.  This comprehensive guide and road trip itinerary will help you plan your OWN trip to make the most of your time in Iceland and experience all the natural beauty this country has to offer. In addition to the trip route and maps, this guide will also give you drive times, accommodations, and restaurant suggestions.  The itinerary is broken out by day, with ideas on where to stop and what to see at each location.

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5 Villas with Private Pool in Bali for Under $125

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Seminyak Villa

Before I even started planning for our trip to Bali, I knew that I wanted to stay somewhere special.  It’s Bali after all, and just any regular hotel won’t do.  Bali is all about luxurious villas with private pools precariously perched in the middle of the jungle or surrounded by rice fields.  Whether you’re looking for private pool or to-die-for view, Bali’s got it all for less than $125 USD per day!  Yes, you read that right. Continue reading →

Whisky Tour

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Whisky is Scotland’s national drink and its biggest export. For more than 500 years, skilled distillers have taken the basic ingredients of barley and water and transformed them into single-malt whisky. Over the years, many attempts have been made to copy the unique fiery taste of Scotch Whisky in different parts of the world, but with no apparent success.  By law, the spirit cannot be called Scotch until it has aged in Scotland for at least three years, but most single malt whiskies are left to mature for much longer. Continue reading →

Family Time in Powell River

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For Canada’s 150th birthday, my family made our way West to British Columbia for our yearly get together. It’s a tradition that we started after we all grew up and moved apart.  This year we choose to spend an idyllic week at a small town on the upper Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. The week was spent with good food, good company, and lots of memories that will last a lifetime.  Continue reading →

Travel Shoes

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Like most people who live in NYC, I don’t have a car; so it’s no secret that I love to walk. I walk everywhere at home and while I travel. One time I even walked the length of Manhattan, if you can believe it.  It took me about 8 hours with a few breaks in between – but I did it! I find that walking is the best way to explore a city. Continue reading →

Photo of the Week: Duomo

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IMG_0099Florence, Italy

This week I am reminiscing back to 10 years ago when we visit Florence on our VERY  first trip abroad.  I remembered falling head over heels in love with this city standing on top of the Campanile di Giotto.  From the bell tower, you can see the tiny people atop of the famous Duomo and the rest of the city spread out below. 

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.