Dream Design

Iceland

  • Northern lights over snowy Mount Kirkjufell Iceland

With a short flight and zero time difference, you don’t need a golden compass to find the northern light-laden skies, picture-perfect municipals and ethereal dioramas of Iceland.

With a short flight and zero time difference, you don’t need a golden compass to find the northern light-laden skies, picture-perfect municipals and ethereal dioramas of Iceland.

An arctic wilderness dotted with geothermal lagoons and cloud-shrouded volcanic peaks, Europe’s least densely populated country exudes an air of dramatic mystery. Picturesque fishing villages tempt a peak, while those seeking adventure go off snowmobiling on the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, camping on the ice, or take a helicopter flight over the frosted landscape.

The thrill of the wild is matched by the vibrancy of Reykjavik with its local designer fashion and craft shops, cutting edge galleries and eclectic collection of restaurants (Icelandic Tapas is a revelation). Stroll the streets to discover a mix of old and new, the small painted houses rubbing shoulders with ultra-contemporary hotels and the stunning glass opera house.

Lava exploding from a dark rocky surface
Four puffin birds stood on black boulders
A person standing on a black sand dune looking at Stokksnes bay with Vestrahorn mountain in the background.
Lava exploding from a dark rocky surface
Four puffin birds stood on black boulders
A person standing on a black sand dune looking at Stokksnes bay with Vestrahorn mountain in the background.

In pursuit of…

People in a steamy lagoon in Iceland as the sun sets
… the land of fire and ice

Despite the hard, frosty exterior, there’s an inferno of excitement burning within Iceland’s confines – and we’re not just talking about the volcanoes. In the capital, when the cosy bookstores and cafes have gone to sleep, the streets come alive with a fiery nightlife scene revelled in by both locals and tourists; while beneath the lunar landscapes of the Golden Circle there’s boiling hot water ready to burst free of its earthy cage. A walk on the quiet side is no less fierce, with the burning chill of the air thawed off nicely by the steaming pool of the world-renowned Blue Lagoon.

Gunnar Karl Gíslason, chef
“It’s funny to have Icelanders come in (to the restaurant) and then when they’re leaving, they thank me and talk about how the food was very interesting, all these new flavours, these new things. And we’re thinking, we’ve only used the flavours that were always here!”

Its essence...

TEMPESTUOUS
OUTDOORSY
STIRRING
Destination essentials
  • Dec - Apr
    FOR SNOWY PURSUITS
  • May - Nov
    FOR SUMMER ACTIVITIES
WHEN TO VISIT
  • 3hrs 15mins
    LHR - KEF
Flight
  • 0hr
    GMT
  • -1hr
    GMT (SUMMER TIME)
Time difference
  • ISK
    ICELANDIC KRONA
  • Icelandic
    OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Currency / Language

Extraordinary
experiences

    • People swimming in a hot blue lagoon
      Soak in the therapeutic thermal waters of the iconic Blue Lagoon.

      Frosty blue pools engulfed by black volcanic rock may give off the air of a cold shoulder, but these waters are anything but. Thanks to its mineral-rich composition, the healing properties of the Blue Lagoon have become world-famous, and a day spent soaking in this otherworldly landscape is bound to heal both body and soul.

    • A white SUV exiting water onto black sand with the mountains of  Landmannalaugar, Iceland in the background
      Explore the beguiling landscapes in the circumference of the Golden Circle.

      The only vehicle tough enough to handle the terrain, a Super Jeep is the hefty mode of transport for a day whizzing around the natural beauty in this part of Iceland. Taking in Thingvellir National Park, the spouting Strokkur geyser and the astonishingly beautiful Gullfoss waterfall along the way.

    • A person standing on a black sand dune looking at Stokksnes bay with Vestrahorn mountain in the background.
      Ride, glide and fly over the South Coast’s snow-scapes.

      When one mode of transport just won’t do: first meet up with some friendly huskies to fly over the glaciers on the back of a sled. Then, horses are mounted for a slower pace of exploration. For the extreme-enthusiasts, there are sightseeing flights on the cards to get a birds eye view of the glittering white vastness.

    • A large waterfall dropping into a crevasse, and a person looking from a rocky ledge
      Venture to the coast for a beach experience far from that of a traditional summer holiday.

      Climbing aboard a Super Jeep, head to the gargantuan cliffs of the South Coast. Touring unearthly black volcanic sand beaches, titanic waterfalls and lazy coastal villages en-route. Later, zoom over the Mýrdalsjökull glacier on a snowmobile tour.

Get in touch your way…
We customise every trip to you and our quotes are bespoke. We’re here to offer advice, recommendations and answer your questions.
Snowy mountains

Luxury ski
& snow

Carrier features a selection of luxury lodges and chalets in the most glamorous resorts in Europe and North America. View our full collection of ski and snow holidays.

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