16Jun 2025 by Gail
Iceland hotels – get down with the cows at unique Eftisdalur!

Iceland hotels – get down with the cows at unique Eftisdalur!

Iceland
If you are on a self-drive holiday, I would strongly recommend a stay at Farmhotel Eftisdalur. Located between the Golden Circle attractions of Pingvellir National Park and Gulfoss / Geysir, this is one of the most unique Iceland hotels! We stayed in May 2025 with our boys, then aged 11 and 12. Best known for its dairy ice-cream made from milk from its own herd, this place merits a longer visit. Iceland hotels - overnight at Farmhotel Eftisdalur Exhausted from hiking at Pingvellir (read my review here), we headed straight for dinner and bed at Farmhotel Eftisdalur. The hotel is located around 40 minutes drive from Pingvellir and just minutes from Bruarfoss. As such, it makes a convenient stop-off for those exploring the so-called Golden Circle attractions. Our hugely spacious…
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09Jun 2025 by Gail
Pingvellir National Park – why you should stop off here!

Pingvellir National Park – why you should stop off here!

Iceland
I first visited Pingvellir National Park in 2005 with my now hubby. We stayed in Reykjavik and explored the site as part of a guided tour of the Golden Circle attractions. Fast forward 20 years and we returned with our pre-teen boys and a hired Dacia Duster (crammed to bursting with clothes for all weathers and a lot of snacks...). We arrived in fairly heavy rain and the boys were a little reluctant to tog up and head out. However, with a bit of sugar fuelling and some waterproof trousers, we cracked on with my planned loop down the ravine to Oxarafoss and then across to the Pingvellir church and the site of the ancient parliament. Luckily, the rain eased and although it remained a grey day, the boys enjoyed…
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09Jun 2025 by Gail
Blue Lagoon, Iceland – how to enjoy a magical experience!

Blue Lagoon, Iceland – how to enjoy a magical experience!

Iceland
Yes, it is touristy and yes, it is expensive. But should you still visit? yes, definitely! I first visited the Blue Lagoon 20 years ago with my now hubby. We were there in the October, snow started to fall over the lagoon, and the experience was truly magical and very romantic. Visiting again in May 2025, I did wonder if I would enjoy the Blue Lagoon as much with 2 pre-teen boys in tow. I'm happy to report that, although it wasn't quite as relaxing (boys can't stay still!), we all loved our visit and it was one of the highlights of our trip. The perfect way to relax after a long flight! Just a crazy boy playing! When to go and how to get to the Blue Lagoon At…
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07Jun 2025 by Gail
Iceland Hotels – snuggle down in the cosy warmth of the Northern Lights Inn!

Iceland Hotels – snuggle down in the cosy warmth of the Northern Lights Inn!

Iceland
Located just minutes from the Blue Lagoon, and a 20 minute drive from Keflavik airport, the Northern Lights Inn is one of the best Iceland hotels to start or finish your trip. We stayed here in May 2025 with our 2 boys, then aged 11 and 12 at the start of our trip round this amazing country. Our packed itinerary meant we could only stay for one night but I wished we were there for longer... We visited at the end of May where nearly continuous daylight means there was no chance of spotting the northern lights. However, I can imagine that this base would be a good spot to do so in darker months! So what's it like? Don't let first impressions put you off. Yes, the outside looks…
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