#mystopover

People are always a bit intrigued when we tell them we are going to visit Iceland again. And up until recently, Iceland has not been on the radar of most people as a tourist destination. The reason we continue to return to this beautiful place is also the quality I most appreciate about Iceland and that is: diversity. In one day, you are able to see glaciers, lava fields, bubbling sulfur pits, red rock hiking, icebergs, epic waterfalls, sandy beaches and one of the most adorable colorful little cities in Europe.

In my opinion, it is worth it to take advantage of the free stop over in Iceland from IcelandAir and check it out for a few days for yourself. The flight from Seattle to Iceland is a mere six and a half hours and gets you to Europe the fastest way I know how. On our flight to Iceland we even had the opportunity to fly there in Helka Aurora which is their new aircraft dressed up in the beautiful colors of an Icelandic winter landscape. Not only is the Boeing 757 wrapped, but the interior is illuminated with one-of-a-kind mood lighting to recreate the Aurora Borealis. 

This was not only Jasper's first flight ever, but it was long one for our little guy. We were uncertain exactly how he would do, but between the attentive IcelandAir staff, the "Little Explorer" kit which included an assortment of puzzles, crayons, activity book and food helped to make it a great experience. 

Here is a sampling of just one day in Iceland as we visited the most popular tourist circuit, called The Golden Circle and made a quick side trip to another waterfall called Skogafoss. 

Walking behind a plunging waterfall like this is a thrill and a very misty and wet experience. Jasper was the most prepared in his rain jacket of three of us, I on the other hand walked around in wet jeans for the next several hours.

Standing around waiting for Strokkur to blow. You don't have to wait long because it erupts every five or so minutes. 

And then all of the sudden you feel as though you are hiking in Utah or Arizona. 

The bubbling sulfur pits are one of the keys to Iceland's ability to harness geothermal activity and be one of the greenest countries on the planet. 

The powerful and awe inspiring Gullfoss. 

Forget the rainbow and the waterfall, Jasper was more intrigued by throwing the rocks. And while we were in Iceland there was no shortage of rocks. 

And last but not least, Thingvellir where the continental drift between the North American and the Eurasian Plates can be clearly seen. 

The Golden Circle makes for a busy day and as long as two thirds of your party is still smiling at the end of it, it was a good day indeed!