Iceland & Northern Italy: A Travel Advisor’s Firsthand Field Notes

Iceland: Wild adventure & dramatic landscapes

Iceland offers visually arresting landscapes. My family opted for a self-drive itinerary, which offers ultimate flexibility, but private driver-guides are great if you prefer stress-free navigation and local expertise at every turn. True luxury properties remain limited in Iceland due in part to the high cost of running hotels in the country. Partnering with the right guides and securing the proper accommodations is paramount to elevating the experience.

Reykjavík & the capital region

Reykjavík is sophisticated, walkable, and ideal as an arrival or departure anchor. Endless summer daylight allowed us plenty of time to explore the vibrant town, Vrainbox Rainbow Street, Hallgrimskirkja cathedral, and the striking architectural Harpa Concert Hall. Culinary highlights included dinner at Sumac and cinnamon buns at Hygge.

• Accommodation spotlight: The Reykjavík EDITION

The vibe: Sleek, contemporary luxury with harbor views. Exceptional central location, refined design, and an ideal launchpad for exploring the capital on foot. They also have a delicious almond croissant that shouldn’t be missed

• Advisor insight: Driving in Iceland

Self-driving offers fantastic autonomy, but strict speed camera enforcement and digital parking meters require vigilance! We ended up with several parking tickets and one speeding ticket, all delivered post-trip by email from our car rental company.

The South Coast & Vatnajökull Glacier

Driving east unveils iconic landscapes: cascading falls at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, framed by the moody black sands of Reynisfjara. Further east in Vatnajökull National Park, we suited up and enjoyed a morning RIB boat navigation among icebergs. We learned that 10% of the country is covered by glaciers. In the afternoon, we went ice-trekking with a private guide. It was well worth the splurge as the private guide provided us the opportunity to try rappelling (even scarier than it looks) and offered unparalleled access away from group tours.

• Accommodation spotlight: Hótel Jökulsárlón (Glacier Lagoon)

The vibe: Modern, tranquil, and purposefully situated near the Glacier Lagoon. Clean aesthetic and unbeatable proximity for early-morning glacier excursions.

Þórsmörk Valley & Super Jeep excursion

An absolute highlight of Iceland was our Super Jeep expedition into Þórsmörk, providing entry to terrain completely inaccessible by standard vehicle. Crossing rugged glacial rivers gave us access to Stakkholtsgjá Canyon and breathtaking 360-degree panoramas of three looming glaciers. Active travelers can trek through waterfall-carved caves and crest ridge trails for awe-inspiring views.

• Accommodation spotlight: Skalakot Manor (Hvolsvollur)

The vibe: Warm, authentic, and nature‑filled, blending rustic charm with modern comfort. Family‑run farm and boutique hotel surrounded by waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and black-sand beaches.

Westman Islands & The Golden Circle

A RIB boat journey to the remote Westman Islands provided a fascinating look at island life, dramatic sea cliffs, and local wildlife. We loved exploring the island and speaking with locals about their lives there. I highly recommend a lunch break for brick-oven pizza at Gott Restaurant.

On the mainland, our Golden Circle itinerary included Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur Geysir, an ice cave tour, and a memorable farm-to-table lunch at Friðheimar tomato greenhouse. The legendary tomato soup does not disappoint.

The Blue Lagoon

We concluded our Icelandic retreat by unwinding in mineral-rich thermal waters. Staying at the property grants access to a quiet, guest-only lagoon—allowing you to completely bypass the crowded main public pools. We spent hours floating in the lagoon with different face masks.

• Accommodation spotlight: Silica Hotel

The vibe: Serene, wellness-focused retreat surrounded by moss-covered lava fields. Features a private, intimate lagoon ideal for relaxation. For ultra-luxury, opt for The Retreat at Blue Lagoon.

• Advisor recommendations

Before entering the lagoon, thoroughly coat your hair with conditioner, and tuck it into a shower cap. The lagoon’s mineral-rich water can strip hair of its natural oils. And, if you stay at either of the Blue Lagoon properties, it is better to utilize their personal lagoons instead of the public ones for a more relaxed experience.

Northern Italy: Alpine wellness & lakeside splendor

After dropping the girls at the airport, my husband and I flew nonstop to Munich and picked up our rental car. Crossing into Northern Italy shifted our rhythm from active discovery to refined relaxation, alpine hiking, Michelin-caliber gastronomy, and world-class hydrotherapy.

The Dolomites: FORESTIS

Perched high in the Alps, our stay at FORESTIS stood out as the highlight of the entire trip, but maybe that’s because my personal happy place is in the mountains hiking for hours on end. The vertical, jagged mountains and deep green valleys are spectacular. Days were spent hiking past alpine meadows and spotting cows, horses, and donkeys along the way. One of our favorite hikes was accessible directly from the property, and a stop at a centuries-old chalet for Schlutzkraken and a beer was the perfect reward for a hard day’s work. Just in case you didn’t know, Schlutzkraken is a famous South Tyrol dish—a half-moon pasta made from a rustic rye-and-wheat flour dough stuffed with spinach and quark or ricotta, finished with brown butter and fresh chives. It’s perfection!

Each day, we returned to FORESTIS to indulge in mountain-view spa circuits and magnificent multi-course dinners at the property.

• Accommodation spotlight: FORESTIS Dolomites

The vibe: Ultra-exclusive, adults-oriented alpine sanctuary. Architectural minimalism meets holistic wellness, unmatched mountain vistas, and world-class seven-course dining.

• Advisor recommendation

Although most of the hotel suites have air conditioning, the ones in the original chalet do not. However, by summer 2027, all room categories will have air conditioning.

Lake Garda: Cape of Senses

We concluded our journey at Lake Garda, immersing ourselves in restorative thermal sauna rituals, wellness activities like yoga classes and sound baths, and lakeside tranquility. In other words, we didn’t do much more than enjoy the gorgeous property, although there are definitely activities to be found if that’s more your speed. On one of the days, I indulged in their signature Senses pinda two-hour massage treatment at their spa, which is currently undergoing extensive renovations. Evenings were spent eating pasta, fresh fish, and, of course, gelato, followed by strolls in the charming surrounding villages.

• Accommodation spotlight: Cape of Senses

The vibe: Laid-back, understated luxury perched above Lake Garda. Focused on slow living, spectacular infinity pools, and immersive spa treatments.

• Curated Lake Garda dining recommendations

At Vista Lago, breathtaking lake panoramas pair with exquisite local cuisine for a special evening. Anima E Core is a vibrant, casual spot serving authentic, top-tier Italian pizza.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Europe page.