Cozy Christmasy Retreat to Iceland
A little over two years ago, McKay and I found ourselves in Iceland for the first time to film Karen and Tony’s destination wedding. From the moment we stepped off the plane into the extreme wind and rain, we were captivated. The raw beauty of the landscape, the surreal stillness, the crashing waterfalls, and the cozy warmth of Reykjavik’s streets left an indelible mark on us. Ever since, we’ve dreamed of returning, and this year, for our 8th anniversary, we finally did — this time just for us.
This time when we landed we stepped directly into a snow globe. Iceland embraced us in a Christmasy blanket of white. Wandering the streets of Reykjavik felt like visiting an old friend. I found an Icelandic wool sweater, handmade by a local artisan, that I will treasure forever. We savored breakfast at a charming little cafe — lox and shakshuka that felt like a hug on a dark, cold morning.
We soaked for hours at the Sky Lagoon and I even convinced McKay to participate in the cold plunge with me. We drove through the Golden Circle to an endless tomato soup buffet in a greenhouse (yes, a greenhouse). The soup was fresh and steaming, and the greenhouse filled with the scent of vines and basil made it feel extra cozy and delicious.
That night, we stayed on a quiet dairy farm called Efstidalur. This is actually where Karen and Tony had their rehearsal dinner! We were so lucky that when we stepped outside to walk over to the restaurant for dinner we were greeted by the Aurora Borealis dancing across the sky. I get chills thinking about it.
The next morning we made a stop to admire Faxafoss and Gulfoss which were epic to see covered in snow and ice. Then we took a monster jeep through the mountains to go Snowmobiling on a glacier in whiteout conditions. Equal parts thrilling and surreal. It kind of felt like we were in a sci-fi movie. We capped off our adventur-ish day back at Flatey, our favorite pizza spot in Reykjavik. The staff kept mistaking us for locals, which, honestly, felt like the highest compliment.
Our final stop of the trip was Silica, the same hotel where we fell in love with years ago. We spent our days soaking in the springs, playing board games, reading books, and leaning into the cozy holiday spirit. The hotel was darling and left a different yule lade figurine and treat in our room ever night. Before heading home, we visited Perlan, where we learned about Iceland’s natural wonders and took in panoramic views of Reykjavik, the city we adore.
What made this trip so special wasn’t just the places we visited but the pace. For once, I didn’t rush to check off a list of to-dos (and believe me, that’s a big deal for a planner like me). Instead, we let the days unfold naturally and really just savored each other’s company. I definitely want to take in the spirit of being unhurried, relaxed, and fully present into the new year.
As we boarded our flight home, I found myself already dreaming about a summer return. The midnight sun, the untamed landscapes we’ve yet to see — it’s calling to me. Maybe we’ll go back to capture another love story or maybe we’ll just wander and soak it all in again. Either way, Iceland feels like a place we’ll keep returning to, a little piece of magic in our lives.
Thank you for letting me share this memory with you friends. If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Iceland, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s breathtaking, humbling, and endlessly inspiring — everything I love about life itself.
With so much love and wanderlust,
Jess
