I’m going to say something that might be controversial: beach holidays bore me to death.
I can only stand a couple of days before I’m sick of feeling sticky and sandy all day long, with temperatures too scorching to do anything but lie there and wonder if I have heatstroke. While it’s certainly nice to have a relax, for my holiday last spring I was after a little more adventure – and if these feelings sound familiar to you, I would recommend taking a look at a country just a short hop away by plane from Newcastle Airport.
Iceland is also known as ‘the land of fire and ice’ thanks to its dramatic landscape which boasts glaciers and active volcanoes side-by-side. The nickname sounds like something straight out of Game of Thrones – and when I visited Iceland in March 2024, my exact feeling was that I had stepped straight through into a fantasy world.
(Image: Catherine Addison-Swan)
Jet2 runs flights from Newcastle to Keflavik, Iceland’s main international airport, in February to March and October to November. Taking around two-and-a-half hours on the plane and then another 45 minutes or so by bus into Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, flights from Newcastle are on Wednesdays and Sundays with prices starting from £51 one way, perfect for taking a short four-night trip which is just what I did.
Temperatures in February and March rarely go above 3°C in Iceland, and are often in the minuses – but that didn’t stop me finding this getaway nothing short of magical. Reykjavik is a charming place full of colourful houses, a wide range of eateries and souvenir shops, with the added benefit that in winter it’s blissfully quiet and a world away from the busy tourist destinations elsewhere in Europe where you can barely make it down the street due to the crowds.
The city centre is home to some striking landmarks, from the modern Hallgrimskirkja cathedral to the futuristic Perlan museum where my wife and I spent a great full day when there was a blizzard, with plenty of fascinating exhibits offering a window into Iceland’s history, as well as panoramic views across Reykjavik from the top floor cocktail bar and restaurant. It’s also just a 20-minute walk down to Reykjavik harbour, where you’ll find stunning views out towards the sea and the mountains.
(Image: Catherine Addison-Swan)
But it’s when venturing outside of the city that you will really see the unparalleled beauty of Iceland. What with its rugged rural landscape and icy conditions, the only real way to discover some of the most rural spots is through a guided trip that will take you around some of the highlights by coach – I went for the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon Tour with Nicetravel that I booked through Viator, which didn’t come cheap at nearly £190 per person, but it was worth every penny.
In a single day that came to be one of the most memorable of my life, I walked around the incredibly beautiful Thingvellir National Park, saw the famous Geysir Hot Springs shoot water into the air, stood by the immense Gullfoss Waterfall, and climbed to the top of the Kerid Volcanic Crater. With a fantastic guide who told us all about Iceland mythology in between stops, we finished the day by driving over lava fields that had formed from an eruption less than a month before, and had a two-hour relax in the iconic Blue Lagoon.
The other days of my trip were spent rambling around Reykjavik, visiting the aforementioned Perlan, and taking another bus trip out to the Lava Tunnel to walk among hundreds of ice stalagmites in the path of lava that flowed underground more than 5,000 years ago. It was an unforgettable adventure fuelled by plenty of traditional hearty Iceland fish dishes and constant hot drinks, and I have been waiting a whole year for Jet2 to restart their February and March flight programme to recommend it to anyone else in need of a holiday to remember.
(Image: Catherine Addison-Swan)
Now, there are some things to note before you go booking yourself a trip. It probably goes without saying, given its name, but if you’re hoping to escape the cold on your next holiday, Iceland almost definitely isn’t for you. I spent the majority of my trip walking around in several thick layers and still felt the chill, so if you do like the sound of a trip there, make sure you’re prepared by packing plenty of very warm clothes.
It’s also important to point out that while central Reykjavik has a good public transport system with plenty of buses available, the day trip out into the wilderness required a lot of walking, especially on slippery and uneven surfaces as well as some steep climbs. It’s worth asking yourself whether you and your family would be safe doing this sort of trip – and if so, I would advise bringing a pair of waterproof boots with very good grip.
Aside from the weather and hazards of its natural geography, one of the most important factors to consider when deciding on a trip to Iceland is its prices. As one of the most expensive countries in the world, the prices of food and drink in particular might come as a shock to you as they did to me, so be sure to do your research about how much things cost and factor it in to your holiday budget alongside your flight and accommodation prices.
(Image: Catherine Addison-Swan)
Finally, bear in mind that the beauty of Iceland is its natural phenomena – and unfortunately, nature can be unpredictable. I was incredibly lucky to get to visit the Blue Lagoon the day before it was shut down again due to the most recent volcanic eruption in the area, but was less fortunate with a Northern Lights tour I booked the following night, which saw me standing in a snowy field for several hours in the pitch black until I felt like I had been frozen alive, only to see… absolutely nothing.
If you are hoping to go to Iceland, be sure to check the latest travel advice which will include the latest volcanic activity as well as the weather forecast. But all in all, I would say that the unpredictability and volatility of this beautiful place only adds to its charm.
