I went to Iceland with 4 of my best friends from college and it was the first trip all of us took together since graduating. We went into the trip with only one goal: see the Northern Lights -- which we were able to accomplish twice. I would rank this Iceland trip as one of the better trips I have been on because it combined great company, unimaginable natural sights, and unique experiences with its only shortcoming being the food scene.

Day 1: Inbound Flight + Logistics for the week

• Take an IcelandAir red-eye flight from JFK to KEF and land early morning

• Pick up rental car from Enterprise

  • ​Try to get a larger car that can handle non-standard road conditions better

  • Definitely pay for the full insurance package (outer body full protection)

• Walk the streets of Reyk, drive around the city and see some sights, get food and coffee

  • ​Sandholt is a great place to have lunch, but it does have a line typically so try to time it

• Check into Airbnb, unpack, shower, etc.

  • If you don't have an Airbnb with free/cheap parking, park in the P3 zone where it is cheap

• Go to Costco to buy groceries for the whole week

  • Grab enough meals that are easy to make and snacks that can last the week because most places don't have great food

• Go northern lights chasing

  • Download the Hello Aurora app -- it requires people to post a picture of the lights they are seeing and the location to help you decide if you want to go and see them yourself

Day 2: Golden Circle

• ​Thingvellir National Park

• Fridheimer Tomato Farm for lunch

  • Call ahead to reserve because it is a popular spot

• Strokkur Geyser

  • Need to be okay waiting 20-30 minutes to see the geyser explode

• Gullfoss Falls

Day 3: Glacier Hike 

• Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

  • definitely book with a guide; we used Arctic Adventures

• Eat in Vik

• Black Sand Beach near Vik

  • We took a plastic water bottle and collected sand to bring back to the US and fill an Icelandic whiskey bottle

• Head to hotel in Vik area and take it easy rest of the night

  • Our Airbnb had a sauna and hot tub and was in the middle of the nature preserve so if the lights were out, we would be able to see them from our living room (unfortunately, it was a cloudy night)

Day 4: Eastern Iceland

• Diamond Beach and Glacier Lagoon

  • Eat lunch in this area before leaving

• Skogafoss

• Stop at Selfoss on the way home to see a cute little town and walk around for a bit

• Relax after a long day of driving at the Airbnb

Day 5: Reykjavik

• Spend the day exploring other restaurants, souvenir shopping, and taking it easy after a week of activities

• Northern lights chasing round 2

• Go out with the Icelandic people

Day 6: Blue Lagoon and Return

• ​Cap off the week with a relaxing ~4 hour session in the blue lagoon with mud masks, drinks, and spa vibes

  • Pay the extra $10 and get the premium ticket that lets you get 3 mud masks, 2 drinks, and a bathrobe 

• Head to airport and go back home