Welcome to Iceland!
I am so excited today! Why? Because this post kicks off coverage of my trip to Iceland!
I was at TBEX just a few days before I left on this trip and of course the hot topic was upcoming travel plans. When I said I was headed to the buzzed about country of Iceland, the inevitable next question was who was sponsoring my trip — the tourism board, a travel agency, what? People were pretty entertained when I responded that this was a family vacation — sponsored by My Mother™.
When my mom expressed interest in taking my sister and I on a trip this summer, we debate a variety of destinations. Maybe going back to Greece and staying in our beloved Santorini for a week? Heading to Croatia and sailing around the Adriatic Sea? But in the end I campaigned for Iceland — and I campaigned hard.
As the trip grew nearer I started to feel the pressure — what if my mom and sis (pssst! meet my family in this post!) hated the trip I had so enthusiastically planned? What if I couldn’t get over my dislike of the cold? What if we clawed each others eyes and hair out after living together in one room for a week?
I don’t want to spoil the surprise or anything, but none of those things happened, aside from some light hair pulling — IT WAS EPIC.
adorable souvenirs at the airport gift shop
Our trip started with one questionable choice, a red eye out of New York City that had us arriving around 6am. We were heading directly to the Blue Lagoon which opened in a few hours so we had our first Icelandic meal in the most glamorous of locations — the airport.
Nothing says vacation time like bacon cheese spread and mimosas!
We were buzzing with anticipation and even in our wildest dreams we could not anticipate what a fantastic week we were about to have. The next seven days would find us snowmobiling across glaciers, scuba diving between tectonic plates (okay, that was just me), horseback riding across a lava field and getting floating massages in the blue lagoon.
It’s all coming up here on Alex in Wanderland. But for now, I’m sharing my favorite travel video of all times! While I’ve worked professionally as an underwater videographer I’ve never taken the time to really try to translate those skills to land. On this trip I made an effort to change that… Enjoy!
For best quality, click gear icon and change to HD. Music is Pretty Face by Soley on the album We Sink
Are you all as excited to read about Iceland as I am to write about it? What are you most looking forward to after watching the video?
I'm a New York native who left my home to explore the world slowly and thoroughly. I love photography, scuba diving, and reading guidebooks to countries I have no immediate plans to visit. Read more on my 
I’m so excited for these posts!!!! LOVE the shirt your sis is wearing. She looks amazing for having just flown a redeye. LOVE how you go on cool family trips (you go to Iceland and Greece, we go to Myrtle Beach). LOVE LOVE LOVE your video!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Thailand: Day 3 (Part 1)
My sister is proudly interning on the campaign this summer
We’re a passionately political family! And yes, we are also a big traveling one…. luckily my mom got over her crippling flying anxiety a few years ago which I know yours has yet to do 
This whole international family travel thing is a VERY recent development for us… but I am loving every minute of it!
I have been looking forward to this blog to find out why Iceland could be so interesting. The video was gorgeous.
Thanks Linda! Hopefully I will win any Iceland-doubters over in the coming weeks!
I’m looking forward to them Alex…scuba diving between tectonic plates? You are a daredevil, Miss
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Ha, it was definitely one of my braver moments… that water was 34 degrees!
what a great video! Cant wait to read your upcoming posts
Thanks Emma! It’s going to be a fun two weeks around here…
How cool – I cannot wait to read more! Also hope you got a pair of slippers.
Ha! Sadly they were only baby ones…. overall though I was very impressed with the quality of Icelandic creative souvenirs! It might rival only Scotland for that thus far on my travels…
Wow Alex !!!! Awesome Video !!! How did You get to be so talented
Thanks Marc! Hm, how did I get to be so talented… probably by being a loser and working on my computer while all my friend are sitting on the beach. Oh wait, that’s right now…
Love the video. You should pitch it to the iceland tourism board, because it definitely made me really interessted in visting. Of course I especially loved the underwater footage because oh my word the water was so clear and the colours so vivid. I loved the colours in general it seems like they have the greenest green and bluest blue there I have ever seen. Well done, Alex. Thanks for making such an incredible video. Looks like you guys had the time of your life. So happy for you that the trip turned out exactly the way you hoped it would.
Thank you Caty! I’m going to have to start trying to make more videos, thanks for the encouragement
What a great video! And the VIS of that water – unreal!!!!! Had you already done your drysuit course?
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Nope, no course! That was my first time in a drysuit and it was TRYING. I’ll have a full post about it up soon
I second Caty’s comment…get this video to the Iceland tourism board! It gives me chills. Send it to Soley as well….
Hm, she might get me for copyright infringement if I do!
STUNNING! I am SO excited to see your upcoming posts! I adore Iceland! I can’t wait to return someday and REALLY explore it! Last time was just a layover with Icelandair (Best airline in the world in my opinion!) I have no thoughts other than YAY~!~
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Icelandair was AMAZING! Flying with them was such a fun way to start the trip! From the super Scandinavian flight attendants to the great promo videos and the cute little Icelandic language lessons, I was totally in love! And the airport is pretty great too.
Great video of an underrated place.
Thanks! Iceland is an amazing destination… I believe all the hype I’m starting to see and about to contribute to!
May be unusual, but I don’t think I had ever seen pics of Iceland. I know I’ll never get there, so, I really enjoyed them. Thank you. After not having a computer for 12 days, I’m a little late catching up, but I,m back – finally. Gram E
Glad to have you back!
Happy to take you on a virtual vacation…
That diving looked unreal. Do you have more footage? id love to see it!
Nope, unfortunately that’s my only footage. However I have tons of photos which I’ll be sharing soon!
Awesome video! I’ve always wanted to check out Iceland, and the video makes it more enticing.
You would love it! Tons and tons of adventurous activities, as well as crazy nightlife and beautiful people. Unfortunately very pricey, but that’s the only downside.
I’m heading to Iceland for three days on a layover to the U.K. and am now very excited to buy some fuzzy slippers at the airport. My trip is in late October so I doubt the weather will be as nice but looking forward to your posts.
Three days is short but you will definitely be able to see some of the highlights! Hopefully my posts will help you choose wisely
Oh, the underwater footage is my favorite. It’s simply beautiful! It looks like you had a wonderful time in Iceland. I’ll definitely be coming back here for tips when we finally make it over.
Thanks Tawny! That’s a big compliment coming from you pro video makers
Glad you had so much fun! I also love traveling with my mom and sisters, though its usually not without some quarrels. The good thing about family though? Forgiving and forgetting fast.
I hope I get to Iceland someday – looks amazing!
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So true, the bickering at least comes and goes quickly
We’re already looking forward to our trip next year!
My Scotland and Ireland trip is also sponsored by My Mother(TM)–she, my sister and I will be the willing participants and me the dutiful trip planner (as always) =)
Yay to Awesome Moms(TM)!
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Ha! When are you going? I’m so excited to see your posts about Scotland. I love that country — and Awesome Moms too
Loving the video. What kind of editing software do you use for your videos?
TammyOnTheMove recently posted..A typical Saturday in the Penh
Thanks Tammy! My quick little videos like my zipline one are just slapped together on iMovie. For something more in depth like this I use Adobe Premiere.
Definitely looking forward to the diving photos!
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Can’t wait to share!
Ack! Just watched your GORGEOUS YouTube video and I am so excited to hear about all of your adventures! Tony and I almost started our trip in Iceland, but now we think we will end it there before flying home to North America! I can tell you had an amazing vacation!
And I can’t wait to hear about the scuba diving you did! It looks completely out of this world!
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Thanks for the video props, Steph! Iceland would definitely be a plush place to cap off your trip and really treat yourself!
Iceland is by far my favorite country! What a great video you put out, it made me want to go back to enjoy the pure nature. Be sure to try out the Thai restaurant at the end of the main street. They are down to earth and serve great Thai food.
Thank you so much Michelle! Yes, it is a ruggedly beautiful country and one where you can feel so in touch with nature. Unfortunately didn’t get to go to the Thai restaurant while I was there, but I did walk by! Next time…
Iceland was already on my list after hearing stories and seeing pictures but your video definitely bumped it up a couple notches. Super cool! Can’t wait to hear more about the trip.
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Thank you so much Julie! Glad to hear I gave Iceland a boost on your list…
There’s something about Iceland that has always captured my attention… maybe it’s the misleading name, the middle of nowhere location or the evil death volcanoes it has, but it has been winking suggestively at me for years. I hope you have a great time and know that I am very jealous of you.
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Iceland was doing the same to me for quite some time… it all started with Icelandair’s subway ads a few years ago. Finally got to scratch the itch! It was amazing!
OH MY GOODNESS!
I am so happy I stumbled upon your travel blog- it’s fantastic!
I would’ve never thought of Iceland as a vacation spot but you may have just changed my mind ; ) I love that you scuba dive, I’m trying to get certified myself- did you shoot underwater with a GoPro?
Again, amazing blog! Love it!
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Wow, thank you so much for the compliments! All the underwater footage was shot with an underwater housing system for my canon point and shoot — see gear and products page for details and links
Great video! What gear did you use to record?
Thanks! I used a mix of both my Canon cameras — a point and shoot and a SLR. Find out more on my Gear and Products page!
[...] our breakfast of mimosas at the airport we took the Flybus straight to the Blue Lagoon and were waiting by the front doors [...]
[...] of the most recognizable buildings in Iceland (and featured in my Iceland video!) is the relatively young Lutheran church of Hallgrímskirkja — completed in just 1974. The [...]
Iceland is going to be the first stop on my RTW trip starting next Sept and your posts are making me wish it was THIS Sept!! Great video and posts about the trip, I’ll be using those to help plan my own travels. Thanks so much, I love your blog!
Thanks so much Frank! There are quite a few more Iceland posts to come, so stay tuned!
[...] suggestions and walked away with three new albums: We Sink by Soley (our favorite and featured in my Iceland video!), Brekkan by Benni Hemm Hemm (in Icelandic!) and of course, Takk by Sigur [...]
[...] It was really fun to take a creative leap and make my first serious travel video! Iceland was the perfect subject. I love having little projects like this. Traveling is wonderful [...]
Holy Moly! Just spent some time browsing your posts after stumbling upon it while searching for Iceland travel blogs. Looks like you had an awesome trip, and to go with your mom and sis sounds like a ton of fun! I’m just starting to research for a trip of my own to Iceland this year and will definitely be bookmarking your site for future reference! Keep up the good work, your posts are definitely inspiring!
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Thank you so much Jen! So glad you found me
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions…. I adored Iceland!
I will definitely take you up on that!
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Great video Alex. And your pictures are fantastic! Made me nostalgic of my trip to Iceland in June (and then again in December
). What a magical place.
Also, thanks for introducing me to Soley! Really digging her stuff. Reminds me of an another artist, Kaki King. Check her out if you haven’t yet.
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Thanks for the tip Matthew! Soley was one of my favorite finds from Iceland. Really inspired me to check out local music more when I travel!
Any time. A couple other Icelandic artists to check out: Ásgeir Trausti and Retro Stefson.