September 8th 2024.
I had a jam-packed itinerary and very little time to do it all. Packing was an absolute nightmare, especially since I was visiting two countries with vastly different climates- Iceland and Canada. The temperature difference between these two places was almost 20C, which meant I had to be very strategic about what I packed. To make matters even more challenging, I only had one bag to lug around between three different airports over the course of five days. Needless to say, I was feeling the pressure and desperately trying to figure out how to make it all work.
As my flight date drew closer, I found myself frantically searching for solutions to my packing dilemma. That's when I stumbled upon the concept of a capsule wardrobe and immediately began researching how to create one. I was about to embark on an epic adventure from Iceland to Canada, thanks to the budget-friendly Icelandic airline, PLAY, which offered a roundtrip ticket for just £280. It was an incredible deal and I couldn't pass it up.
After a two and a half hour flight from London Stansted, I landed at Keflavik International Airport, which was about an hour away from Reykjavik. From there, I took a Flybus to the city's main bus terminal, which only cost me £22 and took 45 minutes. The hot springs were calling my name after the long journey and I couldn't wait to relax and unwind. Iceland was known for its cold weather, even in the summer, so I knew I needed to warm up. The landscape was reminiscent of something out of a fantasy novel, with mountains guarding the horizon and the temperature hovering at a chilly 6C.
As I stepped out into the bitter wind, I couldn't help but feel exhausted. All I wanted was to soak in a hot bath and forget about the outside world. Thankfully, I was in the perfect place for that. Located at the edge of Hvalfjörður, a fjord in Southwest Iceland, there were eight different sized hot springs to choose from. I opted for Hvammsvik Hot Springs, a family-owned establishment that was only two years old. What was even more fascinating was the history behind these hot springs. During World War II, there were over 25,000 British troops stationed in Iceland and the hot springs were taken over as the British naval headquarters. It was a unique and unexpected piece of Icelandic history.
For those interested in taking this same trip, PLAY offers flights from London Stansted to Hamilton/Toronto for just £280 per person. There are no class divisions on the flight and you can even purchase snacks on board. Plus, they offer up to a 10-day stopover in Iceland at no extra charge before continuing on to Canada. With such a great deal, it's no wonder I decided to take this adventure.
The geo-pools at Hvammsvik Hot Springs ranged from 38 to 42C and even lapped into the Atlantic Ocean, providing a unique and rejuvenating experience. The water was the perfect temperature to wash away any dirt and grime from my travels, and I couldn't resist taking a dip multiple times. The best part was that no two visits were ever the same, as the constantly moving ocean water made each soak a new and exciting experience.
Since I was only spending 24 hours in Iceland, I wanted to make the most of my time and see as much as possible. The next day, I woke up bright and early to explore the city. My first stop was the famous church, Hallgrímskirkja, that I had seen in countless pictures before. The Evangelical-Lutheran church was a stunning example of Scandinavian architecture and I couldn't resist going inside. Little did I know, it also offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city.
After a whirlwind day of sightseeing, I found myself splurging on a pair of authentic Icelandic gloves and indulging in some delicious pastries. Sadly, my 24 hours in Iceland were up and I had a plane to catch to Canada. Although PLAY offers a 10-day stopover in Iceland for no extra charge, I was determined to visit two continents in one week and had to limit my time in Iceland. But I couldn't wait to go back and explore more of this beautiful country. One day was simply not enough to take in all of the stunning sites and indulge in the delicious cuisine.
As I boarded my flight to Hamilton, just outside of Toronto, I couldn't believe how spacious North America was compared to Iceland. The vast expanse of land was a stark contrast to the smaller and more intimate city of Reykjavik. And the sudden warmth on my skin was a reminder that I was no longer in Iceland. It almost felt like it was all a dream.
The jet lag started to catch up with me, but I was determined to make the most of my time in Canada. I wanted to relax and take a long shower, maybe even order some takeout and watch TV. But first, I had to see the city. Just a short distance from the airport was the Warplane Heritage Museum, which had an entrance fee of $16 for adults and $11 for children. The museum was home to 47 military jets and propeller-driven aircrafts, and even had a collection that performed at air shows.
During the tour, our guide, Mike, shared a heartwarming story about how he found the names of paratroopers inscribed inside one of the planes. These brave soldiers had been carried to Normandy on D-Day on June 6, 1944, and Mike was able to track down their descendants using just their signatures. It was a touching reminder of the sacrifices made by these soldiers and their families.
For dinner, I went to Ancaster Mill, a stylish and rustic restaurant situated next to a peaceful creek. The seasonal cuisine was rich and inviting, but the dessert was what really stole the show. The lemon and lavender crème brûlée was the perfect combination of sweet and creamy, and I couldn't resist savoring every last bite. The main courses ranged from $26 for smoked baba ghanoush to $69 for beef tenderloin, but it was worth every penny.
Overall, my whirlwind trip from Iceland to Canada was an unforgettable experience. From the stunning landscapes and relaxing hot springs in Iceland to the spaciousness and delicious cuisine in Canada, I couldn't have asked for a better adventure. And thanks to PLAY, I was able to make it all happen without breaking the bank. I can't wait to go back and explore even more of these two incredible countries in the future.
There was so much to do and so little time. Packing was a nightmare as I prepared for my trip to Iceland and Canada. The two countries had a significant difference in temperature, with a whopping 20 degree Celsius variation. And to add to my stress, I only had one bag to carry between three different airports in just five days. In the days leading up to my flight, I frantically turned to Google for help, researching what a capsule wardrobe was and how I could possibly fit all my essentials into one bag.
But despite the challenges, I was excited to embark on this epic adventure from Iceland to Canada. I had booked a flight with PLAY, a low-cost Icelandic airline, for just £280. After a two and a half hour flight from London Stansted, I arrived at Keflavik International Airport, which was about an hour outside of Reykjavik. From there, I hopped on a Flybus, a shuttle that took me to the main bus terminal in the city. The journey took just 45 minutes and cost only £22.
My early start had left me feeling exhausted, but luckily, I had the perfect remedy waiting for me in Iceland – hot springs. Despite it being summer, Iceland was still cold with a temperature of just 6 degrees Celsius. But as I stepped into one of the many hot springs scattered around the country, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as the warmth enveloped me. The Hvammsvik Hot Springs, located at the edge of Hvalfjörður, offered eight different sized pools for visitors to enjoy. It was the perfect way to relax after a long day of traveling.
The hot springs also had a rich history, with the family-owned Hvammsvik only being two years old. During World War II, the hot springs were used as the British naval headquarters in Iceland, with over 25,000 British troops stationed there. As I soaked in the hot water, I couldn't help but imagine all the history that surrounded me.
To get to Iceland, I had booked a flight with PLAY for just £280. Their flights had no class divisions and snacks could be purchased on board. They even offered a 10-day stopover in Iceland at no extra cost, which was perfect for me as I wanted to continue on to Canada. The hot springs in Iceland ranged from 38 to 42 degrees Celsius and some even flowed into the Atlantic Ocean, providing a unique and refreshing experience.
With only 24 hours in Iceland, I made sure to make the most of my time by visiting all the must-see sites. One of my top priorities was to see the famous Hallgrímskirkja church, which I had seen in countless pictures before. The Evangelical-Lutheran church was a beautiful example of Scandinavian architecture and also offered a stunning panoramic view of the city. As I looked out from the top of the church tower, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to experience such a beautiful country.
Despite only spending a short time in Iceland, I was already in love with the place. But it was time to move on to my next destination – Canada. I flew with PLAY to Hamilton, just outside Toronto, and was immediately struck by the vastness of North America. The warm temperature of 25 degrees Celsius was a stark contrast to the cold weather I had experienced in Iceland. It almost felt like Iceland was just a dream.
As I settled into Canada, the jet lag started to hit me. I was tempted to just stay in and relax, but I knew I had to explore the city. I started off by visiting the Warplane Heritage Museum, located just a short distance from the airport. The museum featured 47 military jets and aircrafts, with some even performing at air shows. Our tour guide, Mike, shared a heartwarming story of how he was able to connect with the descendants of paratroopers who had once flown in one of the planes during D-Day in 1944.
After a day of sightseeing, I indulged in a delicious dinner at Ancaster Mill, a beautiful restaurant situated next to a peaceful creek. The seasonal cuisine was rich and flavorful, but it was the lemon and lavender crème brûlée that stole my heart. As I savored every bite, I couldn't help but think that one day was not enough to truly experience everything that this amazing city had to offer. But for now, it was time to catch my plane and continue on with my adventure.
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