We recently took a trip to Iceland over Christmas. After not being able to get too much travel advice, since most guide books cover the summer months only, we were slightly dubious.
The roads were slightly hairy, very snowy, icy and desolate however the scenery was spectacular.
The highlight of the trip was stumbling a cross a hidden a gem in Hoffell very close to Hofn. We stayed in a guesthouse - and were the only guests! The views were spectacular. Reindeers roaming around, mountains and the foot of Europe's biggest glacier.
The owners of the guesthouse also had 4 naturally heated hot tubs in the side of a mountain, very rare in southern Iceland. Even in -14 conditions these hot tubs were boiling. We sat in the tubs, with a beer, in middle of a snow storm, waiting for the northern lights.
Its the perfect place to spot the northern lights since there is very little artificial light. Even without the northern lights this is the perfect place for a Christmas holiday if you are looking for natural beauty, peace and quiet and an adventure getting there!
A four wheel drive is essential in the winter, and quite a bit of cash and warm clothing. But if you are looking for volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, mountains and tranquility head to Iceland, and if you head over to the East definitely stop by in Hoffell.
