Did you think scales were boring? Think again.
Two travel experts have revealed how exciting travel can be if you choose the right place, and they prove it by showing incredible 36-hour stays in Iceland.
A stopover here can interrupt a transatlantic trip between Europe and the US, and travel gurus demonstrate how it can be enjoyed in two completely different ways.
One of the experts is Nicky KelvinGeneral Editor of The Points Guy. Opt for an adventurous getaway: stay at the remote Highland Base of Kerlingarfjöll, dive between tectonic plates and eat bread cooked inside the earth using geothermal energy.
man of influence Green Maze presents a luxury getaway to Iceland, with a stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Your itinerary includes a Michelin-star meal and an in-water massage on the property.
The couple captured their experiences in a fascinating video and you can watch a sneak peek here (below).
They have also exclusively revealed to MailOnline Travel what surprised them about Iceland, the misconceptions associated with the country and whether they think it is a good value for money destination.
Read on to learn more.
Nicky Kelvin, editor-at-large of The Points Guy, and influencer Maz Green show the joys of a stopover in Iceland. They appear here on a flight from Iceland at the beginning of their getaway.
What surprised you about Iceland?
Maz told MailOnline Travel: ‘The proximity of the wild terrain.
‘As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I saw vast expanses of rugged black lava fields formed from ancient volcanic eruptions.
‘Framed by coastal views of the Atlantic Ocean, the views were stark and completely otherworldly. If that wasn’t shocking enough, there was actual smoke billowing from the lava fields because the nearby volcano had erupted just a few days before my arrival.
‘I thought you had to travel very far to get to this kind of spectacular terrain; I couldn’t believe how quickly I had experienced Iceland’s powerful nature.
‘Plus, we went during the summer solstice, so experiencing the midnight sun was a surreal experience! Having almost 24 hours of daylight was quite disorienting at first, but I personally love the longer days and the midnight sun casts such beautiful lighting.’
What misconceptions exist about Iceland?
Maz presents a luxury getaway to Iceland, with a stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon (above)
Maz said: “That Iceland is a very remote country, when in reality it is incredibly accessible and well connected for international travel.
‘Iceland’s location between North America and Europe makes it an ideal stopover point for travelers crossing the Atlantic.
“Many people think that Iceland’s natural wonders can’t be experienced in such a short visit, but many of its attractions were close to the airport and could be enjoyed in just 36 hours.”
What are the main places of interest?
Maz describes The Retreat at Blue Lagoon as an “absolutely premium experience”
Maz enjoys a water massage at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
Maz commented: “I’ve only seen the Blue Lagoon but it was always one of my bucket list visits and it certainly lived up to the hype.
‘Bathing in warm, mineral-rich geothermal water was a very rejuvenating experience. And the backdrop of black volcanic rock and moss-covered lava fields created a striking contrast to the bright blue waters of the lagoon.
“When I return to Iceland I would love to see the black sand beach, Reynisfjara, and some of the spectacular waterfalls like Kirkjufellsfoss and Seljalandsfoss.”
What does it have that other wild places don’t?
“If you’re looking for a high-end, bucket-list-worthy stay, The Retreat is definitely an option to add to your list,” says Maz (above)
Maz said: ‘The diverse terrain. With geothermal hot springs, active volcanoes, black sand beaches, lush green valleys, spectacular cliffs and glacial ice caves, this country’s landscape is exceptionally diverse compared to other wild places in the world.
What is the food like?
Maz commented: ‘I only ate at the Michelin-starred Moss restaurant at The Retreat Hotel, but from my dining experience there, Icelandic cuisine uses the country’s natural resources and cultural heritage.
‘I’m told that many modern restaurants offer contemporary twists on traditional dishes and that there is a big emphasis on sustainability.
“I enjoyed lots of fresh seafood and meats produced on Icelandic farms, all of the highest quality.”
Is Iceland good value for money?
Maz appears here at The Retreat’s Michelin-starred restaurant Moss
Maz concluded: ‘My experience in Iceland was showing off the luxury wellness hotel The Retreat. While it may have a high price, it was by no means a scam. With exceptional service, a world-class spa, an exclusive location, unique architectural design, Michelin-starred dining and a focus on sustainability, the hotel offered a unique and absolutely premium experience, making the cost justifiable.
‘If you’re looking for a high-end, bucket-list-worthy stay, The Retreat is definitely one to add to your list!’
NICKY KELVIN – ADVENTURE
What surprised you about Iceland?
Nicky told MailOnline Travel: ‘One of the most surprising things is the diversity of experiences you can have in Iceland.
“It is possible to enjoy maximum comfort and luxury, and also a wild adventure, but even more surprising is how places in Iceland manage to combine that adventure and luxury into one.”
‘The prevalence and reliance on geothermal energy was also surprising, not only because of how green and forward-thinking Iceland’s power grid is, but because the energy source is visible as you drive around the island.
“The whole place bubbles and seethes and bubbles with energy.”
Nicky opted for an adventurous stopover in Iceland, with bread baked in an underground geothermal oven being one of the highlights (above).
Nick eats his geothermal bread in the middle of Iceland’s wild terrain
Any misconceptions you had that you changed while you were there?
Nicky said: “There may be a misconception that it takes a long time to experience an exciting and enriching adventure in a destination, but this trip proved that you can experience something magical in just 36 hours – and right while you’re on the road.” until its final destination. It is also a mistake to think that adventure is equivalent to going through difficulties. Iceland has found a way to be wild in many places but at the same time ecstatic luxury.’
What are the main places of interest?
Nicky told MailOnline Travel: “Of course, we only had 36 hours to pack everything on this stopover, but the highlight for me was walking through the volcanic mass of Kerlingarfjoll, where the Highland Base hotel was located. It really felt like being on the moon, with the lunar landscape made even more dramatic by a mid-summer snowstorm and the bubbling geothermal pools of boiling water that surround the trails.’
What does it have that other wild places don’t have?
A stopover that causes a sensation: Nicky snorkels between tectonic plates
Nicky floats in the water… while the tectonic plates move
Nicky’s Icelandic base was the remote Highland Hotel. Compare your surroundings to a lunar landscape.
Nicky said: ‘Firstly, he has proximity on his side. A couple of hours flight from Europe and just a few more to North America. Such a short flight transports you to an otherworldly landscape. You would have to travel much further to experience the same type of wild environment in other parts of the world.’
Is it good value for money?
Nick commented: ‘I was surprised that the costs were not as high as I expected. While the luxury experiences weren’t cheap, they didn’t seem to be bad value for money, and things like coffees and snacks at service stations were no different to the prices you’d find in the UK.”
For more information about The Points Guy, visit thepointsguy.com. To watch the full Points Guy Iceland video, click here.