By Andrea Solanas
Camperstory submission October 2024
Our 10-Day Adventure Around Iceland’s Golden Circle
When my boyfriend and I met, he told me his dream vacation would be to drive around the Golden Circle in Iceland. So, naturally, I decided to make that happen—because who wouldn’t want to grant their partner’s dream and drive through a land where waterfalls outnumber people? I planned a 10-day itinerary down to the minute (I may have gone overboard) so he could experience his ultimate Icelandic adventure. For context: he’s German, I’m Spanish, and we met during our Erasmus exchange, so traveling is basically part of our DNA at this point. But nothing prepared us for the absolute jaw-dropper that is Iceland.
Arrival
We arrived towards the end of September, bracing ourselves for typical Icelandic weather— rain, wind, possibly sideways sleet—but we were pleasantly surprised! While the weather was ever-changing (sometimes in the same hour), it never ruined our plans. After landing in Keflavík, we picked up our trusty campervan from rent.is. We jokingly named her VANessa—because how can you not name your home-on-wheels for 10 days? VANessa was like a tiny, cozy house on wheels, complete with everything we needed to survive Iceland’s wild weather. The freedom of having a campervan was incredible. With a house attached to the back of our car, we could stop wherever and whenever we wanted. Also, pro tip: stop often. You’ll constantly come across scenic spots that look straight out of a fantasy movie.
Day one
Our first night in the campervan was… educational, to say the least. We were exhausted after a long day of travel but determined to cook our first meal in the great outdoors. Armed with a portable gas camping stove, we just wanted to boil some water for pasta to have for dinner. Easy, right? After 20 minutes of staring at the pot like it was going to magically boil, we realized something was wrong. We fiddled with the stove, checked the gas, and just couldn’t figure out why the flame was so weak. Enter our hero of the night—a fellow camper from the next van over. Seeing our confusion, she kindly explained that the fire weakens when the gas canister gets too cold (like it often does in Iceland). Who knew? We then changed the can for a warmer one rent.is included in our van for cases like this, and voilà—water boiled, pasta made, disaster averted. Lesson learned: Icelandic nights are freezing, and so are gas canisters.
The landscapes were otherworldly—think Game of Thrones, but with fewer dragons. We had an itinerary full of geysers, waterfalls, geothermal spots, etc. One of the best memories we have is visiting Gullfoss, and let me tell you, the photos do not do it justice. My boyfriend was like a kid in a candy store with every single waterfall we passed—big or small, they were all thrilling to him. Iceland seems to have more waterfalls than people. But speaking of surprises… I was NOT prepared for the sheer number of sheep. I knew there’d be some, but I swear they outnumbered us 10 to 1. These fluffy Icelandic locals were everywhere, either casually grazing on the side of the road or, occasionally, standing in the middle of it like they owned the place. Driving became a fun game of “sheep dodgeball” (don’t worry, no sheep were harmed).
Dangers
While my boyfriend was obsessing over waterfalls, I had my own dream to fulfill: touching the famous black sand beaches of Iceland. On day 6, we made it to Höfn, where we walked hand-in-hand along the black sand beach. The contrast of the dark sand against the bright, cloudy sky was breathtaking. It was one of those perfect, quiet moments—just the two of us, the waves, and the endless black sand beneath our feet. Definitely one of my favorite memories of the trip. We also had a pinch-me moment when we visited Stuðlagil Canyon. After trekking for the perfect Instagram-worthy shot, I nearly tripped and fell, trying to pose on the rocks. So, be careful if you go—you’ll want the photo, but not the broken ankle.
South
One of our favorite moments happened completely by chance. We decided to stop at Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, for a quick lunch. We parked VANessa, fired up the trusty gas stove, and started making hotdogs right there in the parking lot. Simple, right? But as we sat there, eating hotdogs with the stunning waterfall behind us, we noticed something funny—people kept waving at us! It felt like every single tourist who passed by was giving us a thumbs-up or big smile.
Wind down
As the trip started to wind down, we decided to hit up some geothermal pools for a much-needed soak. While we couldn’t splurge on the Blue Lagoon (hello, student budget!), we found an incredible alternative: the Secret Lagoon. Less touristy, more intimate, and equally as warm and relaxing. Sitting in that hot water, surrounded by nature, was the perfect way to end our adventure.
Afterthoughts
Finally, we said our goodbyes to VANessa. I never thought I’d get so attached to a campervan, but she felt like part of the family after 10 days of traveling around Iceland together. The freedom she gave us to stop whenever we wanted, cook wherever we were, and dodge sheep in the middle of nowhere made this trip unforgettable. By the end of the trip, we’d seen countless waterfalls, geysers, glaciers, and enough sheep to last a lifetime, but Iceland still left us wanting more. It’s a place where nature feels alive—where the land is so raw and wild you feel like you’re on the world’s edge. And in a way, you are.
Small Tips for Future Campervan Travelers:
- Pack for Every Season, All at Once: The weather changes fast—four seasons in a day fast. Layer up, bring waterproof gear, and don’t forget a warm hat, even in summer.
- Campervan Life Is Freedom: Having a campervan means you can stop whenever the view takes your breath away (which happens a lot). But make sure to download a campground app to find places to park overnight.
- Fuel Up Wisely: Gas stations aren’t everywhere, so top off your tank when you see one. Trust me, you don’t want to run out in the middle of nowhere.
- Enjoy the Journey: The beauty of Iceland is in the journey itself. Don’t rush—stop at random places, hike those hidden paths, and take your time soaking it all in.
- Watch out for sheep! They are literally everywhere.
Thank you, Andrea and Alex 🙂 Goodbye, Iceland—until we meet again!
#VANcation #camperstories
