Congratulations, you just booked a long-awaited trip to Iceland, and now it’s time to fill up your itinerary with once in a lifetime activities that can only be found in the land of fire and ice. One of the first things that comes to your mind when you think of Iceland is probably the Blue Lagoon, as it is arguably the most iconic and well-known site in this country. I had the pleasure of visiting Iceland in November 2022, and our very first stop after our red-eye flight from the US was to the Blue Lagoon (yes, before we even had a chance to go back to our hotel or get some breakfast!). While the Blue Lagoon is an incredible phenomena and a bucketlist destination for many, it is also highly touristy and if you’re anything like me, you tend to be wary of whether such well-known activities will truly live up to the hype. I’m here to give you my honest experience and review of the Blue Lagoon and whether or not you should invest in it or skip it on your trip to Iceland. Read on for Blue Lagoon Iceland experience and whether or not I think it was worth it!
Booking our tickets and checking in to the Blue Lagoon
I booked the Blue Lagoon as part of a package through Iceland Air which included airfare, hotel, and other activities, so I’m not sure exactly how much it cost for us, but I do know that a standard ticket to the Blue Lagoon typically starts at around $53. (If you’d like to find out how I booked this package, check out this post!) Because I booked the lagoon as part of a package, I didn’t have a say in my itinerary, which is why we had to go straight from the red-eye flight to the lagoon (I never would have chosen this myself!) Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, we were pretty exhausted from traveling all night, and sadly were not at our best for this activity, but we were still just so excited to be there that it gave us a pep in our steps and we had a good attitude despite our fatigue. We grabbed a quick bite and a coffee when we landed at the airport, and then a tour bus picked us up and off we went to the lagoon! It was about a 30 minute drive from the airport to the lagoon.
Upon our arrival to the Blue Lagoon, we encountered the only truly negative aspect of the activity. The bus dropped us off with our luggage, and we got stuck waiting in a long line outside to drop off our luggage and redeem our vouchers. Keep in mind, it was freezing out, rainy, and super windy, so this was a very unpleasant experience and not the best impression for us to kick off our trip to Iceland nor this famous landmark destination.
When we finally got through the treacherous line, it was luckily all uphill from there. We dropped off our luggage in lockers and were then escorted along a beautiful pathway to the blue lagoon lobby and cafe. We were given robes and slippers and then went to our respective locker rooms, where we were instructed to shower and change into our swimsuits. I did so as quickly as possible as I couldn’t wait to dive into the beautiful pool of warm water that I had been fantasizing about for years.
My Experience at Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
I rushed through my shower and dashed outside. There it was in the flesh– the iconic Blue Lagoon! I stripped off my warm robe and made a run for the water– remember, it was freezing out, and I was not about to linger outside wearing just a swimsuit! My husband, being a guy and much faster than me, was of course already in the water and had a big grin on his face as he welcomed me into the lagoon with him. I plunged into the water ungracefully– who could care about being graceful at a moment as exciting as this?!
I felt instant relief that the water was truly the perfect temperature. I refer to it as “bath tub” temperature– warm enough to be perfectly comfortable, but cool enough that you could stay in it for hours without overheating. Not only was the temperature incredible, but the depth was idyllic as well. The Blue Lagoon is deep enough that your whole body can stay submerged, but shallow enough to stand and to never have to swim or tread water, making it a family friendly activity suitable for all swimming levels. In fact, the deepest point in the blue lagoon is only 4.7 feet. I was also pleasantly surprised that the lagoon was much larger than I had expected it to be.
Luckily, the weather had improved since our dismal arrival– the rain subsided and we got to witness a truly epic sunrise over the water. God was really blessing us that morning, because we were even fortunate enough to see a beautiful rainbow come out. My husband and I swam around the entire lagoon, taking it all in and pinching ourselves in disbelief that we were really there. As I mentioned in this blogpost, our trip to Iceland was fairly spontaneous, which made it even more surreal when we essentially found ourselves floating along the iconic Blue Lagoon! I felt overwhelmed with gratitude and even had a moment where I asked my husband why we were so lucky to be able to experience these luxuries at such a young age. I felt humbled and undeserving, and realized that I was living out a dream that I hadn’t ever really thought was possible for myself. I’ll never forget that moment of complete awe and appreciation for the world around me and the blessed life I’ve been given. Even though we were sleep-deprived, the relaxing nature of the Blue Lagoon provided a great outlet for us to decompress from the long travel day. I found myself floating and silently taking it all in with my eyes closed and thinking that I had never felt so relaxed and content in my entire life! It was a really special and romantic outing and I was so grateful to be able to create such a magical memory with my wonderful husband.
We spent around 3 hours totally floating around the lagoon, and for the first hour or so we did not bring our phones with us as I wanted to be fully present for this once in a lifetime experience. I remember being disappointed looking around and seeing 9 out of 10 people carrying their phones and gopros and documenting the entire thing. While I understand the desire to capture such an activity– I eventually got my phone out and did the same thing– I couldn’t help but feel like they were robbing themselves of the full experience. I think there can and should be a great balance between being fully present and getting pics for the gram, but it really seemed like most of the visitors spent the whole time holding their phones above the water and posing. I was so glad I spent that full first hour completely device free so that I could swim about freely and just focus on taking it all in with my husband.
What’s included with a Blue Lagoon ticket
Also included with a standard Blue Lagoon ticket is a free mud mask and a drink. We swam to the bar in the middle of the lagoon, where we had mud masks applied. It was a silly and fun touch that added to the uniqueness of the experience. Admittedly, I wished I had had my phone for this moment, but this occurred during my phone-free hour, so I never got photos of this! We then floated over to the bar, but since it was still morning and we felt like we were doing such a holistic activity, we weren’t in the mood for alcohol, so we opted for some fresh juice which was the perfect healthy pick-me-up after our long travel day.
After about three hours of exploring the lagoon, we noticed that the facilities included a sauna and a steam room. We had been so preoccupied with the lagoon that we had overlooked these features. But of course upon making this discovery, we were eager to mix things up so we spent some time sweating out our travel exhaustion in the sauna, which was honestly such a great way to decompress from traveling and is a travel hack I would definitely like to do again!
Wrapping up our time at Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
Despite all the fun we were having, our exhaustion and hunger really started kicking in at this point and the thought of a warm, cozy bed waiting for us was sounding more and more appealing, so we decided to call it a day. We would have loved to have spent a bit more time at the lagoon, but like I said, our itinerary wasn’t ideal so we had to just work with what we were given. We felt like we had experienced all of what the lagoon had to offer, so we didn’t feel too bad about leaving early. We returned to the locker rooms and got dressed, and were relieved when we came out and saw that there was a shuttle already there waiting to take us to our hotel.
We checked into our hotel, made our way to our room in an exhausted daze, and proceeded to take the deepest, most satisfying nap of our lives. We woke up ready for dinner, recharged and excited to kick off the rest of our epic trip in Iceland.
Back at our hotel- nice and cozy!
Warning about your hair and Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
*One important thing to note that I WISH someone had told me– do NOT put your hair in the lagoon! The lagoon contains high levels of silica, which truly does a number on your hair, transforming it to a stiff, dry, difficult to manage mess! I was horrified when I woke up from my nap and saw the state of my mane, and I of course did a quick internet search to figure out what the heck was going on. I was relieved to learn that silica does not damage your hair but it does change it temporarily, and my hair didn’t go back to normal for at least a week. This is why my hair looked so bizarre in all of our Iceland pictures, but it also added some nice volume and texture so there were times where I actually kind of enjoyed this unexpected effect! But please, learn from my mistake and resist the temptation to put your head under the water in the Blue Lagoon!
So, is the Blue Lagoon Iceland experience worth it?
While the Blue Lagoon is in fact a touristy, crowded, and somewhat costly activity, I think it is a rite of passage in Iceland and is such a bucket list destination that I couldn’t have imagined missing out on this experience. That being said, Iceland is full of natural hot springs that are not only free but also completely uncrowded if you are willing to go off the beaten path, so this is most likely what I will opt for if I am lucky enough to visit Iceland again. So overall, the Blue Lagoon was definitely a highlight of our Iceland vacation that I am very grateful for, but I’m content with letting this activity be a one-and-done.
I hope this provides valuable insight into the Blue Lagoon experience and helps you decide whether to add it to your Iceland itinerary! Whether or not you opt to visit the Blue Lagoon on your Iceland travels, you should definitely include soaking in geothermal pools or visiting a geothermal spa on your Iceland itinerary. Let me know in the comments if you have ever been and what your opinion on it was. As always, thanks for reading and I will see you guys in the next post! If you’d like to read more about our trip to Iceland, check out this post!
Xoxo,
Jensen
As a native Californian who has lived all over the state, I pretty much consider myself an expert on the golden state and have thoughtfully compiled a list of my personal favorite weekend getaways from Los Angeles. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and just need a quick, easy getaway to somewhere peaceful and calm, you’ve come to the right place! Each of these destinations is within a 4 hour drive of LA and offers charm and serenity that you won’t find in the city. Read on for the BEST weekend getaways from Los Angeles.
1. Palm Springs
Located less than 2 hours from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is at the top of my list for weekend getaways from LA! Palm Springs is one of my favorite places not just in California, but in the whole world! The gorgeous and dramatic landscape, desert vibes, and luxury accommodations give Palm Springs a truly magical feeling.
Whether you’re interested in hiking, golfing, shopping & dining, or just indulging at the spa all day, Palm Springs definitely has something for everyone. It also boasts a rich cultural & art scene and is home to many festivals, including Coachella!
One thing to note is that Palm Springs has year-round sunshine, but the summer months get HOT (up to 120 degrees!), so I recommend visiting between October and May.
2. Santa Barbara
Another incredible destination at the top of my list for the best weekend getaways from Los Angeles is none other than Santa Barbara. Perfectly situated along California’s central coast, around 2 hours from LA, Santa Barbara is incredibly special and is where I would want to live if I ever move back to California.
During a weekend trip in Santa Barbara, you can bask in the most stunning beaches in California, taste some of the best wine in the state, participate in superb outdoor recreational activities, shop til you drop in the beautiful boutiques, take in the Spanish architecture, enjoy a vibrant art scene, and experience perfect weather year-round.
3. San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is a very special place that has been my home-away-from-home since I was a kid. San Luis Obispo, located farther north along California’s central coast and around 3.5 hours from LA, makes for a fabulous weekend getaway from Los Angeles.
San Luis Obispo is known for its small-town charm and has been named the happiest city in America. San Luis Obispo is so unique because it boasts some of the best beauty in California but is not crowded or touristy like other destinations in the state. Visitors can enjoy soaking up the sunshine at Avila Beach, wine tasting in Paso Robles, indulging in the hot springs at the Avila Hot Springs, and hiking some of the most scenic trails in California.
4. Lake Arrowhead
One of the most uniquely awesome things about California is that you can go surfing and skiing in the same day. Lake Arrowhead is a beautiful winter wonderland that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of LA, but is only about an hour and a half drive away!
If you spend a weekend in Lake Arrowhead in the winter, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in a beautiful and picturesque mountain community. If you visit Lake Arrowhead in the summer, you can soak up the sunshine on the lake and go boating, fishing, or swimming. Lake Arrowhead is full of awesome outdoor recreational activities, offering something for everyone. I can’t think of a better way to escape LA than to curl up in a cozy cabin and watch the snow fall.
5. Solvang
Craving a trip to Europe but can’t swing the time or the expense right now? I gotchu– look no further than Solvang, California! Solvang is a charming and quaint Danish town in the Santa Ynez valley of California, located around 2.5 hours from LA. You can pretend you’re in Europe for the day and will feel like you’re literally across the world from LA!
Visitors of Solvang can indulge in the many delicious baked goods, enjoy wine country, soak up the lovely Danish architecture, participate in outdoor activities, or just enjoy the beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. Solvang is a truly delightful town and is a great way to escape LA for the day or for the weekend.
Takeaways
California has SO much to offer and these are just a few of my favorite weekend getaways from Los Angeles! I may do a part 2 of this series or provide more in-depth itineraries for the fabulous destinations I mentioned. If you enjoy the California content, you should read about our recent month-long stay in the golden state here! Stay tuned and as always, thank you for reading! 🙂
Xoxo
Jensen
Hello lovely readers! It’s been way too long since we last caught up. I’m here with a major life update. After spending nearly four years living in the peach state, we have decided to move on and have embarked on our next journey. We are staying with family in California at the moment. We don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we are excited for this next chapter in our lives and are trusting in the Lord to guide us through the uncertainty. But what I can say for certain is that we have finally left Georgia for good!
It has been a really tough year for our family full of lots of ups and downs and disappointments. We have been humbled, challenged, and tested beyond anything we could have anticipated. We have actually been trying to leave Georgia for a long time (more on that in a future blog post) but were struggling to do so due to our careers and all of the not-so-fun logistics that come with adulthood.
As I am sitting here writing to you today, I am looking out at the Pacific Ocean and enjoying the lovely 73 degree breeze that is so specific to Southern California. It has been a few weeks since we left Georgia and while I can’t say for sure where we’re headed, right now, in this moment, I am just so grateful to be home in California. After spending the last four years as a transplant in a state I had never been to or had any prior connections to, the familiarity of being back in California feels like a warm hug from a long lost best friend. The smog, LA traffic, and insane gas prices don’t even phase me right now because I’m just so happy to be here!
While it can feel scary at moments to not know where we’re headed, we’re embracing this very unique season of being so untethered. For the first time since graduating from college, we have no lease or mortgage tying us down and no commitment that we have to be somewhere for. We are able to just be and take a moment to regroup and be nomads for a while. We have the rest of our lives to settle down, take on responsibilities, and establish roots, but right now we have the privilege of being able to dream and make a home out of wherever we lay our heads down at night. It feels good to be free.
I can’t tell you how fulfilling it feels to be writing again and allowing myself to dream about what I truly want out of life and my career. I have spent the year hustling and bustling in corporate America, and unfortunately that meant that my writing and my website have taken a backseat role, but I’m back and am committed to building this into something beautiful and meaningful. I also created a new instagram account @jetsetjeni that will be fully dedicated to all things travel and lifestyle. I am excited to grow that account and see where we end up!
If you’re still here, I appreciate you and can’t wait to venture into this next step together.
Xoxo,
Jensen
Hello my lovely travel enthusiasts! It’s been a while since my last blog post, but I’m excited to be writing again. Since starting a full-time job, I’ve struggled to find a good balance between work and my other ventures. However, I’ve decided to prioritize JenisJournies and continue pursuing my passion for travel and lifestyle. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing a review of the luxurious Excellence Riviera Maya Cancun hotel, based on our recent trip. If you’re looking for an honest and comprehensive overview of this hotel, keep reading!
Finding the perfect hotel
As first-time visitors to Mexico, selecting a hotel was a bit of a gamble. With less than a week to plan our trip, I was at a disadvantage when it came to securing a deal. My criteria for the hotel included: an all-inclusive resort, preferably five stars (but no less than four), with excellent dining options and beachfront access. It was important for me to find a hotel suitable for a young couple, offering fun activities and some nightlife, without being an overly wild party resort. We sought a relaxing vacation rather than a party scene, so options like the Hardrock were out of the question for us (although I’d love to experience that in the future!).
With a budget of around $500 per night, I felt overwhelmed by all of the options, with Cancun being one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in the world. One of my top travel tips is to read reviews from multiple platforms like Google, TripAdvisor, and Hotels.com. At some point during my hours of research, I came across the Hotel Excellence Riviera Cancun, which fit within our budget and consistently received great reviews, particularly for a five-star hotel in that price range. I pulled the trigger and booked a nonrefundable reservation, and from that point, there was no turning back.
Effortless airport transportation
One of the hotel’s perks is complimentary roundtrip airport transportation, which saved us a lot of hassle. Given the recent issues with taxis and Ubers in Cancun, we were so grateful to not have to worry about that. Upon arrival at the airport and clearing customs, we found our bus waiting for us, clearly marked with the hotel’s name. We had the bus to ourselves, which felt luxurious, and the journey to the hotel took only about 20-30 minutes.
The only downside was that they insisted on picking us up from the hotel four hours early on our departure day. We got through security in about 15 minutes which left us with hours to spare in the Cancun airport. The Cancun airport is unpleasant– it’s extremely crowded, there is nowhere comfortable to sit or escape the noise, there is no wifi, and everything is overpriced. Although it wasn’t a major issue, we would have preferred spending those extra hours by the beach.
Overall, I would rate the airport transportation 6.5/10.
The warm welcome
When we pulled up to the gates of the hotel, we both had a jaw-dropping “wow” reaction. You instantly feel like you’re transported into another world of luxury and relaxation. I remember literally thinking to myself as we drove up to it that there was no way this could actually be our hotel, because in America a hotel like this would be a place that only the elite could afford. But Mexico is a different story! I still pinch myself and feel eternally grateful to have the opportunity to visit places like this.
We were greeted with champagne and the bellhop took our bags for us. We arrived around 10 AM and were told our room wouldn’t be ready until 2 PM. This was a bit of a bummer and a tad unexpected but we didn’t mind, we were hungry anyways so off we went to one of the restaurants and then spent a few hours lounging by the pool while we waited for our room to be ready.
I would give our check-in experience an 8/10.
The room
We stayed in a junior suite with a pool view, and I loved our room. It was sizable, with an airy indoor-outdoor quality, and we had a fantastic balcony with a table, chairs, and a mini couch. We enjoyed sipping our coffee out there in the mornings watching the sun come up and having our cocktails in the evening before heading out for dinner.
The bed was huge and quite comfortable, the shower was large enough for two (if you know what I mean ;)) and it had a full-sized bathtub as well. It had a mini bar with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and some snacks and this was restocked by housekeeping everyday. As this hotel was all-inclusive, everything from the minibar was included! This was a welcomed change from hotels in America where you’re charged $50 if you so much as touch a bottle of coke! They even had four full bottles of alcohol in the room for guests to make their own cocktails.
We appreciated the attention to detail in the room, from the luxurious bathrobes and slippers to the nightly turndown service.
Overall, I would give the room a 9/10.
The Pools and Beach at Excellence Riviera Maya Cancun Hotel
Now let’s get to the real reason you want to vacation in Cancun- the water! When it comes to swimming options, this resort has you covered! This hotel has five swimming pools, but two of them are for Excellence Club members only. But not to worry, the three that are available for everyone are all quite grand and lavish. The main one is the “party pool”, this is where you will find activities, live music, swim-up bars, and guests that have had a bit too much to drink. However, if you prefer a more serene and relaxing atmosphere, the other pools offer a tranquil escape. Among them is a pool with a lazy river where you can lay atop a float without a care in the world.
The pools feature ample seating and cabanas, ensuring you’ll find a comfortable spot to relax. While the cabanas near the main party pool tend to fill up quickly, arriving early in the day can secure your desired spot. For those seeking a quieter experience, the other pools have you covered.
Now let’s move on to the beach! The Excellece Riviera Maya is situated right on the beach, so you’re never more than footsteps away from Cancun’s infamous white sand beaches. The hotel even provides complimentary shaded cabanas, towel service, and attentive servers delivering drinks and snacks from the pool bar (all free of charge! Another thing you would have to pay an arm and a leg for in America.)
While Cancun has faced some seaweed challenges in recent years, The Excellence does an excellent job of daily maintenance to ensure a pleasant swimming experience for guests. It’s worth noting that we visited in April, and the seaweed situation may be more challenging between May and October. Keep this in mind if you plan to visit during those months.
Now for the brutal honesty. While staying in a beachfront hotel is an awesome experience, the beach itself wasn’t the prettiest I’ve ever seen in my life. The soft, white sand is wonderful and the water is warm and calm so it’s perfect for swimming. But this beach just lacks that wow factor. The water is a dark blue rather than the turquoise that the Caribbean is known for. Additionally, there’s a barrier in place to mitigate seaweed, but the barrier itself is a bit of a buzzkill. The areas to the right and left of the resort are covered in seaweed and emit a smell of rotten eggs. So please keep all this in mind if you’re considering Riviera Maya. It’s still a great vacation destination, but if you’re craving a trip with beaches and beauty that will truly blow you away, then this may not be the right choice.
Overall, I give the beach a 7/10.
Delicious dining options
One of the reasons we chose Excellence Riviera Maya Cancun was its reputation for excellent dining options. This hotel boats ten unique restaurants, and the food was one of the best parts of our vacation! This surprised me because all-inclusives aren’t exactly known for their five-star dining. But the food, the drinks, and the servers were truly wonderful. This hotel offers a variety of food options, such as traditional Mexican, Italian, Indian, American, French, seafood, sushi, hibachi, and a buffet. The restaurants range from casual to upscale and they each offer a unique experience, from an intimate candlelit dinner, to a breezy lunch with fabulous ocean views. Unfortunately, we were only there for a four-night stay so we didn’t get to try all the restaurants. But our favorites were probably the Mexican and the French restaurants.
Overall, I give the restaurants a 9/10.
Luxurious amenities and activities
Excellence Riviera Maya Cancun offers an impressive range of amenities and activities to keep guests entertained throughout their stay. In addition to the multiple swimming pools, including a swim-up bar, where you can enjoy refreshing cocktails, there are many other activities to take part in, including water sports, tennis, yoga classes, and a well-equipped fitness center.
If you come to this hotel, you HAVE to splurge on the spa. I’m still fantasizing about this experience! The spa was such a highlight of our trip. We booked a couple’s massage and the whole experience was completely zen. You start with a hydrotherapy session and you get to go in a sauna, a steam room, and a bunch of different pools in a specific sequence they give you. The massage itself was wonderful, but it was the beforehand activities that really blew me away.
Another thing this hotel got right was the nightlife! They have a show every night around 9 pm and then some form of live music and dancing afterwards for those wanting to stay up a bit later. Our favorite was an incredible Michael Jackson show– this was probably the best show we’ve seen at an all inclusive resort and the performers were super talented and fun. Other acts included a circus, Latin night, a silent disco, and electric violin.
I give the entertainment and nightlife an 8.5/10.
The customer service
The customer service is what truly sets this hotel apart. There are countless beautiful hotels in the area that you can’t go wrong with, but the quality of customer service has the ability to make or break your vacation. The service was impeccable from the moment we stepped foot on the property to the sad minute we were dropped off at the airport to go home. The workers are incredibly kind and they pay attention to the little things. We were celebrating our anniversary, and they surprised us in our room on our last night with champagne and cake. The housekeepers would leave out new towels for us in a cute little arrangement everyday. They remembered our names and made us feel special and right at home. You won’t have an experience like that anywhere in America, where customer service truly seems to be lacking these days. Apparently Mexico is known as one of the most hospitable countries in the world, and we can definitely see why!
I give the customer service a 10/10 at The Excellence!
Conclusion
This hotel could not have been more wonderful, and we will absolutely be returning. Even though $500/night is a bit steep, it’s actually quite affordable compared to other five-star hotels in the area, and you get so much bang for your buck. I give this hotel a 9.5/10!
The Excellence is a chain throughout the Caribbean, and I’ve heard great things about all of their locations, so you should definitely check them out if you’re planning a trip there anytime soon. This review was not sponsored and I did not receive anything in exchange for my review. I’m just a girl who’s passionate about travel and wants to help others have great experiences. If you have any questions that I didn’t cover in this review, leave me a comment or shoot me a message!
My husband and I took an epic trip to Iceland in November. We both fell madly in love with the country, and we feel like we really left a piece of our hearts there. Between the incredible and unique nature, the overall feeling of peace and safety, delicious food, and friendly locals, Iceland truly impressed us, and we are already dreaming of when we can go back. In this blog, I will share the details behind how we booked this luxurious bucket-list trip without breaking the bank, so that you, too, can travel to Iceland on a budget!
Even though we booked our trip two and a half months in advance, it was still fairly spontaneous. We didn’t really have a reason for going, other than the fact that it had been a longstanding dream of ours, and we had a brief window of opportunity to get a really good deal on it. In the following paragraphs, I will walk you through the exact steps I took to book this trip and how much it cost.
How I found this deal: the importance of flexibility of and doing your research
One of the best pieces of advice I can give people with a limited budget who are looking to travel more often is to be flexible and do your research! One of the ways I am always “doing research” is by following travel influencers on Instagram who actually provide useful information and inform their followers when hot deals are going on. I have to give a shoutout to my favorite travel influencer @zacharyburrabel who is the reason we got to take this trip. He posted about this incredible deal Icelandair was doing back in August, and I recognized what a rare find this was, and literally booked our trip two hours later.
So, what was the deal exactly? In August, Icelandair had a major sale on a package trip to Iceland that included roundtrip fare, four nights in a four-star hotel, and three tours for just $749! Iceland is notoriously one of the most expensive countries in the world. When you combine that fact with the inflation and record-high travel costs we’ve all been facing, it doesn’t take a travel expert to recognize that this deal was truly unbelievable. Icelandair was only selling this deal for a few days in August, and the caveat was that you had to travel between mid-October and mid-March. This makes sense because Iceland is a cold place with very intense and unpredictable weather, especially in the winter, and most travelers would prefer to visit in the summer months. This wasn’t a deal breaker for me, though, because after doing some research, I came to the conclusion that Iceland is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year, just don’t expect clear skies and comfortable conditions! If you’re willing to travel to Iceland in the winter too, check back next August because this may be a deal that they promote annually.
The hardest part was convincing my husband!
I quickly brought this deal up to my husband, who admittedly was skeptical at first. He is the more financially cautious and deliberate of the two of us, whereas I tend to be more spontaneous and risk-taking. I realized the value in this deal and that it would quickly sell out, whereas his perspective was that we shouldn’t rush into such a big purchase simply because the clock was ticking. We discussed the opportunity and listened to each other’s perspectives in a respectful manner. I shared with him that even though this was spontaneous, and we didn’t have a particular reason for going to Iceland right now (like a birthday or an anniversary), this was something we both had wanted to do for a long time and it would be hard to do it at such a reasonable cost at a later date. I also pointed out that this is the perfect time in our lives to be taking these spur-of-the-moment trips—we are married, young, don’t have the responsibilities of children or a mortgage yet, and have some disposable income. He finally agreed and allowed me to book the flight, although he was still a bit hesitant. (Spoiler alert: he came around and ended up having a fabulous time. He may love Iceland even more than I do, if that’s even possible!)
Details of the trip: how much it cost, flying first class, booking a positioning flight, and managing a red-eye
Because the trip was such a good deal, we decided to upgrade to first class for the first time ever! The cost of the entire trip with first-class flights was $1500 each. Even with the upgrade, this was still a fantastic deal. The main reason I decided to splurge on first-class this time was because we were traveling such a long way for such a short trip. Our flight to Reykjavik was a red-eye and upon landing, we would immediately be going to the blue lagoon. (If you’d like to read about our experience at Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, check out this post!) I didn’t want us to waste our very limited time in Iceland having to recover from the exhaustion of the flight, so I thought it was a good use of our money to make our travel as pleasant and relaxing as possible. The first-class upgrade was more than worth it, and the service was exceptional. Now that we’ve flown first-class, we see what we’ve been missing all these years, and it will be difficult to have to go back to coach! Check out my review of the Icelandair first class lounge here.
Unfortunately, Icelandair does not do direct flights out of Atlanta, so I had to book us a positioning flight to Baltimore where we had a four-hour layover. Our flight to Baltimore was quick and easy (about an hour and a half), however positioning flights are not without risk, so this definitely made me nervous. Thankfully, however, all went smoothly, and we did not experience any delays or mishaps. We were able to hang out at the Priority Pass Lounge in Baltimore thanks to our credit cards giving us access, and this was a great way to pass the time. We got to enjoy free food and alcohol, comfortable chairs, and charging stations. It was the perfect way to unwind before our long flight. We then embarked on our flight to Reykjavik, which was only about five and a half hours.
Why it was all worth it
Although it was an incredibly long travel day for just a four-and-a-half day-long trip, it was what we could afford to do at the time with PTO and budget constraints. Some neigh-sayers may think it’s crazy to travel so far for such a short amount of time, but it was totally worth it to us, and though we would have loved to stay longer, it was infinitely better than not getting to go at all!
I hope you enjoyed this blog on how I booked our wonderful Iceland trip on a budget by utilizing certain strategies and being flexible. We both loved Iceland so much, and I’m confident that the next time we go will be for much longer so we can explore so much more of what this beautiful country has to offer. Stay tuned for upcoming posts about our itinerary, our Iceland tips and advice, and what we would do differently next time. Love ya and thanks for reading!
Xoxo,
Jeni
My husband and I recently took a somewhat spontaneous roadtrip to Nashville. The weekend was incredibly seamless and special, and it was one of those rare trips where nothing goes wrong and almost everything goes your way. Anyone who travels can attest to how uncommon that is, so I figured it was definitely worth writing a blog about! In this blog, I will be sharing with you the story behind our impromptu decision to go to Nashville, what we did while we were there, and what made this weekend so exceptional.
We are based in Atlanta, so Nashville is only about a four-hour drive from us and is one of our favorite destinations for a weekend getaway. Although Nashville’s lively honky-tonk bars and delicious southern comfort food are always reason enough to make the trip out there, we actually had another incentive this time.
A few weeks prior, one of my loved ones had a serious health scare and was hospitalized for a week. My husband and I were at the hospital every single day, but it was incredibly terrifying, stressful, and traumatic to see my beloved family member in pain. Most importantly, this person is recovering and doing much, much better now, but the stress and anxiety from such an event can linger for a long time.
It was in the wake of my fear and sleepless nights that I decided to look up the tour schedule for my favorite comedian, John Mulaney. I have been a huge Mulaney fan since 2018 and he has been a source of light and laughter for me during some very dark times in my life. Laughter really is the best medicine, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect stress relief than getting to see my favorite comedian live. To my disappointment, Mulaney had zero shows scheduled in the entire state of Georgia, but, -ah ha! – he was playing in Nashville in just two weeks! I looked over at my sleeping husband who, admittedly, is the more practical of the two of us. I feared that if I ran my idea by him, he wouldn’t be thrilled about us taking an expensive, unexpected trip to Nashville when our main focus right now is saving to buy a house. Normally we sit down and talk about these decisions and weigh the pros and cons. But after what my family had been through, I knew that I needed to just do this!
I quickly bought us tickets to see John Mulaney at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville –one of the most famous and historical venues in the country– and I even opted for excellent seats (normally we’re in the nosebleeds.) I then booked us a hotel room in the heart of downtown Nashville and my husband woke up just as I was clicking “confirm.” “What are you doing?” he asked me groggily, still half asleep. Knowing it was too late to back out now, I boldly answered, “I just booked us a trip to Nashville in two weeks. We’re seeing John Mulaney.” I mentally prepared myself for some pushback, but to my surprise, my husband replied, “Really?! That sounds so fun!” I felt instant relief and was even more excited now that he was on board!
Two weeks went by and the day was finally here—we were going to Nashville! We both felt particularly excited because we hadn’t taken a trip just the two of us since our honeymoon. After the stress of the last few weeks, it felt nice to be able to do something frivolous and indulgent, and get some much-needed alone time. We embarked on our four-hour drive that was filled with beautiful green, mountain views and no traffic. Our trip was already off to a great start!
When we arrived at our Downtown Nashville hotel—which I booked for free using Hilton credit card points!—we were extremely impressed. This hotel was much nicer than either of us expected it to be and it was in an upscale and trendy part of Nashville called The Gulch that neither of us had ever been to before. We even got a free room upgrade to a top-floor corner suite for having Hilton Gold status. Not bad considering we didn’t even have to pay for the room! This was by far our favorite hotel that we’ve stayed in Nashville and this is where we will be staying from now on.
We unpacked and went up to the hotel’s rooftop pool and bar and had a few drinks before beginning our night. At this point, we were both feeling famished so we went to a Mexican restaurant across the street from our hotel called Condado Tacos. We honestly had low expectations because we’re so used to less-than-stellar Mexican food in Atlanta, but it was actually delicious and affordable, and the margaritas hit the spot after a long drive!
A few hours later, it was time to head out for the night. I was all dressed up in my cutest country attire and was ready to dance til dawn on Broadway Street. We called a Lyft and ended up having one of our most memorable rideshare experiences to date. Our driver was hosting a gameshow and had turned his whole car into a studio. He filmed us, asked us trivia questions, and gave us prizes for every correct answer. It felt like we were in an episode of Cash Cab! I didn’t think this was the type of thing that ever happened in real life. The experience instantly lifted our spirits and got us pumped for our big night out.
We got dropped off at one of my favorite bars in Nashville, called Luke’s 32 Bridge, owned by country singer Luke Bryan. We somehow skipped the dauntingly long line (don’t ask me how; it just happened!) and stepped inside of a nightlife lover’s paradise. We were dancing, drinking, and having a great time. At one point in the night, we both told each other that we had a feeling we would run into someone we knew that night. Lo and behold, about 30 minutes later, we ran into a group of ten people that we knew from California! We got to spend the next hour or so catching up with old friends and meeting new people.
More time went by and we ventured upstairs to a more private section of the club. We ended up befriending a couple who had bought a table and bottle service. They insisted that we join them, and they proceeded to hook us up with free alcohol and VIP service for the rest of the night. This was truly unexpected, and we hate to be mooches, but this couple insisted—their friend group had backed out on them and they just wanted to hang out with more people! We stayed here until about 2 AM before getting some late-night food and heading back to our hotel.
The next day, we slept in before heading downstairs to indulge in the free hotel breakfast. This was the one part of the trip that left something to be desired, but we don’t expect much from hotel breakfasts anyways so we weren’t disappointed. We spend the next few hours driving around and exploring the areas of Nashville that we hadn’t been to before and might like to live in someday. Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for the big show.
We had a dinner reservation at one of my favorite restaurants, The Hampton Social. If you’ve ever been there before, you know that this is one of the girliest restaurants on earth. Matt was one of the few men in the whole establishment, but we had a great time. We got seated at a table with amazing views, we had a friendly server, and the drinks and food were exceptional. We finished our dinner with some incredible southern-style beignets. Feeling satisfied, we left to go do the thing we came to Nashville for in the first place!
We got to Mulaney’s show about an hour early so that we could take in the whole experience and not feel rushed. It was really special to get to be in such an old-fashioned theater with so much history. The Ryman Auditorium is 130 years old, and I couldn’t help but think about all the generations that had sat in my exact seat before me, and all the generations that will be there after me. I imagined what people wore and the different types of shows they had come to see and what getting to be entertained meant to them. I felt humbled to have been a part of this collective human experience. One of the best parts of the event is that it was phones-free, so not a single person in the venue had their cell phone on them. This made it feel even more historical, and I can’t even think of another time that I’ve witnessed a whole group of people without their phones. Everyone was engaged and talking to each other, and I got the sense that it was a relief for most people to have this break.
The show finally started and it was everything we could have dreamed for it to be. We laughed so hard our cheeks hurt, and it felt so good to just forget about what had been going on for the last few weeks. The human condition is hard and inevitably full of stress, sorrow, pain, and anxiety. As such, I think it is so important to set time and money aside for entertainment and frivolity. We were both so appreciative that we were able to do this and just get fully lost in the hilarity of the evening.
After the show, we returned to our hotel room and drove back home the next morning. This trip really showed us that sometimes the most spur-of-the-moment and low-key travels can end up being the most spectacular. This trip wasn’t anything particularly extravagant or fancy and yet it was one of the best trips we have taken in years. I think we went into the weekend with few expectations, so we ended up being so pleasantly surprised by everything. We grew closer as a couple and our appreciation for Nashville flourished as well. If you’ve made it this far, I sincerely thank you for reading and I hope this encourages you to simply just go on that next adventure you’ve been dreaming of!
Until next time,
Jeni
Congratulations- you’re engaged! Now it’s time to dive into one of the most exciting parts of your engagement- planning your honeymoon!
Deciding where you want to go on your honeymoon can be incredibly fun, but it can also feel stressful if you aren’t sure where to go, feel overwhelmed with options, or are constrained by a tight budget. My husband and I went back and forth with our options for a few months before ultimately deciding to go to Punta Cana for our honeymoon. If Punta Cana has come across your radar, you may be wondering, “is Punta Cana a good place for a honeymoon?” After spending a blissful and romantic two weeks basking in Punta Cana, I can confidently say that Punta Cana is an excellent place to go for a honeymoon! However, it might not be for everyone. Read on to learn why I think Punta Cana is a good place for a honeymoon, as well as the reasons why it might not be the right honeymoon destination for you. And make sure to check out my post on my best tips for having an amazing honeymoon, regardless of where you go!
Why Punta Cana is a good place for a honeymoon
1. It’s a short flight if you’re in the United States
If you live in the US, especially in the southeast, Punta Cana is a great place for a honeymoon because it’s not far away at all. It was a direct 3.5-hour flight for us from Atlanta, which was a shorter flight than going to the west coast! The flight was a total breeze. In my opinion, Punta Cana is such a great vacation destination because it is beautiful and tropical and feels like a far-away land, but you don’t have to spend two days traveling to get there.
If you’re like most of us, you can only take so much time off work and probably have limited days for your honeymoon. It was important to us to not spend too much of our limited vacation days traveling to and from our destination. Some of the places we wanted to go to would have taken a full day to get to, and we just weren’t keen on sacrificing our precious vacation days. Not to mention, when you’re traveling for that long, it can take a few days to unwind and recover from the long journey. With this simple 3.5-hour flight, we were able to immediately settle into relaxation mode when we arrived.
2. It’s a beach lover’s paradise
It is very common to want a relaxing, beach-centric honeymoon in a beautiful place, and Punta Cana is just that. The beaches are stunning, the waves are small, the water is warm, and the sand is white and soft. The weather is perfect all year round. Punta Cana is a great place for swimming, snorkeling, boating, and laying out. The one thing that we didn’t like about the beaches is that they accumulated a lot of seaweed, but if you’re staying at a nice resort, your hotel will actively be working to clear that out for its guests.
3. It’s not the most expensive place on earth
I’m going to be honest, Punta Cana isn’t cheap, but it’s far from the most expensive location you could go to either. I would say Punta Cana is in the middle in terms of pricing for luxury vacation destinations. It’s cheaper than places like Hawaii or Greece, but more expensive than Mexico or Bali. You can stay in a five-star all-inclusive resort starting at $450 a night, which you would be hard-pressed to find in the United States.
4. The culture and the people are wonderful
My husband and I were blown away by how incredible the Dominican people are! They are some of the friendliest and most genuine people we have ever met, and we had so much fun getting to know them. We made lifelong Dominican friends and had several people calling us family and inviting us into their homes. That just doesn’t happen very often in the US, so that was special and eye-opening to experience. Dominican culture is rich and inviting, the food is fantastic, and don’t even get me started on the coffee! If experiencing new cultures is important to you when you travel, then you will absolutely love the Dominican Republic.
5. It’s SO relaxing
This is probably true of all-inclusive resorts in general, and Punta Cana is known for its incredible accommodations. This was our first time staying in an all-inclusive resort, and we absolutely loved it. Once you’re there, you truly don’t have to think about a thing. You could theoretically not even bring your wallet and live like royalty the whole time while you’re there (of course, it’s always nice to have cash for tipping!) Because our accommodations were so wonderful, we were able to just unwind and enjoy each other. We spent most days swimming, tanning on the beach, eating great food, drinking cocktails, playing tennis, and socializing with the workers and other guests. Everything was taken care of for us, which felt unbelievably luxurious. Just imagine how nice it will feel to simply relax after months of chaotic wedding planning!
Of course, it’s important to note that when you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, you’re spending the majority of your vacation there. This makes it even more imperative that you do a LOT of research to make sure you’re choosing excellent accommodations. If your hotel ends up being subpar, you’re probably not going to have a very good time. You don’t want to take this decision lightly.
Who might not enjoy a honeymoon to Punta Cana?
Like I said, I thought Punta Cana was an absolute dream, but I recognize that not everyone will feel that way. Punta Cana is absolutely marketed as a place for a tranquil and slow-paced vacation. If you’re craving adventure, excitement, and the ability to go out and explore a lot, then Punta Cana might not be for you. I personally love an action-packed vacation, but after the hectic wedding-planning season, a peaceful two-week stay in Punta Cana was just what the doctor ordered.
Punta Cana is not a big city with exciting nightlife whatsoever. It consists primarily of all-inclusive resorts, and the resort you stay at will be the center of your vacation. If you’re the type of person who gets bored laying on the beach, you should consider a different type of honeymoon destination. But if five-star service, incredible swimming pools, and unlimited cocktails on the beach sound like heaven on earth to you, then Punta Cana may be just the place to make all of your honeymoon dreams come true!
Still have doubts or more questions? Regardless of whether you end up choosing Punta Cana, make sure to check out my post on my six tips on how to have an amazing honeymoon!
Congratulations, you’re getting married! This is one of the most special and magical times of your life, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Planning a wedding can often feel incredibly overwhelming, and now you have to plan the most romantic vacation of your life on top of that! But it doesn’t have to feel so hectic. In fact, planning your honeymoon should be the easier part. You may even secretly be looking forward to your honeymoon more than your actual wedding. I just went through the whole wedding planning and honeymoon process, and I learned a few things along the way. Read on for my top advice on how to have an amazing and stress-free honeymoon.
1. Plan ahead
This might sound like a no-brainer, but with so much attention going towards the wedding, planning a honeymoon can sometimes be overlooked and left until the last minute. Putting it off will only make things more stressful, as you will be dealing with higher prices and limited availability, especially in this post-pandemic travel surge. To be safe, I recommend you start planning your honeymoon at least 3-6 months in advance.
2. Decide as a team where you want to go
Maybe you’ve had a specific honeymoon location in mind for your whole life. Or maybe you’ve never thought about it and are feeling indecisive with all of the endless possibilities in front of you! Whatever the case may be, make sure to discuss it with your partner and compromise if you each have different desires about where you want to go. Remember, this is not the only vacation you’re ever going to take, so even if you can’t go to your dream destination now, make it a priority to go there for an anniversary or a birthday trip in the future!
My husband and I had different opinions on this, and we went back and forth for a few months before making a decision. I wanted to go to Greece and he wanted to go to Hawaii. Somehow, we ended up settling on the Dominican Republic, which neither of us saw coming, we are so thrilled that it worked out that way, as it is now one of our favorite places in the world. So, keep an open mind because there are so many incredible options!
If you’re having a hard time narrowing down a location, I recommend going over your top three priorities with your fiancé and choosing a place that checks off both of your desires. Some of your must-haves may include having a beach, affordability, short flight, a new culture, nightlife, etc.3
3. Use a honeymoon planner
I didn’t know until I got engaged that honeymoon planners (and travel agents in general) are usually free! They get paid via commission when you book a hotel they recommend. My husband and I used a honeymoon planner from Zola. All we had to do was put down a $150 deposit which was used towards the price of our trip. She helped us narrow down a destination, sent us the best hotels in the area for us to choose from, and booked our flights, airport transfers, and activities. Because honeymoon planners are free and they take SO much of the stress and planning away, there really is no reason not to use one! Just make sure you do your research and use a reputable planner with good reviews.
4. Decide on a budget and plan a honeymoon you can afford
The honeymoon of your dreams might be a two-week stay at an overwater villa in Bora Bora, but if you can’t afford it, then there won’t be anything stress-free about it. Again, you and your partner will need to communicate about this and come up with a number you both feel comfortable with. Don’t put anything on a credit card that you can’t pay off right away. Nothing is less relaxing than spending the next five years paying off a vacation!
If you know that you want to have a luxurious honeymoon, then it is even more important to plan ahead so you have time to save. We started saving immediately after getting engaged. Even though we didn’t know where we’d be going yet, we knew we would be going somewhere and that we wanted it to be nice. We often stay in average accommodations, but we felt strongly that we wanted to go all out for our honeymoon, so we planned accordingly. You both may have to sacrifice to save and make it happen, but this will ultimately bring you closer together as this is something you can accomplish as a team.
5. Go on your honeymoon as close to your wedding as possible
Personally, I think it is so important to take your honeymoon right away. I know this won’t be possible for every couple, but I really do think the excitement starts to wear off the longer you wait. If you wait too long, your honeymoon may feel like a regular vacation. Getting married is one of the most significant and sacred decisions you will ever make, and your marriage deserves to be celebrated while it’s still fresh. You also deserve to have that intimate, romantic, uninterrupted time together as newlyweds. Plus, many couples (especially brides) may feel post-wedding blues when all the excitement is over, but having a honeymoon to immediately go on will alleviate that.
Even if your life is too crazy right now to take a real honeymoon or you’re on a very tight budget, I still recommend doing something and you can go on your official honeymoon later on Just taking a two-day trip with your new spouse is better than doing nothing at all!
6. Have a good attitude when things go wrong
This may be my most important tip of them all. According to Murphy’s Law, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong! With travel in general, it is almost guaranteed that something won’t go according to plan. This is truer than ever now with airlines having record numbers of canceled and delayed flights. You and your fiancé need to be prepared for this. Discuss what may go wrong beforehand and have a backup plan.
To be honest, I was really anxious before my honeymoon that something disastrous would happen. Because we put so much emphasis on our honeymoon and having this dreamy, romantic vacation as newlyweds, I didn’t want anything to ruin it. Ultimately, we can only control ourselves so all we can do is be prepared and have a good attitude. Having a good sense of humor will take you such a long way! If your flight ends up getting six hours delayed, you and your fiancé need to be able to laugh it off and remember that the most important thing here is that you’re on this adventure together as a married couple! Remember to be patient and not get frustrated with each other. Whenever something went wrong for us, we let it roll off our backs and viewed it as something that would make a good story to tell one day.
Conclusion
The wedding and honeymoon planning process is a sacred time in your life that you will never get to experience again. Keep that in mind when you start to feel like ripping your hair out from all the planning! Certain things will probably go wrong, yes, but at the end of the day, all that really matters is that you’re marrying the love of your life, which is the ultimate blessing. With these tips, you will be prepared and you know how to have an amazing, stress-free honeymoon!
