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🚗 The Beginning of a Winter Road Trip
The wind was icy against my cheeks when I picked up the rental car at Reykjavík early in the morning.
The sky still held a hint of blue twilight — the kind that feels almost magical in Iceland.
A warm coffee in hand, engine running, GPS set to the Golden Circle.
(📸“Empty Icelandic road with snowy mountains and sunrise glow”)
The route is a loop of roughly 300 km, weaving through some of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever seen.
Mountains, waterfalls, geysers, volcanic fields… everything about Iceland feels a little unreal.
💧 Stop 1: Thingvellir National Park
The first stop was Thingvellir National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most historically and geologically important places in the country.
I stood between two continents: the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Snow crunched under my boots as I followed the wooden path through deep rifts and frozen streams.
(📸“Thingvellir National Park winter view with snowy path and rift valley”)
💡 Travel tip: Arrive early to walk in quiet. The silence in this place is almost sacred.
🌊 Stop 2: Geysir Geothermal Area
Steam rose from the ground as I approached Geysir Geothermal Area.
The air smelled faintly of sulfur, and the earth seemed alive — bubbling, hissing, breathing.
Then suddenly: whoosh! A column of boiling water shot into the air from Strokkur, the most active geyser.
People gasped. I laughed. And then watched it happen again 5 minutes later.
(📸“Strokkur geyser eruption at Geysir Geothermal Area, Iceland”)
💡 Affiliate tip: You can book a Golden Circle day tour (or self-drive guide) through Travel-opia.com to make stops like this stress-free.
🏞️ Stop 3: Gullfoss Waterfall
Next was the mighty Gullfoss — the “Golden Falls.”
You hear it before you see it. A thunderous roar fills the air as water crashes down into a frozen canyon.
Snow swirled around me, and mist rose like smoke.
I wrapped my scarf tighter and just… stood there. Because some places are too powerful for words.
(📸“Gullfoss waterfall in winter with icy canyon and mist”)
💡 Travel tip: Wear waterproof layers — the spray can soak you, even in winter.
🧊 Stop 4: Secret Lagoon
After the cold wind at Gullfoss, a warm soak was waiting.
I made a quick stop at Secret Lagoon, one of the oldest geothermal pools in Iceland.
Sliding into the steamy water felt like stepping into another world.
The contrast between the freezing air and the warm pool was heavenly.
(📸“Secret Lagoon hot spring in winter with steam and snow around”)
💡 Affiliate tip: Bring a swimsuit and book in advance if you’re visiting in high season.
🌅 Golden Circle at Sunset
Driving back toward Reykjavík, the winter sun set low on the horizon, painting the snow in soft gold and pink.
Reykjavik’s lights glittered in the distance like a warm welcome after a day on another planet.
I rolled down the window, let the cold air in, and smiled.
This wasn’t just another road trip. It was one of those rare travel moments that stays with you forever.
(📸“Golden Circle road with sunset sky and snowy landscape”)
🧭 Why You Should Visit the Golden Circle
Iceland is a land of contrasts — fire and ice, silence and power, ancient and ever-changing.
And the Golden Circle is the perfect first chapter in that story.
If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into another world, this route will show you exactly that.
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