Iceland: Heaven on Earth

June 17, 2024

When my sister suggested we visit Iceland, I initially wondered what we would do there. Our sister trips traditionally involved beaches, cocktails, and dressing up. However, after booking our tickets and planning our itinerary, I was pleasantly surprised by what Iceland had to offer. The country is about the size of Ohio, making it easy to navigate (they even drive on the right side of the road!). With several itineraries reviewed on TripAdvisor, we planned a 5-6 day summer trip, which is doable. Since it was nearly 24 hours of daylight, we didn’t see the Northern Lights, so my itinerary doesn’t include tips for that, but I found this post helpful for those interested.

Most itineraries recommend 70% of the same attractions, and here’s the list I chose from. Many suggest staying in Reykjavik and taking day trips, as most attractions are within 2-3 hours of the city. This approach allows you to experience the country without too much redundancy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rina Puri (@chicksandsalsablog)

1. The Blue Lagoon
Iceland’s #1 tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon, is a must-see. The architecture, connection with nature, and origins of the geothermal seawater create a unique experience. Day passes start at $90+, so budget 3-4 hours for a visit. If possible, stay a night at the Silica Hotel on the property. You’ll have access to both the Blue Lagoon and private lagoons. The contemporary hotel, nestled among volcanic rock formations, offers amazing rooms. See more photos and reviews here.

2. South Coast Tour
Tourism is Iceland’s greatest economic driver, resulting in excellent tour packages. Our South Coast Tour included a comfortable bus with Wi-Fi, well-timed stops, and a variety of sights. Highlights included breathtaking waterfalls, the black sand beach, and a glacier visit. Tour guides are well-versed in history and folklore, making the journey interesting and fun.

3. Downtown Reykjavik
While many food tours are available, I’d skip them unless you’re a foodie. Downtown Reykjavik is small and easily walkable by American standards. Popular stops include Rainbow Street, Hallgrimskirkja (the largest church in the country), Harpa Concert Hall, and more. The food scene is surprisingly progressive, with vegan/vegetarian options at every restaurant. One must-visit spot is The Bookstore, a bar that doubles as a bookstore with a great house band performing 3-hour sets from 8-11 PM.

4. Glacier Tours
There are various glacier tours available—by boat, foot, super jeep, or snowmobile. The weather in Iceland can change quickly, so our initial glacier and ice cave walk was canceled. We rescheduled for a snowmobile tour, which offered fun and amazing views.

5. Friðheimar Tomato Farm
A popular tourist stop, Friðheimar Tomato Farm, is easy to visit if you’ve rented a car. This unique restaurant is housed in a greenhouse that grows tomatoes year-round. The food is delicious; they even offer tomato beer and ice cream! It’s a short stop but worth it.

Hotels
After much research, we stayed at the Reykjavik Edition Hotel. With water on one side and the city on the other, it’s centrally located for downtown sites. The rooms are spacious, the on-site restaurant is excellent, and the overall experience is luxurious (it is so nice we stayed here for multiple nights). We also spent a night at the ION Adventure Hotel, which was designed to view the Northern Lights. Located in a remote area, it’s ideal for adventure-based tours like glacier hikes and biking. We stayed at the Silica Hotel (pictures below) on our last night and ate dinner at the famous LAVA Restaurant located on the Blue Lagoon property (the best meal I ate in Iceland). The Silica hotel is just simply magical, 10/10 recommend.

There were several activities we didn’t get to do, such as snorkeling between tectonic plates and boating among glaciers. However, I plan to return someday to see the Northern Lights anyway.

All in all, Iceland is an easy-to-visit country rich in culture and beautiful landscapes. I was truly surprised by how much I loved our trip (we were there during an active volcano eruption, just wow!). I hope this post was helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected].

See some of my other travel posts here.

Your Chick,

Rina

Travel

Travel Guide for Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

April 1, 2020

When the opportunity to go to Costa Rica came about, my husband and I couldn’t resist! Known as a great family-friendly destination, we decided to go with our kids and four other families.

Instead of trying to do a hotel with different rooms, we got a house together in Manuel Antonio. The home was a purchase from a gala that one family had recently attended.

The Villa Mariana (our home away from home for the week) was a beautiful property located right in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle. While there was enough room for us all to sleep, it didn’t prove to be the most kid-friendly property. As an important note, I would highly recommend this property for adults only! Keep in mind many of the properties in Costa Rica do not have central air conditioning in the common areas, so make sure to inquire before booking your stay. We only had air-conditioning in our bedrooms, so you can imagine how hot it felt in the main hangout areas when it hit 90 degrees! Thankfully we had two pools to cool off in, so it didn’t ruin the trip (but something noteworthy to consider when booking your next trip to Costa Rica). The main home in the Villa Mariana has four bedrooms with a guest house boasting two additional rooms to make for enough space to accommodate 5 families. Aside from the home, I wanted to share my top 5 things to do in and around Manuel Antonio.

Playa Espadilla

This beach was a short 10-minute drive from the Villa Mariana. Make sure to book umbrellas and chairs ahead of time. The Costa Rican sun gets very hot midday. Consider bringing a cooler (they allow them!) with cocktails, water, and snacks…. it will make things easier especially with kids. For a proper lunch, we headed to a neighboring hotel which you might want to consider when deciding where to have your umbrellas set up. Make sure to pack a portable speaker and some beach toys. This is a great way to experience the Costa Rican beach and dip in the Pacific Ocean!

Catamaran

Since we were traveling with 20 people, we decided to book our own private Catamaran. If you are traveling with a smaller group, they have group charters. We opted for the sunset cruise. Aboard the boat, we had two chefs and two helpers. Our outing included a late afternoon meal with rice, beans, chicken, and veggies as well as snorkel gear, and dolphin watching. This was a great way to dip in the water, bond as a group, and watch to a beautiful sunset on the water! A must-do activity!

Manuel Antonio National Park

At this park, we saw some extraordinary animals including sloths in their natural habitats. With some small stops along the way, including some food, it makes for a nice outing with the family. Midway in the national park, there is a beach with the option to take a dip (pack a swimsuit or wear one under your shorts).
*Something noteworthy* If you plan to include this in your travel plans make sure to pick a temperate or cloudy day so it can be more enjoyable. On the day we had planned the national park it was VERY hot! There was not a lot of solace from the sun along the walking path and doesn’t make for easy transport of infants. The walkways are rough at the beginning so not ideal for strollers. If you catch a nice day, this is a must-see stop!

Zip Lining: Canopy Tarzan

We picked Canopy Tarzan for our zip lining. To be honest, it wasn’t the closest to our house in Manuel Antonio, but we heard it was the best one. It did NOT disappoint! With a multitude of LONG runs, it made for a perfect way to experience the jungle from the treetops. The last jump in this excursion, was a quick dip in a pool and waterfall, make sure you wear your swimwear under your shorts! *If you have a fear of heights this might not be your best bet.* Lunch was included. Make sure to mention any dietary restrictions when booking.

White Water Rafting: Savegre River

The location for white water rafting was a total of an hour and half away in the middle of the rainforest and mountains of Costa Rica. It was simply breathtaking! Kids ages 6 and over are allowed to partake in a class 1 rafting trip. Equipped with proper gear and a guide, you are taken down the Savegre River’s rapids and taught fun facts along the way! There are safe places for you to take a dip so make sure you are in your swim gear. I would highly recommend this as a fun-filled family excursion!

I hope this guide helps plan your next trip to Manuel Antonio! Costa Rica is filled with beautiful customs, food, scenery and most of all beautiful and friendly people!

Happy traveling!

Your Chick,

Sonia

Travel

Where to Stay and What to do in Jaisalmer, India

January 23, 2020

Have you ever seen a photo and thought to yourself, I would love to go there!?! A few years ago I saw a photo from a café with a lit up fort in the background and I instantly felt like I wanted to experience that view for myself.

Here is the image I saw.

This photo was taken in the small desert town of Jaislmer in the state of Rajastan, India. When we planned our trip to India this year, I included a three night stay in Rajasthan . We spent one night in Jodhpur and two nights in Jaislmer. After a one night stay at Ajit Bhawan in Jodhpur, we made the six hour drive through the Thar desert to Jaisalmer where we stayed at a beautiful hotel called Suryagarh. Usually car rides make me sleepy, but this drive was so unique that I was wide awake the WHOLE TIME. We stopped along the way for tea and selfies with cows and camels ( I couldn’t resist) until we finally reached our destination.

Where to Stay

In Jaisalmer we stayed at Suryagarh. This seven star resort in in the heart of the desert is literally the stuff dreams are made of. For my fellow Bollywood fans, think Sanjay Leela Bansali perfect. With backdrops and structures worthy of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam or Ram Leela this haveli had everything. Most recently Housefull 4 was filmed here.

What To Do

The weather in Rajasthan is great during the month of December with highs hitting about 70-73 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and the nights getting down to a cool 45 degrees. Known for its location in the Thar Desert, excursions into the desert are popular among tourists. I, for one, could not wait for a desert jeep safari and camel ride into the dunes. I have always felt a connection with the desert which is why Sedona, Arizona is also one of my favorite places in the US (see my post about my favorite drive of 2019 here).

We ventured into the desert, walked through the only remaining living fort in India, and visited Gadisar Lake. Jaisalmer was everything I could have expected and more from this little town. From the local experiences all the way up to the seven star hotel experience, Jaisalmer is a must see. I love seeing places a little bit off the beaten path and this is one of those places not overrun by tourists. In my opinion, two nights in Jaisalmer is just right for a Rajasthan itinerary (note: they have a great airport).

Travel is one of those things that you spend money on and it truly makes you richer. My visit to India was wonderful, but the visit to Jaislmer was truly the cherry on top.

Having visited Mumbai, Kerala, and now Rajasthan, next on my list is Leh. If you know anyone who has been there who has recommendations please let me know.

Thanks for checking out my post.

Your Chick,

Rina

Jodhpur Hotel Recommendation

Known as the little brother of the much more luxurious and expensive (3x more expensive) Umaid Bhawan (where Priyanka Chopra got married), Ajit Bhwan offers a royal and regal experience right in the heart of the city. It’s amazing to me how places like this are built with so much creativity and effort. The hotel is designed like a village where you are escorted to your mini villa. It was also the best shower I had in the two weeks I was in India. See my pictures from Ajit Bhawan below.

Lifestyle

10 Spring Break Essentials You Need Now Under $15

March 21, 2019

In doing my own shopping for a few upcoming trips, I was surprised to see how affordable things have gotten. I own, and vouch, for each item on this list and guarantee that you will love each and every pick! These are also all shop-able on our Amazon Store.

Sunglasses Holder

I am a sunglasses junkie and truly I am embarrassed to even share how many pairs I own. That being said, sunglasses are a fun way to accessorize on vacation. Since one pair just doesn’t cut it, I take 3 with me!

Insulated Tumbler

Its no secret that there is nothing like a chilled cocktail on vacation, so I keep mine with me at all times. Since I travel with my friends often, sharing is caring. This affordable set of two will come in handy and look stylish and you will be glad you threw this in your carry on.

Neutrogena Sunscreen Stick

My kids prefer this face and body stick to the spray when it comes to being outdoors, no matter what I do, the spray ends up in their mouth and eyes. Simplify your life with this stick… AND it has SPF 70!!

Mandala Blanket

This blanket has come with me all over the Caribbean and beyond! It folds up REALLY small, feels like a thin bed sheet, and makes a big statement. The kids will always be able to spot you on the beach with one of these.

Straw Hat

This straw hat has over 1000 almost 5 star reviews. I love the structure and size of it. Not only does it make practical sense to have one when out in the sun. It makes fashion sense too!

A Good Book

I recently stayed at the home of Mary Kay Andrews (see the post here) so I have her book on my nightstand right now. But really, the only time I really have extra time for reading is on a lazy beach vacation. So check out some of my picks if you are up some learning on the go.

Tassel Earring Set

Accessories not only don’t take up a lot of room when travelling, but they are great for dressing up an outfit! A cute set of earrings is the easiest way to pack in a way that is minimalistic and fun. I have reviewed this set on IGTV and highly recommend it for the price point!

Personal Vanity

I bought this one from Amazon after seeing one of my favorite bloggers review it and I was not disappointed. It is much bigger than it seems and therefore holds a LOT! If you are needing something to keep everything in one place you will love this.

Lace Up Ballet Flats

I have been doing some shopping for shoes that I can walk in for an extended period of time. I recently featured these leopard print espadrilles on our LikeToKnowIt page, but because this is a post about finds under $15, these lace up shoes are a steal! They are comfortable and cute. I have a wider foot and still find these to be comfortable. Scoop them up in any color you want, they run true to size and you will love them.

Swimsuit Cover Up

#MomLife has me hiding behind cover ups more than ever and this chiffon kaftan will have you loving life. It is comfortable and lightweight. Because it is so affordable, get it in a fun color just to have fun with it (Sonia has it in Cobalt blue)!!

I hope you liked these picks. Just having these items is getting me excited for my trip. I wish I had had these during my recent visit to Tybee Island (ugh!)

Thanks for checking out this post!

Your Chick,

Rina

Chicks Picks: