The Thrill of the Unexpected: My Last Minute Travel to Iceland Adventure
Life has a way of presenting opportunities when you least expect them. One moment you’re settled in your routine, and the next, you’re contemplating a transatlantic adventure. This was precisely my experience when a surprising chance for Last Minute Travel To Iceland arose, transforming mere contemplation into a whirlwind of preparation in just a few short days. It wasn’t just a vacation idea; it became a test of spontaneity, adaptability, and the willingness to embrace the extraordinary that often comes with unplanned journeys.
An Unlooked-for Invitation
The catalyst for this sudden trip came from friends, Stephen and Annie Sells, a family I became close with after moving to the area. One evening, while visiting their home, Stephen casually mentioned they had significant time off work due to Annie’s maternity leave and his paternity leave following the birth of their daughter, Hannah. Coupled with their toddler Daniel’s generally calm demeanor and baby Hannah’s remarkable ability to sleep through the night, they had started to explore travel possibilities. Then came the unexpected question: would I be interested in joining them on a road trip out west, specifically considering my travel experience?
Saying Yes to the Land of Fire and Ice
Initially, I wasn’t sure how serious the offer was, and as time passed without further discussion, I assumed the plans had been dropped. However, a text message on a Wednesday morning changed everything. It proposed a spontaneous trip to Iceland.
Screenshot of a text message proposing a last minute trip to Iceland
Upon receiving that text, my answer felt immediately clear: if the finances allowed, absolutely. After all, it’s Iceland! How could anyone decline the chance to visit such a unique destination, even on short notice? Unlike planning a vacation months in advance, this spontaneous decision meant logistics had to move at lightning speed. We weren’t researching the best place to travel in october or comparing destination guides; we were confirming availability now.
Rapid-Fire Logistics: Tickets, Shelter, and Sustenance
That same afternoon, I headed over to Stephen and Annie’s place, and the three of us immediately dove into planning. Sitting in front of a computer screen, we tackled the essentials: flights, accommodation, and food. The critical question quickly became: could I afford this sudden undertaking?
A major point of discussion revolved around transportation and lodging in Iceland. We were all captivated by the idea of renting a camper van, allowing us the flexibility to explore the country while saving money by cooking our own meals and not paying for separate accommodation each night.
The Camper Van Dilemma
However, finding a suitable camper van on such short notice presented limited options. We were ultimately faced with two primary choices:
Option A: A simpler van with seating for five, but with three seats located upfront, meaning no adult could comfortably sit in the back with the children during drives.
Option B: A slightly more expensive van equipped with more amenities, but crucially, it had a manual transmission.
Stephen preferred to do the driving but was highly uncertain about his ability to handle a manual. My own experience with manual cars, despite learning as a teenager and occasionally driving a farm pickup, is marked by an embarrassing tendency to stall, especially during the initial clutch release and acceleration, and struggling to find third gear without accidentally shifting into fifth. And frankly, despite undertaking long drives like nine-hour trips to visit cousins, I don’t particularly enjoy driving for extended periods.
Despite the manual transmission challenge, we ultimately decided on Option B. Stephen, ever optimistic, insisted he would “figure it out by the third day at least.” While package holidays 2023 offer convenience, the appeal of a self-driven adventure across Iceland’s unique landscape in a camper van was undeniable.
I had to leave by 5 pm, but by then, we had committed to the trip. Stephen and Annie purchased their tickets that evening. Our departure date was set for Saturday – a mere three days away!
Mastering the Stick Shift
In the frantic lead-up to Saturday, Stephen took proactive steps to tackle the manual transmission issue. He reached out to friends to see if anyone had a car with a stick shift he could practice on. He managed to secure a vehicle for some last-minute practice sessions.
An old car with a manual transmission used for practice before an Iceland road trip
Pre-Trip Scramble: Wardrobe and Essentials
Thursday became dedicated to acquiring “Trip Pants.” As someone who almost exclusively wears skirts for comfort, fit, and style, the prospect of spending ten days in a camper van in Iceland, packing everything (including bedding) into a single carry-on, necessitated a practical wardrobe change. The obvious solution was a basic pair of pants capable of providing warmth and dryness against Iceland’s potentially wet and windy conditions.
My expedition to a thrift store involved trying on numerous pairs, each with its own imperfection: too comfortable but visually unappealing, too small, too short, too long, too tight around the lower leg. I eventually settled on a pair that fit reasonably well everywhere except the waistband, necessitating the purchase of a pink-and-white striped belt to secure them. The experience left me baffled by how “normal worldly people” consistently find pants that are simultaneously well-fitting, comfortable, and stylish.
Friday involved a final, last-minute dash to a major retailer to pick up essential items like melatonin, a sleep mask, fleece-lined leggings, and various food supplies for the camper van journey. Following that, the challenge was cramming everything into my carry-on suitcase, a tight fit for a ten-day trip that also needed to accommodate bedding provided by the camper van rental. Packing for Iceland’s unpredictable weather requires different considerations than preparing for best places to travel in norway‘s fjords or milder climates.
Carry-on bag packed for a ten-day trip to Iceland
The Journey Begins: A Multi-Leg Expedition
Saturday, the departure day, unfolded as a series of time-boxed segments leading up to the long flight.
Step one involved meeting at Stephen and Annie’s house for final packing and consolidation.
Step two was the drive to Nashville.
A car parked outside a large house in Nashville before heading to the airport for an Iceland flight
Step three involved spending a few hours visiting Stephen’s parents at their new residence in Nashville – coincidentally, another mansion, distinct from the one mentioned in my book.
Step four was getting Stephen’s parents to drop us off at the Nashville airport.
Step five was the flight to Atlanta.
View from an airplane window during travel to Iceland
On this leg of the journey, Stephen and Daniel occupied seats on one side of the aisle, while I, Annie, and Hannah sat on the other, with an unfortunate stranger positioned between our two groups.
Passengers seated on an airplane during a multi-leg journey to Iceland
Step six brought a layover in Atlanta.
Step seven was the flight to JFK.
Step eight involved another layover, this time at JFK.
And finally, the anticipated flight to Iceland!
Navigating Travel Day Hiccups
Currently, we are in the midst of the layover phase (step six), experiencing a slight delay and hoping it doesn’t jeopardize our connecting flights. So far, we’ve successfully navigated minor travel hiccups, including someone accidentally leaving their phone behind upon boarding the plane and managing a toddler’s temper tantrum. Embarking on this trip just three days after deciding felt incredibly fast, unlike researching best places in the world to travel in october for a specific seasonal trip.
Nevertheless, our spirits remain high. We found solutions to the challenges encountered, and onward we go, ready to see what the rest of this spontaneous adventure holds.
As we navigate layovers and minor travel challenges, the excitement for the Iceland adventure remains high. This last-minute decision transformed mere days into a flurry of planning and preparation, highlighting the unique thrill and occasional chaos that comes with spontaneous travel. Despite the hurdles, we’re undaunted, ready to embrace whatever awaits in Iceland.
