With bespoke itineraries, glacier-fed landscapes, and nights beneath the aurora, newlyweds Justin and Robyn Uy reflect on an Iceland honeymoon where thoughtful travel and extraordinary scenery marked the beginning of their life together.
Iceland had always been the first choice for our honeymoon. There was something about the place that fascinated us long before we got engaged. Maybe it was the contrast—a country built on fire and ice, where glaciers sit beside volcanoes and waterfalls seem to appear around every bend. It felt unlike anywhere else in the world, and it seemed like the perfect place to begin married life.
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The Journey Becomes The Destination
One thing we usually don’t enjoy when traveling is long car rides. That didn’t suddenly change in Iceland; what surprised us was that we barely noticed how much time we were spending on the road. Every turn seemed to reveal a different landscape. One moment we were driving through bright green moss-covered lava fields. A little later, we were passing massive glaciers before the scenery shifted again into black volcanic terrain dusted with ash. The views changed so often that the drive itself became part of the experience.
Svínafellsjökull Glacier was as impressive as we’d imagined. Kvernufoss became one of our favorite waterfalls because it felt quieter than some of the more popular stops, while Dyrhólaey offered sweeping views of towering cliffs, black sand beaches, and powerful Atlantic waves.
Every day, we left our accommodation carrying an empty water jug, not because we forgot to fill it, but because we knew we’d find fresh glacier water somewhere along the way. It became part of our routine. The water was so clean, crisp, and refreshing that we actually looked forward to refilling our jug whenever we had the chance.
We ended our journey at Silica Hotel, where guests have private access to the Blue Lagoon just steps from their rooms. We spent time in Silica’s private lagoon, the perfect place to unwind after nearly two weeks on the road. Later, we visited the Blue Lagoon itself, where we enjoyed trying the different silica face masks and grabbing a drink from the swim-up bar. It offered a completely different experience–more lively, with more to explore–and I’m glad we got to try both.
Unexpected Bites In Iceland
Looking back, what I remember most is how often Iceland astonished us. The biggest surprise? The food. If I’m being honest, I didn’t have particularly high expectations. I assumed we’d be trading good meals for incredible scenery; instead, we found ourselves pleasantly satisfied almost everywhere we ate.
The seafood, especially, stood out. The Arctic char was incredibly fresh, the lobster bisque quickly became one of my favorite meals of the trip, and trying whale steak was one of those experiences you can’t really have anywhere else. Even the produce tasted noticeably fresher than what we’re used to back home.
Then there were the pylsur [hot dogs typically made from a mix of beef, pork, and lamb]. They’re probably one of Iceland’s most famous quick bites, and after trying one, it was easy to understand why. Every long drive became an excuse to stop for another hot dog.
One of our favorite lunches was at Friðheimar, a greenhouse restaurant where tomatoes are grown year-round using geothermal energy. Sitting among rows of tomato vines while enjoying fresh tomato soup and homemade bread felt uniquely Icelandic. It wasn’t extravagant, but it perfectly captured how Iceland makes the most of what nature provides.
Justin and Robyn Uy Chase The Aurora
In the middle of our honeymoon was Valentine’s Day, and we were staying at Hotel Jökulsárlón, overlooking Vatnajökull. We spent the evening moving between the sauna and outdoor hot tubs with glacier views in the distance.
The next morning, at around five o’clock, the phone rang. The front desk was calling to let us know the Northern Lights were visible. Within minutes, we were outside our cabin, looking up at the sky as green ribbons slowly appeared overhead. We’d seen countless photos before the trip, but seeing the aurora in person was completely different.
We weren’t expecting how subtle it would feel. The light didn’t suddenly explode across the sky the way photos sometimes make it seem. They moved slowly and quietly, almost patiently. Standing there together in complete silence made the experience even more memorable.
Traveling Without A Hurry Through Natu
One of the things we appreciated about the trip was how effortless everything felt. We had worked with Natu, a bespoke travel curator, who planned the honeymoon around the way we like to travel. Rather than simply ticking off Iceland’s bigg est attractions, the itinerary felt personal. It introduced us to places we probably wouldn’t have discovered ourselves, while still giving us the flexibility to slow down whenever we wanted.
The biggest luxury was never having to think about logistics. We weren’t checking maps, worrying about reservations, or wondering if we’d missed a hidden stop somewhere along the route. Instead, we were able to stay completely present and enjoy each experience as it came. For a honeymoon, that made all the difference.
The First Chapter Of Forever
People ask us what our favorite part of Iceland was. It’s honestly difficult to choose. The glaciers were unforgettable. The landscapes looked different every single day. The food exceeded our expectations. Waking up at five in the morning to watch the Northern Lights from outside our cabin is something we’ll never forget.
But when we think about our honeymoon, those individual moments blend into something bigger. What we remember most is the feeling Iceland gave us: it reminded us how extraordinary the world is.
We’ll never forget the full day of Valentine’s, which we started with a glacier hike and ice cave tours, followed by our contrast therapy beneath the soft rays of the sun and behind the summit of the glacier. As it faded into the evening and we had our dinner under a sky full of stars, we found ourselves saying, almost without thinking, “There really is a God.”
It wasn’t meant to be profound. It was simply the only way we could describe what we were feeling at that moment. Standing in front of landscapes that had existed for thousands of years has a way of putting everything into perspective. You leave feeling smaller, but in the best possible way. That’s probably what stayed with us most after we came home. Looking back, that’s what made Iceland the perfect place to begin our marriage: the reminder that there’s still so much of the world capable of leaving you completely in awe.
See snapshots from the trip below.
This article was originally published in our September 2026 issue.
Photography by Justin and Robyn Uy
Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland pairs dramatic, varied scenery, such as glaciers, volcanic terrain, and waterfalls, with experiences like Northern Lights viewing and geothermal lagoons. Its compact Ring Road makes several landscapes accessible on one road trip.
Natu is a bespoke travel curator that designs personalized itineraries around a couple’s travel style. For Justin and Robyn Uy, Natu handled logistics, reservations, and route planning while leaving room to slow down.
The Northern Lights are visible across Iceland during darker months, often from remote lodges away from light pollution. Justin and Robyn Uy viewed the aurora from their cabin at Hotel Jökulsárlón, overlooking Vatnajökull glacier.
Iceland is known for fresh seafood, including Arctic char and lobster bisque, along with pylsur, a popular hot dog made from beef, pork, and lamb. Friðheimar, a geothermal greenhouse restaurant, is also a notable stop.
Silica Hotel sits adjacent to the Blue Lagoon and gives guests private access to its own smaller lagoon steps from their rooms. Guests can also visit the public Blue Lagoon separately for a livelier atmosphere.
