We told you Iceland is an up and coming destination. It’s so popular that we decided to reach out to writer, Lucas Raven for even more places to add to your itinerary. From personalized spa retreats to 5-star restaurants, Iceland has everything you need for a relaxing getaway.

Art Scene

Well, Iceland is so bespoke, every place you go seems tailored to what you’re truly there for. I stayed at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Everything about that place was art art art. Minimal, tasteful and well-thought.

Renowned Icelandic artist Ragna Róbertsdóttir created a lava-based wall installation for Moss Restaurant, as well as salt-based topographical “mindscapes” for the five large suites at the Retreat Hotel. Inspired by Iceland’s volcanic, tectonic, and oceanic provenance, her work often blurs the distinction between nature and architecture, with chaos giving way to contemplation. Rocks, seashells, salt—these are the materials that catalyze the artist’s imagination and form the basis of her visual lexicon.

Truly, a sensory delight.

There is some street art in Reykjavik, the graffiti seems prominent the closer you get to downtown. I stumbled upon this place called Gaukurinn, truly, a refreshing take on street, music, and art! I highly recommend.

Where to Meet Other Cool People

I met a lot of people at Blue Lagoon. I would say this is the best place because of the sheer size of the lagoon. Plenty of people come here so it’s really easy to start a conversation with someone.

Places to Eat

Moss restaurant at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, 5 stars, and a true Michelin baby. Another restaurant was this hole in the wall right in the center of downtown Reykjavik called the Icelandic Street Food. The best part? They give you refills on traditional lamb or seafood soup, can’t forget the Icelandic pancakes!

Moss restaurant is hands down a must experience. It’s like I died and went to restaurant heaven. Moss has a variety of 5-7 course menus, all of which are phenomenal, conscious and from the best ingredients. Photo-worthy? Absolutely, in my opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world. Views of the volcanic landscape can’t get any better than what they have.

Where to Sleep

Retreat at Blue Lagoon is by far my favorite place to stay. The whole design is based on two things: timelessness and sophistication. Channeling the shapes, colors, patterns, textures, and materials of the surrounding frontier.

In terms of sustainability, nothing gets more sustainable than the Lagoon. Built into an 800-year-old lava flow on the south shore, the 4000 sqm Retreat Spa embodies the harmony between nature, architecture, and the radiant powers of geothermal seawater.

The entire place was built on the love for health and wellness. It’s designed to transport your mind and body to new areas of peace and rejuvenation you’ve never experienced before. The spa journey moves through volcanic realms of luxurious heat, enchanting geology, and inspiring conceptual design.

Does that inspire health and well-being? Absolutely.

The staff is well trained to anticipate what you need before you even ask for it. One of the finest, personalized service experiences I’ve ever had.

Equipment & Editing Software

I mostly travel with a group of photographers who capture the story I want to tell. I myself use a combination of DSLR Canon EOS 7D, Canon Mark 5D, and my iPhone X. Editing wise, I only use Lightroom.

For more out of this world adventures, follow Lucas’s Instagram.

See our previous Iceland journey

Iceland: Your Complete Travel Rundown With Jasmine Alley

If you enjoyed this post, check out our post on Irina & Space.