When Travel Leaves You Speechless: 4 Incredible Travel Experiences
"Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller."
Ibn Battuta
If you’ve been following me on IG for a while, you will know that after hiking to a live volcanic eruption in Iceland a few years ago, I have become a tad obsessed!
I feel incredibly privileged to have witnessed the Litli-Hrútur eruption and it will take something incredible to knock it off the top spot now.
I have so many amazing memories and unique experiences from my travels, but these are my absolute favourites that I wanted to share with you. Maybe they’ll even make it into your dream bucket list too!
* Prices were what I paid for my bookings; prices are likely to have changed and should be checked by yourself when making a booking.
** Prices and information checked and correct at time of being published; check current prices yourself when making a booking.
#4 favourite: Schilthorn & James Bond World in the clouds
Schilthorn and the surrounding areas represented exactly what Switzerland had always looked like in my mind – it was almost like walking into a fairy tale image.
I took a tour from Geneva, which was a 4-hour drive away. I was absolutely shattered, so dozed on and off for the first while as we just drove along motorway.
Then suddenly the landscape began to change, becoming more alpine-village-esque so I was glued to my window until we arrived. My guide helped me collect my tickets, explained how it all worked and then left me to explore by myself.
Since I only had a few hours here, I went onwards from Mürren and headed straight to the Birg level (2677m/8783ft) where the very first thing I walked out to was the Skyline Walk.. and oh my!
What an absolutely stunning view!
From the observation deck (which also has grated flooring) you can see the peaks of the "ice giants" – Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau (a UNESCO World Heritage listing) in all their glory. Standing there watching the clouds roll in, then seeing the snowcapped peaks emerge... the view was incredible.
The Skyline terrace was quite quiet for the amount of people around, and the air was so clean and crisp that it felt like I was taking that first refreshing breath after stepping out of a sauna.
I then dandered on down to the Thrill Walk which was the one thing I absolutely did not want to miss. You start by following the glass-floored (or grated) walkway around the side of the rockface, which leads you to the 9m-long tightrope walk. Of course I had to do it!
It was only when I stepped off the other end that I realised my legs felt like total jelly, but what an incredible experience. Genuinely one of my favourite travel memories.
I’d also seen the crawl-tunnel on IG a few years ago and it went straight into the bucket list. But for some unknown reason, I thought I’d reached the end of the Thrill Walk and just figured they had replaced the tunnel with the tightrope walk.
Turns out it was there and I just didn't walk around far enough, UGH!
I then headed up to Piz Gloria which stands at an impressive 2970m (9744ft) up in the clouds. There I found another terrace and the James Bond Walk of Fame which pays tribute to the “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” Bond film. You can also get a photo taken on the Piz Gloria View platform and can download them here.
Just as a sidenote, you can check out the views from their live webcams, and their transport map also serves as a good visual for where everything is.
After some more wandering and shopping, I headed up to the 360° Restaurant for a bite to eat before making my way back down for pick-up. The food and local beer were delicious, and having a rotating view of Schilthorn in the clouds whilst feasting was wonderful.
Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to stay for a few drinks and enjoy the view more, but was a great way to finish an amazing day out.
EXPERIENCE DETAILS
Booked with: Keytours SA (via Get Your Guide)
Price paid (Sept 2023)* (adult): £228
Current price (2025)** (adult): from £243
The experience: I picked a self-guided tour which meant I had transport, a guide and tickets included, but was free to go explore by myself and meet the guide/fellow travelers later.
My tour also included an hour of free time to dander through Interlaken on our way home – I chose to eat a gelato ice cream by the grass while watching the endless stream of paragliders land. It was a lovely chilled way to end my day before a long drive back to Geneva.
However, I only got around four hours to explore Schilthorn because of the long drive back to Geneva, so I would likely try to make my own way from Zurich or Basel next time to ensure I had time to fully explore all Schilthorn has to offer. SwitzerLanding also has an in-depth guide for visiting if you're considering doing it without a guided tour (entirely possible to do!).
Other tours available: There are plenty of variations of this tour available departing from multiple locations, so you can pick whatever combination suits your interests best.
#3 favourite: hanging out with reindeer and the Sámi people
This is one of those things that causes people to give me that "you whaaaat?!" look when I mention it. But hear me out – armed with a bucket full of feed, walking through the snowy field only to be greeted with endless Rudolph’s wanting to be your bestie. Is that not THE Christmas dream?!
I knew absolutely nothing about reindeer before I booked, but I wasn’t going to go all the way to Arctic Norway and not see them.
In Norway, the Sámi people are the only folk with reindeer herding rights, as per the Reindeer Husbandry Act (2007), in an effort to prevent erasure of their indigenous culture and customs. You can read more about the culture and history of the Sámi here.
After being greeted by two Sámi, we were given a bucket of feed and encouraged to just dander through the field hand-feeding the reindeer. They asked us to continue through to the far end of the field because the shyer reindeer hang back, whilst the cheekier of the bunch always get the most grub.
Well, they weren’t kidding! Turns out, reindeer are cheeky little buggers who are happy to shove their mates’ nose out of the way if it means they get an extra handful.
I was a wee bit nervous at first, because they are still wild animals with big antlers, but I needn’t have worried – even the cheeky ones were so friendly, so my nerves instantly turned into love.
Nevertheless, one of my favourite stories to tell is how funny it is to be surrounded by Rudolph’s trying to shove their nose into your feed bucket, while you dance around in the middle trying to avoid getting stray antlers up your butt!
I had my ski gloves on, but even when hand-feeding them I had no fear of being bitten or nipped because they were all so gentle (even the cheekier ones).
I got a new bucket and dandered further afield this time, falling in love with the shyer ones (who were way too adorable) - I just wanted to cuddle them all.
It felt like such a privilege just hanging out with them and getting to stroke their noses, and hand-feeding them was something extra special. They are beautiful, curious animals and it was fun to see all their different personalities shine.
I’d go back to Tromsø in a heartbeat just to do this all over again. I’d also add that the backdrop of a snowy mountainous landscape with a stunning sunset glow made this particular experience even more special.
EXPERIENCE DETAILS
Booked with: Tromsø Arctic Reindeer (season runs November – April)
Price paid (2018)*(adult): 1090 NOK (£82 approx.)
Current Price (2025)** (adult): from 1690 NOK (£127 approx.) depending on chosen package
The experience: optional reindeer sled ride (depending on package booked); hanging out & feeding the reindeer; eating a traditional meal in a Sámi gamme (similar to the lavvu); hearing traditional Sámi stories and songs (joiking) around a log fire
Other tours available**: evening tours with the chance of seeing the northern lights or with additional reindeer sledding; snowshoeing with reindeer
Where else can you experience this: Lapland, Finland and Sweden
#2 favourite: experiencing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
This is another Tromsø pick, and it had remained my absolute favourite since 2018 – I honestly didn’t think anything would be able to beat it.
Most of you will know the experience I’m referring to when I say Northern Lights and most will know what they look like in photos. The UK Met Office explains the science behind the lights in layman’s terms.
I was super lucky to have seen them twice in one week in Tromsø – the first time was because we went on a tour to chase them. Our driver kept randomly pulling over and our guide, Jiri, kept poking his camera out the door then looking at the shot after.
He explained that if the intensity of the aurora is too weak, our eyes can’t detect the colours even if they are there. However, a camera doesn’t have this limitation, thus it can pick up the green colours in the sky even when we can’t see them ourselves.
They were willing to drive as far as necessary to ensure we see them – even willing to cross into Finland if that turned out to be our best bet! The lights grew stronger, and we ended up on a beach in Northern Norway (Sandviksletta, Sommarøy) with snowy hills in front of us..
They got a wee camp set up just up from the beach and got a campfire going. Jiri helped each of us with the best settings on our cameras and gave us headlamps, but encouraged minimal use of them so our eyes adjusted to the dark to better see the lights.
We could see the lights right above us, teasing and whispering with its colours but not quite giving us a full-blown show. The lights stayed visible the entire time but the intensity of the colours peaked and troughed for a while.
Eventually, they were bright and full of life for several hours. Standing on a beach, listening to the waves and just looking up to see the Aurora weave around the sky right above you… it really is something truly magical.
The next night we were on a night-time husky sledding tour, and this is genuinely one of the very few regrets I have in life – not taking my action cam out with me!
I’d read how batteries die super quick in minus temperatures and we were up a valley in Arctic Norway, so figured it wouldn’t be worth wrestling my body strap over a bulky thermal suit just for a few minutes of footage in the dark.
Then again, I hadn’t expected to get out there and get an absolute explosion of colour… it was incredible! Absolutely magical.
I mean, literally picture it…
Up in the valleys in -25°C, untouched snow so perfect that it glitters in the moonlight and snow-covered fir trees lining the way ahead, just like you see on the TV or in Christmas movies… then suddenly, the sky just explodes with the brightest of green lights, dancing so vivaciously right above your head that you can’t quite believe your eyes.
I will forever regret not taking the camera with me that night, but I can see the image so vividly in my mind that I don’t think I’ll ever forget it, nor the immense feelings of awe that just completely bewitched me.
EXPERIENCE DETAILS
Booked with: Arctic Explorers (season runs September - April)
Current Price** (adult): From 2000 NOK (£150)
My experience: guided tour (with transport) to see the NL; thermal suits, energy-fuelling snack and hot chocolate also provided. Our guide helped us set up our cameras and shared his photos via emailed link after the tour. Tripods were also available to rent (I had my own).
Other tours available: There is an absolute abundance of NL tours available in Norway alone, many of which offer multi-activity variations. Get Your Guide has plenty of multi-options to choose from for example.
Where else can you experience this: Finland, Iceland (including Reykjavik), Sweden, Greenland, Northern Ireland, northern Scotland, Faroe Islands, Canada, and some parts of northern USA including Alaska. You can also see the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) in Tasmania, NZ, Australia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Antarctica.
#1 favourite: witnessing a live volcanic eruption
Genuinely the most incredible thing I’ve ever experienced on my travels. It really was something extra special.
I can and most likely will hike to another volcano, but seeing a live eruption and hearing the roar as I watch it spew bright orange lava into the sky… it really did feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
However…
IMPORTANT INFO (November 2025):
As it currently stands, the whole area of Reykjanes Peninsula is extremely volatile due to the ongoing seismic and eruptive events that have been occurring from December 2023 onwards along the Sundhnúkagígar crater row.
Unfortunately, some of these eruptions have affected the town of Grindavík and its people. Although (thankfully!) the town is somewhat recovering, be prepared to evacuate last-minute if you visit the area. There have also been multiple evacuations of the Blue Lagoon, and their main car park was completely covered by lava flows during one of the 2025 eruptions.
During closures, only the relevant authorities, Search & Rescue (ICE-SAR) and those with press permits are allowed in the area. Safetravel reiterate the need for respecting closures as and when they are put in place.
SO WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE ERUPTIONS AND THOSE AT FAGRADALSFJALL?
The Geldingadalur (2021), Meradalir (2022) and Litli-Hrútur (July 2023) sites all formed from the Fagradalsfjall volcano system, and were at the time all visible to watch live from a safe distance. Although they are not too far away from the current eruption area, they did not place homes and essential infrastructure at risk.
These current eruptions in the Svartsengi/Sundhnúkagígar crater row area were originally NOT the ‘tourist’ type because of the level of danger and distruction.
The possibility of further lava flow isn’t the only reason why this whole area is incredibly dangerous at this time – toxic gases continue to be emitted, and there is still a high risk of potential earthquakes, and land deflation/sinkholes appearing at any time.
As of late November 2025, the Fagradalsfjall system has been quiet and Litli-Hrútur (July 2023) has remained it's most recent eruption. The Svartsengi/Sundhnúkagígar system is about ready to go again - the amount of magma accumulation that set off previous eruptions here has already been hit, and we're all now waiting for the next round from this unpredictable system.
OKAY, SO JUST HOW UNPREDICTABLE ARE WE TALKING?
Well, that's yet another thing with these eruptions - the situation is ongoing, fluid and unpredictable so things may change extremely quickly. That was true in a few of the eruptions where the locations, direction of lava flow and warning times changed without much warning.
The start of the November (2024) eruption literally surprised everyone - including the experts, authorities and media - with it having been anticipated to be most likely to occur in early December!
The February (2024) eruption only lasted around 24 hours and within mere hours of it ending, the next sequence of seismic activities had already begun. Inflation (indicating further magma accumulation) in the Svartsengi area had also continued despite that ongoing eruption.
In fact, the November (2024) eruption also stabilised over several weeks and then showed signs of further inflation despite that particular eruption being within its final hours.
WELL, WHY IS THERE NOW A VIEWING PLATFORM IF IT'S NOT A 'TOURIST' ERUPTION?
Excellent question! Authorities do understand the fascination - they are there to keep everyone safe and don't make decisions lightly. Please adhere to any instructions, orders, bans and closures.
And just to prove that they don't restrict unneccesarily - the relevant authorities deemed it safe enough to open a viewing platform, and access to Fagradalsfjall was also opened. Following Path B from the P1 car park (I walked Path A from here) apparently has the best view of the more recent eruptions.
The Blue Lagoon and Grindavík are also currently open, with evacuation sirens now in use in Svartsengi and Grindavík.
You can find further information as it's updated by the authorities. We are once again awaiting another likely eruption, which is expected to happen at any point from now on. Even experts cannot exactly predict when, where and if further fissures will open up and there may be little to no warning!
Remember that the situation is ongoing and unpredictable, so things may change extremely quickly. For that reason, I also won't be updating this section regularly. Instead, keep up to date with Safetravel, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO), and Visit Reykjanes.
Remember - nature is more powerful than any of us!
So with all that said, if you do get the chance to visit the Peninsula to witness an eruption for yourself, here's some further details on where to look for official information. There are two ways to see the eruptions and/or recent lava fields for yourself:
Fagradalsfjall Hiking Trail
As of mid-June 2024 authorities have opened the hiking trail for Mt. Fagradalsfjall were they advise you can get a good viewpoint of the Sundhnúkagígar crater row area from Path B (Aug 2025).
They do however warn NOT to use this as a route to get directly to the new crater row area - it is for accessing a viewpoint only, not to access the actual lava fields themselves.
Also, authorities may reclose this trail/route at short notice so do keep up to date before you go! It would also be a good idea to check road closures and weather alerts before setting off for the Fagradalsfjall hike.
And this shouldn't need to be said, but unfortunately, it does...
- DO NOT POKE/THROW STUFF INTO THE LAVA (unless you want to restart a fire/release toxic gases right next to you)
- DO NOT TOAST SMORES OVER THE LAVA (unless you want to eat some toxic sulfar dioxide mallows)
- DO NOT CLIMB ON THE BLACK/GREY LAVA (unless you enjoy being on fire and/or falling into unseen crevices with no-one to rescue you)
- DEFINITELY DO NOT CLIMB UP TO THE ERUPTING CRATER (unless you really want to light yourself on fire - what better way than falling into a pool of literal boiling lava)
Just in case you think I'm joking - every single one of these has happened during the recent eruptions. It never ceases to amaze me how insanely stupid people can be for a photo!
Helicopter/Plane Tours
Several companies are offering helicopter tours over the recent eruption sites so check out prices and what they offer to find the one that suits you best, as they are quite pricey!
Also, do your research to ensure the heli tour is operating ethically and legally as per current guidance regarding access to the sites..
I did one over the Geldingadalur (2021), Meradalir (2022) and Litli-Hrútur (July 2023) sites and it was incredible! Honestly, for me it was well worth the pennies and was a great way of seeing how it all flowed together (pardon the pun).
It was also pretty awesome seeing what I’d hiked the day before!
If, however, you can't make a last-minute dash to catch an eruption, there are several other ways to follow the ongoing situation safely from your home if you wish to do so.
Live Webcams
There are several live webcams available for 24/7 viewing – Live In Iceland (no longer available) had even managed to catch the very moment of eruption live several times!
There are now three main webcam streaming services available:
- RÚV - with a multi-cam view and live chat (at relevant times)
- mbl.is - with views from both Hagafell and Þorbjorn
- afarTV - with a multi-cam view and live chat
I’ve learnt plenty of new information from the live chats that has helped me understand what’s happening along the way, and it's become a mini online community so it's well worth a read while you're there.
Facebook Groups
I have also been closely following the Iceland Geology | Seismic & Volcanic Activity In Iceland group on Facebook specifically because they strictly enforce an ‘only geology-related topics’ rule, so information stays relevant and not spammy.
Misinformation, clickbait and exaggerated claims are also not tolerated so I have been able to gain credible updates from credible sources using this group.
Photographers and Drone Videographers
There are many examples I can give you off the top of my head, and the information they provide is fantastic, and more importantly - easy for the layman to understand!
Follow Ingibergur Thor, Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove, Hörður Kristleifsson, Jakob Vegerfors and Isak Finnbogason - ICELAND FPV on Instagram for regular updates, lives, incredible drone footage and news from the ground. All have press permits to be in the area.
Ingib captures some insane drone shots and stunning images. He doesn't anymore but had previously gone live on IG when en route for shoots, and even took us on a live tour round Grindavík when he was visiting his hometown. It was incredibly humbling how he continued to document these eruptions despite the huge loss he and his family have faced.
Recently he has taken more of a step back for his own wellbeing, but he's still one of the most talented drone artists I've ever come across and I remain a big fan of his work.
Jeroen also captures incredible drone footage, and has an IG channel where he shares regular summaries from the local media, press conferences and authorities. Thanks to his channel updates, the first message I saw after a night shift was literally "ERUPTION".. this alerted me to switch the live webcams on and meant I only missed the start by maybe an hour or so!
Hörður is another fantastic photographer with a ton of volcano images, as well as producing updated 360° images of the whole area. These 360° images are great for seeing how the eruptions all fit together, and shows the sheer extent of the lava flows so far.
Jakob has captured some of the most insane footage of many of the eruptions - including the first few moments of the fissure that would eventually become Litli-Hrútur (July 2023).
In fact, Mineral Shed (Tom) (YouTube) actually managed to capture the VERY beginning of the Litli-Hrútur (July 2023) eruption where the ground just calmly unzipped into a little fissure. and began bubbling out bright orange lava. I literally never get sick of rewatching this video, it still blows my mind!
Iceland Explorer (Roman) (YouTube) has shared many videos at the eruption sites, including his hike to the eruption site in August 2025. One thing I really like about his videos is that he narrates as he goes - this was especially helpful when I first started learning about it all, just after I'd come back from my hike.
Isak has some of THE most incredible drone footage out there of these eruptions. My favourite thing is his live drone streams where he gives regular updated drone footage and narration. You also get the live sounds - meaning you can hear the real sound of the lava bubbling, crackling, roaring...
And last but absolutely not least - the legend that is Shawn Willsey (YouTube) - a geologist who spends his spare time educating us volcano newbies with incredible patience and easy-to-understand explanations.
He answers a ridiculous amount of questions during his lives and has plenty of enlightening Iceland videos to make your way through. He also live streams for Icelandic eruptions with narration from a geologist's point of view.
So maybe some of these things have now snuck their way into your bucket list of unique travel experiences, or maybe they have just encouraged you to find your own crazy dream bucket items.
Either way, I hope they have inspired you to be adventurous enough to try new experiences and explore new cultures - sometimes, you just happen to find something very special indeed.