ARIZONA: Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is an iconic location, made famous thanks to countless Instagram posts. We hadn't originally planned on stopping at Horseshoe Bend, but we are glad that we did. It was nearing the end of a very long day: we drove from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon (where we hiked), and then we were making our way on a long drive to Utah, in order to spend the night near Zion National Park. We had been up since sunrise and now the sun was setting, and we still had hours to go. But it's impossible to resist a beautiful landscape during the "golden hour" and so we trekked the 1.5 miles on sore legs to the cliff overlooking the Colorado River.

The view was quite stunning. There were, unfortunately, crowds of others jockeying for the prime photography position - not all of whom were polite about it (we framed our photos very carefully to crop out most of the other spectators!). We made the best of our short time there. Throughout this trip we absolutely fell in love with the South West, and we can't wait to return.

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ARIZONA: Grand Canyon National Park

One of the Natural Wonders of the World: the Grand Canyon is a nearly 300 mile long canyon, exposing two billion years of Earth's geological history in it's steep rocky sides. The view is absolutely breath taking and impossible to capture. Photographs seem to make everything look so much smaller. Like most travel destinations, these are places that you just have to experience - photos will never do it justice. It's truly awe inspiring to stand in front of this vast outlook. The red landscape feels absolutely surreal, stretching before you as far as your eye can see.

We had limited time during our trip to Arizona, but we knew we would have to do a little bit of hiking at the Grand Canyon. We decided to hike an 1.8 mile trail down the canyon to Ooh Aah point. Ooh Aah point is a scenic vista away from the crowds that gather on the rim of the canyon, and completely do-able within a short span of time. Along our hike, we were guided by friendly ground squirrels that seemed shamelessly aware of the fact that most hikers carry snacks.

  

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?

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ICELAND: Tips for Visiting the Blue Lagoon

Visiting the Blue Lagoon was the only thing on our itinerary for our last day in Iceland. It's a highly hyped destination, and it seems that anyone who has spent any time in Iceland has visited this spot. We were no exception. This was by far the most luxurious experience of our trip.

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa, about 12 miles away from the airport. The water is hot (around 98-102 F), and rich in minerals. The primary minerals present are silica (responsible for the milky blue coloring - just like with the blue waterfall!) and sulfur, which supposedly hold healing properties for skin conditions. The lagoon is not natural, and in fact the warm waters come from the nearby geothermal power plant.

Here are some tips for visiting the Blue Lagoon:

• BOOK EARLY! When planning your Iceland trip, purchase your entrance to the blue lagoon in advance. If you wait, you may miss out. The spa does not accept walk-ins. Prices vary based on availability and notice. Booking in advance offers you the lowest price. 
• When booking, choose an early time slot. We chose one of the earliest available time slots to arrive at the spa - around 8am. It was pretty busy, but it was crazy by the time we were leaving (around 11am)! Trust me, if you want a truly tranquil experience - make an effort to get there in the early hours! 
• If you're visiting over summer - you can choose a late time slot (after 9pm) and enjoy the midnight sun. 
• There are several levels of "experiences" you can choose from when booking. We chose the most basic - entrance to the lagoon, plus a mud mask and towel. If you want to make a day of it, look into the pricier options. We found that the basic experience was perfect for our budgets and travel style. 
• You will be provided with an electronic wristband when you enter. This will allow you access to a private locker for your belongings, and be used to create a tab if you purchase drinks or masks. 
• There are mask and drink bars within the spa that you can swim up to. 
• Note: You are not permitted to enter the lagoon without showering, in order to keep the spa hygienic. There is shampoo and soap provided in the locker room showers. 
• I would advise keeping your hair up and out of the water, as the silica and sulfur can make your hair stiff and quite uncomfortable! Of course, you can always wash it out afterwards. 
• There is accessibility for disabled travelers at the spa. 
• The spa is not suited for children under 2 years old, but is free for children 2 - 13 years of age. 

In our opinion, is the Blue Lagoon worth a stop?

Yes, but with a small caveat. There are other spas and pools that can be visited in Iceland for cheaper. For us, it was a fun, popular destination that we could experience for ourselves. The spa is a bit pricey, but it was worth it for us for the convenient location and much needed relaxation. It was a great way to wind down before our flight, and to rest after a nonstop week of hiking and driving. 

This is part of a series of posts about our trip to Iceland.

Thinking of booking a trip? Try airbnb for local digs at a lower cost.
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