Sarcastic Girl Travels

Most 'Best New Year's Eve Destinations' lists fail to mention one little place called Reykjavik, Iceland. And not because it's not great, but because many won't give it the opportunity it needs to show its greatness during any of the winter months because it's "too cold," or "too far," or plain and simply because it's not marketed enough.

So here's our props to you Iceland!

Why you should go:

It's estimated that each Icelandic family spends $1,000 USD on fireworks for New Year's Eve. This is because they are sold by the search and rescue team, a volunteer squad looking to keep their essential supplies filled and at-the-ready, so Icelanders justify the spend as 'for their personal safety.' And there seem to be no rules as to where or when you can light these bad boys off.

The Northern Lights. Sure you can find these in other Northern locations but they just feel so much more true to form in a place like Iceland. Take a tour to view them, if you don't see them the operator will honour your ticket night after night until you do (we went twice on our trip).

You can have a Krap in the Blue Lagoon. Okay, okay...a Krap is a slushee, relax.

It's easy to get wasted. Just drink Brennivin aka the 'Black Death.' You've been warned.

Once you're drunk they have the cure at breakfast the next morning at Prikid. It's called the Bruce Willis Shake which contains some much needed Jack Daniels and a Treo painkiller tablet.

The Golden Circle. Check out Þingvellir, clearly showcasing the continental drift of the North American and Eurasian plates (you can also dive Silfra, the fissure, touching both at once), the Gullfoss waterfall ("golden falls") and active geyser Strokkur.

There are random hot springs. Everywhere. Jump in, it's always warmer than in your parka.

You can eat some of the best lamb, ever. Venture on down to 3Frakkar (three french coats) a couple blocks out of the city centre. You can also try some puffin or whale, but we love these guys and can't advocate for that. Everything is made fresh and local because as the Chef says, "food shouldn't travel, people should travel."

It's a place of beauty, views, fur hats, big knit sweaters and excitement. So break out the coats, brave a bit of wind and experience one of the most unique and exciting countries in the North!

Michelle "I love Icelandic Skyr" Tim