Meet Hafdis Jónsdóttir

Hafids embodies the bold, empowered Icelandic woman. She has been inspired by Iceland having the world’s first female president, Vigdis Finnbogadóttir, a fact that has pushed her to reach her potential and has encouraged other women to do the same. She is impressively assertive in her decisions and undeniably ambitious, yet she still manages to hold on to her effortlessly warm, welcoming nature.

Fitness is at the core of both her personal and professional life. Hafdis tells us how a workout is something incredibly important to her. It makes her feel confident, stronger and uplifted. Pair this with the diverse Icelandic landscape she calls home and you have a recipe for sheer invigoration.

The challenges running through the Icelandic terrain provide a valuable parallel to the hurdles that Hafdis has overcome and the boundaries she has pushed in her own life. As an adoring wife and mother of two, she cites her beautiful family as the reason for all of her hard work; they are the force that drives her to reach new heights.

Hafdis Jónsdóttir owns World Class Gyms & Laugar Spa in Reykavik, Iceland.

Taking you higher and higher

The first stop in your Nordic adventure is Hotel Ranga, just an hour from Reykjavik and overlooking the stunning East-Range Salmon River. There’s no better spot to explore the south of the island then here, surrounded by acres of glistening grassland with Mt. Helka hovering majestically on the horizon. After a restful night’s sleep you’ll spring into action traversing sheer blue-iced glaciers (roped up of course), ice pick in hand with your own experienced guide. Crossing the sculptured crevasses and jagged ridges makes for the most invigorating of mornings. From here it’s straight into a super-jeep to take on the rugged Icelandic landscape and make your way to the base of the eponymous Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcano, responsible for bringing Europe’s air travel to a halt in 2010.

Take the plunge

Today you move from land based to aquatic thrills. The Silfra Rift in Thingvellir National Park is an area of outstanding beauty and home to the clearest water in the world. After a thorough briefing, you’ll find yourself diving the rift, between two tectonic plates and literally between continents. This will be a truly unforgettable experience spending time exploring the crags and crevasses of this totally untouched part of our planet. And if you’re really feeling inspired we can even arrange for you to dive at midnight where immersion in the darkness is sure to awaken every sense.

Wilderness and waterfalls

Next up is a sight every traveller to Iceland must see to believe. Today we will whisk you off to the geological spectacle of Skógafoss and Sejalandfoss waterfalls. You’ll be walking directly behind Sejalandfoss and continue your adventure hiking up the glacial phenomenon of Sólheimajökull. Your climbing guides are the best in the industry and will teach you everything you need to know to navigate your way to the top. You will truly conquer Iceland.

The Golden Circle

Finally it’s time to hit the open road; and what an open road it is. Seemingly endless vistas, horizons that go on forever and geological sites aplenty really do show why Iceland has earnt its reputation as the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’. First stop in the Golden Circle is in the geothermal Haukadalur valley to visit Geysir and Strokkur geysers – water spouts that send boiling water out of the ground to a height of up to 150 feet. A visit to the dramatic Gullfoss waterfall marks the last but certainly not least breath-taking landmark. We’ll leave you the next morning at leisure to explore the vintage shops, fashion boutiques and record stores that line Laugavegur Street in Reykjavik. Finally it’s out to sea once more for a spot of whale watching and reflection on an incredible few days just south of the Arctic Circle. This is Black Tomato and Cadillac’s finest Iceland experience.