Luxury Travel in Iceland in a Word? Authenticity

Luxury Travel in Iceland hits a little bit differently

LUXURY TRAVEL IN ICELAND

I posted before about what luxury travel means, at least, according to us. However, luxury travel in Iceland has always been a little bit different, and no more so than today because it has become so much more about authenticity and the moments that matter.

Opulence is out. Authenticity is in.

THE RISE OF AUTHENTICITY

We hear a lot about authentic travel. But what is it, really? For us, it is about creating true and genuine experiences that are an honest reflection of the culture and hospitality of Iceland. Simple, really.

You cannot really come to Iceland and not see some of the most popular sights, and you will likely not be alone. You are going to share that experience with others. However, the manner in which you see them, and who takes you there, can make all the difference in the world.

At ILE, we trust and rely a lot on our guides, whom we are very proud of. Every single one of our guides are born and bred in Iceland and with a whole host of different backgrounds. Teachers, scholars, authors, singers, actors, mountaineers, historians and even the former president of Iceland.

Why does this matter? Because only they can share the stories of what it was like to grow up on this volcanic island. Whether they grew up in the capital city of Reykjavík, a farm in the countryside, a tiny fishing village or from one of Iceland's island communities, they all share one thing - passion. That passion for their job and their country oozes out of them and it is infectious.

By showing you not just Iceland, but their Iceland, it does not get much more authentic and honest than that, and the little micro-experiences that they create along the journey really matter.

THE MICRO-EXPERIENCE

What is a micro-experience? For us, a micro-experience is the smallest and briefest moment of the day that make the entire day complete. Micro-experiences come in many forms. You don't expect them, they often aren't really planned. However, what they do is that they linger with you long after you have gone home.

It doesn't matter what the micro-experience looks like, be it the guide taking you for an ice cream or stopping for a while to let you lie down gently on the soft moss that grows over the lava. It could be showing you a little cave they know that people drive past every day or just sharing a personal story with you about their childhood in the countryside, these are all the little micro-experiences that you just cannot find in any guidebook.

This is why we always recommend booking a privately guided trip, because there really is no substitute for the special companionship, storytelling and authenticity that comes with investing your valuable time in someone who knows precisely what it is worth and exactly what to do with it.

LUXURY TRAVEL IN ICELAND

It is safe to say that Iceland is more of a developing luxury destination. We would love to have more 5-star resorts around the island. This will happen in time, but in place of ultra-luxurious hotels we have many very pleasant, honest and authentic luxury properties that let the stunning, natural surroundings and the cuisine do most of the talking whilst keeping you very warm, comfortable and very glad that you came.

Not only do ILE create authentic experiences in Iceland, but we also aim to create as many emotional connections for your clients as we can so that they leave a slightly different person than who they were when they arrived.

Our version of luxury travel in Iceland is all about dissapointment, in that this is how we want your clients to feel when they are heading home, but they are just as much excited about returning. Getting that balance right is what we have been doing very well for the last ten year.

As for our guides, they are just excited for your trip as you are.