Iceland Ahead: How We Prepare for Big Adventures

Getting Ready: Our Iceland Adventure Begins

Some of you might remember our Nordkap trip in late 2024. Others joined us on our spring and summer tour through the Balkans in 2025. And now it is time. We have kicked off our third big trip. This time, our wheels are pointed towards Iceland, the land of fire, ice, and hopefully not too many midges.

We will be spending eight weeks on the island, starting next Tuesday with the ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark to Seyðisfjörður on Iceland’s east coast. Right now, we are making a pit stop in Hamburg, catching up with family and friends before heading further north.

Gearing Up Like Pros

Preparing for Iceland is not just about packing socks and snacks. The weather can be wild, and we wanted to be ready. That is why we invested in proper rain gear. We visited a sailing shop to get ourselves waterproof jackets, the kind sailors trust. We already had high-quality hiking boots, and during our Nordkap tour, we picked up Finnish waterproof trousers. We also added mosquito nets for the head, just in case the midges get annoying.

When it comes to clothes, we feel ready for whatever weather Iceland throws at us. Layers, insulation, and enough dry spares to ride out a week of stormy weather if needed.

Research Mode: On

When we decide to explore a region, we go all in. Annika has been reading travel guides like novels. We binge-watch YouTube travel documentaries, dive into the ARD and ZDF Mediathek, and start adding pins to our shared Google Maps bucket list. Every waterfall, every hidden hot spring, every epic viewpoint gets marked and saved.

If you know me, you won’t be surprised that I like to take things a bit more technical.

Thanks to the OpenStreetMap project, a collaborative world map built by volunteers, I can write custom queries using a tool called Overpass Turbo. This lets me extract exactly the data we need for our journey.

All campgrounds in Iceland. In Iceland, boondocking is not allowed. The term refers to staying overnight outside of official campgrounds, such as on public land or in parking areas. To protect nature and follow local rules, all overnight stays must be at designated campsites.

All tourist attractions and waterfalls (believe it or not, there are 712 waterfalls tagged in Iceland)

All large parking areas that are not connected to shopping centers. These are perfect for our truck-sized home on wheels

Even laundromats. Our Balkan followers know how much we love a good laundry day every couple of weeks

I even queried all the F-roads, those rugged highland tracks that cut through Iceland’s remote interior. Spoiler: we will test our rig, but not push it over the edge.

Building the Excitement

This kind of preparation is not just about logistics. It helps us connect with the places we are about to visit. Reading about local customs gave us an idea of what to expect, for example in Icelandic swimming pools. Before entering, you are expected to wash thoroughly and naked. It might feel unusual to visitors, but it is perfectly normal there. And honestly, it makes total sense.

We want to blend in, not stand out. Respecting local rules and behavior is part of the adventure. And it is a way to show gratitude to the people and places we encounter.

The Power of Preparation

We know not everyone has the chance to travel like we do, for weeks or even months. But the value of preparation is not limited to long trips. Whether it is a short vacation, a weekend hike, or just something new in your everyday life, doing a bit of research and getting ready ahead of time can change everything. It helps you build excitement, understand what to expect, and get more out of the experience.

The moment you start looking forward to something, it already begins.

Next Stop: The Ferry

The next few days will take us north through Germany and Denmark. Then we will roll onto the ferry and begin our Iceland chapter.

Our minds are already there. Our gear is packed. Our maps are full. And we are ready for whatever comes our way.

Stay tuned. And if you have Iceland tips, let us know. We are always curious.

And yes, the next blog posts will include more real pictures and fewer map screenshots. Promised.