A fairytale of Iceland

Co-curated by Black Tomato x Ashley Longshore
iceland

A Fairytale of Iceland

“Iceland will serve everything you could ever imagine” – Ashley Longshore

We’ve been friends with Ashley Longshore – dubbed “fashion’s latest art darling” by The New York Times – for many years. So, when the renowned, New York-based pop artist came to us in search of something passionate, peculiar, and freeing, our thoughts immediately turned to Iceland. Ashley agreed.

On the eve of returning home, Ashley was rhapsodic: “I don’t want to leave you; I love you!” So, given this elated review, it was only natural that we’d turn Ashley’s trip into a journey that you can enjoy too. It’s a lot of Iceland – and a lot of Ashley. The perfect combination, if you ask us.

For more of Ashley’s Iceland, have a listen to her episode of The Pursuit of Feeling.

Ashley Longshore sticker

When

October to April

Price

From $14,457pp excl. flights
Price includes all accommodation, experiences, guiding and transfers. Based on traveling off-peak and may increase if traveling over peak season. Price excludes international flights but these can be arranged on request. See here for more information.
(based on 2 ppl sharing)

How long

7 nights
Ideal length

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is Iceland’s largest and – by any measure – its only city. What you’ll find here is a compact metropolis fit to bursting with art, history, culture, and gastronomy; all things very Ashley.

reykjavik edition hotel exterior in iceland
Day 1
Around about Reykjavik

Following in Ashley’s footsteps, your introduction to the city’s bohemian edge will come courtesy of one of two private guides. The first (Sveinnbjörn by name) is a celebrated gourmand; he’ll give you an appetizing introduction to the Viking roots and modern moves of the city’s culinary scene; the second will give you the downlow on Reykjavik’s arts, culture, and design. A tough call to make.

By night, you’ll be kicking back at Reykjavik EDITION – the embodiment of Scandinavian cool (with its warm lighting, wobbly sculptures, and a lot of wood; it also smells great).

Iceland Luxury Travel
Glymur waterfall
Grótta lighthouse
Iceland trolls
Day 2
The hidden people

Folklore is serious business in Iceland; less a charming cultural footnote than a very living part of Icelandic culture. Ashley was “delighted” to hear stories of how folklore is so deeply implanted across the country.

So, like Ashley, we’ll take you on a trail that’ll lead you deeper into this world-behind-the-world; dropping by at Grótta lighthouse and Hafnafjörður – a charming town with its fair share of cafes, museums, galleries, and ateliers (it’s also said to be inhabited by the “hidden people” – or elves, as they’re otherwise known). Later, you’ll hike Glymur – the second tallest waterfall in Iceland, before continuing your folkloric foray with a visit to the trails of Fossatún.

Snæfelness
Day 3
Go west

On this day, you’ll get the pulse of Iceland’s artisanal food and agriculture scene with a visit to some of the oldest farms in the country (and by “old”, we mean they date back to the original settlement of Iceland). This is also a good opportunity to pet some animals; such things are important. You’ll also be ducking and diving between Hvalfjorður (a mighty fjord) and Snæfelness (an especially photogenic peninsula), where there’ll be plenty of moments we can tailor for you.

Being your second night at Húsafell, you’ll be able to enjoy a very leisurely dinner at their restaurant (which happens to be one of the handsomest eateries this side of anywhere).

Reykjavik on the water
reykjavik edition roof terrace in iceland
The Reykjavik EDITION hotel bar in Iceland

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is – after Björk and Vikings – one of the first things people learn about Iceland; and for good reason. This is a monolithic landscape teeming with geothermal geysers, neck-craning waterfalls, and titanic national parks.

Gullfoss waterfall in Iceland
Tomato farm Iceland
Fridheimar tomato farm
Torfhús Retreat, Luxury Travel Iceland
Day 4
Going out in the Golden Circle

By the time you reach Gullfoss waterfall, you’ll be rubbing your eyes in disbelief. With so many extraterrestrial sights, you might be thinking, “what life can take root here?” To answer that question, we’ll swing you by Friðheimar – an eco-friendly tomato farm – and a bakery powered by geothermal energy. Bread and vegetables don’t just survive here; they thrive here. Ashley called their produce “crazy good”; we think you’ll agree.

By night, you’re in for yet more luck; a night at Torfhús Retreat, where we’ve arranged for you to stay at one of their very beautiful cottages.

Iceland Luxury Travel
Þjórsárdalur
Day 5
Heaven on earth

Today, we’ll take you to Þjórsárdalur – a place so divine that people call it “heaven on earth”. Hyperbole? No. Ashley insists that, if you do nothing else here, “lay down on the moss, letting it envelop your body”. We’ll second that. This green-black valley – peppered with pumice and shaped by all kinds of volcanic gyrations – is one of the most eye-popping sights in the Southern Highlands. And your guide will give you all the geology you need to make sense of its waterfalls, hot springs, forests, and volcanoes. We can also arrange either a luxuriant BBQ at Stöng – a once-ruined, now excavated farm – or an ATV tour. It’s up to you.

By nightfall, you’ll be back at Torfhús. Bliss.

Gullfoss waterfall
Luxury hotels in Iceland
Luxury hotels in Iceland
Unique experiences in Iceland
Luxury hotels in Iceland
Luxury hotels in Iceland
Luxury hotels in Iceland

Reykjanes Peninsula

The Reykjanes Peninsula is a place, care of its black-stone Viking settlements, erratic weather, and volcanic vistas, that embodies the wild spirit of Iceland. Not to mention the centuries-old story of Guðrun and the haunting presence of Tanga Tómas (you’ll learn about both – in due course).

Gunnuhver
suite retreat blue lagoon iceland
Day 6
The haunted coastline

On this day, we’ll be taking you to the Reykjanes Peninsula. Necessarily, you’ll whip around this magnificent landscape on an ATV; taking pitstops at Kleifarvatn Lake and the Gunnuhver Geothermal Area – a quite technical name for a very spirited location. We won’t give too much away here.

Then, you’ll be moving to the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon – your rapturous home, for the next two nights.

Iceland-Retreat-Blue-Lagoon
Blue lagoon water
Day 7
Resting up and winding down

“At the end of all this adventure, you get to post up at one of the best spas in the world” – Ashley Longshore

You’ve been making moves, trekking high and putting miles and miles behind you. Along the way, you’ve seen more jaw-dropping sights than you can shake a paintbrush at. Happily, you’ll spend this day at rest; enjoying the milky mineral waters of the world-renowned Blue Lagoon as well as a morning yoga class, good honest food, and a walking tour of the area (if you still want to get your steps in).

By night, you’ll continue your stay at the Retreat. It’s just what the body needs.

Luxury Iceland trip
Iceland
Day 8
The end

By the end of her trip, Ashley was ecstatic, and we’ve tried to bottle all that kinetic magic with this new trip. Like her, you’ll get the revved up, pop-magic version of Iceland; with seven eye-popping nights that’ll leave a lasting impression on the canvas of your life. For Ashley, coming here was “like meeting a soul twin”. And you can’t ask for a much better journey than that.

Meet the Inspiration

Pop Artist
Ashley Longshore

Ashley Longshore is a New York based, renowned pop artist known for her vibrant and bold creations that blend elements of pop culture with social commentary. Regularly called a young, feminist Andy Warhol and dubbed by The New York Times as “Fashion’s Latest Art Darling,” Longshore has paved a colorful path for pop art and fashion to coexist. Through her art, she challenges conventions and champions individuality, making her a unique and influential figure in the contemporary art scene.

So, ready to start?

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