Iceland: A Mother-Daughter Trip to Remember
In December of 2024, Jen Vogler, High Falls Advisors EVP and CCO, spent a week in Iceland with her daughter Olivia, who is 24 and a first-year medical student at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. We sat down with Jen to ask about her experience, the beauty of Iceland and how she came to spend the next six weeks in a walking boot with a broken foot.
What made you decide to go to Iceland?
Olivia selected the location because she wanted to see the Northern Lights. Over the years, she has traveled quite extensively with my parents. It has been a wonderful experience for the three of them, and I'm so happy they've been able to spend so much time together. Unfortunately, it has also given her a taste for exotic travel!
This was the first international trip Olivia and I have taken together and it was really nice to continue the tradition my parents started.
Can you share some details from the trip?
There are so many! We went for one week in December and wanted to make the most of every moment. At first, I tried to plan the trip myself, but it was overwhelming, so I contacted the travel agent my parents work with, who then coordinated with a local agency in Iceland.
The people there were so wonderful and welcoming. We really appreciated all the time they took to share the beauty and culture of Iceland with us.
We started the trip at the Blue Lagoon, which is in Grindavik just outside of Reykjavik. We spent two days there and toured the Reykjanes Peninsula and Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel. We then explored the southern coast of Iceland, where we saw the most beautiful waterfalls and visited Hvammsvik Hot Springs, which had views of the mountains and black sand beaches.
Next, we stayed near Vik, where we saw the best Northern Lights. One night, we and others at the hotel gathered on the roof at 1 a.m. in coats and pajamas to watch the lights. They were breathtaking.
A few other highlights include:
Silfra snorkeling tour, to view a fissure created by the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates that cut through Iceland. We snorkeled in 35-degree water, and I never would have done it without Olivia. It took 60 minutes to dress in long underwear, the dry suit and other equipment. But it was worth it. The glacial water was crystal clear, and we were able
to touch both plates at the same time.
Fridheimar tomato farm, a beautiful family-run farm where they grow tomatoes in greenhouses year round and have around 1,200 bees, called hops, working to sow the flowers on the plants. We sampled a delicious tomato-based soup, salad and cocktails.
Reykjavik food tour, where we tried Hákarl, or fermented shark, a national dish, with Brennivín, a national drink nicknamed 'The Black Death.' The custom is to take a bite of the shark and then chase it down with the shot, so that's what we did!
We had a lot of fun learning about and experiencing Icelandic customs and folklore, including the Yule Lads, 13 merry but mischievous brothers who arrive one by one over the 13 nights leading up to Christmas or Yule. Oh, and the bread! It was wonderful and we ate so much of it.
What is Iceland like in December?
The middle of December only averages around five hours of sunlight due to the winter solstice. So we had to consider that when planning sightseeing activities. The weather was cold and snowy, of course, but also sunny and not nearly as windy as usual. We really lucked out.
Did the trip go as planned, or were there any surprises?
There was definitely one unplanned event. On the afternoon of our second day there, Olivia decided we would regret it if we didn't do an ice bath in Iceland. By then, it was already dark out and I slipped getting into the ice bath. It hurt like heck, but it must have been entertaining to watch as my daughter laughed and continued to film the entire event!
We watched the bruise worsen every day. Luckily, my ugly moon boots provided support, and I was able to continue all the activities we had planned, including a four-hour glacier hike the next day. The boots and some over-the-counter painkillers saved the trip.
The day after we returned to Rochester, I went to urgent care. The doctor took one look at my foot and confirmed it was broken before even receiving the x-ray results. I was diagnosed with two metatarsal breaks and had to wear a boot for six weeks. During that time, Randi broke her foot while snowmobiling — in solidarity.
What were your favorite moments?
For Olivia, it was a four-hour glacier hike in Sólheimajökull, even though she jokes I should have walked more quickly. My favorite was a horseback ride in Skogar. The town was quiet, and snow
was falling; it felt just like being in the middle of my Christmas village set, with dogs sitting outside the inn and a church in the background. I felt so lucky to experience such an amazing place with my daughter.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I guess that it can be really difficult to invest in something like this. To take time off work and to also spend so much on a trip, I struggled with it. But a client offered some advice that I really took to heart. He and his wife have traveled quite a bit with their daughter, who is also an only child. He shared how much the time has meant to them and even sent some photos from their travels.
He said, "You have probably already thought about this, but with years of med school and then residency, your daughter will have less and less time available for vacations. So if you can go now, do so. You won't ever regret it and will be so glad you did."
That was so powerful and inspired me to book this trip. In fact, Olivia and I have decided that we'll try to take a trip every other year as her med school schedule permits. We're hoping to experience the Christmas markets in Germany next!