Jamie has been backpacking but loved one European destination (Image: Harald Nachtmann via Getty Images)
The world is stunning, enormous and offers endless exploration opportunities, yet only a lucky few actually get the chance to experience it all. One particular globe-trotter has already discovered half the planet, though one European destination continues to occupy a special place in her affections.
Business Insider’s Jamie Davis Smith has dedicated a substantial portion of her life to backpacking adventures, successfully reaching an impressive 90 nations whilst planning further expeditions. During her journeys, she has consistently followed a single principle — visiting each location just once — yet she has abandoned this commitment not once but twice. That specific location is Iceland, where she has taken three separate holidays and yearns to visit once more, reports the Mirror.
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Iceland is known for its natural wonders (Image: Getty Images)
Jamie revealed: “I’d always wanted to visit Iceland, but I never prioritised it until a close friend convinced me to take the plunge.”
She felt tremendous anticipation about experiencing everything the nation could provide, including its towering waterfalls, thermal springs, ice formations, and naturally the characteristic volcanic landscapes.
Following the five-hour journey, it proved to be instant attraction for Jamie the moment she arrived.
Her initial destination was Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, and she instantly embraced the historic quarter and its magnificent colourful street.
Jamie visited the beautiful Reykjavík (Image: Getty Images)
“It brought me such joy,” she confessed. Beyond the abundant museums and shops, alongside all the history and culture on offer, Jamie was immediately drawn to the city’s character.
This was evident in its quirky and unconventional phallic museum, and the punk rock-themed attraction housed in an underground abandoned toilet.
She was also captivated by the Lava Show, featuring genuine molten lava.
Jamie added: “I was astounded by how much there was to do in Reykjavík, especially since it’s a fairly small city with a population under 140,000.”
Much like discovering your perfect match, the more she learnt about Iceland, the stronger her connection became.
Whether it was relaxing in the warm waters of the Sky Lagoon, exploring the black beach, trekking up its numerous glaciers, or even walking across a bridge spanning North American and European tectonic plates — it genuinely offers everything.
Regarding the cuisine, she commented: “Throughout the trip, I enjoyed the local cuisine. It’s hard not to love a country obsessed with hot dogs and ice cream, but I also loved the gourmet meals I had in Reykjavík. A lot of the local pastries were astonishingly good, better than any I had in Paris.”
The locals she encountered were remarkably welcoming, which hardly surprises given the nation frequently receives accolades including “world’s most peaceful country”.
The world’s most peaceful country has won the heart of one certain traveller (Image: Getty Images)
Reflecting on one encounter with a resident, Jamie said: “Once, while standing on the rooftop of a restaurant, someone asked my friend and me whether we were tourists.
“I stiffened and wondered what was coming next. But when we nodded, they just led us to a higher part of the roof, where the views were even more stunning.
“Unexpectedly, I felt at home in Iceland. I loved the adventure, the food, and the people. I didn’t want to leave.”
Jamie would go on to visit her new Icelandic home an additional two times, obsessed with bucket list goals like witnessing the Northern Lights and something a little more drastic – “next time, I want to see a volcanic eruption.”
