I’m of Icelandic descent and there’s a Christmas tradition you might want to take on. Jolabokaflod, or “Christmas Book Flood” in English, is the Icelandic tradition of giving and unwrapping new books on Christmas Eve, cozying up with family, and reading into the night.. It has an interesting history which I won’t go into here, but you might like to check it out. I’ve never managed to go to Iceland, so thanks for taking me along on your trip.

Iceland is my dream country to visit. It is so heavenly I almost cry every time I see it.

Halldór Laxness got the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955, the only Icelander to win one yet. So he is a big deal here in Iceland, even though he was quite controversial in his days. It was a joy to watch your video, we tend to forget how magical this country seems to people that visit. How did you find all those caves??? I didn't know the were so many of them by the SA coast. Only in the last decade they have got any attention and propper research have not been done yet. You were very lucky to get so many clear days in a row, even thought it was cold and windy. Even though the Icelandic horizontal rain is an experience ;)

Hey Emma been waiting for this Icelandic vlog!! 🇮🇸 Saw all those lovely pics on IG. I wanted to let you know, if you weren’t aware, they seem to be doing an adaptation of “One Hundred Years of Solitude” on Netflix!! Not sure if it’s a show or film, but Netflix uploaded a special announcement kinda teaser thing.👳🏻Quirrell from HP style: “Thought you’d ought to know” *faints* 🤣🥰

Crying because Iceland is so beautiful. The best place I've ever visited. There is just a feeling, a quality of light, that is unlike anywhere else. Thank you for sharing the unbridled joy of this trip 🥺

The amount of good books I discover thanks to you is unparalleled

Perhaps your best work. It's a fantastic hour of content with so many great shots. I'm sure all your hard work on this video will inspire some viewers to visit Iceland and make their own memories.

I highly recommend The Encyclopedia of the Dead by Danilo Kiš (pronounced Kish)! That's one of his most famous works and it also made him one of the most important Yugoslav authors of the 20th century ☺

The first ten minutes is the perfect wind-down before bed

Wow this was so incredible to watch! I even teared up at some of the scenery, so I can only imagine how insane it’d be to see these views up close - I’ve never wanted to go to Iceland more, so thank you Emma for bringing us on this journey! The happiest emanating out of you was so apparent here, and I hope you and your partner had an amazing time there 😊

Icelandic book recommendation: Saga Land by Kári Gíslason and Richard Fidler. Kári Gíslason is Icelandic, he's a writer and professor in literary studies and creative writing. Richard Fidler is Australian, a writer, documentary maker and radio presenter/interviewer. Together they travel around Iceland, going to the locations where the various famous Icelandic Sagas took place. You get some really interesting Icelandic history (that's where I also first read about Iceland being settled by Irish monks then Norweigan vikings), local legend, narrations of the Icelandic sagas in detail, interactions with the locals, beautiful descriptions of the landscape, and their personal experiences (including Kari's tracing his ancestry to a famous Icelandic poet). In some parts it's just hilarious, such as the bit about a small Icelandic island having a chess obsession, and the losers having to throw themselves off a cliff (in the same paragraph they happen to mention the island's small population and I thought, well if fewer people hurled themselves off cliffs maybe the population would be higher). Iceland is the place I most want to go to in the world, so I understand your tears. I live in Australia and have been to many countries, but Iceland is still number 1 that I haven't got to yet. I'm now disabled/chronically ill, so I don't know if it will ever happen. I need to make it happen somehow.

Ohhhh Skogafoss, they filmed Lost In Space there! I recognized it right away! Turf houses look so cozy. I will never understand what people get out of sunburning on sand when you could have an awesome adventure-cation like this. So happy for you that you got to visit such an amazing country (and meet so many gorgeous sheep and random cat)!

This vlog along with its background music was heavenly. It's just so peaceful that it made me cry. Emma, I am so happy seeing you happy and enjoying your time. Always stay blessed and happy. Lots of love 💜💜💜💜💜

Thank you Emma, and thanks to your partner too, for his part in the filming. I've seen so little of Iceland in my life (only volcanos erupting). A beautiful part of the world. All of the filming and and editing, and the music, are just great. I really enjoyed this! And I'm happy you had a good time on your vacation.

I know “jealous” has its share of negative connotations, but… Emmie I am jealous!! What an absolutely incredible experience. Thank you for sharing your journey and all the beautiful scenery with us :] it’s frustrating knowing I’ll probably never have the opportunity to travel like this, but at least I can live vicariously through you for now lol.

Coz Iceland is my top 1 dream destination, I have been watching this vlog for 5 times now :D

Beautifully filmed. You took us there. A landscape like nothing I've seen either, and I'm from Scotland. Stay safe, amigo.

I was in Iceland the past few months doing volunteer work and it was really one of the best times of my life. (I'm from Germany) I hope you enjoyed your time there! A lot! 🥰

All I can say is that I am totally jealous of you and your amazing and fantastic holiday as I would love to go there looking like your having a beautiful time please stay safe and enjoy your reading 📖 prayers and thoughts for you and your family love your family friend John ❤❤❤

An absolutely gorgeous country that I endeavour to visit. The landscape is simply breathtaking! Omg! Glimpsing the Icelandic landscape in this vlog reminded me of a beloved book I’ve now read twice, called Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. She’s an Australian author who spent lots of time researching in Iceland, where she retells the story of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, a woman who is awaiting trial for a heart aching betrayal during the 19th century, which has lead her to wait, isolated with a regional farming family in the north. At first being cold and hateful, the family softens as the true realisation is slowly told by Agnes about what really happened. My reason for mentioning this is of course, is because the way Kent describes the landscape is so atmospheric and transports you to beautiful and crisp scenes of Iceland. Some so similar to what you have shown in this video! I know you’ve said historical fiction isn’t your go-to genre anymore, I’ve just wanted to mention it because I adore Burial Rites and never see anyone talk about it ❄️

Finally finished this. Took me around three weeks. Please Emma, don't do videos this long. Make it 2 parts. Iceland seems so calm and isolated. Lovely.

Nearly one hour!! OMFG. THANK YOU : )

This video was so lovely and comforting, it really made my day!! I definitely want to put Iceland on my list of places to travel now

"They're taking the hobbits to Isengard" 😂❤❤

Wow this was amazing! Thanks for sharing!

I went in the waterfall and it was absolutely magical!!

An all vegan grocery store sounds like a dream! 😍😍😍

You know when you're doing something and the world fades away? that was me while watching this video, Iceland looks beautiful. Thank you for documenting this!

Me anytime someone visits anywhere with mountains or snow: "HOW DOES IT FEEL TO LIVE MY DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!"

I've only been to Iceland in February when it was deep snow everywhere, it looks so different without it!

Oh my gosh...Iceland is so beautiful with its rocky landscapes. I am in awe. Thank you for vlogging it Emma!

Beautiful! and that CAKE!

Laxness is awesome! Glad to see you got his book

laugh, love, live vicariously through Emma

This is otherworldly. I have no more words.✨

Thanks Emma! I'm physically unable to travel now but you allow me to see the world. So relaxing! 🙂🎃

Looks amazing, thanks for taking us along

one hour vlog is what i needed

Nature and your travel experience are pretty cool

This whole video was just breathtaking 😍 as someone who's chronically ill/disabled I honestly don't know if I'll ever be able to visit Iceland, I would love to though. Also I highly recommended an Icelandic show on Netflix called Katla!! It's very mysterious and has beautiful shots of the country

Such a mineral rich land. Lots of beautiful rocks.

I couldn’t love more your content, thanks Emmie❤

I love the music you put under all the video clips. It makes this video so atmospheric 😍

What a wonderful adventure! I'm so happy you got to experience it, and so grateful you took time to share so I could see it too!

Such a beautiful vlog, thank you so much for sharing x

thanks for bringing me along🥺 love you emmie

I LOVE your vlogs!! not just your book marathons and book vlogs but vlogs like these are soooo comforting !! You should totally make them more❤❤ I love the style and nature filming especially

Thank you for sharing this beautiful images from Iceland, i was so happy to see you happy enjoying everything!

My cousin and her husband are in Iceland right now! It's on my bucket list!

Emmie uploaded this video and this was soo awaited video for me ... I immediately opened and and couldn't stop watching. She definitely captures the best feels! So excited>>> All the love Emmie as always ❤️

Beautiful video! Thank you!

Thank you for sharing such an incredible place with us. I feel like I’ll never get to go somewhere like that but I’m so glad to see it through your eyes a bit ❤

Oo Emmie this is beautiful! I'm so happy to see you happy xx thanks for sharing! Visiting Iceland has always been a dream of mine

Surreal ❄️

What a stunning country! I would love to visit. Oh to have an entire vegan supermarket. I would’ve cried too.

Ok. That's it. I always wanted to go to Iceland and watching your vlog I'm literally sitting down this moment and start booking! Thank you for the inspiration!

Hello,your videos have amazing atmosphere and this reason to watch them again and again.thank and good luck

wonderful vlog, Emma😍 i have been to Iceland in 2011 and 2019 and both times i completely fell in love with the breath taking nature and the calming atmosphere of the country.

it's so nice and sweet to see you so happy and enjoying your time

Thank you oh thank you! I so want to visit Iceland someday. I waited til home and cast your video up on my big screen TV to watch in style. You're a star now! Glad you had so much fun! 🙂

its all so beautiful it makes me cry❣

hi Emma, just wanted to let you know that this video helped me calm down after a long anxious day! thank you so much and keep smiling ❤‍🩹

From home I am able to experience these cool things thanks to u Emma for showing us your life ❤️😭

I visited Iceland this summer to avoid the fall weather and bought a book by Laxness and a book by Jon Kalman Stefansson! Crazy how these two authors popped up in your vlog. I rented a car and drove the ring road for 2 weeks so if you are up for more adventure/hiking, I would definitely recommend parts of the westfjords, studagil canyon, kayaking jokulsarlon, selfoss, dettifoss, dynjandi, langmannalauger, and riding icelandic horses!

I can't tell you how at peace this video put me! I have been binging your videos all day but this video was just breathtaking. Makes me daydream about traveling the world someday! Hope you had an amazing vacation and thank you so much for this video cause I really needed it today! 😊

Emma, even watching this vlog made me tear up, for a moment I'm break free from cages called city and find myself a home, a postcard from my dreamland, a warmth of light mirrored by those glacier, thanks for bringing Iceland to my own bedroom!

such a cool relaxing vlog!!!!!! so happy you had a great time in iceland

so gloomy and beautiful!! feels almost like gothic sound of music😅☺️ funny how something so desolate and cold can be so warm and comforting and beautiful! just amazing Emma! loved the old church and all those green rocks, and the sheep of course!! 🙂🐄

my favourite country in the world

So beautiful. Glad you had a lovely holiday, somewhere I would love to visit

Thank you for sharing this video with us. I know it takes a lot of effort to do it. The landscape of Iceland is stunning and intimidating (a bit). It feels like part of an outer planet! Yet, it's so beautiful. I would definitely buy a lot of Icelandic literature books if I were there. I'm also kind of surprised to see that, although with a rough weather, it is a country that one would get a very nice touristic experience. Thanks again.

So so amazing. I will get to Iceland one day, mark my words. The land, even in pictures, fills my heart with so much wonder and beauty it's overwhelming. "Where can I go that is the complete opposite of the desert?...Iceland!" I watch the Reykjavik Grapevine on YT and when the volcano started erupting I was hooked, their coverage was really good. Plus the guy makes me laugh and always has his dog with him. So happy you got to go!

Adds Iceland to places I wanna visit before I die ❤ so gorgeous!

Loved it ! 💗

Man. I felt that cold. ❄

This is an amazing vlog!!!

this was a movie so beautyful!

Such a wonderful vlog

Wow, I'd just added Heaven and Hell thanks to a Goodreads friend's recommendation, and it pops up in your video! Lovely seeing beautiful Iceland, hope you're happy and safe back home! 🤍

I love this video so much ❤ and I use this video to be my bgm when I study😊

This is such a beautiful video to watch

Iceland is a country so nice I vacationed there twice!

Iceland is my favourite country that I've visited to date. If you have an opportunity to go back, I recommend exploring the rest of the country. Each part has such unique landscape. ❤

Thank You for sharing this incredible footage and experience. All the landscapes were mesmerizing, and it was fun to see so many animals around. It was cool to see so many sheep.

Ahhhh Iceland is one of my favorite places I have ever visited and I'm so glad you got to go!!! I was so hesitant going to the Blue Lagoon because of how touristy it was but there is definitely a reason for that! It was so amazing. Iceland is unlike any landscape I have ever seen, almost like you're on another planet (including the prices 😂). I'm so glad you had such a good time!

Awesome tour of Iceland Emm🥰 It's beautiful and breathtaking😍😍 hopefully to visit it one day😅🥰

I’m going to Iceland in January with my partner, brother and mum. Can’t wait. It looks so beautiful on your film 😊 We’re staying in a little house 40 minutes outside Reykjavik or so. Should be seeing the northern lights over our place every night. Northern lights whilst in a hot tub. I just can’t wait. Glad you had a good time!

So jealous~ I’ve wanted to go to Iceland since the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty came out. It’s my favourite movie of all time and it made me obsessed with the beauty of Iceland~ Looks like you had a lovely time. 😊

The blue fox - such an amazing cover! I'd buy the book for the look of it. I hope that's a good read :) A view from sheep farm window reminds me of a view I once had while spending my holiday in Georgia (the country, not the State) and that's made me nostalgic. Also, Iceland is on my wish list for the further future. I'm happy at least you could be there :D

My Mom lived in Iceland as a kid. She had military parents, so they lived everywhere. I really want to go so bad! I would love to visit with my Mom. :)

Nice video as usual. I've always wanted to go to Iceland so much.

I wanna go for the Iceland for my Winter Break!

beautiful video 🥰 i also dream of a shop full of vegan things... so happy for you, for the trip, the food, the amazing views 😇 I am honestly so happy watching you travel and having such an amazing and peacful time

Ahh this was so great to watch! I was so excited for you when you mentioned you were going there. I visited Iceland this summer with my family and it was amazing, so i'm kind of reliving it through your video now :) It’s crazy how different and big the volcano eruption looks now, we walked to the crater a few days after the eruption started and seeing the lava right before your eyes was unbelievable, but it was so "little" compared to where the lava eventually reached. So cool!! When you visit Iceland again, I highly recommend the glacier lake Jökulsárlón. I may have cried when i first saw it, so surreal and beautiful :’) feels like you're inside a postcard or something. Landmannalaugar too! The lava museum (Lava Centre) in Hvolsvöllur was also really interesting! And the northern part is amazing as well (Akureyri, Mývatn, Ásbyrgi), felt the strong wind there too ;) Definitely also want to go back sometime and see the westfjords and all the other places there are still to see! Hope you had a great time there, really enjoy your videos :))

Emmie, you are living my dream life.

I was so excited for this video after seeing iceland pictures on your instagram 💕

I loved watching this video as it has made me even more excited to go to Iceland next week (8th November) 😄 our trip has been rescheduled 3 times due to COVID so I can't wait to get on the plane and have a change of scenery from Scotland (which is also gorgeous) 💙

Hello Emma, if you have time and feel like it, could you consider talking about clothes and other equipment you took to Iceland and which you found useful?

It's beautiful

Another Emmie vid!! I'm behind on watching soooooo it's time for me to have an Emmie- a-thon! A definite win in my book! Hugs sweetie!! 🥰❤️💚