Preeti Bhide
Travel is an experience that enriches our lives and is essential for all of us to grow as individuals.
Personally I love my holidays to be slower paced with time to stop and smell the flowers; a balance between the famous sights and the offbeat lesser known places; and opportunities to experience local culture, people and cuisine.
At the same time, I strongly believe that a holiday is all about the person travelling and the essence of travel planning is to help people plan an itinerary that is exactly how they want it to be!
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialise in customised holidays all across Iceland. For me, your holiday is all about you. You let me know what you want and I will try my best to make it happen!"
How did you get involved in travel?
"I have always loved travelling. After many years of working in consulting, I had an opportunity to take a sabbatical which is when we started our travel company, Wild Westfjords.
I have never looked back and it seems that this is what I was always meant to do.
Today, under our umbrella, we also have the Icelandic Aurora, specialising in winter & northern light holidays; and Iceland Offbeat, catering to the traveller who is looking for something different."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"Iceland is beautiful, in a surreal way, and it is difficult to pick one unique experience. I know it sounds cliched but it's true.
However a few of my travels in Iceland that I especially remember are:
- a trip to the gorgeous Westman islands: Hiking to the newest volcano Eldfell, looking for puffins, attending a festival and enjoying the fantastic food. Apart from the breathtaking scenery, most interesting, were the locals who are so passionate about their little island.
- a trip through the Northern Westfjords and North West Iceland to Akureyri to see the Holuhraun eruption: Stopping for the best waffles in Iceland, driving the remote coastline of Skagafjordur and Trollaskagi and of course flying over the eruption. The most fascinating part of this trip was discovering the hidden beauty of the North West which many people consider to be a less interesting part of Iceland."
Featured trips & expertise
Best Day Hikes in Iceland
In a wilderness as wild and dramatic as Iceland’s, you’re sure to find countless opportunities for long day hikes. Here's a list of the best day hikes, ideal for a day’s adventure from your road trip around the Ring Road, or from a base camp in the highlands.
Iceland Off The Beaten Path: A 10-day Escape to the West and North
This example driving itinerary is great for the summer when the crowds of the south coast and golden circle area are at their peak and accommodation can be hard to find. Instead, escape to the more remote areas of the country to experience some of the best that Iceland has to offer, with few other people to share it with.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Iceland?
You can have an epic Iceland experience when you spend 5 days or more in Iceland. Shorter trips are possible but won’t give you enough time to really explore beyond the Reykjavik area and the western section of the South Coast. Starting at 8 days or more you can complete the famous ring road and experience Iceland’s natural beauty in all its glory, seeing incredible sights most tourists miss, like Godafoss Waterfall, the unique volcanic hotspots surrounding Lake Myvatn and the Westfjords.
5-Day Tour of the North: Akureyri, Lake Myvatn, Waterfalls, and Geothermal Hotspots
For a unique Iceland experience, avoid the crowds of the south completely. This trip has it all: volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs, nature baths, whale watching, fjords and more. Below are 2 great ways to experience the north: all the highlights with only a fraction of the people. You can maximize your time by taking a domestic flight over the beautiful highlands of the interior to Akureyri, or you can drive one way and fly from Akureyri back to Reykjavik.
