I recently spent six amazing days in Iceland, a trip full of stunning landscapes (and peanut-free meals). Traveling with a peanut allergy can be challenging, but I packed plenty of snacks, including bagels, croissants, and mac and cheese, just in case. Here's a breakdown of my experience, highlighting both the places we visited and the incredible food along the way.

Day 1: Arriving in Reykjavik

After landing in Reykjavik, jet lag hit us hard, so we spent the afternoon relaxing at our hotel—the Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection. We did grab some pizza at the airport Sbarro, which is peanut-free. Our hotel is located in a perfect spot near City Hall with plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance. For dinner, we ventured to Forréttabarinn, a cozy spot with a nut-free kitchen! I had the Cajun beef burger and smoked pork shoulder, and my brother had the herb-crusted ribeye of lamb. Both dishes were fantastic, and the warm chocolate cake with caramel fudge was the perfect ending to the meal.

Day 2: Exploring Iceland’s Golden Circle

We woke up around 1 pm but still had 7 hours of daylight left, thanks to Iceland's long days. After grabbing pizza and breadsticks from a local Sbarro, we set out to explore the famous Golden Circle, visiting Kerid Crater, Gullfoss Falls, Geysir Hot Springs, and Thingvellir National Park. The roundtrip took about 5 hours, and we made it back to Reykjavik just in time for dinner. We dined at the Food Cellar, where there are tree nuts on the menu but no peanuts. I tried the glazed lamb fillet, while my brother enjoyed the pan-fried Arctic char. Both dishes were exceptional!

Day 3: A Ferry Ride to the Westman Islands

We woke up early and drove two hours south to catch the ferry to the Westman Islands. The ferry ride itself was exciting—I even spotted an orca! We stayed at the Westman Island Pier Apartments, which I highly recommend. For lunch, we stopped at Vigtin Bakhus, a charming bakery and cafe where they use tree nuts but no peanuts. I had a filling chicken sandwich and a pastry to fuel up for the day.

The highlight of the day was seeing the puffin colony—an unforgettable experience. After a long hike, we had dinner at Pitsugardin, and the pizza quality exceeded all expectations.

Day 4: Jokulsarlon Glacier and Diamond Beach

We caught the early ferry back to the mainland and drove three hours to Jokulsarlon Glacier. It was easily the most breathtaking place on the entire trip! After a stroll on Diamond Beach, we drove to Vik for an overnight stay at the Vik Apartments. I hadn’t eaten much during the day due to some ferry-induced queasiness, so by dinner at Strondin Pub, I was starving. The pub had tree nuts on the menu but no peanuts. I devoured fried calamari and fish and chips, which were the perfect end to the day.

Day 5: Back to Reykjavik

On our return to Reykjavik, we checked into the Reykjavik Edition, located right in the city center. After walking to Hallgrímskirkja (an architectural wonder), we stopped by an Icelandic hot dog stand, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. President Clinton has eaten here! I confirmed with the vendor (who had an allergen binder) that there were no peanuts in the hot dogs.

For lunch, we visited Cafe Loki. I had previously confirmed with the restaurant that they were peanut free. They serve traditional icelandic food and I tried their homemade flatbread with smoked lamb and rye bread ice cream. The ice cream was unique—not my favorite, but my mom loved it.

After an interesting visit to Perlan, a science museum, we headed out to dinner at Austur Indiafelagio, an Indian restaurant. They have tons of tree nuts on the menu (mainly cashews) so beware. The chef even offered to make me a special curry to avoid tree nut contamination, and it was absolutely delicious. My brother tried the Hariyali Salmon, which was probably the best and freshest tasting salmon I have ever had.

Day 6: Relaxing at the Retreat Lagoon

On our final day, we visited the Retreat Lagoon, located next to the Blue Lagoon but offering more amenities. The hot springs were magical, and I even had an in-water massage. Afterward, we ate at Lava Restaurant, which is peanut-free. I enjoyed the grilled beef, and my brother savored the fish of the day, which was Arctic char. It was the perfect last meal before heading to the airport.

Overall, my Iceland adventure was incredible, and I encountered no significant issues related to my peanut allergy. If you're looking for a peanut-safe international destination, Iceland is a must-visit. Safe travels!

Disclaimer: My suggestions are meant to serve as a starting point for researching safe places to eat. Menus and ingredients may change, so it's crucial for every reader to do their own research. Many of these places (if not all) have treenuts, dairy, gluten and other major allergens. Always call ahead, talk to the manager, verify, and double-check to ensure a safe dining experience.