Top 10 Iceland Hidden Gems (Highlands, Hot Springs, and Hidden Canyons) + Building a New Life Abroad with Jewells Chambers from All Things Iceland

Jun 10, 2025

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What’s it like to trade the hustle of NYC for a slower life in Iceland? And how do you explore its volcanic landscapes without getting stuck in the tourist crowds?

Jewells Chambers is the creator and voice behind All Things Iceland, a podcast and YouTube channel that helps people experience Iceland beyond the tourist trail. Originally from New York City, Jewells moved to Iceland in 2016 after falling in love with an Icelander and has since carved out a meaningful life abroad, blending creativity, digital marketing, travel planning, and a deep respect for Icelandic culture.

In this episode, we talk about what it’s really like to move to Iceland, how Jewells found her way into content creation, and her top recommendations for discovering Iceland's lesser-known destinations and experiences.

If you’ve ever considered moving abroad, reinventing your career, or exploring Iceland beyond the usual tourist stops, Jewells’ story offers both inspiration and practical insights. We chat about embracing discomfort, building a new identity in a foreign land, and how creativity and authenticity have shaped her journey. She also shares a curated list of hidden gems in Iceland—from geothermal wonders to ghost towns—and offers practical advice on navigating Iceland's wild weather and unpredictable terrain. Whether you're planning your first trip or your fifth, you'll leave this episode with a fresh perspective and a bunch of new places to add to your Iceland itinerary.

If you could slow down and live like a local somewhere (even for a little while), where would you go? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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Tune In To Learn:

Why Jewells moved to Iceland and how love and logistics played equal roles
What it was like adjusting from NYC hustle culture to Iceland’s work-life mindset
How moving to Iceland changed how she views her home country
How she carved out a creative niche in a foreign country without a plan
What most travelers miss when visiting Iceland and why the highlands are so underrated
How the Icelandic mindset of “þetta reddast” (it will all work out) reshaped her life
How a rainy, rough hike turned her into an outdoor enthusiast
Advice for dealing with Iceland’s intense weather and road conditions
Where to find hidden hot springs, ghost towns, and fjords with almost no crowds
Pro tips for driving in Iceland’s highlands (and why your car insurance matters!)
And so much more

Resources:

Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport
Sign up for our FREE newsletter
Check out Jewell’s website and podcast, All Things Iceland
Jewell’s ultimate packing checklist
Schedule a trip-planning call
Iceland map and travel resources
Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
Get Jewell’s Top 10 Iceland Hidden Gems list

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