Here is a tale about Iceland. Not Greenland. Not Ireland. Iceland is that place, that unlike it’s name, is normally very green. That is as opposed to Greenland, which is normally covered in ice.
Don’t get me wrong, Iceland has quite a number of glaciers, and can be very snowy at times. But it is not as cold as many people think.
We just returned from a week-long trip to Iceland, and wanted to tell you about it. Iceland is, in a word, beautiful. It is a beauty which differs from the beauty of someplace, like say Santorini. It is beauty born of the starkness of a volcanic landscape, a rugged coast, and a warm and friendly populous.
Iceland is a very inviting country, with only 366,000 people in the whole country, the largest portion of whom speaks English.
This is an expensive country, the third most expensive in the world, following Switzerland and Norway, but you will find that being there makes the extra money you spend very worth it.
Geysir
Gulfoss
While we did not get a chance to see all of the country, we made a mighty dent, especially in and around the capital city, Reykjavic. There is so much to see, including the Golden Circle, which comprises many geological features, each different and breathtaking in its own way. We visited the area known as Geysir (and yes, the English word ‘geyser’ comes from Iceland), where you will find numerous geysers and bubbling pots We saw Gulfoss, which literally translates as ‘golden falls’. It is a magnificent sight, with several different waterfalls coming together to form one giant falls. On a sunny day, like the day we visited, you can’t miss the spectacular rainbow across the water. Also in the Golden Circle is Thingvellir, where the North American and Euro-Asian tectonic plates meet. With volcanic activity, there is a rift between the plates, hundreds of kilometers long, which has been filled in partially with lava, creating a never-ending trench, where you can hike.
Blue Lagoon
Between Reykyavic and the main airport of Keflavic, you will find a place called Blue Lagoon, a giant thermal pool, containing silica, which is incredibly relaxing and invigorating. In the pool there is a swim-up bar, a mask bar, where you can try a variety of facial masks, a sauna, and a steamroom. Blue Lagoon also has two hotels and several restaurants. This is a place that is mostly inhabited by tourists, and it is a little pricey, but it is definitely worth a visit.
Just outside Reykjavic is Sky Lagoon, which is similar to Blue Lagoon, but it is brand new, and appeals to the twenty-something set of Icelanders. Unlike Blue Lagoon, the water is clear, but is similarly geothermally heated. It also has a swim up bar, (although in both cases ‘swim-up’ is a misnomer - the water is only about shoulder deep at the deepest). Sky Lagoon has a ‘ritual’ which follows a progression of hot water, cold water, sauna, cold mist, body scrub, steam room, and warm shower. It provides a variety of sensations for the skin, and makes you feel awakened and alive. It is similar, yet different enough from Blue Lagoon, to warrant a visit to both.
Fly Over Iceland
In Reykjavic itself, you will find many fascinating sights. Among these are several museums, including the National Museum of Iceland, containing a well-curated set of exhibits, tracing the county’s history, from the late 9th Century to the present. You will also find a great place called the Whale Museum, depicting in incredibly realistic models, all the species of whales found in Icelandic waters. Then there is Perlan, which is more an experience than a museum. It includes a planetarium show on the Northern Lights, exhibits on the animal and sea life in and around Iceland, and has its own ice cave - with real ice. A fun place to visit in the capital city is Fly Over Iceland, which is kind of touristy, but a lot of fun. It is much like Disney’s Soarin’ ride, where you sit in a seat and face a giant video screen. With special effects of movement of your seat, you feel like you’re actually flying over the entire country, complete with mountains, valleys, volcanoes, fields, farms, coastline, and downtown Reykjavic itself. It was well worth the price of admission.
American food is popular with Icelanders
I haven’t yet touched on the food in Iceland. Reykjavic has no shortage of restaurants. Indeed, on the main pedestrian street of Laugavegur, there are dozens of places to find a meal. There are many traditional Icelandic dishes to be found, but there is a surprising amount of food that appeals to Americans, and oddly enough, many Icelanders. Hamburgers are found everywhere, as are French fries. As you might imagine, fish plays an important role in Icelandic diets, and fish and chips is an incrediby popular menu item. There are dozens of restaurants in Raykjavic dedicated to the stuff. Also very popular are Italian, Vietnamese, and Thai restaurants. In some places claiming to be traditionally Icelandic, you might be leery of certain menu choices, including whale and puffin. Honestly, we couldn’t bring ourselves to try these ourselves, but on our next trip, just for the sake of research, we will have to try them.
Northern Lights
Visiting in October, as we did, brings you up close and personal with some chilly temperatures (mid 40s during the day), but it provides the opportunity to view the northern lights. Your tour bus takes you outside the city, to a place of near total darkness. With patience and luck, you are greeted with a spectacular light show.
Iceland is a place of fascination and wonder, and should be on the bucket list of everyone who loves to travel (and who doesn’t love to travel?). When you decide it is your time to go, let us know, and we will make it happen for you.