Incredible Iceland
Reykjavik - Reykjavik is the most northerly capital city in the world. It’s very low rise with coloured, wooden buildings and has a different feel to other capital cities with a laid back, relaxed atmosphere. It’s great to wander by The Old Harbour, watching the boats come and go. The Harpa concert hall is a fabulous building. I loved the very distinctive design, reflecting the basalt landscapes of Iceland, and all the patterns and colours created by the light. Further along is The Sun Voyager Sculpture. The most famous and iconic sight of the city is probably Hallgrimskirkja with its concrete modernist façade. I really liked the simplicity. I would recommend taking the lift to the top – the views across the city and out to the mountains and sea are fantastic.
South Coast Tour - I had pre-booked a small group day trip to the south coast. Our first stop was at the glacier, Solheimajokull, located between the volcanoes of Katla and Eyjafjallakull (the one that erupted in 2010 and caused air travel delays!) it was brilliant to get up close and see the ice (if you have more time you can go onto the glacier with a guide). I spent time on the famous black sand beach, Reynisfjara, and a bit further along, at Kirkjufjara beach. I loved the vastness of the sky and the beach with the cliffs towering above. There are a lot of waterfalls in Iceland – one of the largest is Skogafoss. The setting is lovely with the wide river flowing after the fall. The final stop of the day was Seljalandsfoss - famous because it’s the only waterfall you can walk behind.
Golden Circle Tour - The Golden Circle is a well-known and popular day trip from Reykjavik. The first stop was Pingvellir National Park. There are beautiful views across to Lake Thingvallavatn. Here lies the boundary of the North American tectonic plate and Eurasia’s plate, both visible from various points in the gorge. Gullfoss is the best-known waterfall in the country. If you visit in summer, as I did, then you’ll see the waterfall at its most powerful. The next stop was the Haukadalur Valley – famous for its geothermal activity and giving us the name geyser. Today it’s Strokkur which erupts every few minutes, spurting water 30 metres into the air. It’s a fascinating landscape of steam / volcanic gases, hot water streams, bubbling mud pools and geysers. Fridheimar Tomato Farm was our lunch stop and a chance to learn more about how they use geothermal energy to enable them to grow tomatoes year-round.
Akureyri - I flew from Reykjavik to Akureyri on a short flight of 35 minutes and saw some amazing views of the landscape. My first visit in the ‘capital of the north’ was to Akureyri Botanical Gardens. Located just below the Arctic Circle it’s surprising what they have managed to grow in harsh conditions. It was a lovely peaceful place to spend several hours. The town is small, again with coloured wooden buildings and it’s nice to mooch around and do some window shopping. One of the most popular things to do from Akureyri is to go whale watching. I joined a 3-hour classic whale watching trip with Elding. It was great to be out on the water of the Eyjafjord and to get a different view of the city and the surrounding landscape. The team of experts on the ship were brilliant and knowledgeable. We saw a humpback whale and a minke whale. Overall, it was a great experience.
Diamond Circle Tour - Similar to the Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik, the Diamond Circle Tour is from Akureyri and is a great way to see lots of spectacular sights. The first stop was Godafoss, one of the most impressive waterfalls. I especially loved the curve of the falls. Next up was the Hverir geothermal area – one of the main attractions of the Lake Myvatn area. Part of the Krafla volcanic system, the smell is horrible, but once you get used to that, you can enjoy the very unusual landscape. Features include colourful sulphurous mud springs, steam vents, cracked mud and fumaroles and it definitely feels like you’re exploring another planet - I loved it! Close by is Viti Crater which was formed during a massive volcanic eruption. The lake really is a gorgeous vivid aqua blue colour – no photoshop needed. The last stop on my Diamond Circle Tour from Akureyri was to Dettifoss. Located in Vatnajokull National Park, it’s reputed to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe. It’s estimated that 200 cubic meters of water per second plunge over the edge. You get a different perspective from the other waterfalls I visited in Iceland because you view Dettifoss from ‘above’.
Geothermal Energy & Spas - Making the most of all the geothermal energy in Iceland means that spas are popular and an important part of Icelandic culture. I was keen to visit Forest Lagoon in Akureyri. It’s a lot less well known than Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, however the views overlooking the fjord and the woodland setting make it unique and tranquil. It was wonderful to relax in the different pools and enjoy the forest and fjord views.
Food & Drink - During my time in Iceland I enjoyed lots of delicious food & drink. As you might expect there was lots of fresh fish and seafood as well as lamb and Icelandic meat soup. I also consumed quite a few snudur (Icelandic cinnamon rolls/buns) which were yummy. It’s quite expensive compared to the UK, however I found the quality to be high, so perhaps it’s best to save up before your holiday.
Summary - My highlight of Iceland must be the stunning scenery / landscapes. It’s very varied and so different to home. Dramatic coastlines, towering volcanoes, so many waterfalls, lush grassy pastures, glaciers, lunar-type geothermal areas etc. The cities are small and easy to get around. I would recommend getting out and about to really enjoy and experience this fabulous country!
