Room With A View

Ten Exciting Things To Do When Visiting Iceland
By Jonathan Williams

Should you happen to contemplate vacationing in Europe, you could give Iceland a try where nature that means more than beaches and resorts. Best of all, majority of the tourist spots the country can offer will require no entrance fees unlike in most other countries. Summer would be the best time to go there.

1.) Bláa Lónið

This is a famous health center with pool known as Blue Lagoon located in southwest Iceland. This happens to be a spa located in the center of lava filled with stunningly blue waters. One will find this place one of the warm spots in the country as opposed to the impression of a primarily snow-filled place that the country’s name implies.

The Blue Lagoon

2.) Gullfoss

One can try going east of the capital Reykjavik to be able to get to the Golden Falls. The breathtaking waterfall is fed by river known as Hvítá. This goes down a two-fold cascade to create one of the best waterfalls you could visit.

Gullfoss

3.) Geysir and Strokkur

As mentioned earlier, Iceland is also home to several geothermal spots, and two of them are Geysir and Strokkur, which happens to be a few kilometers on the west of the Golden Falls. Between the two, it would be safer to go to Geysir since it hardly erupts, and Strokkur would do so every few minutes. But what a sight it would be and a picture worth taking only if you keep a safe distance.

The geyser Strokkur

4.) Skagafjordur

It is one of the cities in Iceland which offers several fun activities to tourists. One of the parks you will find here is the Historical Nature Park Island Drangey then you can go on to visit the Glaumbær, which happens to be a folk museum. And you will need to wonder no more what an icelandic horse looks like because this place is where they are bred. And yes, it’s also time to take the challenge of river rafting.

Hofsos at Skagafjordur

5.) Kerið

Here lies the sight of a lake within a volcano. Many times, what you will find in countries are both active and inactive volcanoes which would spew lava from time to time. This time, you get a lake instead of lava right inside the crater of a volcano.

Kerid - Photo by Jóhannes Eiríksson

6.) Þingvellir National Park

UNESCO has made this national park one of the world’s heritage sites for good reasons. This happens to be the place where you will find the movement of European and North American shelf plates while serving as the longest running parliamentary field there is. Again, this, too, is just about 35 miles off the capita’s east.

Thingvellir National Park

7.) Mývatn

On this spot, you will get to visit the desert Smajfall which gives out sulfuric steam coming from the ground. Here, you will also see Dimmuborgir which is also known as Gates of Hell or The Black City. But the name Mývatn actually refers to the lake which looks nothing like other lakes due to presence of special volcanic craters around it.

Myvatn

8.) Dettifoss

If you just came off the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, you might want to check this place out afterwards. A powerful waterfall awaits you at Dettifoss. This happens to be one of the best all over Europe.

Thundering Dettifoss

9.) Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights

Textbooks have talked about the midnight sun. It was even discussed in school. Iceland is the place to be to get to view this sight where the sun does not set at midnight, and you will not be able to find this occurrence in other countries.

Norhtern lights - Aurora borealis in Iceland

10.) Vestmannaeyjar

When translated, the name means Westman Islands. It is actually a volcanic island with a wonderful collection of bird species and the biggest puffin colony you could find in Europe. That’s definitely something not to miss.

Heimaey, the largest island in the Vestmanneyjar cluster

Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV – the place to share travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv] Visit [http://www.destinationguide.tv/iceland] to view or share Iceland travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv/iceland]

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Why Iceland Could Be a Top Destination For Tourists Wanting to Spend Less in 2010
By Sarah Maple

As 2010 is now less than a couple of months away, holiday specialists and the media are acting fast to estimate where the top holiday destinations of the new year might be. In 2009 Turkey was the surprise hit for UK tourists, but with the global economic crisis still being felt in other parts of the world, it is likely that cheap holidays may be found in a place less known for its sun and sand – and more for its fjords and dramatic icy scenery.

The reason Iceland is being tipped by Lonely Planet (amongst others) as a prime holiday destination for 2010 is simply because in comparison to just a couple of years ago, the country is now much more affordable for the average tourist – due to the recent collapse of the Króna. These financial problems have pushed the Icelandic tourism board to cut prices and to market itself widely in order to attract more visitors – and for those eager to book early deals are likely to be very satisfactory indeed.

For a country so significantly hit by financial crisis it is something of a silver lining that most of Iceland’s appeal is in no way dependent on commercialism and development – but instead on nature and geology. A geologically young and unpredictable land, Iceland boasts a number of volcanoes (such as Hekla in the south – the country’s most active volcano) and geysers and hot springs which are formidable tourist attractions all year round. The two most famous of these are Geysir in the Haukadalur Golden Circle valley (from which the term: ‘Geyser’ is derived) and Strokkur near Rekjavik – which is famed for its regular eruptions.

Strokkur

Consequently there is much to discover in Iceland on foot, and the country is popular with walkers and hikers. The Interior Central Highlands offer rugged trails from Landmannalaugar all the way to Skogar near the south coast. Much of the highlands are only accessible during the summer months between mid-June and mid-September.

However, there is even more to Iceland than fantastic landscape and inspiring geography. The island has a rich and individual culture to be explored in its towns and cities – ranging from the landscape inspired architecture of the Hallgrimskikja Church, to the best hot dog in Europe (as voted by The Guardian) at Baejarins Bezu Pylsur. Culture House in Rekjavik offers changing exhibitions on various aspects of Iceland’s history.

Sarah Maple is writing for Gohop.ie who offer cheap holidays and package holidays.

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Important Facts About Iceland
By Guy Gutraiman

Hverir area in Iceland

Iceland is a volcanic island on the mid-Atlantic Ridge.

The centre of the country is approximately at 65° N and 18° W. The closest countries are Greenland, 287 km, the Faroe Islands, 420 km, and Scotland, 798 km. Iceland’s area is 102,700 km2 and its coastline 6300 km, and 37% of the country is over 600 m above sea level. Only 2% of the country is arable land and two-thirds of it is sparsely vegetated desert or glaciers.

Glaciers cover about 11% of the country’s surface, and the biggest of them is Vatnajokull, which is 8300 km2. Also, the highest mountain in the country is there, Hvannadalshnjukur 2119 m. Iceland was part of the Danish empire until 1918 but obtained full independence in 1944. Every four years in general elections representatives are elected to Althingi, which has one chamber, and the President is also nationally elected.

The country is divided into five electoral districts, 20 administrative districts and 101 municipalities. The population is 319,000 and two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city area, about 40% of these in the capital city Reykjavík. Most of the larger towns are near the capital city: Kopavogur, Hafnarfjordur, Mosfellsbaer and Gardabaer, but of the other larger towns the largest are Akureyri in North Iceland and Reykjanesbaer in the southwest corner.

About 70% of the population work in the service sector, about 25% in industry and only 5% in agriculture and fisheries, while about 60% of the total export value is from seafood products and about 36% from the industry.

Guy Gutraiman is a resident of Iceland and the editor of Iceland Portal, a complete travel guide to Iceland. To learn more facts about Iceland visit our Iceland Travel Information website.

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Top Five Reasons to Visit Iceland
By Isabella Olsen

Many imagine Iceland to be a very cold place with frozen landscapes, which is partly true. However, this island country in the North Atlantic Ocean has much more to offer. To get you started, here are five reasons to visit Iceland.

Volcanic lava terrain

Iceland – The Land of Fire and Ice

Iceland is a country of contrasting landscapes, which is why it is called the Land of Fire and Ice. Indeed, you will find many glaciers when you visit Iceland, particularly in the western parts of the country, including the largest in Europe – the Vatnajokull, but at the same time, you will also find dozens of volcanoes, both active and extinct, along with plenty of lava fields, hot springs and geysers. In fact, Iceland has more hot springs than any country on earth while the term geyser itself is derived from Iceland’s Great Geysir in Haukadalur.

Aside from these, Iceland also has many waterfalls, including Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe and the beautiful Black Falls. It also has many lakes, rivers, fjords, mountains, and small islands, like the Westman Islands, which are all worth exploring.

To experience the best of Iceland’s natural wonders, make sure you head to the Golden Circle, venture into the Highlands, or drop by the country’s national parks – Snaefellsjokul, Vatnajokull and Thingvellir – and prepare to be awed.

Possible dwelling place of elves and trolls

Icelandic Folklore

Iceland is not only rich in natural wonders. It also has an interesting wealth of cultural heritage, which is particularly evident in its family sagas and folktales concerning sorcerers, ghosts and mythical creatures such as dragons, elves, dwarves, trolls and ogres. If you want to hear these tales or learn more about these creatures, you should go to Lambi and Hafnarfjorour, where elves are said to dwell or simply ask one of the locals.

You can also visit the Icelandic Wonders Museum to get a glimpse of the lives of elves and trolls or take a class at the Icelandic Elf School.

Iceberg at Jokulsarlon

Winter Wonderland

Winter is a magical season in Iceland, when the mountains and plains are covered in fresh snow, the lakes and waterfalls freeze over and the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights put up a heavenly show, lighting up the skies in many parts of the country. This is especially true during the Christmas season, when entire cities, towns and villages are illuminated with twinkling nights and the thirteen Yule Lads wander around to spread mischief and Christmas cheer. You can even visit the Yule Lads in their caves near Akureyri.

Although many roads are closed, there are still plenty of activities available, particularly winter sports like skiing, ice skating and bobsledding.The largest ski resort in Iceland is Blafjoll, which is just several minutes away from the capital city, Reykjavik.

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Icelandic horses

Horse Tours and Other Exciting Outdoor Adventures

Iceland is also well known for its unique horse breed, which, though small, is known for being hardy and easy to ride, and the chance to ride one is one of the reasons why you should visit Iceland. Indeed, riding an Icelandic horse is a rare and amazing experience which you should try out and it is definitely a great way to explore Iceland’s beautiful natural landscapes, especially since Icelandic horses remain sure-footed on most terrains. For this reason, there are many horse tours available in Iceland, with varying itineraries and duration.

Aside from horse back riding, there are many other exciting outdoor activities for you to try when you visit Iceland, such as playing golf under the midnight sun, cycling around Reykjavik and hiking in the mountains and fjords. Water sports abound, as well, such as rafting, swimming, sea kayaking and sport fishing. One of the things you shouldn’t miss, though, is the wildlife encounters Iceland has to offer, like birdwatching in Latrabjarg and catching a glimpse of the minke, blue, humpback and killer whales off the coast of Husavik.

Icelandic band Sigurros

Music

Icelanders are music lovers so look forward to an interesting music scene when you visit Iceland. Here, you will hear folk songs streaming from small villages and local pubs, classical music resounding from concert halls and theaters, rock music pulsating in the various night clubs and many other types of music. In fact, Iceland even has its own metal scene, while jazz fans will love hanging around during the Reykjavik Jazz Festival. Of course, Bjork’s albums are sold in almost every music store, too, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to watch one of her concerts.

Isabella Olsen writes for various travel magazines and has traveled to many global tourist destinations including Iceland by car. To book your car hire Iceland or learn more about cheap car hire worldwide, visit Zencarhire.com.

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The Five Most Popular Iceland Waterfalls
By Linka Po

The waterfalls of Iceland are world-famous for their plentitude, diversity and breathtaking beauty. Below is a list of five of the country’s most famous and frequently visited falls.

1) Gullfoss is inarguably Iceland’s most famous waterfall. This awe-inspiring wonder is a two-tier waterfall that drops a total of 32 meters and spans the entire breadth of the Hvítá River. Visitors can view Gullfoss from several vantage points at both levels. An ever-present mist wafts at the lower level but one can still catch glimpses of wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Located a day’s trip away from the capital city of Reykjavík, it is one of the three main attractions of “The Golden Circle” and is considered a must-see for any visitor to Iceland.

Gullfoss

2) At 44 meters tall and 100 meters wide, and tucked into a canyon, Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall. The breathtaking falls are part of a glacial river, and because their icy waters are unregulated and the rate of erosion of the brinks is quite high, visitors will have to be careful not to get too close to the edge and fall in! The west bank of Dettifoss is about 17 kilometers from Reykjavik, but the route there is quite rugged and difficult. The east bank is more tourist-friendly and offers a diverse set of views for those who wish to photograph this wild and raging wonder.

Thundering Dettifoss

3) Skógafoss on the Skoga River (easily spotted from the Ring Road, 105 kilometers east of the town of Selfoss) follows right behind Gullfoss as one of Iceland’s most famous falls. Its classic rectangular shape and stunning height of 60 meters make it an instant favorite amongst visitors who might be craving to see a traditional or iconic waterfall. The base of Skógafoss is easy to access and usually has hoards of visitors, and there is even a path leading up to the top of the waterfall.

Skógafoss

4) Dynjandi in the remote Westfjords region takes the cake for being Iceland’s most unique (and, according to many, most beautiful) waterfall. It is actually a series of seven falls that together form a trapezoidal shape that reaches 100 meters in height. Visitors can actually hike up a trail to reach the highest tier, which affords a majestic, panoramic view of the falls and of the Arnarfjörður fjord.

Dynjandi

5) Godafoss, or “waterfall of the Gods,” holds a special place in the historic imagination of the Icelandic people. In the year 1000, when the lawspeaker of Iceland faced pressure to convert the nation to Christianity, he flung the icons of his Norse dieties into the falls, but secretly continued to worship them. Conveniently located close to the Ring Road between Akureyri and Mývatn, Godafoss is a must-see, visitor-friendly attraction that actually allows vacationers to bring their cars right up to the brink of 12-meter-high waterfall, which flows into the wide Skjálfandafljót River.

Goðafoss

Planning a vacation to Iceland? Visit this Iceland travel guide for more information.

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++ One more waterfall ++

Us here at Room With a View Hotel feel that one more waterfall has to be added to this list:

6) Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls of Iceland. It is very picturesque and therefore its photo can be found in many books and calendars. It was a waypoint during the first leg of The Amazing Race 6.
Seljalandsfoss is situated in between Selfoss and Skógafoss at the road crossing of Route 1 (the Ring Road) with the track going into Þórsmörk.
This waterfall of the river Seljalandsá drops 60 metres (200 ft) over the cliffs of the former coastline.
It is possible to go behind the waterfall.

Seljalandsfoss

Iceland Tours to See Natural Wonders
By Vikki Beale

Iceland’s countryside seems always to be changing. A field of ice one day could be a lake the next; a waterfall may be an icy trickle one day and a roaring stream another. Depending on the season, fjords may be dotted with islands among serene waters or jammed with strange sculptures of floating ice. With a landscape in flux, escorted tours to Iceland’s landmarks and geographical features are one of the best ways to learn about the interesting things you will see in this amazing country.

The Glaciers, Geysers & Waterfalls Tour

An example of a six-day escorted tour to Iceland is the ‘Glaciers, Geysers and Waterfalls’ tour, which packs many natural wonders into your Iceland holiday. You’ll tour Iceland’s national parks on the southern shore, including the breathtaking Skaftafell.

Skaftafell is a vast protected area with large volcanic mountains, open plains and the giant Vatnajökull, which is the largest mass of ice you are ever likely to see (unless you make it to the Arctic or Antarctic). Being the largest icecap in Europe, Iceland tours are sure to take you to see the dramatic glacial spurs at its edge.

Iceland guided tours will take you to the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon in Skaftafell. On a sunny day, if you position yourself at the correct angle to the sun, the light will catch the sediments in the water and make the lagoon appear a spectacular turquoise. The icebergs can be many colours: sometimes they will appear dazzling white, or tainted with black volcanic dust, or glowing a bright blue. If the temperature is right you may see crystalline, clear ice shapes in the water.

In Hot Water

After all that ice, you may want your Iceland guided tour to warm you up a little. For this, you’ll visit a geothermal pool for an open air swim in waters heated by underground volcanic rock. This is a fun activity, and a common feature on many escorted tours to Iceland.

Waterfalls

The main waterfall you will see on Iceland guided tours is Gullfoss. Be amazed at the large volumes of water that fall over Gulfoss’s staggered steps and hammer into a deep crevice in the ground. As you can imagine, it is a popular site for visitors.

Planning an Iceland Tour

There’s no need to worry about organising accommodation since it will be arranged as part of the tours. Iceland’s tour guides speak English and are able to explain what you are seeing, describing the geological or cultural significance of the many landmarks you will come across.

Some operators of escorted tours to Iceland are able to adapt or modify their itineraries to suit what you would like to see, and have tour managers who will create an itinerary especially for you. This means you can put together tailor made Iceland tours based upon your choice of the destinations mentioned earlier, as well as many more.

Vikki Beale is a holiday expert for iceland2go, a specialist operator providing a selection of itineraries for the best tours Iceland can provide. We arrange luxury holidays and tailor-made escorted tours to Iceland and Greenland, with sights including glaciers, geysers, fjords, and the Northern Lights.

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The New Year’s Eve in reykjavik, Iceland is like nothing you have ever experienced before. In this land of fire and ice we do things a bit different. First of all, Reykjavik is know for it’s wild nightlife and long dark winter nights but that’s not all. This northernmost capital of the world celebrates New Year’s Eve with tradition and loving dedication.

At six ‘o clock the ceremony starts with the mass from Reykjavik’s Cathedral and you will find it hard to find a home that does not have the radio on listening to it. The mass is then followed by a dinner.

Later in the evening, many people go out to a bonfire which you can find all over town and then later watch the spectacular fireworks display that Icelanders have become world famous for.

Soon after midnight people meet in downtown Reykjavik to party and it can get pretty wild and usually we party late into the morning. On this last day of the year the Reykjavik nightlife always goes to a boiling point – hot, loud and so much fun!

On New Year’s Eve all the guest at Room With A View meet on the roof where they can see over the whole city and enjoy the fireworks with a glass of champagne. Have you booked your room yet?

Don’t miss it!

Fly fishing is on of the many things to do in Iceland as a tourist. Iceland offers the traveler an adventure in a spectacular landscape of stunning natural beauty with almost endless oppertunitys for fishing.

All over Iceland you can find exciting rivers that offer the opportunity to fish either salmon or trout and you don’t necessarily need to travel far. You can easily go on day tours from Reykjavik in which you will be picked up at your hotel, have all the gear provided to you as well as light refreshments during the day.

In these day tours you can usually choose from salmon river fishing, trout & arctic char river fishing and lake fishing.

One very good fly fishing tour operator is Go-Fishing Iceland. Their offices are only 750m from Room With A View hotel but our staff at the lobby can also assist you in booking a tour with them.

One of the great things to do in Iceland is to try some Icelandic horse riding. The Icelandic horse is quite unique as it is smaller and has five gaits. The Icelandic horse is used for travelling, competition purposes, pleasure riding, and it still plays a practical role in the annual sheep and horse round-ups where farmers use horses to round up sheep and horses in the highlands.

There are a couple of tour operators in the Greater Reykjavik area. One of them is Ishestar.  They have been doing this since 1982 and come highly recommended. It will take you about 20-25 minutes to drive there from Room With A View.

Ishestar have horse riding tours in three different categories: day tours, contryside tours and highland tours. And then there are many different kind in each categorie so you have plenty to choose from. They of course also offer riding lessons and more. All customers are provided with warm overalls, raingear, riding boots and helmets in all sizes.

At the Riding Center at Ishestar you will also find a large restaurant, bar and a gift shop.

To find out more about Icelandic horse riding visit the Ishestar website.

Blue Lagoon is a panacea of life if you are a lover of nature. Some consider this place a paradise. Bathing in this dreamlike environment is an experience not to be missed and is sure to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvanated. Guests can sit down and enjoy the view of the lagoon from the bistro and restaurant area. It is also possible to go outside and follow the steps up to the observation platform where one can have a view of the lagoon and its unique surroundings.

Visiting this surreal enviroment is a unique experience no one should miss and will be one of the highlights of your visit to Iceland.

Check out the Blue Lagoon Website.

Ask the staff in our lobby (Room With A View) for directions to the Blue Lagoon.