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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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

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