Iceland! I so enjoy Iceland. I have been there in both the winter and the summer. I have to say, I enjoy the summer more. I love to be able to drive around the Ring Road which takes about 8 days although taking longer affords the ability to explore some of the inside. In the winter there are many closures on the ring road which makes it difficult to get around. When we visited in November, we stayed in Reykjavik in an airbnb. It was nice attempting to be locals. In the winter we went to see the Northern Lights. This was a long and freezing endeavor. We found that the way to see the lights are through a camera lens. We really were not able to see much with our bare eyes. Another trip we took was to swim the Silfra Fissure where you can snorkel between two continental plates. One of my favorite trips was to visit the ice caves. You definitely have to be prepared for the winter weather in Iceland.
In the summer we did some of the typical touristy things. We did not do the Blue Lagoon but chose instead to find a hot spring off the beaten path. The waterfalls are plentiful and gorgeous. I love seeing the houses with grass on top. The horses are unique to Iceland and are spectacular. There are glaziers and amazing cliffs and volcanoes. One of my favorite sights was the geothermal area of Námafjall. Never before have I ever experienced walking around “hot pots”. It was truly an awe inspiring experience to watch the mud bubbles boiling up from the ground. Along the same idea, Strokkur is a geyser that erupts every 6 to 10 minutes! Its typical height is 49-66 feet but it can get up to 130 feet high!!!
My very favorite spot in Iceland is definitely Látrabjarg in the Westfjords. Here we saw an unbelievable amount of puffins while on top of a cliff. They were so close and had no fear of people. You are advised to lay on your stomach to watch these bewitching creatures. There is a definite danger of falling off the cliffs! Never stand by the edge as the ground is not stable! That being said, this is the most remarkable place to see not only puffins but razorbills, fulmars, guillemots, kittiwakes, and many other sea-birds nesting among the cliffs.
In northern Iceland we loved the town of Akureyri. I had the best fish and chips there! Akureyri is only 62 miles from the Arctic Circle! The town is beautiful with lovely shops and restaurants. I loved it as there were very few tourists and we felt welcome amongst the locals. While in Northern Iceland, the Godafoss waterfall is an extraordinary sight. By the time you get to Northern Iceland you will probably feel as if you can not possibly be intrigued by one more waterfall but I promise don’t miss this one!
We were fortunate to be able to do some of the Iceland Highlands. It is necessary to have a four wheel drive vehicle and the F roads, as they are called, are unpredictable but the scenery is unbelievable. We were prepared with lots of food and good maps. We saw craters and volcanoes and swam in geothermal springs. I would definitely do it again when I return. The F roads are only open a short time, usually late June to August depending on weather conditions. You will need to check if they are open if you plan on exploring Iceland’s Highlands.
I love Iceland and plan on visiting again this year. It is like nothing you have seen before. Every time I go I wish I could stay longer. Hopefully my next trip I will be able to go for a few weeks in order to see areas I have missed. I can’t get enough of the black sand; the formations in the water; the craters; the geothermal mud pots; the waterfalls; the volcanoes; the horses; the seals……I could go on and on. You don’t need expensive tours. Get there, rent a car, drive the Ring Road and enjoy every minute of a trip that will give you the best memories of a lifetime!
