The Golden Circle, Iceland

June 7, 2016June 9, 2016Posted in IcelandTagged Scenic, Scenic Drives, Waterfalls

One of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions is the “The Golden Circle”-a must see route for travelers visiting the country. About a 300 km journey beginning and ending in the capital city of Reykjavik, a visit to the sites of the The Golden Circle can be done as a day trip from the capital. Start your journey in Thingvellir National Park, which is not only the site of Iceland’s first parliament, but also where travelers can observe the magnificent splitting of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The splitting of the tectonic plates has created deep fissures in the earth.

One specific fissure, called Silfra, is a crack between the North American and Eurasian continental plates, and is a popular site for snorkeling and scuba diving. Spend a few hours exploring Thingvellir National Park and then continue your journey 60 km towards the geysers at Haukadalur. There are two famous geysers- Strokkur, which is still active, and Geysir (from which the word geyser originates), which is inactive. Strokkur erupts about once every ten minutes, so you won’t have to wait long to observe this natural phenomenon.

Strokkur erupts once every 8 to 10 minutes

Finally, drive to the last stop in the Golden Circle route-powerful and magnificent Gullfoss. Gullfoss is a breathtaking waterfall created by the Hvítá (White) river, which is fed by Iceland´s second biggest glacier (Langjökull).

Spend another hour here before making your way back to Reykjavik. The whole Golden Circle route including driving time will take about 7 to 8 hours. If you have time and energy, add on a visit to the Kerid Crater. Although, not officially part of the Golden Circle route, the crater lake here has a deep shade of blue that is worth a visit.

Traveling to Iceland

Direct flights to Iceland are available from NYC, Boston, Minneapolis, London, Washington D.C., Oslo, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Stockholm, and Baltimore. Once in Iceland, you can make the capital city your base and book a Golden Circle tour with a local company, or rent a car. Given the fact that the country is sparsely populated, driving in Iceland is easy (in good weather, of course). However, gas prices and car rental prices tend to be higher. Depending on whether you are traveling alone or with a group, booking a tour may be cheaper than renting a car.

Iceland Travel Tips

Bring plenty of layers and a waterproof or water resistant jacket. Also, remember to pack some rain boots and bring them along even when it’s sunny as the approach to the waterfalls is often muddy. During the summer months Iceland has nearly 24 hours of daylight. Bringing along some over the counter melatonin may help you fall asleep at night. During the winter months your site seeing in Iceland will be affected by limited hours of daylight, so plan accordingly. However, a visit in the winter months means a higher chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

Best Time to Visit Iceland

The tourist season in Iceland runs from late June to August. Hotel and flight prices are at their highest during this time. Visitors will be able to experience nearly 24 hours of daylight, and this is the best time to visit if you plan to drive the Ring Road around the country. By mid September, the temperature and hours of daylight drop significantly. The advantage to visiting in September is that it is cheaper, there is still enough daylight to see many sites, and visitors have a chance to witness the Aurora Borealis. It is, however, significantly colder, and driving the ring road may not be possible if there road closures due to weather conditions. However, the sites on the southern coast can still be accessed easily in the early Fall.

Iceland’s Best Tourist Sites

Aside from the Golden Circle, take time to visit Iceland’s southern coast. The southern coast has several breathtaking waterfalls including Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Travel a bit further to Jokulsarlon, Iceland’s glacial lagoon. Be sure to also visit the black sand beaches in the seaside village of Vik. If you have a week in the summer, rent a car and drive the Ring Road along the perimeter of the country to visit all of Iceland’s magnificent scenery. Either on your way to or from the airport, spend a few hours relaxing at the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa with water that is rich in minerals and temperatures close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Iceland’s Best Waterfall

September 28, 2015November 21, 2015Posted in Europe, IcelandTagged Hiking, Scenic, Waterfalls1 Comment

A two hour drive from Reykjavik along Iceland’s southern coast will take you to Skogafoss-one of country’s most famous waterfalls, and, in my opinion, it’s best. Because the coastline has receded seaward in this area, the highlands meet the lowlands, allowing visitors to walk right up to the falls. It is also easily accessible, as there is car park a short walk from the base of the falls. The waterfall’s enormous drop creates a consistent spray, so it is very common to see a single or double rainbow on a sunny day.

Skogafoss was also the backdrop for scenes in the movie Thor: The Dark World.

BEST TIME TO VISIT Iceland:

WHAT TO WEAR IN Iceland:

In the summer months you will need to wear layers. The temperature can vary between the high 60s during the day to the mid 40’s at night. Bring waterproof boots, so you can walk right up to the falls. Off season travelers will need winter clothing to keep warm while sightseeing.

HOW TO GET TO Skogafoss:

The easiest way to arrive at Skogafoss is by car. It is under a two hour drive from the capital city and can be easily done as a day trip. The cheapest way would be to hitchhike or take the bus. Strætó provides bus service in Reykjavik and to other parts of Iceland. Bus route 51 travels from Reykjavik (the bus stop in the capital city is called “Mjodd”) to Vik as well as Jökulsárlón.

WHAT NOT TO MISS IN ICELAND:

In addition to Skogafoss, Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland’s most famous sites. It is 2.5 hours from Skogafoss. Between, Skogafoss and the glacial lagoon lies the seaside village of Vik. Stop here to enjoy the black sand beaches. Closer to the capital city, is the famous Golden Circle route which covers geysirs, the Thingvellir National Park, and Gulfoss (another waterfall).

Vik, Iceland

August 1, 2015November 21, 2015Posted in Beaches, Europe, IcelandTagged Beaches, Europe, Iceland4 Comments

The Icelandic village of Vik is about 180 kilometers from Reykjavik (about a 2 hour drive). The basalt rock columns seen in this photo rise above the sea and provide a dramatic backdrop during sunset. The folklore behind these striking columns is that they are former Trolls who were trying to drag their boats out to sea, but were caught by the sunrise. Because trolls are creatures of the night, the daylight froze them into the columns you see rising from the Atlantic. Vik is particularly famous for its black sand beaches – the black sand being the black basalt. Another interesting find here is the Puffin bird- it can be spotted in the Vik beaches during its nesting season.

black sand beach Vik — The black sand beaches of Vik

BEST TIME TO VISIT Iceland:

Plan a visit in late June, July or August when the weather is the warmest and the days are the longest. Summer travel, while more expensive, allows you to make the most of your time there. During the longest days in the summer, the sun will set after midnight and rise again around 3 am! If you want to get the best deals on hotels in Iceland, you may choose to travel in May or September. Remember, because of Iceland’s proximity to the North Pole, the days become shorter quickly, leaving less time to explore Iceland’s natural beauty. The near 24 hours of daylight plummets to 11 hours of daylight by mid September. Although that is still plenty of time to explore, Vik is two hours from both Reykjavik and Jökulsárlón. Thus, long drives between destinations, especially at night, is more challenging on poorly lit roads.

WHAT TO BRING / WEAR:

In the summer months you will need plenty of layers. During the day the temperature could be 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 15 degrees Celsius), but at night it can drop as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring waterproof boots as well. Even though it may not rain, the beach at Vik is cold and damp-definitely not the traditional “toes in the sand” situation. If you plan to travel off season, bring a winter coat, hat, and gloves. Made obvious by the country’s name, it is cold here.

HOW TO GET TO Vik, Iceland:

The easiest way is by renting a car. Several tour companies will also offer tours from Reykjavik (379 kilometers away) to Jökulsárlón, which will stop in Vik along the way. However, this will limit the amount of time you can spend here. For the most freedom, rent a car, and plan to stay overnight in Vik. Vik is located right off the Route 1 ring road.

The cheapest way to get to Vik is to hitchhike or take a bus. Although I did not hitchhike, if there’s any country to try it in, this would be it. There is one major road in the country and it has the lowest crime rates. Another option is taking Strætó, which provides bus service in the capital and to other parts of Iceland. Bus route 51 travels from Reykjavik (the bus stop in the capital city is called “Mjodd”) to Vik as well as Jökulsárlón.

WHAT NOT TO MISS IN ICELAND:

In addition to Vik, Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland’s most famous sites. It is 2 hours from Vik. Along Iceland’s southern coast, you will also find the striking waterfall of Skogafoss. Closer to the capital city, is the famous Golden Circle route which covers geysirs, the Thingvellir National Park, and Gulfoss (another waterfall).

Iceland’s Glacial Lagoon

January 28, 2015November 21, 2015Posted in IcelandTagged Scenic, Scenic Lakes3 Comments

One of Iceland’s natural wonders is Jökulsárlón which means “glacier river lagoon.” It formed when the tip of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier (part of the Vatnajökull glacier) began to retreat from the sea in the 1930s. Large pieces of glacial ice break off the glacier to form create the striking icebergs floating in the lagoon.

The lagoon was the backdrop for scenes from the James Bond film Die Another Day and most recently the new Bollywood film Dilwale. The lake developed just over 60 years ago and has doubled in size since 1975. Global warming is real, people. It takes over 4 hours to reach this area from Reykjavik so you can either leave very early, or make an overnight stop in the seaside village of Vik. Once you arrive at Jökulsárlón, jump on board a boat to weave you between icebergs in the glacial lagoon.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT Jökulsárlón :

Plan a visit in July or August when the weather is the warmest (relative to the rest of the year) and the days are longer. If you want to get the best deals on hotels and airfare, travel a bit off season in early June or mid September. Remember, because of Iceland’s proximity to the North Pole, the days become shorter quickly. Summer travel, while more expensive, allows you to make the most of your time there (nearly 20 hours of sunlight in the summer!). By mid September, the temperatures drop and the days shorten to 11 hours making driving late at night more challenging on poorly lit roads.

WHAT TO BRING / WEAR:

In the summer months you will need plenty of layers. Although Reykyavik may be pleasant during the day, the area surrounding the glacial lagoon will still be chilly and wet. Bring waterproof boots as well. If you have trouble sleeping, the constant daylight in the summer months may drive you crazy. So bring a sleeping aid, if you think you need it.

HOW TO GET TO Jökulsárlón Lagoon:

The easiest way is by renting a car. Several tour companies will also offer tours from Reykjavik (379 kilometers away) which takes away the hassle of driving, allowing you to enjoy the scenery along the way. Depending on how many people you are traveling with, renting a car may be easier as well as more economical. The lagoon is located just off the Route 1 ring road.

The cheapest way to get to Jökulsárlón is to hitchhike. Apparently, backpackers do this safely here, as Iceland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. It is also possible to take the bus (route 51) to the glacial lagoon from the bus station in Reykjavik (called “Mjodd”).

WHAT NOT TO MISS:

On the way to Jökulsárlón, be sure to stop by for a meal or an overnight stay in Vik. Vik is about 2 hours into your 4 hour drive from Reykjavik to the glacial lagoon. The black sand beaches here are truly unique, and the sunset here borders on magical. Another interesting site to note is the volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Uhh… What? Don’t waste your time trying to pronounce it – just know that it is the volcano that famously erupted back in 2010. It is located 30 minutes by car away from Vik en route to Reykjavik. Just follow the Route 1 ring road back to the capital.