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Iceland Travel Blogs

Settled by Norwegian and Celtic immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway, then Denmark, achieving full independence in 1944.

Iceland experiences a rather mild climate for a country on such a northern latitude, yet weather patterns are known to be volatile, conditions changing frequently. During the summer months, Iceland never reaches full darkness, and in northern areas a Midnight Sun can be seen. Iceland's stunning landscape provides areas of geothermal activity, mountains, waterfalls and glaciers. It's cities although small, provide both a taste of traditional culture and the chance to experience the Icelandic way of life.

Highlights

• Gullfoss (The Golden Falls)
• The Jökulsár Lagoon
• Dettifoss
• Vestmannaeyjar
• The Culture House museum - holding a large collection of medieval manuscripts.
• The Blue Lagoon
• Reykjavík

Tips and Hints

Best to travel in the summer months - winter offers near permanent darkness and freezing weather conditions.

Iceland

Map of Iceland

Iceland's Flag

Hostels in Iceland
Latest Iceland Blog Entries
Iceland Photos

By TrafficJan82
July 2nd 2009

Back to K-town Europe » Iceland » South

Nature wins!

In the morning, we're woken up by - rain! For the first time in over a week (aside from day 1 in Reykjavik), it's raining! So we decide to do what any rational person would: continue sleeping, and wait for it to ease off, which it does around 11. So we carefully pack up everything, have breakfast at a covered bench and table nearby, and head down to the ring road. Seems like our idea worked: tail wind! And no more rain! How much better can it get! At this speed, we'll be in Kirkubæjarklaustur in a matter of a few [View Full Entry]

By TrafficJan82
July 2nd 2009

Through the lava fields Europe » Iceland » South » Vík

Breakfast

For the first time, we our of the tent before 9 - because it's too hot! The sun is burning on the ten, and soon there is nothing to take off anymore, we have to get up. Hendrick and Carlo also soon come crawling from their tent, and starting getting some basic supplies ready for a bus tour into the interior, before heading on towards Skaftafell. We have some coffee and breakfast, then get back on the bikes, and follow the ring road back to Vík. The road first passes through rolling green hills, but soon lava fields are all we [View Full Entry]

By KMyshrall
July 1st 2009

Classes and modeling and reindeer Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

Today was the day when my body decided it did not like the schedule we had. I couldn't fall asleep last night until almost 2 and when I had to wake up at 7:30, my body thought it was the middle of the night. I dragged myself out of bed and went to class though. The lectures this morning were much better. I think the instructors got the impression that more than half of us weren't following along at all...which is exactly the case!! After a morning of lectures and lunch, we had a quick introduction to the modeling exercises we [View Full Entry]

By The Joy Family
July 1st 2009

Going Whale Watching Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

Puffin

Today is Canada Day back home. Joshua and Benjamin are lamenting the fact that they will not get to see fireworks. We get a relatively slow start to the day, and are only ready to head out some time after 11. Our thought for the day is to walk to the downtown park of Reykjavik and find the tourism office. We would like to do some whale watching while we are here, having passed up the opportunity when we were in New Zealand. The route to the downtown turns out to be fairly easy, following a single road. Reykjavik seems quite [View Full Entry]

By TrafficJan82
July 1st 2009

Busing it to the glacier Europe » Iceland » South » Vík

Into the cold

After yesterday's fun day of headwind-cycling, we decide to try and use the headwind - which seems to be the predominant direction the wind here - to our advantage. Since we had planned to get to Skaftafell, and then take the bus back, why not turn this on its head, take the bus to Skaftafell, and then cycle back along the south coast with tailwind? As it turns out, the bus stop is also directly at the campsite, so we don't even have to work hard to catch the bus - simply pack up, and make sure we stand ready at [View Full Entry]

By KMyshrall
June 30th 2009

So after the wonderful poster session and "buffet dinner" (that's all dripping with sarcasm btw), a group of us decided to go get some real food. We headed around the corner from our hotel, which is smack in the middle of a busy area so there are a lot of options, and grabbed some dinner. It's so strange to be sitting on a street corner at 10:30 at night in bright sunshine with the place packed and full of little kids! I just had a burger (though they come standard with cucumber, lettuce, onions, and some unidentifiable sauce I'd say is [View Full Entry]

By The Joy Family
June 30th 2009

Heading to Iceland Europe » Iceland

The route to Iceland

We can't check in at the airport until about 10 am, so we slept in a bit this morning. There happened to be a shuttle bus about to leave when we came out of the hotel, so we were quite quickly at the airport. Despite having printed out the e-tickets last night, I had the terminal confused. We got off at terminal 3, only to discover it was terminal one that we needed. Fortunately, the terminals are not too far apart and there are moving sidewalks between them. At the terminal, we found Icelandair and checked in quite quickly, though we [View Full Entry]

By TrafficJan82
June 30th 2009

Headwind and Waterfalls Europe » Iceland » Southwest

Seljalandsfoss

As yesterday, we have a good sleep in, and are again one of the last tents on the camp ground by the time we finally crawl out of the tent. Good thing the sun doesn't shine too much in Iceland - that way you can sleep as long as you want without getting roasted! While I start packing up the tent, Nadine goes shopping for some groceries. On her way to the store, she already notices that the wind isn't with us today... On the way out of town, we stop by the petrol station - I need some new burning [View Full Entry]

By KMyshrall
June 30th 2009

My brain is falling out Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

Not much exciting to report on today. It's our first day of lectures at the University of Iceland. 8- 45 minutes lectures on astrophysics and astrochemistry. Painful! At least they let us have a small break every other talk with coffee, which was totally necessary! We're just finishing up a poster session and a "buffet dinner" which consists of little annoying sandwiches that everyone is complaining about since it's not a real meal. I guess we're wrapping up soon and heading back to the hotel. I can't wait to get in bed!! [View Full Entry]

By TrafficJan82
June 29th 2009

The road South Europe » Iceland » Southwest

Breakfast

After a good night's sleep, we are woken up by the lawnmower, cutting the grass all around us. When we open the tent, it turns out that we are the last ones on the campground! No need to rush though, first we have some breakfast and the ever-important cup of coffee, before we start packing up again and get ready for our first full day of cycling after the break. The road leads south along the same road the bus brought us yesterday. The scenery isn't too impressive - mostly fields, and pastures, alternating between cows, horses, and sheep. The wind [View Full Entry]

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Iceland Travel Blogs, page 7

Iceland Travel Blogs

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