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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 JJfromNJ
June 28th 2009

Geysirs, Waterfalls, and Sunny Nights Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

Blue Lagoon

At $7 per hour, Iceland definitely has the most expensive internet I´ve seen anywhere in the world. For that matter, pretty much everything else is most expensive here too, except for heat, which is free. So we landed on time at 6:00 am and immediately met Bryce and Diu, two Canadians. The Blue Lagoon is right near the airport, so the four of us went there just after landing. It was awesome! And furthermore, I kept thinking that everyone at home who thinks it´s odd why anyone would want to travel to Iceland would LOVE it! It´s a huge naturally heated [View Full Entry]

By TrafficJan82
June 27th 2009

Reykjavik - still!! Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

Good stuff! In the morning, I feel a lot better, and we decide to try to catch the 8:30 bus to Geysir, and continue our bike tour there. So - everything packed up quickly, a quick dash downstairs for breakfast, handing over waaay too much money for the hotel, and off to the bus station we go. We arrive half an hour early - plenty of time to buy the tickets and get the bikes on the bus...but what's that noise in my rear wheel? The wheel's had me worried for a while now: as Mr. Do-Everything-Myself, I had to build [View Full Entry]

By jonathanandzara
June 27th 2009

Nightless Nights in Iceland Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

Iceland is cold and always sunny, well at least while we were there. On our first day we arrived at 7am and weren't able to check into our hotel until 1pm. So, we were very tired and had some time to kill. Since we were so cold and already wet from the rain we decided to go to the pool. In Iceland all the water is heated by geothermal energy. The pool was no exception. The water in the different pools varied in temperature and was the best way to spend our first day in Iceland. Day two was spend whale [View Full Entry]

By TrafficJan82
June 26th 2009

Reykjavik - again Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

How to tie a tie

Not much happening today...I manage to drag myself out of bed for some breakfast, aided by Paracetamol. While I spend most of the rest of the day sleeping, Nadine is out in Reykjavik, buying food and checking out the pool. In the evening, I start feeling slightly better, and we go for a small walk around town - again, helped by some paracetamol. Here's to hoping this whole mess will be better tomorrow morning! [View Full Entry]

By TrafficJan82
June 25th 2009

Valhöll Europe » Iceland » Southwest

View from the Hotel

When going to bed last night, I was already feeling quite cold, and it doesn't get better all night. When I wake up in the morning, I'm still shivering, and it turns out that I have a fever...just perfect, exactly what I need on a bike tour! Spending another night in the tent next to the cold lake is not an option, so after some thinking, we decide to check into a nearby hotel, and hope to be able to continue cycling tomorrow. Unfortunately, the only hotel close by is the Valhöll, and it's quite luxurious, and thus expensive. Through a [View Full Entry]

By dwebster
June 25th 2009

Day 4 Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

Blue Lagoon Spa

Day 4: Thursday, June 25, 2009 REYKJAVIK, ICELAND Fell in and out of sleep all night. It was light all night, but that wasn't it. Up at 6 am. Took shower. water smelled a little of sulfer. Was told at power plant yesterday that even when they heat cold water, they add sulfer to remove oxygen so as to kill off any organisms that might be in the water. Had breakfast just after 7 am. Breakfast was continental and typically european, consisting of a couple types of cereals, milk, juice, yogarts, lunch meat, cheese slices, some sliced fruits, and some different [View Full Entry]

By dwebster
June 24th 2009

Day 3 Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

Nesjavellir

Day 3: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 REYKJAVIK, ICELAND I awoke in a panic convinced I had over slept and missed a tour. Still very groggy from lack of sleep, I rolled out of bed, threw on some cloths and rushed down stairs just in time to see an Iceland Excursions van pulling away from the hotel entrance. I rushed after it only to find that is wasn't there for me, it was simply turning around. Ugh. Looked at the time,... 8:25 am. My pickup scheduled for 8:30 am. Good, I have 5 whole minutes, whatever shall I do? Off to the [View Full Entry]

By TrafficJan82
June 24th 2009

Between the Continents Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Laugavegur

Morning coffee

Late morning, the sun (!) wakes us, and we crawl out of our tent for some breakfast and coffee. Using the "super special" burning liquid bought in an outdoor shop in Reykjavik almost sets the tent on fire, because it produces a high flame, and all efforts to extinguish or control the size of the flame are in vain. Additionally, it completely covers all cookware involved in a thick layer of black soot. Quality stuff! Just for reference, if you own a Trangia using liquid fuel and you value your life, do not use Primus PowerFuel! To extinguish the flame, we [View Full Entry]

By dwebster
June 23rd 2009

Day 2 Europe » Iceland » Southwest

The Pearl

Day 2: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 KEFLAVIK, ICELAND Landed in Keflavik, Iceland around 6:15am to light rain and heavy overcast. I was worn out. Starting my third day without sleep. Keflavik is about 30 minutes south of the capital city of Reykjavik. So after exchanging Dollars for Icelandic Kronur, I caught the FlyBus to Reykjavik. The FlyBus costs 1700 Kronur (13.29 USD) one-way and is really the best way to go. NOTE: The króna (plural krónur) (sign: kr; code: ISK) is the currency of Iceland. The word króna, meaning "crown", is related to that of other Nordic [View Full Entry]

By TrafficJan82
June 23rd 2009

Out of Reykjavik Europe » Iceland » Southwest » Reykjavík

Building the bikes

Having just arrived in the "Smoky Bay" yesterday, we were happy to be able to sleep through our first night of - well - no night. Around June 21st, the days in Iceland are neverending, and even in the south, it never gets even remotely dark. The bikes still packed away in bags, our first mission for the day is to assemble them. Also, two of my former colleagues from Edinburgh uni, an Icelandic couple, recently moved back to Reykjavik. When we got in touch with them, they were eager to meet up - another item on the agenda. Meeting Stefan [View Full Entry]

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Iceland Travel Blogs, page 8

Iceland Travel Blogs

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