Iceland
With a short flight and zero time difference, you don’t need a golden compass to find the northern light-laden skies, picture-perfect municipals and ethereal dioramas of Iceland.
With a short flight and zero time difference, you don’t need a golden compass to find the northern light-laden skies, picture-perfect municipals and ethereal dioramas of Iceland.
An arctic wilderness dotted with geothermal lagoons and cloud-shrouded volcanic peaks, Europe’s least densely populated country exudes an air of dramatic mystery. Picturesque fishing villages tempt a peak, while those seeking adventure go off snowmobiling on the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, camping on the ice, or take a helicopter flight over the frosted landscape.
The thrill of the wild is matched by the vibrancy of Reykjavik with its local designer fashion and craft shops, cutting edge galleries and eclectic collection of restaurants (Icelandic Tapas is a revelation). Stroll the streets to discover a mix of old and new, the small painted houses rubbing shoulders with ultra-contemporary hotels and the stunning glass opera house.
In pursuit of…
… the land of fire and ice
Despite the hard, frosty exterior, there’s an inferno of excitement burning within Iceland’s confines – and we’re not just talking about the volcanoes. In the capital, when the cosy bookstores and cafes have gone to sleep, the streets come alive with a fiery nightlife scene revelled in by both locals and tourists; while beneath the lunar landscapes of the Golden Circle there’s boiling hot water ready to burst free of its earthy cage. A walk on the quiet side is no less fierce, with the burning chill of the air thawed off nicely by the steaming pool of the world-renowned Blue Lagoon.
“It’s funny to have Icelanders come in (to the restaurant) and then when they’re leaving, they thank me and talk about how the food was very interesting, all these new flavours, these new things. And we’re thinking, we’ve only used the flavours that were always here!”
Its essence...
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STIRRINGSTIRRINGPassages from a journal A weekend in Iceland
Day 2
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Day 4
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
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![People swimming in a hot blue lagoon]()
8:30am
I slept like a baby last night, probably due to the Blue Lagoon’s steamy geothermal water we soaked in yesterday – the perfect antidote to any post-flight woes. Today we’re heading into Reykjavik to explore; taking it easy wandering some designer shops, museums and galleries. We’re thinking of going to the harbour for dinner, we’ve been told the fresh seafood is life changing.
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![A large waterfall dropping into a crevasse, and a person looking from a rocky ledge]()
6pm
Into the Icelandic wilderness we went for a days guided tour in a monster of a Super Jeep. We explored an area known as the Golden Circle – home to pretty much every archetypal Icelandic landscape. We drove through Thingvellir National Park where you can walk between tectonic plates and on to the sprouting Strokkur geyser, before finishing off at the beautifully formidable Gullfoss waterfall.
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![A white SUV exiting water onto black sand with the mountains of Landmannalaugar, Iceland in the background]()
3:45pm
We had a choice today, outdoor pursuits such as a glacier tour, or a Super Jeep exploration of the sleepy villages and black sand beaches of the South Coast – littered with wreckage and sea life skeletons. We went for the latter, thundering along on our journey before stopping off at this quaint guesthouse for lunch. We’re about to head back out into the chilly air now, goggles in hand for a snowmobile tour of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
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Destination essentials
WHEN TO VISIT
Flight
Time difference
Currency / Language
The leading line-up
Iceland
Extraordinary
experiences
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![People swimming in a hot blue lagoon]()
Soak in the therapeutic thermal waters of the iconic Blue Lagoon.Frosty blue pools engulfed by black volcanic rock may give off the air of a cold shoulder, but these waters are anything but. Thanks to its mineral-rich composition, the healing properties of the Blue Lagoon have become world-famous, and a day spent soaking in this otherworldly landscape is bound to heal both body and soul.
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![A white SUV exiting water onto black sand with the mountains of Landmannalaugar, Iceland in the background]()
Explore the beguiling landscapes in the circumference of the Golden Circle.The only vehicle tough enough to handle the terrain, a Super Jeep is the hefty mode of transport for a day whizzing around the natural beauty in this part of Iceland. Taking in Thingvellir National Park, the spouting Strokkur geyser and the astonishingly beautiful Gullfoss waterfall along the way.
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![A person standing on a black sand dune looking at Stokksnes bay with Vestrahorn mountain in the background.]()
Ride, glide and fly over the South Coast’s snow-scapes.When one mode of transport just won’t do: first meet up with some friendly huskies to fly over the glaciers on the back of a sled. Then, horses are mounted for a slower pace of exploration. For the extreme-enthusiasts, there are sightseeing flights on the cards to get a birds eye view of the glittering white vastness.
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![A large waterfall dropping into a crevasse, and a person looking from a rocky ledge]()
Venture to the coast for a beach experience far from that of a traditional summer holiday.Climbing aboard a Super Jeep, head to the gargantuan cliffs of the South Coast. Touring unearthly black volcanic sand beaches, titanic waterfalls and lazy coastal villages en-route. Later, zoom over the Mýrdalsjökull glacier on a snowmobile tour.
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