![]() ![]() It is roughly the same size in area as the state of Virginia – but with 1/25 of its population. Located where the North Atlantic Ocean meets the Arctic Ocean and where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates intersect, isolated Iceland lies just south of the Arctic Circle. The fascinating Nordic nation of Iceland is nothing if not remote. And after you've finished sightseeing, consider enjoying the hot springs, geothermal pools and saunas, all of which – along with swimming – are hugely popular with the locals. ![]() (And because they have historically been so isolated, there is even a dating app in Iceland to prevent you from dating anyone closely-related!)Ĭultural sights to consider visiting in Iceland (there are many excellent ones) include the Reykjavik Art Museum, the Skogar Folk Museum and Thingvellir National Park. The vast majority of Icelanders are Lutheran, and in general they have quite a sense of community. When visiting Iceland, you'll also find that many locals also speak Danish and English. For example, most male last names contain the father's first name paired with "son," while most female last names contain the father's first name paired with "dottir." As a result, in one family – let's imagine an Icelandic family of four (mom, dad, boy, girl) – each member would have a different last name. Its language, Icelandic, descended from Old Norse and has some pretty interesting features. That being said, don't be fooled into thinking they're identical Iceland's Scandinavian background evolved into something downright unique.Īmong Nordic countries, Iceland is renowned for its contributions to (and preservation of) Norse literature and mythology its medieval sagas, some of which document the Viking discoveries of Greenland and 2Vinland, are particularly famed. As its origins are Scandinavian (from the original Viking settlers), in many ways Iceland's culture still resembles those of other European, Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. (As the northern lights depend on weather and solar activity, sightings are not guaranteed.Without a doubt, Iceland's geographic isolation has impacted its (very interesting!) culture, society and language. You’ll have the best chance of experiencing this celestial phenomenon on the September or October departures. The Northern Lights: Iceland is an ideal place to view the aurora borealis.Visit a fascinating glacier exhibition at the renowned Perlan Museum in Reykjavík, and take an optional tour to the Blue Lagoon. Stop in lovely Vik, and visit the interactive Lava centre for a close encounter with Iceland’s geological forces. Watch geysers erupt at Geysir and walk the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara to caves lined basalt columns. Southern Iceland: At Thingvellir National Park witness the spot where the world’s oldest Parliament met and walk the rift valley between the North American and European tectonic plates.Then stroll the black-pebble beach of Djupalonssandur. Explore the caves and bizarre basalt rock formations near Arnarstapi, site of thousands of nesting cliff birds. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Walk along a shell-sand beach at the abandoned fishing village of Budir, surrounded by a vast lava field.Venture into dramatic canyons in Vatnajoküll National Park and, from Husavik, go whale-watching or take a bird-watching cruise to Puffin Island (depending on the season). Lake Myvatn: Venture to the bubbling, steaming, lava-crusted landscapes of Lake Myvatn, discovering massive explosion craters, craggy lava sculptures, popping mud pools, and more.Witness the thundering cascades of Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, and hear the legends of Godafoss, the “waterfall of the gods.” See two-tiered Gullfoss, a stop on the popular Golden Circle, and admire Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss along the southern coast. ![]()
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