No matter how much you hear about the awe-inspiring natural phenomena on this island on the edge of the Arctic circle, nothing can prepare you for the jaw-dropping spectacle that is Iceland. Dubbed “the Land of Fire and Ice”, this small island nation is characterised by contrasts and contradictions. It is a place where steaming geysers burst forth from icy glaciers, where molten hot lava spews out of icy snow-capped peaks, where the astonishing aurora borealis blaze across the night sky and where continuously dark winters are offset by summer’s magnificent midnight sun. With the exception of Reykjavik, the country’s population centres are small, with diminutive towns, fishing villages, farms and minute hamlets clustered along the coastal fringes. The interior, meanwhile, remains totally uninhabited. What the Icelanders lack in numbers, they certainly make up for in warmth, quirkiness, and boundless creativity. Add to this, one of the highest standards of living on earth and you have, quite simply, one of the world’s most intriguing destinations.
De uitgestrekte hoofdstad van IJsland ligt aan een baai, onder leiding van de machtige berg Esja en staat in schril contrast met de rustige vissersdorpjes en kleine gehuchten van de opmerkelijke eilandnatie. De hub is vooruitstrevend, maar toch trots traditioneel; afgelegen, maar verrassend kosmopolitisch; onlosmakelijk verbonden met het natuurlijke landschap, maar omarmt moderne technologie. Het kleine stadscentrum wordt gekenmerkt door een eclectische mix van fel geschilderde huizen, elegante winkels, stijlvolle bars en highbrow musea. Een aantal restaurants serveert een heerlijk scala aan culinaire hoogstandjes en een scala aan exotische lekkernijen (probeer de testikels van de ingemaakte ram en verrotte haaienvlees). Of u nu van plan bent om uw vakantiegalerij door te brengen terwijl u naar Bjork luistert tijdens herhaling, duiken tussen tektonische borden of ontspant in de talloze geothermische zwembaden, Reykjavik is de ultieme bestemming voor zowel plezierzoekers als avontuurlijke junkies.
Verspreid ten noorden van Reykjavik, West-IJsland of Vesturland is een prachtige regio waar de natuur centraal staat. Met een oogverblindende caleidoscoop van vulkanen, warmwaterbronnen, diepe kliffen, golvende groene heuvels, verbazingwekkende watervallen, en prachtige baaien, het gebied is een wonderland van verkenning dat onlosmakelijk verbonden is met de lokale folklore. Hoogtepunten zijn onder meer het dramatische Djúpalón-strand; de Glymur-waterval, bereikbaar via een spannend pad vol gevarieerde landschappen; en het spectaculaire Nationaal Park Snæfellsjökull, met de Snæfellsjökull-gletsjer die kunstenaars en dichters gedurende honderden jaren inspireert. Duik in het rijke erfgoed van het gebied met een bezoek aan unieke en gevarieerde musea; stop zeker bij het levende museum Eiríksstaðir om te zien hoe Vikingen ooit leefden. Dierenliefhebbers zullen genieten van de IJslandse geiten in Háafell en de IJslandse paarden in Sturlu Reykir.
Akureyri in northern Iceland is as pretty as a picture, with scenery that includes wilderness areas, lava fields, ice caves, steaming hot springs and magnificent volcanic peaks. The town also boasts the best sightings of the colourful ‘northern lights’ in the country. Tourists make use of the surprisingly moderate weather conditions to explore nearby Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, Húsavík, and Lake Mývatn. Hlíðarfjall Mountain is a wonderful skiing destination, covered in snow for around 180 days a year. There are many museums to explore in the town, but the cultural highlight of the region is arguably the collection of traditional turf homes built into the mountainside, which allow a sneak-peek into Icelandic history.
Egilsstadir is known as east Iceland’s capital and an optimal destination from which to take day trips to the numerous attractions in the eastern districts – including Hallormsstaðaskógur forest, Gufufoss waterfall, the Laki craters, the town of Seyðisfjörður and Stafdal ski resort. While you’re in town, it’s worth checking out the Slaughterhouse Culture Center, which is the heart of culture and arts in Egilsstadir, hosting a variety of events throughout the year, such as concerts, art exhibitions and plays. The East Iceland Heritage Museum showcases Icelandic traditions from the past and there is a 25 metre-long, warm public pool that has two hot tubs and a water slide.
Situated within South East Iceland’s incredible Vatnajökull National Park, the Skaftafell Nature Reserve was once a national park in its own rights, and is famous for its dramatic landscapes and adventure opportunities. Vast expanses of blue-white glaciers, jagged mountain peaks, thick green woodlands, and other-worldly black sands provide the chance to go hiking, ice cave exploring, glacier trekking, climbing, and more. The park is home to Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjukur, offering an enticing challenge (you must, however, be accompanied by guides as it is next to an active volcano). The tallest waterfall in the country, Morsárfoss, is also located here, along with many others which present an exquisite display among the green trees. In spring, swathes of brightly coloured flowers appear. The park is known for its variety of insects, and is also home to Arctic fox and other small mammals.
The Ranga River flows through the quaint village of Hella in southern Iceland, just a short distance from the well-known Mount Hekla volcano and the hot springs of Landmannalaugar. Hella is an ideal base from which to take day trips to nearby Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, Landmannalaugar, Þorsmork, Vestmannaeyjar islands and other places of interest. Also close by is Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, which drops 60 metres over the cliffs believed to have once formed part of the coastline. Hella is also renowned as one of the best skydiving spots in Iceland, and is a natural magnet for adventure junkies looking to try out this daredevil sport.
