Iceland: a real life fairy tale (part 2)

 

Finally, you might be saying to yourself…after a long time, this one is posting again!

Writing out stages for an hypothetical trip is no small feat, and anybody who has ever organized one will understand me. So sorry, but let's not waste time and get started!

You undoubtedly remember the extraordinary Icelandic wonders I talked about previously, and I bet that once read this itinerary you will immediately go and pack your bags. Hurry up then, don't delay and scroll through this article instead, because flights are not infinite and this will absolutely be the most beautiful journey of your life if I manage to convince you!

READ PART I

So…without too much chatter, let's start straight away in order: if I were you I would certainly opt for a week-long adventure, with 7 intense days starting and ending in Reykjavik, the state capital, during which, with short stops to rest or take incredible souvenir photos, I would visit the island counterclockwise. My writing will therefore be divided into several points, each corresponding to a day and listing the possible activities to do (from which you can choose) in certain areas to make traveling by car easier (yes, exactly, there are no other means of transport to use there, and since the roads are not always among the most ideal and you will have to rent, I highly recommend choosing a jeep or in any case a 4x4 to get around).

I therefore wish you, without too much hesitation, a good read, my dearest gentle readers.

 Point 1, first day

Let's assume you arrive at Reykjavik airport in the morning. Anyone would be tired after a long plane ride, and therefore you would undoubtedly prefer to do quieter activities, nearby if possible. Beating heart of the nation, the capital is right for you, with many unique attractions, restaurants and hotels. What to see then? Here you go:

-        Rainbow Road, a street made few years ago to show support and encourage acceptance of diversity;

-        Sun Voyager, a modern sculpture representing a Viking ship created to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the city and symbol of hope, progress and freedom;

-        Hallgrimskirkja, a 75 meter high church (initially designed to transmit radio signals), from the late 1980s, which appears slender due to its majestic architecture;

-        Perlan Museum, where you can learn everything about Iceland in an interactive and fun way thanks to the installations, platforms, planetariums and exhibitions inside;

-        Lava Show, the only huge room in the world where you can see real, molten, sizzling and heat-giving lava up close;

-        FlyOver, a structure equipped with very advanced technology which (if you cannot afford helicopter trips) through special effects such as wind, fog, smoke etc., a 20m spherical screen and chairs suspended in the air, will make you seem to fly in the Icelandic sky above all wonder;

-        Púfa, an artificial hill recently designed as a place of serenity and meditation, reachable via stairs and at the top of which there is a shed for drying fish overlooking one of the most beautiful views of Reykjavik;

... and the things to visit don't you think end here (I have only written the main ones which are enough for a day and more).

You will now wonder where to eat and sleep. Well, you can find restaurants wherever you turn, one better than the other and any having local specialties (even oddities like fermented shark) on the menu.

There are also many options for where to sleep, but personally I prefer and recommend the Viking hotel, completely themed and reminiscent of Asgard.

A more than acceptable start to the week I would say, isn't it?

Point 2, second day

After renting a car in Reykjavik, the time has come to leave for a new exciting day.

Have a hearty breakfast and a nice cup of coffee before choosing from these unique destinations:

-        Kerid Crater, among the most symbolic Icelandic volcanic lakes, 55m deep, surrounded by red rock and having a particular and vivid bluish color due to the earthly minerals present in the area;

-        Urridafoss, the largest waterfall in the country in its longest river;

-        The 12 artificial Caves of Hella, the oldest intact archaeological site here, probably created by Vikings or Celts and having inside them crosses, engraved drawings/writings, sculpted seats….;

-        Raufarholshellir, a brightly colored cave formed over 5000 years ago after a volcanic eruption;

-        Thrihnukagigur, the only dormant volcano in the world where you can enter and explore the lava chamber safely;

-        Secret Lagoon, equipped with thermal springs, is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland;

-        Hekla, the most unpredictable, active and explosive volcano in the nation, called “Gate of Hell” in the Middle Ages due to its violence;

I hope you’ll tell me the choices made during these days… and pay no attention to fatigue and tiredness, because with great probability trips like this will never happen again (just think of the memories you will be able to tell future generations of such almost unearthly places).

Ok let's continue, we are only at the beginning!

 Point 3, third day

I hope you start this day fully charged (and with a phone that has a long-lasting battery and plenty of space in the gallery for the hundreds of photos you will take).

Get ready, speechless is the key word today….

●      Going to Iceland you cannot fail to visit at least one glacier, and in this area Eyjafjallajokull (under which there is an active volcano) and Solheimajokull are among the most beautiful and accessible ones, with colors ranging from transparent to white, from light blue to shades of sapphire and even black. These kilometers of ever-changing frozen water with thousands of years of history, are certainly unforgettable spectacles (and definitely amazing backgrounds for pics).

●      Don't forget that you are still on an island, whose coasts enjoy equal beauty. You can walk here on the black sands of Reynisfjara, or on the cliffs of Dyrholaey. If you decide to visit the first tho, keep as far away from the water as possible: the sneaker waves are the protagonists of this area, which thanks to the dangerous currents of the sea, suck anyone into the water. Darkness seems to dominate on this beach, which looks quite terrifying due to its ash-like color, yeah? Normally it wouldn't seem so, but the Dyrholaey cliffs apparently appear safer therefore. Their peculiarities are to include a mini peninsula having a large hole creating a perfect arch, and to host a typical, cute and friendly Icelandic bird: the Puffin.

●      And now we move on to the waterfalls, with Kvernufoss, Seljalandsfoss and above all the wonderful Skogafoss which are the main photographic areas of the day (if you have a waterproof cell phone, as it seems to rain continuously from every direction near these). Skogafoss is my favorite waterfall in Iceland as it is by far one of the biggest and most elegant of all. It’s almost always surrounded by rainbows, a consequence, according to legends, of the presence of gold chests behind and under it.

●      Please, unmissable are the Dwarf Cliffs, which are eye-catching due to their tall, hexagonal, basalt columns. It’s an example of how mysterious and disconcerting Icelandic nature can be, as well as being, according to ancient popular stories, the main home of certain magical creatures capable of hypnotizing by singing. Near these is the Fjadrargljufur canyon, which has been constantly changing for centuries and through which passes a deep river with dark but clear waters.

●      Be careful when reading, because you could sometimes skip things which you would then regret bitterly enough to want to self-devour, like one of the most popular Icelandic tourist destinations: the wreck in the black sandy beach. No, I don't mean a ship, but a plane… the US NAVY DC-3, which crashed due to a fuel failure years ago (there were no victims fortunately). Allowing you to take enviable photos, it can be visited with the right caution also inside.

If I'm tired and I'm just writing, I can't imagine how exhausted you will be (but at least with a big smile on your face!). Recharge your batteries with a nice dinner and a deep sleep in the small, peaceful and silent village of Vik i Myrdal, full of shops with souvenirs, before the next stratospheric, stupendous, unforgettable, unique, beautiful (and all the positive adjectives in the world) adventure.

 Point 4-5, fourth-fifth day

Ok, this article is getting way TOOOOOOOO long, I promise I'll try to keep it short (But you know, I'm totally in love with Iceland, and I'm wondering how you few still aren't! With all my strength and resources, resign yourself and believe me, I'll make you adore it too).

We are halfway through the trip/holiday, let's move on and now visit the north-east of the nation:

-        Hengifoss, Laugavellir and Klifbrekkufossar, 3 waterfalls having characteristics (in order): natural parallel stripes of black and red rock behind it; geothermal hot water between 39-42 C; a cascading series of 7 waterfalls;

-        Viti Crater Lake, in Askja caldera, is Iceland's second largest lake, which with its almost perfect circular shape, attracts hundreds of visitors every year. It was formed after the last ice age, and over time it has continued to grow, reaching 50 square kilometers today. Fun fact: it was used in the past by the astronauts of the Apollo missions for training;

-        Lagarfljot Lake, famous for the legendary creature that lives within it: related to the Loch Ness Monster, this serpent-like beast has struck fear into children since the story was conceived;

-        Bulandstindur, an incredible mountain literally shaped like a pyramid, formed 8 million years ago and divided into several layers;

-        Hverir, a rather unusual landscape: it’s a plain full of pools filled with boiling mud from which very hot smoke with a sulfurous smell comes out;

-        Vatnajokull, the largest national and european park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes the largest glacier on our continent, most of the most active, powerful and dangerous european volcanoes, kilometer-long tunnels dug into the ice and so on;

-        Jokulsarlon, a large lagoon of glacial origin in whose waters there are a tide of seals spending most of their time lying on mini icebergs;

-        Studlagil Canyon, whose colorful columns of basalt rock were carved out by the wide green stream that passes beneath it today;

-        Petra's stone and mineral collection, one of the most beautiful and simultaneously strangest attractions here. Was born out of the passion felt by a little girl, now 102 years old, for the natural world and the unreal things it can offer us;

-        Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Iceland and Europe, located in a lunar-looking, gray and desert landscape;

Come on admit it, are you enjoying this break from your daily life, aren’t you? You’ll be very sad to leave the island, I foresee it and I am rarely wrong. But let's not think about future days and enjoy the present instead. It's time to stop a bit to stretch your tired legs, dream and fill your belly with the almost last goodies. So…I recommend you go to Husavik, a small port town that organizes boat trips to see real huge whales up close after a short tour in the local whale museum (if I were you I wouldn't miss an opportunity like this), and where you can wander around small shops, swing on comfortable hammocks and breathe the cleanest air in the world while meditating/sleeping. And if you want to relax a little more, then a pause at Vok Baths is necessary, where a luxurious spa on the most picturesque Icelandic fjords awaits you.

 Point 6-7, sixth-seventh day

Unfortunately you are approaching the end of the trip, which will leave wonderful moments imprinted in your minds. It's time to see the last things in the north and then head down the west coast towards Reykjavik, where the return plane is ready to take you home.

●      If you are looking for absurd rock formations, Hvitserkur and Gatklettur are for you. The first, more than 15 meters high, almost seems to stand up by a miracle, and resembles, depending on the point of observation, a dinosaur, troll or dragon that is drinking. The second, which can be defined as a small peninsula, is called “Miniature Iceland” due to the diversity of natural characteristics it has, and presents a distinctive rocky arch crossed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

●      I hope you haven't gotten tired of seeing waterfalls because Kirkjufellsfoss, Godafoss, Glymur and Dynjandi are also true water jewels: the first is located next to the most symbolic mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell; the second descends on a curved edge and due to its beauty is called “The Waterfall of the Gods"; the third, 200 meters high, drops into a narrow canyon where it seems to disappear; the fourth is considered a national monument and is inaccessible in certain areas due to the fragile and isolated vegetation found nowhere else.

●      If you have time and desire, why not visit two other beaches, Raudisandur and Skardsvik, one with red/pink sand due to the presence of chopped scallop shells in contrast with the freezing blue Nordic water, and the other with golden sand coasted by a turquoise sea.

●      A must see are the Latrabjarg cliffs, among the largest in Europe and the westernmost point of both Iceland and our continent. It’s also the best place in the world for birdwatching, with millions of species nesting.

●      Do you love thrills? Go down a spiral staircase into the deep and dark Vatnshellir cave, with volcanic origins and which seems like a magical, underground, frightening world. It’s located near the Snaefellsjokull glacier, the focus of Jules Verne's novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.

●      Are you looking for places to regenerate? Born in 1976, the Blue Lagoon contains clean geothermal water which is renewed every 48 hours thanks to the adjacent geothermal power plant. With an average temperature of 39 C and numerous natural minerals, it is an all-round skin care. Given its vast size, the number of people who bathe there at the same time is high, so if you want a similar experience but solitude, I recommend the Husafell Canyon Baths. These, reachable after a short hike, are located in a remote and wild landscape, among canyons with views of glaciers, mountains, plateaus and forests.

The week is over, with 7 days that gave you infinite emotions. Alas, it's time to return home, where you can review the photographs taken together with your loved ones, who will certainly be more than motivated to leave for Iceland as soon as possible like you.

I hope you have had the opportunity to make Icelandic friends in this short time, welcoming and sweet people, with whom you have seen at least one Northern Lights (if you visited the nation between September and April) or one of their hidden and little-known extraordinary local sights.

I don't know what else to write to convince you to go to this country, but I'm more than sure that you now have a bit of love for Iceland too….

Ok that's enough, thanks for your attention, the post is finally finished! More than 3,500 words divided into two articles are enough for you, but they certainly aren't to conclude an in-depth description of Iceland with its truly almost infinite wonders! See you soon for the last article of the school year, much shorter but really interesting, at the end of which a revelation will be made by this writer!

Don't think about summer yet, stay tuned.

Today’s Blogger

Hi everyone, for those who don't know me yet, I'm Marina Lostun, and I'm a student at the Braschi-Qurenghi high school. This bio is too short to contain all my interests, so, dear readers, you will discover them all gradually by reading my articles and posts. However, although I really like the idea of leaving you hanging, for now, know that I love travelling, nature and helping others.