Iceland – Griffey's Great Adventures

THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE: Visiting Western ICELAND in Winter

It’s that time again!! This month’s #GGA5daygetaway destination is Iceland. We had the pleasure of visiting this small country during the winter months. The frozen scenery was breathtaking and quite a sight to see. However, the winter weather can be treacherous so be sure to plan accordingly if you are traveling during the cold season!

Climate

Iceland is a Nordic Island Nation situated in the North Atlantic between Greenland and Norway. Temperatures are similar to Upstate New York, both in the summer and the winter. Iceland holds wonderous beauty in all seasons. It is the most volcanically active country in the world and boasts beautiful waterfalls, geysers, and glaciers, creating no shortage of sights to see. The plethora of volcanoes allows for the country to run mostly on geothermal energy, but we will get into that later! Iceland is very safe for both visitors and natives and is rated #1 on the Global Peace Index.

How to Prepare

If you will be exploring in the elements during your winter trip to Iceland you will want to pack walking boots that are comfortable, water proof and warm. The wind tends to be colder than the actual air so a wind proof jacket and pants are also recommended, along with hats, gloves, and all of the other necessities. The ONE ITEM that you MUST take with you: YAK TRAKS, TRACTION CLEATS, ICE SPIKES, ICE GRIPS, CRAMPONS: whatever you want to call those little spiked straps you put on the bottom of your shoes, don’t leave home without them. During a hike to a waterfall we almost had a tragedy on our hands. Bring your traction cleats. Use them. Period.

The other thing to think about bringing is snacks/food. Iceland isn’t exactly known for their cuisine, and the natives will tell you that. Food is expensive and if you are taking day trips the guides will tell you to pack a lunch. If you have food allergies, it’s not the easiest place to visit. I packed an entire carry on bag full of food when we went. We were happy we did.

Driving in Iceland

Our trip was only 4 days and based in the western region of the island. Daylight is short this time of year, so be sure to plan ahead to maximize your time! We rented a car and drove many places. If you plan to do this, here are some helpful tips:
**Driving is on the right side of the road
**Car headlights must be on at all times
**Cell phone use while driving is prohibited
**Seatbelts are required by law
**ALWAYS check the road conditions prior to leaving on a day trip. Roadways can be desolate in places so getting stuck would be quite a predicament.
**At the time of renting you are given the option of snow tires and extra windshield protection- I recommend both
**Be sure to get fuel when you see a gas station, they are often few and far between
**The Search and Rescue Association of Iceland has released a safety app for visitors planning to drive in Iceland (click here for information on app)

Renting a car is fun and allows you the freedom to see the sights at your leisure, but is by no means necessary. If you are staying in Reykjavik, most places are walkable and there are plenty of tours to waterfalls, parks, geysers, and other activities.

Currency and Language

Other Helpful Information:
The Currency used in Iceland in called the Icelandic Krona (ISK) and is the only currency accepted at most establishments, however a majority of the places do accept credit cards. Cash can be exchanged at the airport upon arrival.
Although the native language in Iceland is Icelandic, we found that most people also speak English.
Alcohol is EXPENSIVE; it is only sold in state run liquor stores or restaurants and is heavily taxed. Keep this in mind if you are planning a celebration such as a bachelor/bachelorette party, birthday celebrations, etc.- it could get pricey if you are going there to party!

Now that you are prepared to travel, let’s get to the fun stuff!! See the next article: Exploring Iceland- The Blue Lagoon and The Golden Circle.

Explore Iceland- The Blue Lagoon and The Golden Circle

We only had time to explore the western portion of the island for the most part, so we missed out on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, the abandoned airplane, and, much to my husband’s disappointment, the filming of Game of Thrones. However, we covered a lot of ground and some pretty cool stuff. So here it is:

Blue Lagoon

This is probably the most well known tourist attraction in Iceland, but what is it??! The Blue Lagoon is a man made lagoon nestled in a lava field near Grindavik. It originated when a nearby geothermal energy plant drained it’s excess water to this spot. Iceland is the most volcanically active country in the world and when the water runs through the geological layers it is heated and picks up precious minerals (silica and sulfur) that have been found to be beneficial for human skin. Some have even said the mineral packed bath cured their psoriasis.
The Blue Lagoon has very strict hygiene rules. Prior to entering you must shower in the locker rooms. The lagoon water is renewed every 2 days.
In addition to a nice warm soak there are “bars” situated throughout the lagoon where you can use skin masks and scrubs made from the materials found in the water. Products are also available for purchase in the gift shop. *I would not recommend going under the water completely as the minerals are not easy to remove from your hair!

We hit up The Blue Lagoon the day we got off the plane. If you are looking to enjoy a few hours of R&R, this is the place to be. Reservations are required prior to arrival. Options range from simple entrance and use of the lagoon, to full spa packages. There are 2 restaurants on site, Lava and Moss. There is also a hotel package if you choose to stay here. Blue Lagoon is an easy drive from Reykjavik if you have a rental car.

Visit www.bluelagoon.com for more information and reservations.

Silica from the bottom of the Blue Lagoon

“Bar” in the Blue Lagoon

View of the Lava Field from the Blue Lagoon

Strokkur Geyser

A geyser, as you may or may not know, is a spring that is in contact with hot volcanic rocks, and when it reaches a boiling point, it erupts into the air. Strokkur Geyser is one of Iceland’s most well known geysers; it is fairly consistent and erupts about every 6-10 minutes, shooting water approximately 15-20 meters in the air on average, but has been known to go as high as 40 meters!
Strokkur is about an hour and a half drive from Reykjavik and is accessible by rental car. If you are driving in winter, remember to start as soon as day breaks so you have plenty of time to get out, explore, and get back before it is too dark. Also, watch the weather forecasts as white out conditions are possible on the roads in Iceland.

Gullfoss Falls

The location where the Hvita River drops to the south is known as Gullfoss Falls. Gullsfoss is part of the “Golden Circle” and is fed by Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjokull. The walls of the falls reach 70 meters in height. It is said that when the sun is shining in the summertime, a rainbow is cast over the falls. While this sounds enchanting, seeing the falls in all their frozen glory was pretty spectacular as well. Visit the viewing area which allows you to look down into the falls as they plummet 32 meters into the mile long canyon that is Gullfoss Falls. Gullfoss falls is about 2 hours from Reykjavik by rental car but along the same route you can visit Strokkur and Thingvellir National Park.

Thingvellir National Park

Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Rift, or the ridge that separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Thingvellir, Iceland is the only place in the world where this rift is above sea level! We were lucky enough to walk the path between the plates and saw lots of frozen beauty. In the summer time you can scuba dive in the crystal clear ravines. It is said that the visibility is 100 meters from the surface! There is a parking lot at Thingvellir National Park if you are driving. It is also part of the “Golden Circle” tour.

Icelandic Horses

The beauty of driving is having the freedom to stop and explore when the opportunity arises. During our drive back from the Golden Circle we stumbled across a small herd of Icelandic horses on the side of the road. There was a fence between them and the road and others were stopped taking in their beauty so we pulled over and did the same.

Enjoy the Golden Circle!

See the next article for information on our Tour of the South Coast!

Explore Iceland- The South Coast Tour

There are many things to see along the South Coast of Iceland. We booked a small group South Coast Tour with GeoIceland Tours. The tour guides were wonderful, very knowledgeable and never made us feel rushed.

Here are some tips/information to prepare for the South Coast Tour in Winter:
*The Tour picks you up at your hotel in the morning.
*This is an all day tour and you are encouraged to pack your own lunch, drinks, and snacks.
*BRING ICE CLEATS
*Bring a Camera
How to Dress: Waterproof/windproof jacket and pants are encouraged, as well as waterproof boots with warm socks. Pack hat, gloves, handwarmers, anything you would use to hike, play, or stand in the snow. Ski gear is acceptable.

Now that you are fully prepared for your adventure, here is what you will see!

Skogafoss Waterfall

Skogafoss is one of the country’s largest waterfalls with an impressive 60m, or 200ft drop. On sunny days, a rainbow often spreads across the waterfall due to a significant amount of water spray. There is a stair case that sprawls up the side of the mountain, leading to a platform that looks down into the waterfall. Along this route there are many foot paths that wrap around the side of the mountain. The paths are very narrow and there are no fences or ropes, it’s more of an “explore at your own risk” type of situation. Many tourists travel these footpaths to see the cave and get spectacular one-of-a-kind views of Skogafoss. On the day we went, the tour guide told us it wasn’t icy up there so we wouldn’t need our ice cleats, however once we got onto the footpath, J slipped on a patch of ice and almost fell off the side of the cliff. I am thankful that he is athletic enough to catch himself on some dead tree branches and climb back up. I am telling you this, because you need to know that the nature in Iceland is beautiful but can create dangerous terrain. This is why I keep stressing the use of Ice Cleats on all of the excursions, even if you think you don’t need them.
On a better note, for all those Marvel fans out there, this is the waterfall where ‘Thor: The Dark World’ was filmed!

Reynisfjara Black Beach

There are not many places like this on Earth. Reynisfjara is a black volcanic beach along the south coast of Iceland near Vik complete with caves, cliffs, crashing waves and most notably Reynisdranger- a set of basalt sea stacks rising high above the shoreline. Under your feet you will find a mixture of smooth black sand and millions of tiny lava rocks. The waves violently slam into the rock structures in the sea with a wildly inconsistent tide so be careful if approaching the water. Keep your eyes open for the various species of birds flying up high, including the Puffins who build their nests and call Reynisfjara home. This has been rated one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches in the world and is a must-see.

Reynisdranger Sea Stacks at Reynisfjara Beach

Sea Cave at Reynisfjara Beach
View from inside sea cave

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

This is not just another waterfall in Iceland. What makes it unique is the ability to hike into the cave behind the falls and look out through the water. If you are visiting during the winter months, you will not be able to safely get to the cave without your ice cleats. Seljalandsfoss is truly gorgeous any time of year, but it was enchanting to walk the frozen ice to witness the beauty.

Solheimajokull Glacier

Solheimajokull Glacier spans nearly 8 km (almost 5 miles) in length and 1 mile wide and descends from Myrdalsjokull icecap. Like many glaciers, Solheimajokull is sensitive to climate change and is rapidly receding. Glaciers are magnificent pieces of nature and having the chance to walk on this beauty is fascinating. Again, be sure to wear your ice cleats for safety!

Enjoy Iceland’s South Coast!

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, and its largest city. There are plenty of things to see in Reykjavik. Here are a few of our highlights:

Hallgrimskirkja Church

It’s hard to miss this beauty if you are anywhere in Reykjavik. With a spire that stands 244 feet in the air, Hallgrimskirkja is a functioning Lutheran church and Reykjavik’s most popular landmark. It took 41 years to build and is currently Iceland’s second tallest structure. Leifr Eiriksson (better known to Americans as ‘Leif Erikson’) stands tall in statue form in the front of the church, a gift to the people of Iceland from the United States of America to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the parliament of Iceland. Eiriksson is said to be the first European to step foot on the shore of North America.

The Sun Voyager

Back in 1986, the city of Reykjavik held a competition to decide who would construct an art piece to be displayed in the city to commemorate its upcoming 200th anniversary. On August 18, 1990, Jön Gunnar Arnason won and constructed the ‘Sun Voyager’, an ode to the sun intended to convey the promise of undiscovered territory and a dream of hope, progress, and freedom. You can find the Sun Voyager on SÆbraut in Reykjavik.

Baejarins Beztu Pylsur

After we arrived at Keflavik Airport we spent a few minutes in the rental car office while they retrieved our car. We struck up a conversation with the attendant and asked him what food we should eat during our stay. His exact response was this: “We aren’t really known for our food. Do you guys like Hot Dogs?” We looked at each other thinking this guy can’t be serious, surely they have something more to offer than hot dogs. But we took his advice and pulled up to this hot dog stand on what otherwise seemed to be a quiet corner away from the center of the city. To our surprise, there was already a line at 10AM! This guy wasn’t lying. J. loved the hot dogs so much he went back 3 more times during our trip!! What makes them special? It starts with white onions nestled in the bun, then blanketed with fried onions and some kind of special sauce. Once the bed is made, the lamb dog lays into the bun and gets covered with what seems to be a sweet mustard sauce. I won’t lie, the flavor combination was pretty explosive. So there you have it; the must have food in Iceland is a hot dog from Baejarins.

Tjörnin

Tjornin is a large pond in city center, located near Reykjavik’s City Hall. It is a popular activity to feed the 40-50 different species of birds that call this pond home. In the winter, it may freeze and can be a prime spot for ice skating.

Other Activities

There are several other activities and sights in Reykjavik, depending on the time of year you visit. The Sculpture and Shore Walk takes you along the fjord Kollafjorour with Mount Esja as the backdrop. Many visitors start on the path near Harpa, the concert hall in downtown Reykjavik, and move east toward well known landmarks such as the Sun Voyager, the Partnership Sculpture, and the Hofdi House- the location where Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met in 1986 to end the Cold War.

Most people know that Iceland is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. There are many tours that take you away from the city lights to capture the magic. We had a tour planned but it got cancelled 2 nights in a row due to cloudy weather and low visibility, which is a risk this time of year. I would recommend booking this tour for the first night you are there to allow days for rescheduling should the weather interfere with your plans.

J and I spent the last morning of our trip driving around to explore Reykjavik before heading back to the airport. We found cute neighborhoods and some breathtaking landscape. I will leave you with some of our “Coastal Reykjavik” photographs! We hope you get to visit soon, it is truly a beautiful country.

~Reykjavik~

Iceland Itinerary- 4 Days

It’s easy to make a checklist of things you want to see and do but it can be overwhelming to put them in the order that makes sense, especially if your trip is short. Below is the itinerary we used for our winter trip to Iceland. Hope this helps!

Friday: Arrive 6:45am
Rental Car pickup is approximately 3 minutes from Keflavik airport
**Stop to pick up bread and additional snacks to pack for lunches (local grocery within walking distance in Reykjavik)
Hotel:
Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina
Reykjavik
Phone:+3544444000
Blue Lagoon:
Paperwork states MUST be on time!
Bring Tickets
Scheduled: 15:00-16:00 (3pm)
Dinner Reserved at LAVA: 18:00 (6pm)

Saturday:
Drive to Strokkur, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir (about 1 hour 20 min-2hours away from Reykjavik)

Super Jeep Northern Lights Tour
Will be picked up at hotel 20:00 (8pm)
Will take 3-4 hours

***Check email for changes in GeoIceland Tour for Sunday!! Will email us night before. If not received by 17:00 (5pm), contact info@geoiceland.com

Sunday:
GeoIceland Tour: South Coast Tour
Will be picked up from hotel (look for White Sprinter Van from 8:30-9am).
Tour is from 9am-6pm
Must pack lunch
**If not picked up by 9:05 call +3548477218 �

Monday:
Explore around Reykjavik:
Shops, Hallgrimskirksja Church, Sun Voyager Monument and more.
6pm Flight Home