iceland
Iceland, you bet!! It is a gorgeous country and we are very excited to soon be exploring.
Fjords, lagoons, caves, oh my!! As you may know by now, we are big fans of the adventure this country holds. In the event you would like to do a little exploring on your own, we have provided you some baseline itineraries you can customize, combine, or run with for your own little stories. If you have any hesitations, check out this video:
GOLDEN CIRCLE
A popular and easy to navigate circle of attractions, this is a stable day trip for every tourists' visit. You can stop as often as you'd like along the way, but here are some of the highlights:
Þingvellir was the site of the first established Parliament in Iceland in 930 and it remained there until 1798. At Þingvellir National Park you can visit Almannagja Canyon, created by the rift between the European and North American tectonic plates as well as Oxararfoss Waterfall and awesome geothermal pools. If you are scuba certificed, you can scuba at Silra fissure affording you the opportunity to touch both Europe and North American simultaneously. Visit soon, each year the plates move roughly 2 cm apart. :)
Gulfoss, one of the most popular attractions in Iceland is a three section massive waterfall that drops into the Hvita River. One of the awesome features of this waterfall is from a distance, the crevice is hidden from view so it appears as if the waterfall plummets into the Earth and not to the river.
Blue Lagoon is located between in the international airport and Reykavik. The complex is quite large and requires admission (they do issue you an electronic wristband which locks your locker. You will need to shower before you head into the lagoon, and then are provided shampoo and conditioner (you'll need it).
Geysers, Strokkur erupts every few minutes up to 100 feet.
SNAEFELLNESS PENINSULA
Snaefellness juts into the Atlantic in rugged fashion split by rhyolite mountains that streak east to west culminating in the in the Snaefellsjokull glacier. This peninsula is one of the few places in Iceland with both pink and golden beaches, stretches of lava fields, amazing waterfalls and breathtaking gorges. Among the favorites are Hellnar Cliffs and rock formations, Skardsvik Beach, Raudamelsolkelda (a natural mineral spring where you can drink fresh carbonated water from the earth), Malarrif Lighthouse and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall and mountain (my personal fave). A great option from this region is to take a ferry from Badlur to the West Fjords is time and adventure permit.
Optional hotels: Hotel Glymur or Hotel Budir
Distance from Ion: Hotel Glymur (1 hour) Hotel Budir (2.5 hours)
NORTHERN ICELAND
Lonely Planet describes Northern Iceland as a “geologist's heaven. A wonderland of moonlike lava fields, belching mud pots, epic waterfalls, and whale-filled bays." My research falls inline with LP’s summation. Here is a simple list: Dettifoss waterfall, Krafla lava fields, Hverarondor and Hverir- geysers and hot springs, Bardarbunga stratovolcano, Kjarnaskogur woods, seal watching, sea fishing, and NORTHERN LIGHTS. There is also a picturesque caldera (Askja) in the Dyngjufjoll mountains, Godafoss waterfall, Lake Myvatn, river rafting, and diving (seriously, how could I forget the diving—wait, one of us doesn’t swim…). From what I have read, the diving is spectacular-in Northern Iceland you can dive with hydrothermal vents at Strytan or Arnarnesstrytan—the only two places in the world this exists above 2500 meters. How fantastic!!
Also of note is the Isle of Grimsey, best known to visitors as Arctic Circle Island. The Arctic Circle cuts across this tiny piece of land.
Optional hotel: Hotel Brimnes
Distance from Ion 5.25 hours
SOUTHERN ICELAND
We will be hitting several of these sites during the wedding day, so we'd lean you away from exploring these on your own-unless you are jazzed about two-timing and in that event, let Kristi know and she’ll hook you up with some good info.
THE WEST FJORDS
Yes, I said fjords. Attached to mainland Iceland by an isthmus about 6 miles wide, this region contains table mountains, fjords, verdant valleys and intense (like camping) glaciation. A great region for hiking, diving, kayaking, skiing, etc. the areas’ coastal roads edge the deep fjords providing opportunity to witness breaching whales and sun-bathing seals as you drive. The landscape is spectacular-the sheltered, crystal clear sea which fills the fjords is full of fish, and is great for diving, kayaking and sailing. Mountains are abundant and between the mountains and the sea you’ll find precarious cliffs to beaches of sand filled with shells, stones, and glass. Notably in this region is the Arctic fox (also home to its preserve: Hornstradir) and the Dynjandi Waterfall. Don’t forget to check out Breidavik-a golden beach for as long as the eye can see. The largest waterfall in the region, it is also one of the most photographed in Iceland. This region is sparsely populated and spread out, if you are traveling here by car, remember to fuel up often.
Optional hotel: Hotel Ísafjörður
Distance from Ion 5.75 hours
Glacial Lagoon, Waterfall/Canyon, and Black Sand Beaches (More to come)