ICELAND Iceland is a unique travel destination, partly for its environmental tourism mindset. Northern lights and glacier hikes are part of the allure of this magical, mystical country that lies between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Self-drive the Ring Road (1332 km), which circumnavigates the island. Stunning volcanoes, lava fields, fjords, beaches, and waterfalls dot the landscape, and adventure is around every corner. Try ice-caving, snowmobiling, and lava-caving, or ride with a herd of free running horses during a six-to-seven-day horseback ride in the Icelandic highlands. The Golden Circle (a day trip from Reykjavik) features the mesmerizing Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall), the largest volume waterfall in Europe. Also on the Golden Circle is the Geysir geothermal area, with paths that lead to two fountain-type geysers, one mostly dormant, and one (called Strokkur) that erupts magnificently every four to ten minutes. A little film trivia — ‘Batman’ and ‘James Bond’ have both been filmed at the foot of the Svínafellsjökull Glacier. Arrowhead Mountain from ‘Game of Thrones’ is locally known as Kirkjufell. Drop by for a climb! History lovers, imagine sitting along the stone wall of Viking legend Erik the Red’s reconstructed longhouse. It sits near the original excavation, which was radiocarbon-dated to nineth and tenth centuries. Wow!
The Blue Lagoon is a popular healing hot springs, but there are
isolated hot springs in the Westfjords also, like Krossneslaug swimming pool on the remote Strandir Coast. Dip your toes in with a relaxing sigh.
The capital city, Reykjavik, runs on geothermal power.
Enjoy an enchanting immersion in a room full of ice sculptures and art connected to
Icelandic Viking history and myths. Top off your magical experience with a beverage in a bar made of ice. Titillate your taste buds with ‘New Nordic’ cuisine, food that’s all about adjusting to the circumstances of the present environment in sustainable ways. Summer is the time of the midnight sun, which is why it can be a very busy season to visit Iceland. Consider the off-season, although daylight hours become more limited in the winter months.
top: Reykjavik, capital of Iceland middle: The Blue Lagoon, Westfjords bottom: Puffin
Paulette Soloman, owner of The Travel Store in PEI, recommends an early fall trip because “Iceland sees cool but beautiful weather. The experience of a spa treatment in the waters of the Blue Lagoon while a light snow falls gently around you is the perfect mix of wonder and comfort.”
FALL 2022/WINTER 2023 www.pei-living.ca
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