Visit Iceland : the Land of Fire and Ice!
In one compact country, you can experience glaciers and thermal rivers, volcanoes and the Northern Lights. You can learn about the Viking culture and see how the Icelandic people live off the sea. You can even take boat to see the darling puffins!
Iceland is an adventurer’s dream! It offers fantastic hiking and wilderness experiences, like the famous Laugavegur trail. You can ride an Icelandic horse or take an ATV to explore its crazy landscapes. After a fun workout, steep in the magical Blue Lagoon, a massive, milky blue lake heated by underground thermal fissures.
And the island country is small enough that you can experience it all in a single vacation! It is a land that you can actually see is ALIVE!
On today’s show, our guest discusses two Iceland adventure tours he took with ATA affiliate, IAG (International Adventure Guides). They offer several tours to this magical country, so you are sure to find one that suits your interests and fitness levels. Be sure to use the ATA exclusive Promo Code HTT61XS to get $100 OFF any IAG tour! You’ll save money and at no additional cost to you, you’ll be helping to support the podcast while helping to keep it ad free – thanks!
Where is Iceland?
Iceland is a Nordic Island country in the North Atlantic Ocean. Reykjavik, the capital, is the world’s northernmost capital and is a charming, fun and easily walkable city. About two thirds of the less than 400,000 population live there.
The country of Iceland is the only part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that is above sea level. It’s central volcanic plateau erupts almost constantly, which makes for some cool hiking opportunities. In addition to volcanoes, the interior is made up of sand and lava fields, mountains, glaciers and an abundance of rivers. While visiting Iceland, you can see where North America meets the European continent!
Why Visit Iceland?
There are lots of reasons to visit Iceland! The landscape is otherworldly and in places, you will feel like you are on another planet. Because of all the geothermal activity under its soil (often visible, which is cool), you can actually SEE that the land is ALIVE! Iceland gets cheap energy from its abundant geothermal steam, making it economical to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse. Many of the rivers are actually warm or even HOT, even in winter, which makes it comfortable and fun to take a dip year ’round. The capital of Reykjavik is delightfully charming, colorful and fun. Be sure to allow at least a couple of days to explore it while there.
There are loads of fun adventures to do while there from hiking, horseback riding the Icelandic horses, taking an ATV across the dunes, watching the Northern Lights, soaking in a thermal lake like the spectacular Blue Lagoon, learning how the vikings lived and so much more.
The country is small enough that you can explore it in a single vacation, but you will want to return again and again!
The Northern Lights of Iceland
The Northern Lights are an amazing polar light phenomena caused by solar storm like activity. They can be seen near both poles, mostly during the winter months (because it is dark then versus summer when the sun barely sets). On some clear nights, you can witness these otherworldly curtain or shafts of lights as they dance across the sky. It is best to get out into the countryside, away from city lights, to see them best.
In the northern hemisphere, this phenomenan is called aurora borealis, and in the south, it is called the aurora australis.
When to Visit Iceland
What you want to do in Iceland will determine when to go. If you want to do a lot of outdoor adventures, like hiking, then go in the summer months. If you want to see some of the 8-10 million migratory and adorable puffins, plan to be there during the breeding season from late May through late August. Go in the evening: it is the best time to see the puffin colonies when they come ashore to their cliffside burrows to roost.
If you want to see the Northern Lights, the best time is in the winter, especially late winter when hopefully it won’t be as cloudy so you’ll have a better chance to see them.
Many Northern Light tour operators offer you a second chance to see the lights if they are not visible on the night you booked. Better yet, plan a backcountry camping trip so that you are away from Reykjavik its the light pollution and you might get to see them more than once!
If I had to pick which month to see the Northern Lights, I would choose March – April, or October – November, when the skies are clearer, but you get some night sky (the sun barely going down in the summer, being that close to the North Pole). Here’s a great Iceland monthly weather summary.
What’s the Weather like in Iceland?
Surprisingly, because the warm Gulf Stream swirls just off the Icelandic coast, it doesn’t get as cold as you might expect being so close to the Arctic Circle!
Summers are short and cool, the warmest time being between early July to early August. It rarely gets above 62°F, and drops down into the 40’s at night, so pack accordingly.
Winters are long, cold, windy and snowy and usually overcast. But it is generally above freezing after 10 am, even in winter. Winter temps tend to hover between 28°F to 36°F, and rarely go below 17°F. Snow begins late October and ends early April on average.
IAG : International Adventure Guides
IAG offers some incredibly cool, affordable adventure tours around the globe, including some destinations not offered by some of my other fine affiliates. Be sure to use my exclusive IAG Promo Discount Code HTT61XS to save $100 OFF any IAG adventure tour!
In addition to several Iceland tours for both new-to-Iceland and experienced Iceland adventurers, IAG has cool adventure tours which include:
- Tastes of the Faroe Islands
- Greenland (two tours)
- Norway Trekking Adventure
- Sweden Coastal Kayak Adventure
Use Promo Discount Code HTT61XS to save $100 OFF any IAG adventure tour!
IAG Iceland Tours
Iceland Escape : An easy going variety of adventure and cultural experiences that reveal Iceland’s treasures
Backpacking Adventure : A hut to hut backcountry hiking adventure that requires carrying a backpack (but NOT a fully loaded one so only moderately difficult)
Iceland and the Askja : A moderately difficult tour designed for those who have been to Iceland and now want to dig deeper and go into the interior.
‘Peaceful Viking’ Northern Lights – Yoga Adventure : A mindful and easy retreat that also showcases the best of Iceland
Added benefits of booking with IAG: They provide ALL equipment needed! No need to buy or pack a backpack, sleeping bag, tent, hiking poles, headlamp – anything you need to do your adventure is included on your tour. In addition, since IAG books mountain huts a year in advance, when available on the trail, you will get to sleep in one when backpacking instead of sleeping outside in a tent. Plus, you’ll have a friendly, knowledgable guide to take care of all the details, big and small, so all you have to do is enjoy yourself. All at an affordable price (and a $100 less if you use my exclusive promo code HTT61XS on any IAG tour:)
Best Things to Do in Iceland
You can easily spend a week or more doing lots of fun and interesting things. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Iceland:
- .Explore Reykjavik
- Visit the visually stunning parish cathedral, Hallgrímskirkja. Climb the tower for a fabulous 360 degree view of the capitol
- Wander around Tjörnin pond
- Visit the National Museum of Iceland, the Northern Lights museum, the Maritime Museum, Hafnarhús Art musuem, Einor Jónsson sculture museum, among others
- Learn about volcanoes at Volcano House (free)
- Árbæjarsafn – an open air museum showcasing the early life customs, work and home life
- Check out the fun street art scene
- Take a selfie at the Sun Voyager steel sculpture (best at sunset)
- Enjoy Reykjavik’s famous nightlife (bars stay open until 5am on Fridays and Saturdays!)
- Golden Circle Tour: visit Þingvellir National Park, Haukadalur Geothermal Valley and Gullfoss waterfall
- See the Northern Lights [winter only – October/November and March/April is your best chance to see them]
- Hike the world famous Laugavegur Trek
- Go Glacier Hiking (and Ice Cave hiking in winter). Vatnajökull is Europe’s largest glacier!
- Soak in the Blue Lagoon (or other thermal spa like the Secret Lagoon)
- Ride an Icelandic horse, the ONLY breed allowed in the country
- Straddle the North American and European continents
- Swim in a thermal river, especially one that meets a glacial river (take a mud scrub, too!)
- Take a boat ride to visit the puffin colonies (evenings in summer are best)
- Take a whale tour April – September. Over 20 species visit, especially minke and humpback whales
- Explore a 5000 year old lava tunnel
- Visit a geyser such as Strokkurm which bursts every 5-10 minutes (on Golden Circle tour)
- Enjoy dinner at a Viking Longhouse and learn about Viking culture and food
FREE Iceland Travel Planner
Click HERE to get a free Iceland Travel Planner with helpful links to save you time on planning your Iceland Adventure. Learn when to go, what to see and do, which airlines to take, and all sorts of helpful information on a single reference page to make your trip planning easier. PLUS : you’ll get access to ALL ATA Travel Planners and downloads! And each month in a single email, you’ll get whatever new downloads are available. No spam promise – unsubscribe at anytime.
What do they speak in Iceland?
Most residents speak Icelandic, which frankly is super hard to learn. But the good news is, most people speak excellent English, many signs are in English, and you will have no trouble communicating or getting around Iceland if you speak English.
If you want to try your hand at speaking a few phrases:
Hello! My name is Kit, what is yours?
Halló! Ég heiti Kit, hvað er þitt?
Can you please help me?
Geturðu vinsamlegast hjálpað mér?
You have a beautiful country!
Þú átt fallegt land!
Iceland Landscape
The cool thing about Iceland is that it has such a variety of landscapes carved from glaciers and vocanoes. One day you are hiking verdant hills and the next you might be hiking over lava fields. You can explore the rugged coastline or head inland to tackle mountains, volcanoes and fields. There are MANY beautiful rivers (some thermal, so they are warm to hot, even in winter!) and loads of gorgeous waterfalls. It’s a stunningly beautiful country!!!
Ring Road versus Golden Circle Tour in Iceland
The popular Golden Circle Tour in Iceland is a VERY popular (and all) day tour from Reykjavik that takes you to see many of Iceland’s iconic destinations along the southern part of the country. Most visitors visit the Golden Circle highlights of Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Hot Spring.
The Ring Road in Iceland is an 825 mile/1328 km road around the perimeter of Iceland. It’s like driving from Boston to Charlotte. People generally rent a car (they drive on the right here) and take around a week to see all the sights. If your start your road trip counterclockwise, you will hit the Golden Circle stops first.
AIRFARE TRAVEL TIP: If you plan to visit for less than seven days, but have additional days to vacation, you can make Iceland a ‘layover stop’ as part of a longer round trip ticket. For example, I went to Berlin, but got to visit Iceland for almost a week en route to Berlin on the same plane ticket!
Vocanoes in Iceland
Iceland has perpetually active volcanoes. There are over 200 volcanoes in Iceland. If you are lucky, you’ll be able to see some hot lava! Regardless, you can tour a Lava Tunnel, where the hot lava oozed through underground rivers and caves and eventually hardened. Or, you can hike across old lava fields and feel like you are on the moon or other planet.
Did you know? Because of all the volcanic activity and resulting geothermal steam, Icelander’s enjoy really cheap hot water and heat. It is not uncommon to see windows opened a crack for some fresh air, even during winter.
This geothermal activity manifests in hot and warm rivers, great for a relaxing soak or mud scrub. It also creates geysers or simple steam spewing from the earth. The most famous geothermal pond is the Blue Lagoon, with its glacial silt creating a milky light blue color.
Vikings in Iceland
Vikings arrived in Iceland around 1000 years ago. It was settled by Norwegian seafarers, who went on from Iceland to Greenland and North America’s coast. It is considered a Scandanavian country and while located over 500 miles from Scotland, it retains a European flair while at the same time, celebrating its unique traditions.
Iceland retains a homogeneous culture and the citizens strive to retain its uniqueness. Many believe in elves and trolls, and other mythical creatures. To preserve the breed, only Icelandic horses (which look like ponies) are allowed in the country, and if one is exported, then it is not allowed back in.
Viking Longhouse 4 Course Dinner
Take time one evening to have an authentic Viking dinner in a traditional longhouse! You will get the opportunity to taste the food Vikings gathered from the lands. See native dress as well as enjoy the setting of a traditional longhouse. It will be a delicious highlight of your Iceland adventure.
Kevin Rosenberg – Founder of IAG
Check out Kevin’s fascinating memoir, Duct Tape and Bailing Wire, available on Amazon.
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