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Sheep is the most common animal you see in Iceland Tourists cruising through Iceland are in for a wild ride! Brace yourself to have your mind blown by the jaw-dropping landscapes you'll stumble upon. Picture this: you're hopping from one epic waterfall to the next, only to find yourself surrounded by sprawling fields, eerie lava fields, moody black sand beaches, and charming countryside views. The backdrop? Oh, it's a showstopper! Think majestic mountain ranges, icy glaciers, and even glacier tongues reaching out to give the ocean a high-five. Say goodbye to boring drives through endless forests where all you see are trees for miles on end. Nope, in Iceland, it's all about the dramatic fjords that serve up a feast for your eyes with cascading waterfalls, serene lakes, and winding rivers. It's like a scenic drive on steroids, perfect for anyone who wants a 360-degree view of nature's finest while cruising along. Birds, horses, sheep, and other fascinating animals are part of the scenic drive in Iceland During a road trip in Iceland, the experience goes beyond just admiring the stunning landscapes; it involves encountering a diverse array of both domestic and wild animals that inhabit the country. As you traverse the Icelandic countryside, you'll have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of bird species that call this unique island home. From seabirds soaring overhead to colorful puffins nesting along the cliffs, the avian diversity adds an extra layer of wonder to your journey. Moreover, the pastoral scenes of Icelandic farms offer glimpses of the iconic horses, cows, and sheep peacefully grazing in the lush fields. The sight of these animals against the backdrop of Iceland's dramatic scenery creates a picturesque tableau that captures the essence of rural life in this enchanting land. However, amidst the allure of capturing these idyllic moments through photography, it's crucial to exercise caution, especially when navigating narrow roads like the Ring Road. While the temptation to stop and photograph the animals in their natural habitat is strong, it's essential to prioritize safety. The juxtaposition of animals against the striking Icelandic landscape can be mesmerizing, but it's vital to remain vigilant and avoid stopping in precarious locations to prevent any potential hazards. By being aware of the surroundings and understanding the risks involved, travelers can ensure a safe and enjoyable road trip through Iceland's captivating terrain. Embracing the harmony between nature and wildlife while respecting the need for caution enhances the overall experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Iceland's untamed wilderness. Although Iceland has many species of animals, there are no dangerous animals The Icelandic horse As you travel on the roads in Iceland, you will come across various animals. However, as you move to higher altitudes, the number of animals decreases. What's interesting is that there are no dangerous animals in Iceland, which means that you are safe from animal attacks while camping or hiking. While driving through Iceland's natural wonders such as waterfalls, basalt column cliffs, hot spring geothermal pools, and glacier lagoons, you will notice many animals, especially around farms and farmlands. You will see a lot of friendly and beautiful animals like sheep, cows, and birds of all sizes, including geese and Whooper swans. It's worth repeating that there are almost no dangerous wild animals in Iceland, so you don't have to worry about your safety while exploring the countryside. Arctic fox in Iceland The fox and the mink are two species that could be intimidating to humans. They predominantly live in highland areas, far away from most inhabited regions. However, these animals are more afraid of humans than we are of them, and they usually run away as fast as possible if they see us. Sometimes, you may also come across the Icelandic horse, a magnificent animal that can add a new dimension to a scenic drive. Watching Icelandic horses run together in a flock in the Icelandic landscape is an awe-inspiring sight to behold when driving in Iceland. Overall, most of the animals in Iceland are a significant addition to the landscape, whether it's a puffin on a cliff, a whooper swan on a lake, a duck on a river, geese flying in a canyon, or a flock of horses running together on a hill. The animals will always add to the beauty of the landscape and provide an excellent photographic opportunity. Animals and birds often enhance nature in Iceland If  you're planning to tour Iceland in a  rental car , make sure to  read this article  about the three important things you need to know and the type of car that would be best for your trip!

Harpa conference center in Reykjavík In 2008 Iceland experienced a disastrous financial crash. What had looked like an endless path to growth, reaching back to the year 2000, came to a standstill taking a whole nation to an edge of a financial cliff. Among the significant symbols of growth and prosperity was a new conference and concert hall by the harbor. A symbol of success and wealth. A project that had started but a building that had barely surfaced. As the country seemed completely broke and more or less on the brink of bankruptcy at the mercy of the IMF, lacking resources to finance the healthcare and educational institutions, there was little interest in continuing with the immensely expensive conference hall. There was, of course, a very harsh dispute about the continuation of the project. Some wanted to stop the project as others saw it as a symbol of not giving up. In the end, a new left-wing government faced with more difficulties than any other government had in recent history, decided to go ahead and build this very expensive building. At that time it became a symbol of a nation not altogether dead as it was the only project in the whole country. Harpa has become an important social and cultural building in Iceland Harpa in downtown Reykjavík district In hindsight, one must admit that it was the right decision to continue with the project. Even though it was a highly controversial decision, the building has proven to be of great value to Reykjavík and Iceland and is currently one of the most recognized landmarks in Reykjavík with many architectural as well as a concert hall rewards. It has at least five excellent concert halls and conference halls, two restaurants, small shops and a grand space on many floors with a great overview over Reykjavík City Center. It is a magnificent place to visit. Harpa is a product of a cooperation between architects and a renowned Danish / Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson Harpa conference center in Reykjavík The 28.000 square meter building was designed by the Danish architectural firm Henning Larsen Architects and the Icelandic architectural firm Batteríið Architects. On Harpa´s website, the creative role of artist Ólafur Elíasson is described: Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson designed the south facade, and developed the principle for the remaining north/east/west facades and roof in collaboration with Henning Larsen Architects and Batteríið Architects. Elíasson deploys light, color, and natural phenomena to test how physical movement, sensual engagement, and the interaction of body and brain influence our perception of our surroundings. Today Harpa is considered one of the most important buildings in Reykjavík Harpa is by the harbour in Reykjavík city in Iceland From the time Harpa opened in 2011 numerous concerts, music festivals, conferences, meetings and small gatherings have been held in Harpa. Ranging from Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Icelandic Opera to electronic music concerts and our famous festival, Iceland Airwaves. It is truly a forum for a broad range of diversity. Harpa is also at the beginning of the famous Sculpture & Shorewalk path in Reykjavík. If  you're planning to tour Iceland in a  rental car , make sure to  read this article  about the three important things you need to know and the type of car that would be best for your trip!

Illugastaðir farm in Vatnsnes in Iceland Illugastaðir farm on the west shore of Vatnsnes Peninsula in the North Region in Iceland is probably best known among tourists for its seal colony. It is an inseparable part of the Vatnsnes Peninsula scenic drive and a place you don't want to miss. At the farm, you can spend time in the seal watching hut and enjoy the excellent facilities provided to experience the daily life of seals and birds in their natural environment. You can also enjoy the magnificent view to Strandir, the east shore of the Westfjords and the mountains on the Vatnsnes Peninsula. It is a beautiful place to visit and pleasant place to enjoy peaceful nature. But the farm also has a very dark and shocking history from the 19th century. A scene of a crime in the early nineteenth century In 1828 a quack named Natan Ketilsson lived at the farm Illugastaðir with three other people. Pétur Jónsson a convict, a fifteen year old female named Sigríður Guðmundsdóttir who allegedly was the housekeeper and Agnes Magnúsdóttir who was a maid and worked for Natan at the farm. In addition to calling himself a doctor, Natan Ketilsson was a renowned womanizer, a dodger and a poet with an enormous ego. Agnes who was 32 years old at the time came from a deprived background but was a charming woman. She was attracted to Natan and had dreams of becoming his wife and the mistress at the farm. Dreams that collapsed when the very young Sigríður was made housekeeper and as it appears, Natans choice to share a bed. As her dreams transformed into hatred, she teamed up with a young man from a nearby farm who had a crush on Sigríður, the very young housekeeper. His name was Friðrik Sigurðsson, and he also wanted to get his hands on possessions and wealth that he believed belonged to Natan. They were joined in their emotions of dislike, greed, and jealousy directed towards Natna and the atmosphere at the farm became toxic. And finally, the hatred escalated to a point where they decided to murder Natan and also Petur, the convict. One dark winter night in March of 1828 Friðirk came to the farm and hid with the help of Agnes and Sigríður until both men had gone to bed. At that point, Friðrik took a hammer, walked to Natans bed and smashed it into his head and repeated the heinous act at Peters bed, stabbed them both multiple times, and with help from Agnes and Sigríður, poured cod liver oil over the bodies and set fire to the farm. It was a brutal and calculated murder. And to make things even worse Agnes, Sigríður, and Firðrik stole everything of value they could put their hand on before fleeing the scene. The aftermath trial and execution Unfortunately for the killer trio, the bodies of Natan and Petur didn't burn to ashes as the fire was not as destructive as intended. It was apparent that both men had smashed heads and multiple stab wounds in addition to bloodsheds around the bodies. Obviously not inflicted on them by the fire. Soon after that the three people were arrested and accused of murdering the Natan and Petur. The case and the trial received enormous attention in this small country with its tiny population. Murders were rare let alone such cruel slaughtering by smashing the heads, multiple stabbing, and burning of the bodies. The trial is well documented and has ever since caught the attention and imagination of writers and filmmakers as well as the general public. It is a true story that is stranger than fiction. At the end of the trial, Friðrik and Agnes were sentenced to death and to be executed by beheading. The execution took place at Þrístapar on January 12th, 1830 near the main road, the Ring Road, and all farmers in the administrative district were obligated to attend. In a tiny community mainly composed of regular farmers and ordinary people, authorities had difficulty finding an executioner. In the end, the victim's brother Guðmundur Ketilsson was forced to take on the task of beheading two people. The axe and the execution block were sent from Copenhagen as Iceland was at the time part of the Danmark. Both items now kept at the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavík. After the execution, the heads of Friðrik and Agnes were put on a stick near the roadside for anyone to see as their faces turned towards the road. Their bodies were buried nearby, outside a cemetery in a unholy ground. Although the crime was horrible many were even more horrified by this act of immorality by authorities and the heads disappear soon after the execution one night and no one knew what became of the heads, or so most people thought. For decades this case set a mark on the community and the whole country. The spiritual and ghostly part As time passed the story and the memory of this horrible crime and the aftermath faded in the community although never disappeared. More than a century later an older woman living in the city center in Reykjavík with spiritual abilities started to receive messages from the other side. The woman herself with roots to Vatnsnes Peninsula soon understood that Agnes was contacting her asking for religious justice and begging for a grave for her remains to be buried in a cemetery and to be blessed in holy ground. She also asked for her and Friðriks bodies and heads to be jointed in the grave. As no one knew where the heads were, she gave the woman the exact spot, not far from the bodies near the execution place. As the bishop of Iceland accepted to dig up the graves, the bodies were taken to a cemetery and blessed. Oddly the heads were found at the exact location Agnes hand pointed out more than a century after her execution. Burial rites and a film directed by Luca Guadagniono starring Jennifer Lawrence as Agnes The remains of the old house at Illugastaðir farm Burial Rites is a novel written by Hannah Kent inspired by this story. The novel focuses on Agnes and the time she waits for her execution. The book was published in 2013 and is a bestseller and has been translated into many languages. It is soon to be filmed and directed by Luca Guadagniono and Jennifer Lawrence has accepted to play the role of Agnes. Apparently the plan is to film at Vatnsnes, and sure enough, Illugastaðir farm will be at the center. This story and the farm is one of many examples where landscape and history mingle in Iceland. If  you're planning to tour Iceland in a  rental car , make sure to  read this article  about the three important things you need to know and the type of car that would be best for your trip!

Viewing the seals at Illugastaðir farm Viewing animals in their natural environment is a great experience far beyond seeing animals in a zoo, especially if you can see them gathered in numbers. Illugastaðir farm is a place where you can view seals and their natural environment, their quarrels and their love for each other. A place where the animals are free to leave if they don't like to be looked at or even put on a show if they are interested in putting on a show. You can sit and watch their life in a place where nothing has changed in hundreds of years. This is precisely what you can do at the Illugastaðir seal colony. A great place to take kids on a Iceland tour When is the best time A seal swimming by Illugastaðir farm If you don't intend to spend a lot of time at the seal colony, you might want to take the advice from the Seal Center at Hvammstangi town nearby. It is recommended that you arrive at Illugastaðir two hours before low tide and you will have a good possibility of viewing seals in numbers until two hours after low tide. During this time seals spend time chilling on the rocks, sleeping and relaxing. If you want to take photos near seals, you need to be careful and walk slowly and keep distance and use a telephoto lens. Most of the seals are quite social in their behavior but most of the time not eager to meet humans. But if they do, you are in luck and “keep calm and still until the seals’ natural actions have taken it away from your vicinity,” as is stated in the Code of Conduct in the Advice For Sustainable Wildlife Tourism in Iceland. At Illugastaðir you will find excellent facilities to see and view seals and can easily spend hours to enjoy this spectacular place of seeing animals in their natural homes. How to get to Illugastaðir Seal Colony Happy seals at Illugastaðir farm Vatnsnes Peninsula Iceland Illugastaðir is an old farm located approximately 30 kilometers from the Ring Road in the northwestern region in Iceland. So the tour from the main road is about sixty kilometers and you need to allow for one to one and a half hour for driving as most of the road is a gravel road. You take a turn north on the road Hvammstangavegur Nr. 72 and once to are passed the small town you continue on the road Nr. 711. And on your way back you must stop at the Seal Center in Hvammstangi and also enjoy some of the nice cafés and restaurants the charming small town offers. Hvammstangi also has one of the best camping areas in Iceland if you are traveling by car and camping, which is a great idea if you are traveling with kids during summer.

A magical feeling inside a ice cave I started my four and a half hour drive early as the weather forecast was great. I was on my way to visit Ice Caves for my information web page Hit Iceland. Although I had traveled to most places in Iceland in the last two years, I had not visited an Ice Cave. I anticipated a magnificent mountain and glacier view along the way and wanted to have time to photograph before reaching my destination. I was on my way to Jökulsárlón where I was to meet Little Siggi, an ice cave tour operator at South East Tours. Fortunately, I had about two hours to spare for photography. The drive is part of the Ring Road in Iceland from Reykjavík where I live to the famous iceberg lagoon Jökulsárlón. The place where Little Siggi has his meeting point. The weather was great, and I consistently found myself stopping the car and running out with the camera. Little Siggi the tour operator knows his way around the area Siggi Litli preparing for security matters in the ice cave Arriving at Jökulsárlón, I was greeted by (Siggi Litli) Little Siggi who is not so little despite the nickname. Sounds like a name that he got stuck with him when growing up in the small town Höfn, not far from Jökulsárlón. Little Siggi is a local operator who knows the terrain, the glacier, the ice caves and the whole area like the palm of his hand. A man who goes out of his way to avoid driving over elves as he knows where they live. The Black Dimond cave with a hole in the bottom Inside the Black Diamond ice cave The first cave was Black Dimond a rather small and dark ice cave. The reason for the dark color is the ash from a major eruption in the glacier Öræfajökull ages ago. Ash stuck in the ice but clearly visible through the transparent layer of clean ice in front of it. Although small the cave has a narrow path that I crawled to see the hole at the end. Crystal Cave in Vatnajökull Glacier The stunning ice and blue colour inside the ice cave The second ice-cave, Crystal Cave, is much bigger and quite popular among our visitors. It is a breathtaking sight to walk the large cave with its blue color above you and the transparent layer of ice. You can't help thinking if there is something stuck in the ice from another century. Possibly an old Viking that got lost centuries ago and the glacier has protected. It is simply a very unusual place to visit and a very rare sight. How cool is a selfie inside the spectacular formation of a blue ice cave? Ice cave photography To enter an ice cave placed under and at the end of a glacier tongue is a unique experience. The caves are natural wonder created by mother nature during summer and accessible during winter. In the spring when temperature rises and glaciers are exposed to the sun, ice melts and water filled with mud and rocks finds its way under the glacier crawling to the edge of the glacier tongue. In the process, the rivers under the glaciers polish the ice and create caves. When winter returns, the melting and floods come to an end, and the caves become accessible, and you can enter this dreamlike world of blue ice caves. Accessible during November until March The entrace to the ice cave One of the most popular and most accessible places to explore an ice cave is Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue at the edge of the large ice cap Vatnajökull in southeast Iceland. Although the caves are accessible from the Ring Road, the dirt road to the caves are quite challenging and at some points dangerous. It is a deceiving place as some of the harsh dirt roads are actually placed on ice with possible crevasses under the road. So driving on the roads requires some local knowledge. The roads are also hard to drive and more or less only fit for large modified 4X4 vehicles. And anyhow you should only enter an ice cave with a guide and equipped with the appropriate gear. Placed near the Jökulsárlón lagoon Standing inside the ice cave is a fascinating experience Visiting an ice cave is one of the exciting things you can do in Iceland during winter. Although this season is the most interesting for tourists, there are many things you can do and experience. Jökulsárlón iceberg lagoon is one of the natural wonders you can visit and enjoy all year round. Most of the companies and guides offering ice cave tours operate from the Jökulsárlón center. Our tour was with one of the most experienced companies, South East, and its owner Siggi litli (Little Siggi).

Iceland i a perfect country to take kids and a family tour If you are thinking about and planning a holiday with the kids, Iceland should be on your destination list for many reasons. The most obvious reason is the same as for other tourists and visitors, the diversity of natural wonders, landscapes, and choices of things to see. Most kids are curious and love to see waterfalls, glaciers, icebergs, and real volcanoes. An old crater that once, and sometimes just recently, spewed glowing magma from the ground and delivered fire, lava, and dark smoke in all directions. It is part of the children's adventure mind to be interested in seeing a location that possibly was, or is, a home of a dragon. A vacation in Iceland is always an adventure. The many adventurous things to do with your kid There are many adventures in Iceland Standing at the entrance of an incredible canyon like Fjaðrárgljúfur is a thing a young mind will never forget. That also applies to sailing on an iceberg lagoon between large and cold icebergs at Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón. Walking behind a waterfall with your parents on a narrow path, like Seljalandsfoss, is an adventure a child will probably not forget. And how about those mysterious mountains and cliffs home to trolls feared by the elves living in small hills below. Would a child not enjoy seeing the geyser Strokkur blow the seam twenty meters into the air or a magnificent waterfall like Dynjandi? And visit Rauðfeldsgjá, where you have an exciting mix of our Sagas, history, folklore, landscapes, and the artwork of Mother Nature. How to travel on a family tour in Iceland A small waterfall in a ravine Most of the natural wonders in Iceland are reachable in an ordinary family car in a timespan of a few days. Reasonable accommodations and excellent hotels are available in every region of Iceland. It is also possible to spend weeks traveling between exciting places and magnificent natural wonders in Iceland and constantly see new things. And suppose you want to see anything more than natural wonders in the landscape. In that case, you can take them on a stunning Whale Watching tour in Húsavík, hike up to the top of Drangey island and see puffins up close, dip into the geothermal pool in Landmannalaugar, and hike into the mysterious Drekagil. On our website, you will find many interesting places for kids. Iceland is also one of the safest countries in the world, with no dangerous animals, which makes it more attractive to families with young children. The best way and best time to travel with kids in Iceland Iceland countryside and Highland are great places to take kids and family Traveling in a rental car or your own vehicle, if you prefer to take the ferry from Denmark, is the best option, and the best time of year for such a family tour is June to the end of August. In late August, it is possible to see the Northern Lights. The most exciting way for kids is to do some camping and stay in a tent on some of the many camping sites in Iceland. Places like Skaftafell, Þórsmörk, or Ásbyrgi or one of many camping sites that you find in every town or village along the Ring Road. You will also find great swimming pools with geothermal water in almost every small village or town in Iceland. This a great option if you don't want to buy the costly admission to the Blue Lagoon. Wherever you camp, Iceland has no terrible insects or other dangerous creatures to worry about. It is a very safe country and ideal for a family vacation for kids. Take your family on a healty vacation to Iceland

The sculpture Sun Voyager has its roots in an almost spiritual experience Jón had in Finland in 1985. Everything about the sculpture Sun Voyager is fascinating. The Artist Jón Gunnar Árnason was a mechanic who left a successful career as a mechanic in his early career to become an artist. As an artist, he was a pioneer and a philosopher with a vision. In his life, nothing had a higher priority than art. He is considered by many to be one of Iceland's most remarkable sculptors and artists. Jón Gunnar was born in 1931 and died in 1989, only 58 years old. The Sun Voyager is part of The Sculpture and Shore Walk by the shoreline in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. Dreaming about a tour to the sun A winner of a 1986 competition for an outdoor sculpture for the district of Vesturbær Evening in Reykjavik by the Sun Voyager In 1986 the city of Reykjavík celebrated its 200th anniversary. To honor the event, residents of the Vesturbær district launched a competition for an outdoor sculpture. Jón Gunnar presented his sculpture, The Sun Voyager, into the contest and won. Although initiated by the residents of Vesturbær district, the sculpture has never decorated that part of Reykjavík as initially intended in the small field Landakotstún, on the hill by the Catholic church. However, in August 1990, it was placed on Sæbraut after the city had built a small platform in the City Center district. The sculpture is made of steel and took one year to complete. It is 17 meters long and weighs 2.6 tons. Although the artist passed away the year before, he had seen the plan and drawings and, in his humorous way, called the platform constructed for the sculpture Jon's Peninsula. Solfar is not a Viking ship but a dream machine Sun Voyager Sólfar in Reykjavík The sculpture Sun Voyager has its roots in an almost spiritual experience Jón had in Finland in 1985. He had a vision where he saw before him a Sun Voyager. He felt that he had been a part of a journey hundreds of years ago, traveling from Mongolia to Iceland. A trip with a promise of an unsettled land. He believed this was a real story from his previous life on earth and that indications point to relations between Mongolia and Iceland. Even settlers in Iceland came from Mongolia rather than Nordic countries. So the journey was genuine for Jón, although it might sound surrealistic to many. But such is the story behind the artistic concept of the sculpture. The sculpture Sun Voyager is now one of Reykjavik's best-known landmarks The Sun Voyager is a popular landmark in Reykjavík The sculpture Sun Voyager has a much longer story to tell. Disputes over the location, various interpretations, enormous arguments over two stacks that suddenly appeared by its side soon after it was put down at Sæbraut, and of course why the sculpture was not put up in the district of Vesturbær where it was intended to be from the beginning. In any sense; human, artistic, spiritual, or as a structure, Sun Voyager is a great work of art. It still stands where it was located in August of 1990 at Sæbraut near the conference center Harpa in downtown Reykjavík. If  you're planning to tour Iceland in a  rental car , make sure to  read this article  about the three important things you need to know and the type of car that would be best for your trip!

Skólavörðustígur street in Reykjavík City Center One of the best ways to enjoy a city is to take a walking tour. It is by far the most enjoyable way to experience the atmosphere, the architecture, the city landscape, and all the exciting things a city can offer. Reykjavík is no exception despite the fact that it is much smaller than most cities. So what is the most interesting walking tour you can take in Reykjavík? The answer is quite simple; it is the Sculpture and Shore Walk from the City Center and Harpa to Höfði house. From the famous cold war landmark, you walk through the Hlíðar district to Perlan for a spectacular overview of Reykjavík and surrounding towns. From Perlan you walk to Hallgrímskirkja church and finally walk through the most exciting shopping street Skólavörðustígur as you head back to the City Center. It is a six-and-a-half-kilometer-long walk that will give you a good understanding of Reykjavík. And the walk has many noteworthy stops to enjoy sculptures, buildings, history, selection of cafés in addition to giving you a great overview of our small city. And last but not least a refreshing walk in a fantastic city. And although it is only about six and a half kilometers you should allow for at least four to five hours to really enjoy this walk. The first part from City Center to Höfði House Harpa conference center by the harbour in Reykjavík The path from the City Center to Höfði house by the shore is often referred to as the Sculpture and Shore Walk. This is because of the many fascinating sculptures you can enjoy along the way. Your first stop should be at Harpa conference hall. You should go into the building and look around end enjoy its renowned architecture. Not far from the conference hall Harpa is the first sculpture, Sun Voyager, that has in recent years become one of Reykjavik's famous landmarks. The walk is quite scenic with Kollafjörður bay and the Esja mountain on your left side and the tall buildings forming the new Reykjavík skyline on your right hand. Farther on, many visitors find the sculpture Shore Piece by Sigurður Guðmundsson, one of Iceland's most famous international artists, quite interesting. It is, at first sight, a part of the breakwater but obviously, the rocks are polished and more colorful. From the Shore Piece, there is only a short distance to Höfði house, the famous meeting place of Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev during the cold war years. Höfði is a fascinating house with an interesting history prior to the world leaders' meeting. It is also surrounded by sculptures on the lot as well as a part of the Berlin wall given to Icelanders some years ago. From Höfði house to Perlan The Sun Voyager by the shoreline in Reykjavík From Höfði house you walk from Borgartún street to the east to the corner of Nóatún street where you take a turn and walk south. Borgartún has in recent years become a kind of an extension of the city center. It is a place where many of our finance companies have headquarters and a street with increasing service-oriented activity. At the same time, restaurants and cafés are popping up left and right. So if you are already hungry, you can find a place to have a morning café or even an early lunch. You continue on Nóatún street where it meets Langahlíð. Here you are walking through Hlíðar, one of the older districts in Reykjavík. Most of the homes were built in the forties and the fifties, and here you will find many wonderful small apartment buildings. You will also walk by the small park Klambratún, and you might want to take a short loop into the garden for a peaceful and relaxed moment. You continue Langahlíð street to the end and walk a short walking path up to Perlan. Perlan stands on a hill, Öskjuhlíð, and the building is one of the most interesting places in Reykjavík. It is also a great place to get a good view and understanding of the layout of Reykjavík. Constructed initially as a reserve tank unit for the geothermal heating in Reykjavík, it was renovated and turned into a restaurant and kind of a cultural center some years ago. The area around Perlan is also quite interesting, and if you have time and energy to spare, a walking path around Perlan is worth it. From Perlan back to City Center Höfði house in Reykjavík From Perlan you take a path through the trees down the hill Öskjuhlíð to the street Bústaðarvegur on the corner where it meets Flugvallarvegur street. Follow the street Bústaðarvegur to the north all the way to Eiríksgata street. You are now in the City Center district again. A short distance from the actual City Center and this is more of a residential area with houses from the twenties and the thirties. Eiríksgata street will take you to another hill, Skólavörðuholt, and Hallgrímskrikja church. The church is probably one of the best-known landmarks in Reykjavík and is visited by most tourists that come to Iceland. There is rarely a moment from early morning until the evening when no one is taking photos of the church. Taking a lift to the top of Hallgrímskirkja tower is also a good way to view the city, and you should also step into the church to enjoy the unusual and renowned architecture. Skólavörðustígur has fabulous stores, cafés, and restaurants Perlan in Reykjavík The final part of this walk takes you from the Hallgrímskirkja Church back to the City Center through the Skólavörðustígur shopping street. At Skólavörðustígur you will find excellent cafés, all kinds of restaurants, and excellent stores with Icelandic clothing designs. It is a very original part of Reykjavík with all sorts of small shops and things to do. So take it easy when you walk down Skólavörðustígur. If  you're planning to tour Iceland in a  rental car , make sure to  read this article  about the three important things you need to know and the type of car that would be best for your trip! Map of best walking tour in Reykjavík City Iceland

The catholic church in Reykjavík Although Iceland has many churches all over the country almost all of them are churches of the Icelandic official religion, the Evangelical Lutheran Church. There are other churches and other religions, and one of them is the Catholic church in the Vesturbær district in Reykjavík. There are also other Catholic chapels around the country. The Catholic church/cathedral stands on the former farmland Landakotstún, an old farm purchased by the Catholic Church more than a century ago. This is the reason it was named Landakotskirkja although most often called Christ's Church. Catholic Church in Iceland Although Catholicism was not widespread in Iceland during the 19th century, as Reformation occurred in the 16th century, the Catholic church had many reasons to settle in Iceland at that time. At that time many fishermen from European Catholic countries did their fishing in Icelandic waters on the coast. In the early 20th century, after the First World War, it was decided to build a new church in Reykjavík Iceland. At the time it was a very ambitious project on any scale. The architect was Guðjón Samúelsson who more or less designed all important buildings at the time. He was the Housemaster of the State and took on the task around 1920. It almost took a decade to finish the church, and in July 1929 it was sanctified. After it was finished the Catholic Church was the largest building in Reykjavík. One of the main landmarks in Reykjavík The Christ's Church at Landakot is one of the main landmarks in Reykjavík. The location is just steps away from the town center. The building is beautiful on the outside and inside. The hospital on the other side of Túngata street was a Catholic hospital operated by Catholic nuns. It is now part of the Icelandic National Hospital.

Borgarvirki, or The Rocky Hill Fortification If you were to build a perfect fortification and place it in a strategically relevant place, it might still not match the rock formation Borgarvirki. Located approximately 180 meters above sea level with a magnificent view in every direction, Borgarvirki has a strategically unparallel placement. Although it looks very much like a man-made fortification, it is actually a natural formation. Mostly referred to as a defense shelter, it is also a great place for viewing the surrounding area. There is a good parking lot by Borgarvirki and only a short, interesting walk to the entrance. It is also easy to walk up to the brim and almost the whole circle on top. North West Region Map It is definitely interesting as a natural wonder of basalt columns. Borgarvirki, or The Rocky Hill Fortification Borgarvirki or The Rocky Hill Fortification, as it could be translated into English, is a rocky hill made of basalt columns. The rocky hill is 10 to 15 meters high with a hollow in the middle, surrounded by 6-meter walls, and has only one entrance to the east. It is not big and has probably never housed a large group of armed men. Although most of what happened from settlement to medieval times is quite well documented in Iceland in the Sagas, there is no mention of any battle at Borgarvirki. There is one story, though, about Víga Barði and his flock of local farmers using it as a defense against a flock of thugs from the western part of Iceland. For the attackers, it was impossible to enter Borgarvirki, so they decided to wait until huger forced Víga Barði and his people out of the fortress. But when they started to throw food from the inside of Borgarvirki to the attackers after days of waiting, the thugs from the west gave up, thinking that Víga Barði and his people had food that would sustain them for weeks or months. So, the idea that it was at some point a fortification is only a speculation. One of the reasons why stories about it being a fortification have developed is because its entrance is a stonewall that was built hundreds of years ago. But as a natural wonder, Borgarvirki is interesting to visit and has a noteworthy geological formation. Moreover, it is easily accessible from the Ring Road in Iceland. Borgarvirki is located only 10 kilometers from the Ring Road Borgarvirki is located only 10 kilometers from the Ring Road or Road 1 in Iceland on a turn to the north on Road 716. It is also only a short walk from the parking lot to the top of Borgarvirki. There you can enjoy both the magnificent view over Vatnsdalur to the south and Vatnsnes to the north. You will also get to see the magnificent basalt column formation! If  you're planning to tour Iceland in a  rental car , make sure to  read this article  about the three important things you need to know and the type of car that would be best for your trip!

Drangey island When driving in Skagafjörður fjord in the northern region of Iceland, you will be impressed by a huge rock island towering majestically in the middle of the fjord. The rock is visible from the Ring Road as you approach Vamahlíð, a small hamlet, originating from the mountain pass Vatnsskarð between Húnavatnssýsla and Skagafjörður. Geologically, Drangey island is a remnant of an old volcano and is mostly made of volcanic tuff. To the icelanders, the geological explanation of the island’s origins was somewhat dull, so they came up with another explanation: Two night-prowling trolls once crossed the fjord with their cow in tow. They were rather slow in their movement and were caught in the early morning sunlight. It is known that the rays of sun turn trolls into stones. Thus, the man, woman, and cow turned into stones on the spot. The cow turned into Drangey island; the woman became Kerling (old hag), which is the stack south of Drangey, and a stack north of Drangey became Karl (man). Unfortunately, some centuries ago, the man collapsed and disappeared into the ocean as a large earthquake shook Skagafjörður. Map of North West Region in Iceland A place where the famous Icelandic bad boy and outlaw Grettir Ásmundarson found a sanctuary A steap path up to the top at Drangey island Drangey is first mentioned in the Icelandic Grettis saga. The island is the place where the notorious murderer Grettir found refuge after being outlawed. Grettir is considered to be the strongest man ever to bear the title “Icelander.” He was mean, evil, grumpy, and ill-spirited. He was also a miserable and unlucky person; when he experienced a lack of trouble, he strongly believed that misfortune would find him. Since early childhood, he was in trouble and always created problems for himself and others. He survived in Drangey for 3 years until he was slain in a dramatic sequence of events. Grettir swam from Drangey to the shore where Grettislaug , a natural pool, is found today. He then came ashore naked and fell asleep. In Grettis saga, written in the 12thcentury, two women find him lying on the grass. To their surprise, this huge and strong man has an unusually small penis. A steep path to the top The view on top of Drangey island is spectacular in the middle of Skagafjörður fjord Drangey is a mass of tuff, flat on the top, rising almost 200 meters out of the ocean. The cliffs serve as nesting sites for around a million seabirds, and among them is a Puffin colony. Throughout centuries, locals have visited the cliffs for egg collection and bird netting. There is only one trail leading to the top. It is quite steep and not for the faint-hearted or those who have acrophobia. There are tours to Drangey during the summer from the town of Sauðárkrókur. You can also visit Grettislaug, a hot pool, which is located around 30 kilometers north of Sauðárkrókur, where you can relax and camp at Reykir.

Grettislaug geothermal pool in Skagafjörður fjord There are many natural hot pools in Iceland. Most of these pools that draw attraction are natural geothermal hot springs that blend in with a small creek or a cold stream out in nature and mix into a bearable temperature. One of the most popular and well-known is the pool in Landmannalaugar in the Highland or the more remotely-located one called Strútslaug . Usually, those natural pools are made by nature, without any or little help from man. On the other hand, some pools like Grettislaug are made and built by men. Most of these pools have been around as long as anyone can remember and are even mentioned in our literature. The most famous one used for relaxation and well-being is Snorralaug , which was often used by the famous writer and chieftain Snorri Sturluson at his home in Reykholt in the early 13th century. Map of North West Region in Iceland Grettir: the strongest man who ever lived in Iceland Jarlslaug geothermal pool At the Reykjaströnd shoreline in Skagafjörður fjord on the farm Reykir, which is 40 kilometers or 25 miles from the Ring Road at Varmahlíð, when you turn north on Road nr. 75, you will find two small pools. One is called Grettislaug (the pool of Grettir) and the other one, Jarlslaug (the Earl´s pool). Grettislaug refers to Grettir, who was regarded as the strongest man in the Icelandic Sagas, and Jarlslaug refers to the farmer Jón Eiríksson, who passed away just recently and was kind of a legend. He earned his nickname Jarl or Earl because of his countless tours and knowledge of the rock island Drangey. Jón was given the name ‘the Earl of Drangey’ by his friends and the public. Man-made pools at Reykir Geothermal pool in Skagafjörður fjord As the owner of the farm Reykir, Jón built both pools using natural springs with water coming exactly at the right temperature from the ground. Hot Springs have been there for hundreds of years. According to the saga about Grettir, there was a pool or a hot spring in that place around 1100 years ago. Then, Grettir swam from Drangey island to the shore. Reykir and the two man-made pools are a great place to stop and rest, while enjoying the beautiful landscape in Skagafjörður. You will also have a great view of Drangey, and it is ideal to read the saga Grettissaga before you dip into the pool Grettislaug . You can only imagine how relaxing it must have been for Grettir to come from the cold sea from the rock Drangey and rest for hours in the hot spring. Unfortunately, for the infamous outlaw, who was renowned for his strength and dominating presence, a secret was reviled. The day after when he was lying inside the house at Reykir, two women came into the room and saw him naked on the bed. To their dismay, he was as massive as expected but as discussed between them, they were quite embarrassed by how "small he was built downwards." Possibly, that was the root of his endless problems! If you're planning to tour Iceland in a  rental car , make sure to  read this article  about the type of car that would be best for your trip. For those who are interested in dipping into the pool, there are fine facilities at Reykir to change into a swimming suit. You can also visit Grettislaug, a hot pool, which is located around 30 kilometres north of Sauðárkrókur, where you can relax and camp at Reykir. Grettislaug is now part of my Ring Road vacation article .