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Anyone who visits the small town of Seyðisfjörður and the fjord of the same name will be impressed by the town’s beauty and the fjord’s spectacular landscape. Seyðisfjörður is a place of boundless charm and the only town or village along the coastline of Iceland located at the bottom of the fjord. Most of the small towns in fjords are located by the mountain slopes in the middle of the fjord. The Seyðisfjörður fjord is a bit narrow when compared to many of the eastern and western fjords, and protects the village from strong winds coming from all directions. The Seyðisfjörður fjord enhances the beauty of the ocean, as it allows the ocean to mirror calmness. The depth of the waters in the Seyðisfjörður fjord has made it possible for ships of all sizes to sail safely into the natural harbor at the bottom of the fjord. So, if you are planning a trip to Iceland and travel on the Ring Road, I recommend that you visit Seyðisfjörður on your way. The Only Ferry to Iceland Most of the tourists who visit Iceland arrive through the Keflavik airport in Reykjanes peninsula, which is located in the southwest of Iceland. However, not many know about the ferry that can be used to reach the island. M/S Norröna, operated by Smyril Line International all year round, sets sail every week from Denmark, halts in the Faroe Islands, and then reaches Seyðisfjörður town in the east. The ferry is a good option to visit Iceland, more so if you want to take your car with you. Once you disembark from the ferry, a 25-km drive from Seyðisfjörður to Egilsstaðir over the 600-meter-high mountain pass called Fjarðarheiði will lead you to the Ring Road. The Distinguishing Premise in Seyðisfjörður’s History The town of Seyðisfjörður started developing around the middle of the 19th century. A few decades after the notorious Danish–Icelandic trade monopoly was abolished, merchants saw trading opportunities in the region and opened trading posts and built a cluster of houses. Like many other towns and villages in Iceland, easily accessible and rich fishing grounds played a significant role in the development of Seyðisfjörður. However, unlike many other towns and villages, Seyðisfjörður did not have much access to fish varieties such as cod, haddock, or halibut, except as a means of livelihood for survival. Instead, the main fish stock that was abundant in this area, and contributed to the town’s economic development, were herring and whales. In addition to merchants, entrepreneurs in the fishing and fish processing sector also came to Seyðisfjörður to take advantage of the herring stock flourishing in its waters. Although the herring frenzy began in Iceland only in the middle of the 20th century, Icelanders had already seen a similar development in the middle of the 19th century but on a smaller scale, in Seyðisfjörður. This development opened a path for the town’s progress, as opportunities for people in the surrounding rural areas grew, and they moved to the growing village at the bottom of the fjord. A Good Town for Living as well as Visiting Today, Seyðisfjörður is a part of the Múlaþing municipality, having a population of approximately 680 people, as of January 2022. It is an artistic and culturally driven town, which is loved by its residents, despite the isolation that haunts the town during the darkest winter months. Seyðisfjörður offers good quality essential services to its inhabitants. As far as the education sector is concerned, the town has a preschool, a primary school, a secondary school, as well as a music school. Healthcare services are well-accessible to all and quality healthcare is provided for the elderly. The village has an old and charming indoor swimming pool among other sports facilities. With a view of attracting incoming tourists and campers, the town has developed its camping site in an excellent manner. I have stayed in the site several times, and so can say with confidence that the place offers very good service. Seyðisfjörður also boasts of an interesting variety of restaurants and cafés as well as a good selection of accommodation facilities. Loss Suffered by Seyðisfjörður in December 2020 After a week of unusually warm temperature and precipitation, in December 2020, Seyðisfjörður faced a large landslide in a volume that it had never experienced before. Miraculously, no serious injuries or loss of lives were caused, but many old houses, businesses, and small museums were lost in the disaster. It was a significant blow to the town, especially as historically important buildings and artifacts were lost forever. 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!

Akureyri is in the northern region and the largest town in Iceland outside Reykjavík and the Capital City area. The estimated population in January 2022 is fast approaching 20 thousand inhabitants. Akureyri is also one of the few places around the coastline that formed a cluster of houses as early as the 17th century, and it eventually developed into a town. If you travel the Ring Road , you will drive through Akureyri, and it is a must to stop in this beautiful town at least for a day and night. The location is close to some of the most spectacular natural wonders in Iceland: Jökulsárgljúfur, Dettifoss Waterfall, Goðafoss Waterfall, Dimmuborgir’s spectacular lava field, and Námaskarð’s geothermal hot springs, to name a few. In a historical sense, you could say that the town is a product of the Danish-Icelandic trade monopoly and came into existence as a cluster of houses or hamlet when merchants from Denmark got exclusive permission to trade in the Eyjafjörður fjord region. Trading began in the first decade of the 17th century. Trading, merchants, and agriculture Since the 17th century, trading and merchants have been the center of the town’s economy and development. It is also in the heart of one of Iceland’s most fertile agricultural regions; thus, it is an excellent place to trade from early on. Trading developed both from entrepreneurs and the Coop Society, labeled KEA, and for years, Akureyri was one of the main strongholds and heart of the Coop Society in Iceland. Since many of the merchant trading in Akureyri throughout the 18th and 19th century came from Denmark, Akureyri became a Danish town in the minds of Icelanders. At that time, Iceland was part of the Danish crown, so there is little wonder that Danish influence was visible in houses and culture and still is. As a result, Akureyri is still labeled in Iceland as a kind of Danish town in a very positive way. Fish and fish processing are significant economic contributors Although Akureyri has an extensive operation in the fish industry today and is home to one of the strongest and largest fishing companies in Iceland, Samherji, fishing didn’t start until the 20th century. Even though Akureyri has had excellent natural conditions for a harbor and excellent fishing grounds in the fjord throughout the centuries, of all the towns and villages in Iceland outside Reykjavík, Akureyri is one of the most fascinating for many other reasons. Firstly, it is an old town with houses and buildings from various times in attractive neighborhoods. Secondly, many of the most beautiful homes built in Iceland in the first half of the 20th century are in Akureyri. Thirdly, it is a town where the preservation of the environment and respect for history ranks high. Akureyri is a delightful town to visit and a wonderful town to live in. Strolling the city center and taking a few hours to walk around the city center neighborhoods is highly recommended. Akureyri is simply a great town I love to visit Akureyri in summer and winter and have done so regularly for at least four decades. I go there at least twice every year: in summer to enjoy the beautiful town and the climate in the winter, to ski, as Akureyri has the best skiing slopes in Iceland. Akureyri has one of the best climates of any town in Iceland. Like most of the towns and villages in our country, education has always been a priority. The first-grade school was built in 1847. For decades, the town has offered primary, secondary, and high school education. Today, Akureyri also has a university with interesting faculties. There are also many kindergartens in Akureyri and good care for the elderly, so they care for their youngest and oldest. There is also a hospital and good health care in Akureyri. The town is considered to be a pleasant place to live in and offers overall good service for the residents. There are many interesting museums in Akureyri that are worth visiting, and one is the Botanical Garden, where you can learn about all the flowers and trees available in Iceland. Akureyri has a good variety of restaurants and cafés, a good selection of accommodations, and a great camping site within walking distance from the town. It is a town that highly appreciates culture and art and is one of the more exciting places in Iceland to visit in winter for a glimpse of the northern lights 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!

The tiny village of Bakkafjörður is probably the smallest hamlet in Iceland. It is a community in deface, as means of economic activity to support the village are few. It is isolated with respect to both activity and geography. It is more or less a cluster of houses, with an old small harbor fit for small boats. The population is approximately 60 individuals as of January 2022 and has remained relatively the same for over four decades. Every inhabitant’s livelihood depends on fishing and fish processing. A small cluster of houses in a remote place Bakkafjörður started to develop from a small trading post opened by Örum & Wulff in the late nineteenth century, in an era when it was profitable to have a store, as it may seem today, in the middle of nowhere. At that point in time, Bakkafjörður grew to a surprising number of more than 300 inhabitants in the third decade of the 20th century. In comparison to many other villages in the east and northeast, it is interesting to try to deduce why it didn’t have similar growth. One reason might be that the geographical location is not attractive, and the hamlet has almost no protection from the winds and harsh weather from the mountains. Today, Bakkafjörður is part of a larger municipality As part of the Langanesbyggð municipality after merging with Þórshöfn in 2006, most of the service provided to the residents is in Þórshöfn, approximately 40 kilometers north of the village. As a result, it is a significant task to purchase basic food and necessities. The same goes for healthcare. Almost the only service provided to the village residents locally is a primary and secondary school which currently has less than 15 pupils. Bakkafjörður has a small camping site, but with its limitation and bare exposure to winds, it is a question of how many tourists it can attract. Fishing also in decline Most of Bakkafjörður’s boats are small family-owned motorboats operated by one or two persons. Up until the end of December 2015, one company employed 13 people in the village. That December, the company Toppfiskur discontinued its operation and laid everyone off, which was understandably a huge blow and setback to this tiny village. The village consists mainly of a few single-family houses, a school, and a few buildings related to the fishing industry. Although small and isolated today, it is easily accessible as a part of Melrakkaslétta peninsula, which few tourists find a reason to visit. 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!

On the evening of March 19th, an eruption began on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It was not a surprise as thousands of earthquakes had shaken that region for more than a year. An indication that an eruption could be expected. As is common in Iceland, an eruption begins with a fissure on the surface, and glowing magma begins to float around the region. The fissure can extend for many kilometers, as it extended up to 27 kilometers in Skaftáreldar in 1783. In a matter of days, the magma starts to deliver a constant lava flow through a few craters that form randomly on the fissure. Conveniently, on March 19th, the fissure in Geldingadalir on the Reykjanes Peninsula was only about 500 meters. In a few hours, the immediate delivery of magma concentrated on one crater. At that point, it became clear that this small eruption would most likely turn into a tourist attraction. Rushing towards the eruption Unlike many people who would flee an eruption, Icelanders feel compelled to rush to the site when an eruption begins. Everyone wants to see this spectacular sight. It is not a mystery, as an eruption is one of the most magnificent things one can witness in his lifetime. It is stunning and breathtaking, far beyond the comparison that it is something out of a movie. It is the real deal, and standing so close that you can feel the heat from the magma gushing from the crater and flowing in rivers of fire makes your heart skip a beat. You can almost shake hands with the most powerful natural forces on the planet, and you are just a few kilometers from Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, and the most populated on our small island. What kind of eruption – a message from the mantle Most eruptions in Iceland are from the basalt family, and this is also the case at Geldingadalir. The exciting thing about this eruption is that the magma seems to originate deep beneath the crust. The magma from the mantle is at least 20 kilometers beneath the surface. According to geologists, this hasn’t happened in thousands of years, as most Reykjanes eruptions have fed on magma chambers within the crust. It seems that the mantle has found a firetube through the crust straight to the surface. This is what we have learned from the chemical composition of the magma. This defines the eruption as a caldera rather than a crater and could indicate that this small and steady lava flow could last for years, decades, and even centuries. Eventually, the lava would pile up and float towards the ocean on the south shore of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Before hiking to Geldingadalir valley, there are crucial things to consider Thousands of Icelanders have hiked to the Geldingadalir valley to see and experience the eruption. It is not a difficult walk, but it requires careful planning and an understanding of the danger. As is customary in Iceland, you begin with the weather. The best weather is a light southerly wind and a clear sky, with a 7 to 34 mph wind speed. The wind will then blow the toxic chemicals north, preferably in your direction. Understanding and researching the chemicals delivered by magma is crucial and can be found on the Met Official website. It is also important to understand the nature of these toxic chemicals and how and where they settle. The safest place is usually upon the caldera hills, and it is best not to get too close to the valley. Some of the most toxic chemicals are invisible and do not warn that you are about to collapse. So be extremely cautious near the site and never walk into the volcano's smoke. The regular but important hiking matters you need to prepare for As shown on the map, the hike starts at road nr. 427 (Suðurstrandarvegur) and is around 2.2 miles to the volcanic activity. The hike back and forth should be a little less than 6.2 miles if you include a stroll on the hills' safe side. Although not a long or difficult hike in any way, it is in an area that is somewhat unpredictable in terms of weather and necessitates the preparation and gear required for any serious hike. First and foremost, good hiking shoes are required due to the harsh terrain. You also need warm clothing and a rain-resistant jacket and pants as a top layer. It is also good to have a small package of bandaid in your backpack. Water is another significant thing to carry. Remember to start with a full bottle of water. You also need to carry food for the day, like a sandwich, nuts, fruits, chocolate, and vegetables. For all this, you need a good backpack. For safety, a GPS and a fully charged phone You do not want to get lost in this area. That is why GPS or a tracking app is essential for this hike. You might find it unnecessary on a good day but remember the weather can change quickly and unexpectedly. It is also good to fully charge the phone before you start and carry it in the inner pocket to preserve the battery from getting drained due to cold. It is also good to carry a power bank if you intend to take many photos with your phone. And last but not least, you should bring a camera. Photographing the caldera/volcano I would bring a 14 to 24 mm lens and a 70 to 200 mm lens to take photos. For landscape photography, now is the time to use a telephoto lens. With those two lenses, you can cover all the angles you need at the location, and you can click magnificent photos from the hills around the caldera, even a closeup to the source of the floating lava. There are also out-of-this-world and jaw-dropping stuff to photograph in the lava, such as the river of fire, freshly solidified magma, splashing magma, and the overall formation of the lava with its many red fire lines and fire holes. I could probably go on and on. A hike that doesn’t come without danger Finally, I must emphasize that, while this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people, it is not without risk. However, with proper planning and caution, you can reduce the risk. On the other hand, it is most likely one of the most incredible sights you will ever lay your eyes on. 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.

The name of this district comes from an old farm meaning “the farm by the river.” It was the first land and building development in Reykjavík that was east of the river Elliðaá. The decision to develop this area was a kind of milestone since it gave people the impression that Reykjavík was growing rapidly. The project started in the sixties and spread over a rather large area. It was a real project for the future. Árbær district in Reykjavík is divided into four neighborhoods From the start, the district was divided into four neighborhoods; Árbær, Ártúnsholt, Selás, and Norðlingaholt. The first neighborhood, Árbær, was built in the sixties. Ártúnsholt, which has a large commercial area in addition to single-family houses and apartment buildings, was built mainly in the eighties. The same time applies to Selás. The neighborhood Norðingarholt, on the other hand, is a recent development and is still under development. Museum of old houses and history In Árbær, there is an interesting museum featuring the old farmhouse, partially made from turf or sod, and old timber houses, mainly from Reykjavik. Some of the old houses are also from other places. There are, for example, two 18th-century houses from the village Vopnafjörður in the Eastern Region and a former turf church from Silfrastaðir in the Northern Region. The church is a favorite place for weddings, as one could spot if visiting during the weekend. There is a regular exhibition in many of the houses, depicting life in old Reykjavik, and sometimes special exhibitions in some of the houses. There is a museum shop at the entrance and a restaurant serving specialties of old Iceland, pancakes with jam and cream, and the Icelandic Kleinur. Sometimes there are folk dances, classic car shows, and special shows at the museum. One of the oldest hydroelectric power plant Close to the museum, there is the Elliðaár hydropower plant, the oldest operating in Iceland, built in 1921 and beautifully designed with marble meter boards and brass turbines. It is sometimes open to the public but can be arranged by phone to The Reykjavik Power Company. The power plant was built to utilize the Elliðaár salmon river but is only run in the winter months now in order not to disturb the salmon fished there. Along the river is a park with walking paths. Angling is only for members of Reykjavik angling club, for a low license fee. The angling season is 90 days, starting in June and two six-hour shifts a day with two to three hours of rest in the middle of the day. One of the most attractive swimming pools of Reykjavik is in Árbæjarhverfi. A district with good service and nice neighborhoods Like all other districts in Reykjavík, the neighborhoods have their schools, preschool, and other services to fulfill the quality of city life demanded by the residents. 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.

Borgarfjörður Eystri is a small village in eastern Iceland. Its cluster of houses by the charming shoreline is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and stunning mountains. If you are interested in hiking and enjoying spectacular natural wonders, you should take the time to visit this village, which is one of the smallest communities in Iceland. The drive takes you through a beautiful mountain pass, Vatnsskarð Eystri, with a view of the grand mountains of Dyrfjöll. It is only an hour's drive from Egilsstaðir, a popular overnight town, if you are traveling the ring road. Although isolated, the village was a trading place Although isolated, the village was a trading center. In the late 19th century, a small trading company opened an annex,with the merchants Örum & Wollf, from the nearby village of Vopnafjörður. At the same time, another entrepreneur started a small trading establishment and a fish processing venture in Borgarfjörður Eystri. Although a tiny village, both companies remained in operation until the thirties. In the 20th century, most of the livelihood and development in the village was based on fishing and fish processing. Then, in the sixties, a herring plant was built at the end of the herring frenzy in Iceland. One might have expected that all this activity would launch growth and development, but it never amounted to much, and the village remained small and isolated. After the herring stock collapsed and disappeared, so did the economic base for the herring factory. If you visit Borgarfjörður eystri, you will notice that most houses are relatively old, and not many homes were built in the last decades of the 20th century, not to mention the 21st century. A struggling community with limited resources Today, this community with limited resources is struggling to provide services and livelihood to the 100 residents still living in the village. The economy is still based on fishing, although tourism has provided a new basis for employment, development and optimism. The town has a small pre-school, a primary and a secondary school, a church, a community center, and essential facilities for modern living. In addition, this tiny village offers several suitable accommodations like our favorite, Blábjörg, with its excellent restaurant. The village also has other cafés, restaurants, a gas station, and a camping site during the summer months. Thus, it offers a convenient stay for visitors. The tiny village of Borgarfjörður eystri, remote but attractive Borgarfjörður Eystri is a remote yet attractive destination. Iceland's most renowned painter, Jóhannes Kjarval, grew up near this village in the fjord of Borgarfjörður Eystri. You can see one of Kjarvals' paintings, if you visit the little church in the village and view the altarpiece. Further, anyone visiting Borgarfjörður Eystri or Bakkagerði, as the village is officially named, should take time to hikethrough some of the beautiful trails in the neighborhood. Borgarfjörður Eystri and the neighboring fjords, stunning coves and beautiful mountains are a paradise for hikers during the summer months. Viknaslóðir is a collection of fascinating trails. You can actually spend days hiking the beautiful trails by the shoreline, the valleys, and the mountains with a fascinating, diverse geology. And finally, Borgarfjörður Eystri is probably one of the best places in Iceland to view and photograph the puffins. Thus, the small village of Borgarfjörður Eystri is remote yet impressive. For anyone visiting the eastern region of Iceland, taking the 150 km loop to this village, from the continuous ring road, is definitely worth it! 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.

Vesturbær, or the West Town in Reykjavík, is mostly residential, with increasing tourist-related commercial activity in the harbor area and Grandi. When Reykjavík was growing as a town at the end of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century, the logical direction was west of the city center, by the shoreline. At that time, houses popped up without any plan or organized land development. It wasn’t until 1927 that the growing town introduced a development plan for the city of Reykjavík. The West Town in Reykjavík was a center for the fishing industry Historically a large portion of the district was utilized for industrial activity, in particular for the fishing industry. As the harbor in Reykjavík demanded more space, part of the harbor moved towards the district Vesturbær. Concurrently a fair chunk of the fishing industry and fish processing companies built their operation in Vesturbær in the area around the harbor at that time. During WW2, the British occupying forces created neighborhoods of barracks, which Icelanders moved into after the war, as demand for houses was extremely high, and established the first ghettos. The first street developed as the main road for traffic was Hringbraut, running from the west shore eastward. The old part of Vesturbær is on the north side of Hringbraut, and later when demand for housing development increased, it was logical to develop the area south of Hringbraut. The West Town is also the home of many University faculties and homes of students and teachers When Reykjavík was growing rapidly after the war and up until the end of the 20th century, much of the industrial and commercial activity in Vesturbær moved to other districts, and more and more land was utilized for residential buildings. Since many buildings belonging to the University of Iceland in the City Center are on the edge of the Vesturbær district, it was only logical to build new buildings for the University in Vesturbær. It was also convenient for teachers and students attending the University to live in Vesturbær, so the district became highly connected to the University. Vesturbær is the most expensive and sought-after district in Reykjavík and Iceland Vesturbær is today considered by many the coolest and most interesting community in Reykjavík. The neighborhoods in Vesturbær are also the most expensive real estate in Iceland. Vesturbær has always offered a high quality of life and living. The district has good schools for children as well as good kindergartens. One of the most popular swimming pools in Reykjavík, Vesturbæjarlaug, is in Vesturbær. It is a great outdoor recreational area and has the city's most popular walking path, Ægissíða. It is within walking distance of downtown Reykjavík and the University area. The district has been developing for decades, and new residential buildings are still being built in some neighborhoods. 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.

Kjalarnes district is the largest district in Reykjavík measured in the land but the smallest measured by population. Up until the end of the 20th century, Kjalarnes was a rural municipality north of the capital but merged with Reykjavík in 1998. Most of the residents live in a small cluster or a hamlet, Grundarhverfi, located by the Ring Road heading to the West Region and the Northern Region of Iceland. Although part of the country's capital and largest city, there is still farming and agriculture in Kjalarnes and, thus in Reykjavík. It is an ideal place for those who seek to live in a rural part of the country but also like to remain in the city with quick access to all the city's cultural activities. Esja is a favorite mountain in Reykjavík The mountain Esja has always been a symbol for Reykjavík and an important part of the city and Reykjavík identity. But it wasn’t until Kjalarnes became a part of the capital that the mountain became a part of Reykjavík. Hiking to the top of Esja is a popular recreation for both residents and visitors in Reykjavík. On the slopes of Esja is a public park, a cultivated forest taken care of by the Reykjavik Forestry Association, and there is also the research center of Icelandic forestry in a house donated by Norway in the sixties. Kjalarnes offers excellent service to its residents As a municipality, before merging with the capital, Kjalarnes always provided good quality service to its residents. The district still offers a good preschool, a primary and secondary school, a swimming pool, and a community center. Social life and social activities have always been a large part of the Kjalarnes way of life. The district still has many clubs and lively social agendas within the district. A new, challenging golf course recently opened on Kjalarnes with a spectacular view. 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.

Breiðdalsvík (Broad Valley Bay) is a tiny village in the East Region in Iceland, just off the Ring Road, with the same name as the bay where it is located. The population in January 2022 was approximately 133 in the village and around 180 in the whole valley of Breiðdalur, including the inhabitants of the farms. Like many small communities in Iceland, Breiðdalsvík traces its origin to trading in the 19th and 20th centuries. Due to difficult transportation, challenging travel, especially in winter, and complex communication, trading companies often had an annex or warehouse in less populated areas. This was the starting point for Breiðdalsvík. Although situated by the shoreline, the village is not big in fishing and fish processing. Unlike many of the deep fjords in East Iceland, the bay is shallow and loaded with large rocks, skerries, and small islands. This made it difficult for bigger boats to navigate to the village and is likely one of the reasons why a harbor or a functional wharf didn't develop until the middle of the 20th century. It started with a house for trading Although the first house, a building for trading, was built at the end of the 19th century, the first dock was built in the first decade of the 20th century. It wasn't until the middle of the 20th century that the village made a harbor, probably initiated by politicians who wanted to strengthen the economic base of the small communities in the East Fjords. It was at a time when a new stern trawler was thrown into every small village around the shoreline. At that point, the community was ready to take advantage of the nearby fishing grounds. Then fishing and fish processing In the sixties and the seventies, Breiðdalsvík had reasonably good reason for optimism. The village had a reasonable premise to develop its economy based on fishing and fish processing, with a new trawler, a few fishing boats, and a small fish processing plant. The small village developed; new houses were built, service increased with a post office, bank branches, a coop society, a store, and various new services. Fishing and fish processing might have seemed promising at that point as the population grew to about 250 people in the nineties. However, around that time, the fishing quota probably stopped further development. Like so many small villages in Iceland that the trawlers gave hope, it did not survive the fishing quota law imposed by the Icelandic government at the end of the 20th century. In the late eighties and the nineties, the population declined, and the town lost most of its economic base. Breiðdalsvík is also surrounded by good farming land Parallel to the fishing industry, agriculture and services related to agriculture was always strong in Breiðdalsvík as one of the best farming lands in the East Fjords surrounding the village. The beautiful valley west of the village, framed by high mountains, is the broad valley that gives everything name and is the largest lowland area in the East Fjords. Therefore, it is worth giving this valley and the waterfalls Flögufoss and Beljandi time when traveling through the area. The landscape is impressive as this is the oldest part of Iceland and the mountains have a deep geological history. The tiny village is turning to tourism and service In recent years, Breiðdalsvík has been in defense economically, and more and more residents have moved over to tourism for their livelihood. It is symbolic that most of the buildings built for bank branches, the post office, and other services have now been taken over by tourist-related services. So if you visit Breiðdalsvík, you will find a restaurant, a small store, a variety of accommodation, a campsite, Breiðdalssetur, dedicated to the geology of the East Fjords and tour companies that can take you to exciting places in the valley and up to the highland. The village is part of the East Fjord's municipality, Fjarðarbyggð, and embraces many tiny villages along the southeast coastline. With the small population, the village struggles to offer minimum services to its inhabitants. Nevertheless, it has a primary school, a secondary school, a library, and excellent sports facilities, including a swimming pool. 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.

Many tourists visit Iceland to explore the nation’s rugged landscapes and photograph the country’s splendorous wildlife, while others prefer to spend their stay in Reykjavík, learning about the capital’s vast cultural history and dining at several of the city’s luxurious restaurants. In recent years, Iceland’s largest city has been garnering international acclaim for its diverse culinary selection, as well as its thriving night life and fascinating walking tours, which take travelers on a compelling journey through centuries of European history. Zeb and Catherine Jones, two Bostonians who work in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry, decided to take a second vacation to Iceland in order to celebrate Zeb’s birthday, explore Reykjavík more in-depth, and gain further insight into Iceland’s distinct culture and way of life. Walking Across the Capital Zeb and Catherine first visited Iceland back in 2012, and they couldn’t help but notice how much Reykjavík has changed since their initial trip. “It seems like they’ve done a lot of construction, especially as the tourism industry has grown,” Zeb remarks, scanning the foyer of Harpa Concert Hall. The adventures the couple had during their first stay in Iceland left such an impression on them that they decided to come back to celebrate Zeb’s birthday this year: “We’re staying for four nights and we actually leave tomorrow,” Zeb explains. “We’ve based most of our trip in Reykjavík, with only a couple tours outside the city. We took a walking tour of the city this morning, and we’re going to the Blue Lagoon tomorrow. That will be the fourth time we’ve been there!” For Catherine, the walking tour of Reykjavík was the highlight of their second journey, as she loved learning more about the city’s intriguing history and asking questions about Iceland’s government and culture. “There’s a rich heritage and culture here,” she reports. “We heard all the stories about the Vikings, the Danish, the British and even the Irish. I found it interesting and fascinating to learn about the parliament and how the government works.” Both Zeb and Catherine were also pleased to hear about Iceland’s achievements in equal rights for women. “Our tour guide talked a lot about the gender equality here,” Zeb reports. “I think they said 29 of 63 parliament members in Iceland are women, which is pretty impressive.” “The food here is amazing!” Catherine adds, when asked about some of the most memorable aspects of their stay. During their visit, the couple made a point of dining at Café Loki, a quaint restaurant near the towering church Hallgrímskirkja, which is famous for serving traditional Icelandic food—whether fair or foul. “We tried several different meat dishes, including smoked lamb (hangikjöt, a festive Icelandic meat dish usually consumed around Christmastime) and foal, which were delicious,” she recalls. Zeb adds, laughing: “We didn’t feel brave enough to try the fermented shark, though.” One of Iceland’s most infamous local dishes is hákarl, Greenlandic or sleeper shark that has been dried and fermented for several months. An acquired taste, hákarl is known for its sharp, pungent flavor and ammonia-rich odor. Trying it is not for the faint of heart (or stomach)! A Destination That Stands Out During both trips, Catherine and Zeb found Icelanders to be approachable and jovial people, and they appreciate how well they treat and accommodate tourists. “Icelanders have been extremely friendly to us, very welcoming and very helpful,” they explain. When asked if they would recommend Iceland to other vacationers, they did not hesitate to say yes. “Do it!” Catherine proclaims, with a smile. For Zeb, who grew up on a Christmas tree farm, and Catherine, who cites giving baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. a hug as one of her life’s most interesting moments, Iceland has become a beloved location that stands out amongst their expansive world travels: “We’ve been to a lot of places and this is definitely one of our favorite vacation destinations.”

In the district of Laugardalur, you will find one of the largest industrial and commercial areas in the city of Reykjavík. Developed at a time when Reykjavík was advancing as a small town and becoming a city while the population was increasing rapidly, Laugardalur became the breeding ground for all kinds of business and commercial solutions. A development that demanded better transportation, better areas for industry, a larger port, and better facilities for sports and recreational activity, among many other requirements that surfaced and demanded a solution. This was in the early forties, and most of the projects and buildings were built in the period up until the seventies and eighties. And even today, many parts of the area are still seeing new buildings serving new industries, like hotels and office buildings serving the rapidly growing travel industry. A key district for industry and commerce There are mainly four areas for industry and commerce in the Laugardalur district. Laugarnes, which probably still has some development potential, Sund, where all kinds of companies and the main port of Reykjavík are located, Borgartún, which many consider the center of our small and damaged, but slowly recovering financial companies, banks, and financial institutions and Skeifan which is mainly a commercial area. In Laugardalur district in Reykjavík is the heart of sports events in Iceland Laugardalur is the heart of Iceland’s sports and our participation in international sports like soccer, handball, and track and field. Here is where our small but sufficient Stadium is located. It is also one of the largest outdoor recreational areas in the city. The main camping ground in Reykjavík is conveniently located in Laugardalur beside our favorite outdoor swimming pool, Laugardalslaug. But Laugardalur also has a few residential neighborhoods. Although most of the houses are single-family houses or two to three-story houses with two to three apartments, there are also some of the largest and tallest residential buildings in Reykjavík in the district of Laugardalur. In all the residential neighborhoods, service for the residents has always been of high quality. There are good kindergarten, primary- and secondary schools as well as "state of the art" sports facilities.

Professor Guðrún Gísladóttirrð’s has her roots in the most ferocious areas in Iceland, Skaftárhreppur and Mýrdalshreppur As a professor of Geography at the University of Iceland, Guðrún Gísladóttir is in a unique position to observe the impact the volatile Icelandic nature has on the inhabitants and the environment. Guðrún studied geography at the University of Iceland before commencing on post-graduate studies at the University of Stockholm where she completed her Ph.D. She is a project leader for NCoE NORDRESS, the Nordic Centre of Excellence studying the impacts of natural hazards on all the Nordic countries, from the local to the transboundary level. April 2014 the Swedish King awarded Guðrún the Gold Wahlberg Medal, on behalf of the Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography, for her "breadth and depth of knowledge within land degradation and desertification, and for her work to establish broad geographic networks, environments and meeting places for researchers in geography." A powerful impact Guðrún has her roots firmly embedded in the two most geologically dangerous areas in Iceland, Skaftárhreppur, and Mýrdalshreppur, where she spent a part of her childhood. Although born and raised in Reykjavík, Guðrún's father was from Álftaver, an area of unusual (even for Iceland) natural phenomena, her mother was from Mýrdalur where the mighty volcano Katla resides underneath Mýrdalsjökull. Apart from regular visits, Guðrún would spend her summers with her father's family in Álftaver from the age of ten to fifteen. During those years, she got to know her grandfather and his story intimately. It would proof to be the deciding factor in Guðrún's choice of education and life's work. "Álftaver is a very small community today, with only eleven farms," says Guðrún. "It used to have a much larger population throughout the ages, even when I was growing up. To me, it is one of the most beautiful areas in Iceland. Even as a child I sensed the powerful impact of the people's cohabitation with nature, not least the cohabitation with such an extreme nature. Driving along Iceland's main road, you would never guess it is there. To the north, you'll see the Skaftártungur. The view to the north is breathtaking with majestic mountains, volcanos and glaciers, to the south there seems to be just a whole lot of nothing. Still, it has always been populated, albeit constantly changing ever since the first settlers arrived." The Rootless Cones "Shortly after the first settlers arrived, they had to escape the area due to an eruption of Mount Katla. It was an enormous eruption with the fissure vent spanning tens of kilometers. During this eruption, the extraordinary landscape of Álftaver was formed. The lava would flow to the south along Mýrdalssandur towards Álftaver, which was mainly a wetland. When the glowing lava covered the wetland the water would boil underneath resulting in the steam exploding through the lava forming the craters characteristic for Álftaver today. But, they are not volcanic craters, only pseudocraters that we refer to as rootless cones. When you drive along the beautiful black Mýrdalssandur and look to the south, they are easy to spot. The locals maintain those cones have saved lives across the centuries during glacier bursts from Katla. Katla is the most active volcano in Iceland, along with Hekla, Bárðarbunga, and Grímsvötn. Katla has erupted 21 times during historical time. It is a subglacial volcano, which means that when erupting it doesn't spurt lava but rather a tremendous volume of volcanic ash, as well as, glacier outburst floods." It is time "During those 21 eruptions, the majority of the bursts have flooded Mýrdalssandur. The eruption starts subglacial gradually melting the icecap. The first you'll know about what is happening is when you see the volcanic ash rising. The icecap will rise releasing the alarming volume of melted water to burst towards Mýrdalssandur and the ocean. And, it happens extremely fast. This has happened approximately every 50 years in historic times. The last Katla eruption was in 1918. An interval of nearly 100 years is a very long time, making the Icelanders quite wary of the mountain. And we are not only talking about water. The Katla glacier bursts are not characterized by water, but by mud and sediment and will bring forth rocks and gigantic icebergs the size of apartment blocks. That sediment and the ash give Mýrdalssandur the beautiful, black countenance." A narrow escape "My grandfather was a young man in Álftaver when Katla erupted in 1918. It was the season for rounding up the sheep for slaughtering. He was on Mýrdalssandur along with a group of local farmers rounding up the sheep for Áftaver scattered all over the sands, One of the ewes strayed from the herd. My grandfather's friend turned back to fetch it and as he turned he could see this great gray wall coming towards them. He immediately realized this was a glacier burst from Katla. He turned back to his group and quietly informed them: "Katla is coming." This stoicism is typical for the people living in this area. The simple sentence is quite loaded. It means: "We must whip the horses and get the hell out of here – NOW!" They could already see the huge floodwall approaching and had to abandon their sheep. They whipped the horses and decided to try to cross the river Skálm and find the surest way home where they could escape to the top of the root cones with their families. Upon reaching river Skálm, they realized the glacier burst was already flowing there as glacial bursts always run in several streams along the sands. Their only option was to run the horses towards the floodwall and take a sharp bend towards the Skálmbæjarhraun, to higher ground in an old solidified lava field. They were running for their lives. One of the horses was exhausted causing one of the riders to fall behind. He had some way to go as the rest of the horses clambered up the porous lava field. When he finally reached Skálmbæjarhraun, the burst immediately covered the horse's hoofmarks. They spent the night on the lava field with the glacier burst raging all around them. Not my sheep-heads "At the farms their families soon realized Katla was coming. My great grandmother had been cooking sheep-heads to feed the men rounding up the sheep upon their return. But, they had to evacuate the houses and run for their lives to the outhouses that were placed on higher grounds, surrounded by the rootless cones. Before leaving my great grandmother took her cooked sheep-heads and put them on the shelf above the kitchen door and said: "Kata will never get my sheep-heads." One of my grandfather's brothers was disabled and couldn't run as fast as the others to the rootless cones. One of his sisters was charged with getting him to an outhouse in the south part of the area. She later told me: "The darkness was so dense, I couldn't even see my hand when I lifted it to my eyes." While making their way towards the outhouses the raging glacier burst was the only thing they could hear. But, they reached the outhouse where they spent and survived the night. " Katla the housekeeper "Glacier bursts are extremely intense but quick to recede. In the morning, this particular glacier burst was over. The reason for the phrase "Katla is coming" in this area is because to the locals Katla is not just a volcano. It is an integral part of history. It mirrors a story from the time when there was a monastery at Þykkvibær. The monks had a housekeeper named Katla. She was said to have magical powers. She had a pair of magical trousers. When she put on those trousers, she could run with tremendous speed. But, no one else was allowed to wear them. There was also a farmhand, Barði, at the monastery. He was a bit of a deadbeat. Once, when Katla had to step out in late autumn, and Barði was supposed to fetch the cows, he kept postponing until it was almost too late. He decided to borrow Katla's trousers and gathered the cows in no time at all. When Katla returned, she realized Barði had worn her trousers. She became so infuriated that she drowned him in the barrel where the monastery's meat was being soured. When spring was approaching Katla realized Barði would soon surface in the barrel. She put on her magic trousers, runs to the top of Mýrdalsjökull and plunges into the Katla crater. So, every time the locals sense Katla's unease, they don't say Katla is going to erupt. No, they say: Katla is coming." Fate "In between disturbances the locals never, ever mention Katla. But, they are watching her. As a child, I remember my grandfather waking up each morning to stand by the window and cross himself. I think most of the locals did the same. Nowadays we have the technology to monitor Katla's every move. We have evacuation plans in hand and can put it in motion the minute we detect changes. But, then again, history is full of coincidences. When Katla erupted in 1918, the sheep-slaughtering season was in full motion in Vík. That very day the sheep from Skaftártunga should have been driven across Mýrdalssandur to the slaughterhouse. But, they slaughterhouse had run out of salt and had to postpone the sheep from Skaftártunga. If not for this hitch in the slaughterhouse operation, nearly all the farmers from Skaftártunga would have perished in the glacial burst at Mýrdalssandur that very day. These bursts happen so fast there is practically nowhere to run or hide. There is no sanctuary on those vast, beautiful black sands. This proximity to this merciless nature shapes the people living in the area, of course. Just imagine the people living in the area in the late 18th and beginning of the 19th, century. Katla erupted in 1755 accompanied her customary glacier bursts. Then in 1783 we had the Skaftáreldar eruption at Laki that killed a quarter of the nation. Then, in 1823, there was another Katla eruption with all its trimmings. The frequent natural disasters have shaped the inhabitants, generation after generation. The threat is always imminent in their minds. They have just learned to live with it."