Top Reasons to Make Vacation Plans to Reykjavik Iceland Soon

Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and I prefer the unique or unusual destination, the kind of place most people wouldn’t think of going. Iceland is one of those countries, mainly because of its location halfway between Europe and North America, close to the Arctic Circle. It has a long and interesting history, and started the world’s oldest elected parliament, originally called Althing. The original inhabitants of Iceland arrived on Viking ships around the year 874 and brought traditional Norse mythology with them. Elves and Trolls are still part of the popular myth in the country, which is quite interesting.

Getting to Iceland is quite easy nowadays thanks to Iceland Airlines, which offers direct flights from several cities in the United States. They also offer special packages with tours and accommodations set for a short stay of 3 nights, or much longer. Interested in a 4 night trip over Thanksgiving, they have a package specifically for that! In fact, you can plan your entire trip, including any optional tours you’d like to take, simply by visiting the IcelandAir website.

Tours available include options such as snowmobile tours on a glacier, 4×4 expeditions into the rugged and uninhabited interior, Icelandic pony rides, puffin sightseeing tours, waterfall tours and a variety of other options… Iceland is a country very beautiful, and would go back in a second. Most people will visit during the summer because that is the warmest time of the year, and due to the country’s proximity to the Arctic Circle, daylight hours are reduced to a few hours a day in the other seasons. You’ll have more options open to you in the summer, including a short trip to Greenland if you’re interested. Legend has it that they changed the names of the two places, because they wanted to keep Iceland and everyone else would head to Greenland to settle. It could just be a legend, but you never know!

The fall and winter seasons also have their charms, and if you’re there during the Thanksgiving holidays or perhaps Christmas, they may have special packages and dinners just for you. However, be prepared for very cold weather as the wind blows from the north and it hits you like a brick wall if you don’t have the right clothes. However, that is one of the charms of the country because of the hot geothermal springs and spas throughout the country. Outdoor swimming in naturally heated pools is a big draw here, and so are the naturally heated spas. One of these is located near Reykjavik and is called the Blue Lagoon. It’s a huge outdoor natural pool with steam rising around you, and even though it’s only 10 degrees outside, you’re toasty and toasty from the hot tub like water. Not everything is uniform in temperature either, some places are definitely warmer than others and it’s interesting to say the least as you roam the vast expanses. They have natural sand that is supposed to soothe your skin and make you look younger if you rub it on your face and body, and that’s a very popular attraction here. This is a must do when you come to Reykjavik, and you will leave feeling very refreshed.

Take at least one Reykjavik city tour too and try some of the local varieties of food. I have found that I really love Icelandic food, and they use a lot of natural poultry and other unusual ingredients in their cooking. Have you ever tried reindeer? How about an aged, fermented shark left to rot for a few months? That would not advise! You really want to give the desserts a whirl though, especially something called Skyr, which is amazing! It is made with cream and sugar, and it is very tasty! Don’t be one of those people who goes to a different country and heads straight for the local McDonald’s, be adventurous and try everything they have! Breakfast in Iceland is one of my favorites; they will usually have several plates of cold meats and cheeses, and of course cold raw fish. It really is delicious, and I fell in love with the pickled herring while there!

I packed a lot of tours and options into my short trip, and in the end I was very disappointed to leave… I only got a taste of this wonderful country, but I can guarantee I’ll be back later! I hope you get a taste of Iceland too, take a walk on the wild side! Have fun!