ICELAND
The land of fire and ice
Fall in love with this country that looks like a scene from another planet
Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice because in it's 39,800 sq mi2two giants coexist: glaciers and active volcanoes; both majestic and magnanimous in their nature. There are currently 269 glaciers (some are listed as the biggest in Europe) that cover a little over 10% of the island, and around 130 active volcanoes. And all of this, in an "extreme" geographical location that adds a dose of magic for every season of the year: days of complete darkness during winter and full sunlight days in the summer.
Reykjavík
Iceland adventures normally start in the capital (Reykjavík) but beyond being a starting or end point in your trip, this is a fascinating and modern city.
If you have limited time to explore it, you can take a Free Walking Tour to have a complete and well told "executive summary" of the main points of interest such as Rainbow Road, the Hallgrimskirkja church, and the Reykjavik City Hall.
Golden Circle
This is one of the most popular circuits from Reykjavík and a great option for a guided or self guided tour (renting a car and exploring on your own).
In this circuit, you can see the Þingvellir National Park (oficial site of the Icelandic parliament between the X and XVIII centuries) and walk between two tectonic plates, the geothermal area Geysir, and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall.
South Iceland
The south coast is a great example of mesmerizing landscapes around the island and so far, one of my favorite places due to it's magical contrasts.
Among the wonders that you can enjoy are: the great Jökulsárlón Glacier, the majestic Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, the famous black sands beach Reynisfjara near the town of Vík í Mýrdal, the ice caves at the Vatnajökull National Park , and the mesmerizing, Diamond Beach).
Whale Watching
In Iceland, there are over 20 whale species, including humpbacks and orcas that can be seen from different locations.
For those travelers with limited time, there is a 3 hour tour departing Reykjavík to see them. If you have more time and are planning to tour the island, you can stop at the "whale capital" Húsavík or you can try your luck seeing orcas at the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
The best time of the year for humpback whale watching is the summer, whereas orcas have a higher chance of being seen during winter and spring.
Geothermal pools
Because of it's volcanic nature, Iceland has a variety of geothermal pools open to the public year round. From the most popular and well known Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon to the pools frequented by locals in the North, this is an experience of rest and wellness you don't want to miss.
If you land very early in the morning in Reykjavík or have a long flight back home, I recommend you enjoy a 2 to 3 hour relaxing moment at one of the pools near the capital. The bigger and best known pools near Reykjavík offer transfers to and from the Keflavík airport.
Northern Lights
It's impossible to describe what it feels like catching them for the first time. Which is why seeing them is more powerful than reading about them.
Iceland has a privileged location in the world due to it's proximity to a Pole (alongside it's Nordic neighbors and Antarctic territories), which is why the Northern Lights are intense during the winter. If you want to experience a life changing moment (or several if you're lucky), plan your trip between October and March.
According to experts, la temporada 2024-2025 será la mejor para observación en los últimos 20 años!