Adventure Culinary Travel
At the southeastern end of the Vatnajökull Glacier, the ice sheet flows down the mountain and icebergs break free into the freezing Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. The atmosphere is magical, the air biting cold, and the ice varies in amazing shapes and textures, with brilliant blue color, from giant icebergs down to small icy gems we can hold. This has been one of my favorite places so far!
Read MoreCrossing an impossibly flat and desolate landscape, like something from another barren planet, we made our way to Skaftafell. Part of the Vatnajökull Glacier and National Park, Skaftafell is an area with a waterfall in one direction and a glacier sheet in another. We had time for just one, so we went to explore the glacial ice, the almost tropical colored pools, and the sudden drop in temperature!
Read MoreA little grouping of basalt rock formations called Dverghamrar sits just along the roadside on the southern Ring Road. It isn’t a big place, but still a nice quiet spot with beautiful views, amazing rock formations, and corralling horses is a good place to stop for a driving break anyway!
Read MoreFjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is a beautiful, awe inspiring sight in southern Iceland… and one we were lucky to see! It was closed to visitors for some time due to damage to the landscape from people choosing not to respect the fragile environment, but luckily it had reopened just before our arrival. We explore this magnificent place and revel in its breathtaking scenery, while hoping people will choose to be responsible and respectful of the landscape in the future.
Read MoreStopping for the night at the Kleifar Campsite, we settled in for a cold night in a campground without many resources. To make up for that, it sat right next to the beautiful Stjórnarfoss waterfall!
Read MoreAs we drove along Iceland’s southern Ring Road, we encountered these mysterious green blobs that covered the landscape as far as the eye could see! The Skaftáreldahraun Green Lava Fields were such a unique, otherworldly place we had to stop and explore. We discover what these blobs actually are, walk a trail through these unique fields, and even learn about their special impact on world history!
Read MoreSand as black as ink… Basalt columns protruding from the ground and towering far overhead... Troll-caves leading back into the basalt and lava-rock cliffs... Sea stacks rising from the ocean like the towers of an evil fortress… Stunning views of the Dyrhólaey cliffs extending out to sea… This is the Reynisfjara beach. As beautiful as it is dark, as awe-inspiring as it is dangerous, Reynisfjara is a natural wonderland that seems lifted straight from fantasy…
Read MoreHaving a plan is good, but it always pays to leave some wiggle room for the unexpected. As we traveled down the Ring Road toward Vik, we passed by the Sólheimajökull Glacier. The road back to Sólheimajökull looked absurdly scenic, and at the end of the road was a completely unique landscape and a glacier! How could we not go check it out??!?!
Read MoreSkógafoss is another majestic waterfall along Iceland’s southern coast, Falling almost 200 feet over a brilliant green cliff and kicking up a mist that crates beautiful rainbows, Skógafoss is a must see waterfall in a land known for waterfalls. Come follow as we explore Skógafoss and the amazing landscape of the surrounding countryside!
Read MoreRight off Iceland’s main Rt 1 - the famous “Ring Road” - is the towering Seljalandsfoss. Ribbons of water fall close to 200 feet into the little pool, sending a soaking spray through the air. The trail takes us alongside the falls right beside the pool before leading us through the cave behind the water!
Read MoreThe Brúarhlöð Canyon is a beautiful natural landscape right off the busy Golden Circle, yet surprisingly off the radar of most visitors. It was off ours as we stumbled upon it unexpectedly as we stopped at a picnic spot for a quick breakfast, only to find the majestic canyon and the mysterious silvery-gray water waiting for us!
Read MoreFaced with a long drive back to the coast, we decided instead to stop at a campground with a restaurant conveniently located right between Gullfoss and Geysir on the Golden Circle route. A nice sit down for a great pizza was a welcome break, as the July night was beginning to get really cold!
Read MoreThis magnificent waterfall was one of the most anticipated stops on our journey through Iceland! An enormous rush of water cascading down to a plummet into a beautiful canyon, Gullfoss is a standout waterfall in a land known for waterfalls. We felt the rush of the water as it crashed into the rocks, got a bit wet from the spray, and if the falls weren’t gorgeous enough… we were treated to a rainbow arching over the canyon!
Read MoreThe Haukadalur Geothermal Area is a hotbed of underground volcanic activity spewing to the surface… literally! From the sulfuric yellow landscape to the deep blue pools of boiling hot water filling underground caverns to the awe-inspiring Geysir - the tower of water shooting hundreds of feet into the air whose name gives us the word “geyser” - Haukadalur is a natural wonderland along Iceland’s Golden Circle!
Read MoreIceland is famous for its hot spring pools and spas. Instead of dealing with the expense and tourist crowds of the more famous Blue Lagoon, we chose to explore the smaller hot springs… which brought us to Laugarvatn Fontana. We experience Icelandic hot spring spa culture as we relax in the warm water, venture off to the chilly lake, and sweat it out in a natural geothermal vent sauna!
Read MoreKerið is an extinct volcano whose crater has filled with the most magnificent blue water. There is a trail up around the crest of the volcano for an amazing perspective, and another down around the lake that lets you get up close with the refreshing water. It was hard to resist the urge to just jump in!
Read MoreOur first night of camping in Iceland was at Þorlákshöfn Campground, a little under an hour away from the city. We pulled in with our camper van, and had to learn the ropes best we could as it was closing in on midnight despite the sun still glowing on the horizon. The van was cozy and comfortable… and nothing follows a fine night sleep better than a camp-cooked breakfast!
Read MoreOur evening in Reykjavik, where “night” is a title only! We watch as the hours creep later and later, with the sun still shining bright in the sky. We visit the Grótta Island Lighthouse and go shell hunting on the beach, reflect on social differences at a geothermal beach, then head to Laugavegur for a “night” at the pub!
Read MoreOne of the most exciting parts of our adventure through Iceland was that we were going to experience it in a camper van! A converted Ford Transit Connect cargo van from Solstice Campers would be our home for the entire trip, and we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it to check it out and start exploring!
Read MoreVenturing along the waterline, we come to the Reykjavik Old Harbour! A working harbor with all kinds of ships and amazing views, we explore the area, climb the Þúfa mound, and enjoy a lunch and local brew at the Bryggjan Brugghús. But down at the harbor, it’s all about watching the boats!!
Read More