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Gullfoss, or "Golden Falls"
A great introduction to Iceland is driving the "Golden Circle" after you
arrive. Doable as a day trip to and from Reykjavik (about 300 km, or 185 miles,
total driving), this includes Gullfoss, the splendid "Golden Falls." Photo:
Jodi Stoner Phy
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Thingvellir Church
First stop on the Golden Circle is Thingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage site
where the island's chieftains have been meeting for two weeks each summer
(beginning in 930 AD!) to democratically resolve issues.
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Where Two Continents Meet
Thingvellir sits in a rift valley where the tectonic plates of Europe and North
America meet (the island is being ripped apart by 3 cm each year). Walk down
the valley, and you can continentally "drift" from one to the other! Photo:
Jodi Stoner Phy
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A Haven for Hot Springs
The original namesake for all hot springs lies between Thingvellir and
Gullfoss. Though Geysir is largely inactive these days, there is a gang of
geysers at this spot, including Strokkur, which currently blasts every five to
ten minutes.
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Go Island Hopping
Take a day trip to the island that was completely evacuated by a surprise
volcanic eruption in 1973. Once on Heimaey, you can take boat and bus tours
that reveal bountiful birds and whales. The town remains starkly divided--400
homes were swallowed up by lava and ash, and now the town eerily begins where
the flow ended.
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Reynisdrangar Black-Sand Beach
The black-sand beach here, which overlooks Reynisdrangar—a stunning set
of basalt sea stacks jutting from the sea—is the only "non-tropical"
entry on the list of the world's top ten "Most Beautiful Beaches on Earth"!
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Arch Rivals
Only a few miles west of the small town of Vik, in southeastern Iceland, is
Dyrhólaey, a magnificent sea arch that will rival most any image of
natural beauty.
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What's Iceland Without Some Ice?
The Skaftafell Visitor Centre is a staging ground for an amazing variety of
outdoor adventures. You can wear crampons, wield an ice axe, and earn bragging
rights for ice climbing on a glacier, and it is all quite safe. Advanced tours
are available, but short hauls accept children as young as ten years and rate
difficulty as "easy" (1-2 out of a possible 5). Photo: Jodi Stoner Phy
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Sail on a Glacial Lagoon
You can arrange for a zodiac boat tour on a glacial lagoon, departing from the
Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Jökulsárlón gets nearly all the
publicity, but Fjallsárlón (pictured here) is less expensive to
tour and not nearly as crowded. Photo: Jodi Stoner Phy
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Versatile Icelandic Horses
Everywhere, pastures are filled with lovely, grazing Icelandic horses. Over the
centuries, these sturdy steeds have adapted to this harsh climate by developing
a total of five gaits (all other horses have only three). A broad variety of
horse treks are offered, including ones accepting both beginners and advanced
riders, allowing the latter to split off and kick up some dust.
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Get Soaked
Yeah, Iceland is expensive, but if you are going to get "soaked" there, you'll
find no better option than at Blue Lagoon. At check-in, you are presented with
a convenient wristband that allows you to make purchases and even operates your
locker, so you can pack along what you need and still wander the pools,
hands-free.
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Falling for the Falls
Iceland has a bounty of beautiful waterfalls--this one is Skógafoss. If
you're driving the Ring Road, be sure to scrutinize your road map for upcoming
splashes. You won't weary of stopping for yet another gusher, because each is
unique in its own wonderful way.
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Craving Caves?
A new attraction on the southwest coast of Iceland--the IceCave--is scheduled
to open in May 2015. Located 1,200 meters above sea level on Langjökull
Glacier, the IceCave will offer sub-glacial tours and eventually will include a
chapel and restaurant. Photo: Jodi Stoner Phy