About me
Hi Beautiful People ! Loïc here, addicted to travel and experiencing anything our incredible world has to offer ...
The Best of Iceland in One Day
Icelandic horses are often considered pony size, but many who ride them say that they have a horse’s feel. And never mention “Pony” in front of an Icelander.
In all the meadows, where we saw them, we just had to call them, and they came to us, which is quite surprising. Only a small part of the horses you meet are dedicated to horse riding, the majority is intended for the food industry.
But remember to be careful, if you stop on the side of the road to pet them.
The whole area is part of a fissure ribboning through Iceland where you can clearly see the drifting in the tectonic plate boundaries of North America and Eurasia – The Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The rift widens every year by a few millimetres and the faults in the earth’s crust filled with deep crystal-clear waters are clearly visible.
It was the place where the laws were created and validated. Anyone could join in and speak.
Thingvellir is located just above the dividing axis of the Americo-European tectonic plates, their spacing is on average 5 mm per year (70 meters in the last 10,000 years). The fault that can be seen, was already well created in the 10th century, for a long time.
The largest contemporary event, took place at Thingvellir. In 1944, the Icelandic Republic was proclaimed there.
You never know what reaction you might bring …
The mighty Hvítá river abruptly disappears into a ravine at a spectacular waterfall called Gullfoss, the next major highlight on Iceland’s Golden Circle. This wide & fast moving river turns a corner and falls 100 feet into a crevice in the earth, producing thick mist & frequent rainbows.
After descending a long staircase from the parking lot, a concrete pathway allows visitors to walk along the edge and look down into the roaring cascade of water. The area around the falls gets pretty windy, so a waterproof jacket (and maybe even pants) is recommended if you plan to get close. The dramatic scenery at Gullfoss makes it one of Iceland’s most popular attractions.
Gullfoss waterfall is located off the main road, so you have to backtrack a bit to continue on the Golden Circle route. There is a road that continues past, but it’s one of Icealand’s notorious F-roads that requires four-wheel drive.
To note, there is an entrance fee now (400 Kr), thanks to people visiting Iceland, unable to respect the trail. The price of the ticket is used to preserve nature (marking – path – fences – limitations). This is the first site of the Golden Circle you are ask to pay for. And unfortunately, it probably wont be the last.
Puffin Hotel
Puffin Hotel Vik
Address : Víkurbraut 26, Vík, Islande
Telephone : +354 467 1212
Website : http://www.puffinhotelvik.is
Thingvellir : No fees are mandatory, you will just have to pay for the parking (500 ISK / private car / 1 day).
- FYI : you will only be able to pay by cash at the main front desk, Parking pay machines are on the parking lots.
Rental Car : Lagoon Car Rental
Adress : Keflavík : Smiðjuvellir 3230 Reykjanesbaer Iceland Reykjavik : Sundagarðar 8104 ReykjavikIceland
Telephone : +354 515 2220
Website : www.lagooncarrental.is
Are there information centres at all of the tourist sites? Is it worth hiring a guide if you are travelling independently?
Hello, you do have a tourist center on the main road, near Þingvellir. It is also the only place where you can pay the parking ticket by cash.
But we didn’t see any next to Geysir, let us know if everything goes well ! Have a safe trip.
We are planning either a 3 or 4 day tour to Iceland. Which tours are a must to do? We don’t mind driving as long it is worth it.
Hello Gail, you will need to drive anyway, there are not many other options. Depending on what you want :
– You can spend 3/4 days near the Golden Circle, take time to enjoy it (you don’t know, the weather might not be always good)
– Do a 1/2 days tour of the Golden Circle and then drive to Vik or the many Glaciers, depending on when you are going to Iceland.