Reykjavík Grapevine - 21.09.2007, Blaðsíða 22

6_REYKJAVÍK_GRAPEVINE_ISSUE 15_007_DESTINATIONS
two ca. 480 km three ca. 50 km four ca. 120 km five ca. 50 km
six ca. 490 km seven ca. 700 km eight ca. 600 km nine ca. 190 km
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2
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9
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*distance from Reykjavík in kilometres.Photos by Thorsten Henn and Skari
one *ca. 50 km
Take the warmth
with you!
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Laugavegur
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Þing
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Grafa
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www.alafoss.isWool & Souvernir Shop
Since 1896
Álafoss - outlet
Álafossvegur 23
Mosfellsbær
(C.a 16 km away from
Reykjavík on the road
to Þingvellir)
Open:
Mondays - Fridays
9:00 - 18:00
Saturdays
9:00 - 16:00
Álafoss
Laugavegur 1
Reykjavík - City Center
Open:
In summer:
Every day
9:00 - 22:00
In Winter:
Mondays - Fridays
10:00 - 18:00
Saturdays
10:00 - 14:00
Get a taste of
the best of Iceland
...with a little bit of spanish thrown in!
Choose from over 70 courses, ranging from lobster and various
types of fish to icelandic lamb in the greatest of atmosphere.
A must try is our famous puffin with blueberry and “brennivín” sauce.
Iceland’s only authentic Tapas-Bar
Tel:551-2344 • Email:tapas@tapas.is
Address: Vesturgata 3b • 101 Reykjavík
One of the country’s majestic volcanoes,
the caldera Askja has erupted several times
over the last centuries. Surrounded by the
Dyngjufjöll Mountains, Askja is an active vol-
cano, which was declared a natural monu-
ment in 1978. A powerful eruption in 1875
changed the scenery immensely, forming the
large blue lake Öskjuvatn, right in the middle
of the caldera. The 220 metre deep lake is
the deepest one in Iceland. The same explo-
sion created the volcanic crater Víti contain-
ing a geothermal warm lake where bathing
is quite popular. Just beware of the slippery
slopes leading down to the ‘pool’.
Askja
When the gushing white Hvítá river runs into
a canyon in the southwest, it creates Gullfoss
(or Golden Falls), one of the most popular
tourist attractions in Iceland. The waterfall
has a series of three steps, with each drop
greater than the next. Where the trail meets
the falls, the volumes of the wide Hvítá can
be witnessed plunging about 32 meters into a
relatively obscured canyon. Fortunately, plans
to utilise the fall for energy were dropped a
long time ago. A trip to the spectacular Gull-
foss is generally included with any “Golden
Circle” package.
Gullfoss
Just as the Scottish have folklore about the
nightmarish Loch Ness monster who dwells
in the depths of the great Loch Ness, so the
Icelanders have their own haunting sea crea-
ture. “Lagarfljótsormurinn” is a lake monster
according to east Icelandic folklore, who stirs
in the depths of the Lagarfljót lake, near the
eastern hub of Egilsstaðir. A tourist boast by
the same name cruises the lake and features
special tours and on-board banquets. Nearby
is Hallormsstaðarskógur, which is the largest
forest in the nation.
Lagarfljót
Lake Mývatn, created by an eruption more
than 2000 years ago, is one of the larg-
est lakes in the country, covering about 37
square kilometres and surrounded by unique
landscape. One of the most popular tourist
spots in the country, the vast volcanic area
is rich with a striking scenery, diverse fauna,
varied birdlife, numerous small islets and
hordes of extremely annoying midges, which
the lake draws its name from. The lake and
its surrounding wetlands and lava fields are a
nature reserve. The area boasts endless sight-
seeing options as well as good services and
facilities for travellers.
Mývatn
If this is not your first-time in Iceland you’ve
probably made a trip to the Þingvellir National
Park already. If not, you should definitely take
a day tour to this oldest national park in the
country, founded in 1928. A place of great
significance to Icelanders due to its role in the
country’s history, the park is a protected na-
tional heritage and is on the UNESCO World
Heritage List. In 930, Alþingi, the oldest
parliament in the world, was established at
Þingvellir. Other historically important events
took place here as well, for example the
adoption of Christianity in 1000 and the cel-
ebration of Iceland’s independence in 1944.
Understandably, there are numerous histori-
cal sites and buildings to explore and marked
paths will lead the way. You will be able to
explore old ruins, an ancient drowning pool
(Drekkingarhylur) where women who had
children out of wedlock were drowned for
their crime, and the Þingvellir church. The
park, with the country’s largest lake, Þingval-
lavatn, as its centrepiece, is renowned for its
natural attractions such as Almannagjá fis-
sure and Öxarárfoss waterfall.
Þingvellir
The fishing town Húsavík, which sits at the
shore of Skjálfandi bay, has been experi-
encing a great increase in tourism in recent
years. The biggest draw for travellers is the
fact that the Skjálfandi bay is known for be-
ing an excellent whale-watching spot and
many companies offer daily whale-watching
excursions from the harbour. Visitors should
also check out the Whale Museum, located
by the harbour. The museum was founded in
1997 and provides information on cetaceans
and Iceland’s whaling history. The Húsavík
church, which is one of the oldest wooden
churches in Iceland, is also worth a look.
Húsavík
A town of 6,000 people, Akranes is only a
35-minute drive from the capital.
Two Irish brothers settled the town in 880
and today the townspeople celebrate the
settlement annually with a family festival
called the Irish Days, taking place on July 6 to
8 this year. Activities for visitors are varied and
range from exploring interesting museum ex-
hibitions in the Garðar area, sunbathing on
the town’s famous sand beach Langisandur
or relaxing in the public park Garðalundur,
a spacious area with lakes, trees and a large
playground for the children.
Akranes
The small coastal village Vík í Mýrdal is the
southernmost town in the country and con-
tains many interesting sights to explore. The
town’s natural surroundings offer attractions
such as green meadows, expansive sand des-
erts, glaciers and glacial rivers and only min-
utes away from town is Dyrhólaey, a long pre-
served promontory stretching from the coast
and out into the ocean. The area is rich with
birdlife and picturesque views and while hik-
ing down to the town’s beautiful black sand
beach you can view the large Reynisdrangar
rock pillars in the near distance.
Vík
Located on the northern part of the Reyk-
janes peninsula, the small community Garður
is only a ten-minute drive from the Keflavík
international airport. The town’s trademark is
the two old lighthouses down by the coast
which offers a great panoramic view over the
Faxaflói bay. The coastline also happens to be
an excellent bird-watching spot. As Garður is
an old fishing village, a museum dedicated
to fish processing, The Garður Folk Museum,
was established in 1995 and features a col-
lection of old boat engines, fishing gear and
other historical items.
Garður