Atlantica - 01.01.2004, Page 24

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
Yes, it’s a cliché, but that doesn’t
mean it’s not worth every minute
of the trip, especially when win-
ter casts its frozen spell. All three
of these favourite tourist spots
are situated close to each other
in south Iceland. Thingvellir, the
site of the world’s oldest parlia-
ment, is situated right on the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge and looks
pristinely beautiful in the soft
pastel hues of the darkest sea-
son. Gullfoss, Iceland’s most
famous waterfall, takes on a new
guise in winter, creating tall, icy-
blue columns of frozen falling
water. For a total contrast, watch
the world’s most famous geyser,
Geysir, spout boiling water high
into the air.
22 A T L A N T I C A
ARNARFJÖRDUR
At the heart of Arnarfjördur (West
Fjords) is the small fishing village of
Bíldudalur, which rests deep within
the fjord, surrounded by towering
mountains. Driving along the wind-
ing, mountainous road that con-
nects the isolated villages of
Arnarfjördur is like driving through
the middle of nowhere, lost in a pre-
historic land populated by a vast
nothingness.
4
5
020 Topp 10 Atl104-22.ps 17.12.2003 8:35 Page 22