Foto: The Thingvellir parliamentary plain where the worlds first democracy arose (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Iceland - Thingvellir, also known as the Parliament Plains, is a fascinating lava field located at the rift between the European and American tectonic plates. This rugged terrain served as a meeting place for chieftains, who gathered here in the year 930 to discuss laws and administer justice. Despite the dreary drizzle, we are lucky to take an extended walk across the plains. It’s remarkable to consider that the world’s first democratic assembly began in this raw, natural setting. The area is a mix of stones, lakes, and jagged rocks. The historic weight of the place is palpable as we wander through the landscape that helped shape Iceland’s society and its democratic traditions. At the end of our walk, the bus picks us up on the other side of the valley. We leave this special place with a deeper appreciation for its historical importance. Thingvellir is a powerful reminder of Iceland’s pioneering spirit and the role of nature in shaping human institutions. It’s not only geologically impressive, but culturally and politically significant to this day.
Colorful Landmannalaugar
Iceland - Landmannalaugar is an area of vast lava fields and hot springs. Minerals give the rhyolite mountains spectacular colors. Even from the bus, we can see the colorful mountains. The clouds have cleared in the interior, and it’s sunny when we step out of ...
Dettifoss and Selfoss
Iceland - Via the northern side of the Tjörnes Peninsula, where Húsavík is located, we drive to the Dettifoss waterfall. At the Mánárbakki campground, we reach the northernmost point of our journey—just 25 km from the Arctic Circle. Iceland’s mainland ...
Gullfoss Waterfall
Iceland - A few minutes later, we drive on to the Gullfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s most famous. The impressive Gullfoss waterfall drops the water of the Ölfusá River in two stages. From the viewing platform, we see the waterfall nestled in the valley. A ...
Lava formations around Mvatn
Iceland - We first drive past the half-frozen Lake Mývatn to the lava formations of Dimmuborgir. Due to snow and ice, the trail is too treacherous to walk with the entire group, so we can’t visit the lava tunnels. From a viewpoint, we get an explanation about ...
Mount Kirkjufell
Iceland - We had planned to get a drink in Ólafsvík, but we find no cafés or restaurants open. We walk through the town: the modern church, the sports field, and the harbor. There isn’t much more to see. Fewer than 1,000 people live here. Iceland’s population ...
The Blue Lagoon
Iceland - The Blue Lagoon is an artificial lake nestled among moss-covered lava fields. It’s actually a by-product of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant. The water temperature is 39°C and is rich in minerals, silicates, and blue-green algae, which give the ...
The Fjarargljufur Canyon
Iceland - Just past Kirkjubæjarklaustur lies the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a beautifully carved gorge. Until recently, it was relatively unknown—until Justin Bieber filmed a music video here. Since then, not only Bieber fans but also most travel guides mention ...
The Jokulsarlon glacier lake
Iceland - In the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, numerous icebergs float until they melt enough to drift out to sea. Some are larger than a house. It’s hard to believe only a tenth of each iceberg is visible above water. The clear water is ideal for fish, and ...
The Strokkur and Geysir geysers
Iceland - By bus, we head further into Iceland’s Golden Circle—the trio of must-see sights for any tourist: Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur geyser, and Thingvellir National Park. First, we visit the waterfall. Along the way, we already pass the geysers. Gullfoss ...
Whale watching at Husavik
Iceland - At 8:30 a.m., we walk to the harbor for a whale-watching tour. We board the Náttfari, a former fishing vessel now fitted with benches. Masks are mandatory onboard due to Icelandic law, as social distancing isn’t possible, explains our guide, Laugey. ...