Itinerary (wish list):
I’ve outlined far too much to do, and am certain to discover more along the way! I hope to find myself caught up in an Icelandic travel current once I begin. It would take a super-human to see all the places/attractions I’ve listed (in this 12-day expedition). However, I can’t cut back any more – these decisions will have to happen on the road. This incredible journey, circumnavigating the country, will help place my areas of research in the larger setting, from which they emerge.
Travel Companion:
For this part of my journey I am lucky to have my Mother join me!
For those of you interested in virtually traveling along with us, or getting in touch with us, I’ve added links to our accommodation and potential attractions as well as a comprehensive travel map at the end of this post.
(Tuesday) August 9th
- FLY: Icelandic Express (Confirmation code: GL56N4)
- Boston to Reykjavik; depart 21:20 pm, arrive 6:30 am
- LOCATION (on map): a
(Wednesday) August 10th
- STAY: Borgarnes, Bjarg
- DISTANCE: Keflavík airport to Borgarnes : 70 miles
- VISIT: Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant
- VISIT: Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park
- VISIT: Hengill Volcano
- LOCATION (on map): b
(Thursday) August 11th
- STAY: Husafell, The Old Farm House, Gamli bærinn
- DISTANCE: Borgarnes to Husafell : 40 miles
- VISIT: Borgarnes “Settlement Center’
- VISIT: Borgarnes Park: Skallagrimsgarður
- VISIT: Reykholt: Snorrastofa + Snorralaug (Snorri’s Pool)
- VISIT: Reykholt: geothermally heated greenhouses
- VISIT: Keleppjarnsreykir: Deildartunguhver (biggest hot spring in Europe)
- VISIT: Hraunfossar (‘Lava Falls’) + Barnafoss (‘Children’s Falls’)
- VISIT: Hallmundarhraun lava field
- HIKE: options: Husafellsskogur forest, Eiriksjökull + Okjökull glaciers
- LOCATION: c
(Friday) August 12th
- STAY: Patreksfjörður, Guesthouse Eyrar
- DISTANCE: Husafell to Patreksfjörður : 115 miles + ferry
- VISIT: Stykkisholmur, Vatnasafn (Library of Water)
- FERRY: Baldur Ferry (9am departure) from Stykkisholmur to Brjanslækur
- VISIT: Flatey Island
- VISIT: Open air swimming pool at Patreksfjörður
- VISIT: Vatnsfjörður Nature Reserve
- VISIT: Explore Latrabjarg region
- HIKE: Vatnsfjörður, Latrabjarg cliffs, Raudisanður (‘red sand’) beach
- LOCATION: d
(Saturday) August 13th
- STAY: Reykjanes, Hotel Reykjanes
- DISTANCE: Patreksfjörður to Reykjanes : 109 miles
- VISIT: Car Tour of West Fjords
- VISIT: Skötufirði: Litlibær, drying shack
- VISIT: Ararfjörður: Dynjandi (Fjallfoss) (‘The Thundering One’)
- VISIT: Reykjanes: public outdoor pool + sauna
- LOCATION: e
(Sunday) August 14th
- STAY: Hvammstangi, Hotel Osar
- DISTANCE: Reykjanes to Hvammstangi: 141 miles
- HIKE: Hornstrandir Nature Reserve/ proximity
- VISIT: Holmavik, Riishus
- LOCATION: f
(Monday) August 15th
- STAY: Akureyri, Gula Villan Guesthouse
- DISTANCE: Hvammstagi to Akureyri: 123 miles
- VISIT: Krafla, Krafla Geothermal Station
- VISIT: Viðimyri, Viðimyri Church
- VISIT: Skagafjörður, Glaumbær
- VISIT: Akureyri, Listigarðurinn, Botanical Gardens
- HIKE: Kjarnaskogur, Kjarni Forest
- LOCATION: g
(Tuesday) August 16th
- STAY: Reykjahlid, Dimmuborgir Guesthouse
- DISTANCE: Akureyri to Reykajahlid: 62 miles
- VISIT: Aðaldal, Grenjaðarstaður
- VISIT: Goðafoss (‘Waterfall of the Gods’)
- VISIT: Bjarnarflag, Myvatn Nature Baths, Jarðböðin
- VISIT: Bjarnarflag´s underground bakery for hverabrauð (steam bread)
- VISIT: Storagja hot spot
- VISIT Grotagja hot springs
- HIKE: Skutustadir Crater, Krafja Volcano, Odadahraun Lava Field
- LOCATION: h
(Wednesday) August 17th
- STAY: Stöðvarfjorður, Kirkjubær
- DISTANCE: Reykajahlid to Stöðvarfjorður: 150 miles
- HIKE: Skutustadir Crater, Krafja Volcano, Odadahraun Lava Field
- VISIT: Jökuldalsheiði: Sænautasel
- VISIT: Reydarfjordur, aluminum- smelting plant
- LOCATION: i
(Thursday) August 18h
- STAY: Svinafell, Oraefi
- DISTANCE: Stöðvarfjorður to Svinafell: 191 miles
- HIKE: Skaftafell, Lonsöræfi Nature Reserve
- VISIT: Skeiðararjökull glacier
- VISIT: Osland, protected nature reserve- best views of glaciers
- LOCATION: j
(Friday) August 19th
- STAY: Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Hrifunes Guesthouse
- DISTANCE: Svinafell to Kirkjubaejarklaustur: 43 miles
- VISIT: Skagastronds, Hof Church
- HIKE: Skaftafell National Park
- VISIT: Waterfalls: Thjofafoss, Hundafoss, Magnusarfoss, Svartifoss (´black falls’)
- VISIT: Skaftafellsheiði (‘the heath’)
- VISIT: Jökulsarlon
- LOCATION: k
Saturday August 20th
- STAY: Selfoss, Gesthus Selfossi
- DISTANCE: Kirkjubaejarklaustur to Selfoss: 167 miles
- VISIT: Sandar, Nupsstaður
- VISIT:Skogar, Skogar Folk Museum
- VISIT: Drangshlið
- VISIT: Stokkseyri, þuríðarbúð
- VISIT: Seljavellir, Seljavallalaug Geothermal Pool
- LOCATION: l
Sunday August 21st
- STAY: Reykjavik, Kalli’s apartment #2 (my home-base from here on out)
- DISTANCE: Selfoss to Reykjavik: 34 miles
- VISIT: Reykjavik, Arbær Museum
- VISIT: Reykjavik, Dælustöðvar, Pumping Stations on shoreline
- VISIT: Grindavik, Blue Lagoon
- LOCATION: m