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Some of the world’s most unique photoshoots locations, ideal for their impressive views and unparalleled features are often overlooked and less talked about. One of such incredible places is Iceland!
A Nordic island nation, defined by it’s geographical ‘hot spot’ location, it is often regarded as the land of ice, fire and water. This has resulted in many geothermal & volcanic activities producing dramatic glaciers, phenomenal waterfalls, magnificent mountain ranges and naturally occurring hot springs all year round.
As we look forward to our forthcoming guided trip to Iceland, here are 10 great reasons why you should visit.
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the natural light phenomenon known as Northern Lights (aka Aurora Borealis). The Aurora paints the dark winter Arctic skies in dramatic dancing neon-like colours as a result of geomagnetic sky storms. Peak viewing season for the Northern Lights is always September through March, with December & January being favourites when the nights are long in Iceland.
Bathing in Iceland’s geothermal water is a truly unique and rejuvenating experience that is bound to awaken your senses. The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous geothermal spa, located within a lava field just a short drive from the city of Reykjavik. This naturally occurring hot spring & spa is best known for its opaque blue waters with indulging facilities such as steam-rooms, a shoulder massaging waterfall, deep skin cleansing rubs and an in-water bar. Definitely an experience not to be missed!
Reykjavík is the capital city of Iceland and the world’s northernmost capital. Exploring the city is best done by foot, where you will find plenty of street arts, colourful houses and luscious gardens. Visiting the Hallgrimskirkja Church, (which towers at 74.5m over the centre with a viewing platform to take in the city views) and the shopping streets such as Laugavegur & Bankastræti are a must.
The Golden Circle mainly consists of three equally stunning Icelandic locations in the southwest of the country. These being the dramatic cliff faces of Thingvellir National Park, the spouting Geysir Geothermal Area and the thundering Gullfoss Waterfall. Covering about 300 kilometres and looping from Reykjavík into the southern uplands of Iceland and back, it’s an adventurous day trip around some of the most iconic spots in Iceland. You don’t want to miss it!
Iceland is known for its fresh and diverse flavours. You’ll certainly find plenty of delicious, locally caught seafood dishes! And if you fancy the real taste of Iceland, you’ve got to try their Pylsur (hotdogs)! Made from a blend of beef, lamb & pork with crunchy deep fried onions, sweet brown mustard and a creamy remoulade – ljúffengur! (“delicious” in Icelandic)
The ice caves in Iceland are a truly mesmerising wonder of nature and a sight to behold. Famous for their vivid electric blue colour and pristine clarity, walking through the Ice Caves is truly a unique experience. The Crystal caves melt during the warmer months of the year and reform during the winter (October-March), so that each year, a new shape/feature can be seen.
Folktale has it that a giant Elephant went out for a drink in the seas of Heimaey, (which means Home Island) during the Ice Age, but it drank so much water it couldn’t move, so it turned into a giant rock. Okay, I made that up! However, it is very difficult to believe that this giant-elephant-looking structure was formed as a result of volcanic activities and if you are fortunate enough to visit the Elephant Rock, you’ll be forgiven if you choose to believe my folktale instead!
Okay lets face facts! Iceland is cold and it is far away from Bali or Los Angeles with their tropical sunny skies. In a world where setting yourself apart from others is crucial to succeed, just imagine the kind of experience and content you will get for your Instagram or portfolio from a trip to Iceland’s snow covered landscapes and mountain tops! If you’re the daring type, the possibilities are endless!
There’s a reason why some of Hollywoods ‘out-of-this-world’ movies have had scenes shot in Iceland’s famous glaciers. Movies such as Interstellar, Thor: The Dark World, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Prometheus and Batman Begins to mention just a few, understood the uniqueness to having such backdrops.
Iceland has become one of Europe’s no.1 destinations to watch whales in their natural habitat. A trip from Reykjavik to the coast from an open viewing platform will reveal some of Iceland’s sea gems; from minke whales to dolphins and humpbacks renowned for their acrobatic behaviour. For any animal lovers, this is a most see excursion on your trip to Iceland!
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