Overview to Iceland: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
Marooned in the vastness of the North Atlantic, Iceland is undoubtedly one of the more starkly dramatic destinations in Europe. With its volatile volcanic landscape, its scenery veers from the merely breathtaking to the truly out of this world.
Reykjavik, the small and decidedly funky capital, is slowly becoming a top backpacking destination. Embedded amongst steaming lava fields and volcanoes, the city is famous for the brightly painted roofs of its beautiful Old Town and the quality of its nightlife.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, though, the capital is also known as a great adventure travel base. Horse riding, whitewater rafting and dog-sledding opportunities are all close at hand, while slipping into the geothermal pools provides a relaxing end to an energetic day.
Away from Reykjavik, Iceland quickly becomes remote and largely uninhabited, with a host of natural wonders that would make any traveler prickle with excitement. Of these, the milky waters of the (geothermal) Blue Lagoon (an hour or so from the city) are particularly noteworthy.
Equally nearby is the Thingvellir National Park – an impressive vision of two continental shelves slowly sliding apart. Similarly, the Golden Falls in Gullfoss, Geysir and neighboring Strokkur showcase the tectonic activity constantly occuring beneath Iceland.
Inland, Iceland is laced with hundreds, if not thousands, or such waterfalls, geysers and glaciers. As with the fjords of the northwest, these areas are for the intrepid traveler only and their remoteness can make trekking pretty tough going.
The beauty of Iceland, however, is that it’s not just for the professional adventurer; the unmatchable wealth of natural wonders is there for all to see. And, as such, Iceland is rarely less than thrilling right across its geologically scarred landmass.