Day 1 – Golden Circle
9:00 Pick up at BSI
Þingvellir
Þingvellir is a national park in the south of Iceland located. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its natural beauty and historical significance. It is also known to be Icelands first National Park in 1928. It is the site of the Alþing, the world’s oldest parliament, and is also home to the Silfra fissure where the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia meet. Þingvellir is a popular tourist destination and offers a variety of activities, including hiking and camping.The first parliament was held in 930AD and used to take place in tends in the valley. The river Öxará is believed to be man made to create a water resource for the people taking part in the parliament. Beside that it was the place to drown people which were convicted to have committed a crime. Don’t worry this is not practiced anymore today.
Friðheimar – Lunchtime
Friðheimar is a family-run greenhouse located in the south of Iceland. It is known for its delicious tomato soup, made with tomatoes grown in the greenhouse, as well as its other fresh produce. Visitors can also take a tour of the greenhouse and learn about the process of growing tomatoes in Iceland. The restaurant offer all tomato dishes a tomato lover can wish for. We are going to taste the tomato soup and home made bread for lunch. And to see how all these vegetables grow here in Iceland with natural energy is very interesting. The hot water in the area is making it possible to heat the greenhouses in the area only by using the geothermal water and also the energy used for the light is green. Bumblebees imported from the Netherlands are flying around the green house to pollinate the plants.
Furthermore, Friðheimar has a horse stable. Visitors can get close to horses and watch a riding show showing all the gaits of the Icelandic horse.
Geysir
The Geysir hot spring area belongs to the Golden Circle located in south Iceland. In this area the original Geysir is located. After it all geysers in the world have received their name. But don‘t wait for the original Geysir one to erupt. Geysir itself is dormant which means that eruptions are very rare. But instead his small brother Strokkur is showing off. Within 5-10 minutes this geyser erupts with a hight of about 20 meters. But the breathing of Strokkur can variate so if the water fountain is only erupting some meters I recommend to wait some more minutes to see the real power of Strokkur.
After watching this natural water show you can stroll around the paths leading along the hot springs around the area. Don‘t put any body parts in them! They have up to 100° Celsius! These hot springs are very colorful and the bubbles let them seem unreal. One path is leading up a small hill. From there you can enjoy the view over a very beautiful and calm valley. A river meanders through it and along you can spot a riding path and maybe some riders enjoying the nature.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is one of the best known waterfalls in Iceland. At this place the river Hvítá coming from the close glacier Lángjökull is falling in three steps into a massive canyon. This place is also the last stop before the highlands. The ancient route Kjölur is heading from this point over the highlands up north. The waterfall is easy accessible as parts of the walking path are asphalted. You pass the souvenir shop on the left side and follow the walking path. The asphalt on the higher level will allow also handicapped people to reach the first platform. The paths at the downside, closer to the waterfall are not as easy to walk and might be closed in the wintertime due to ice. But if they are open it is definitely worth it to take a closer look to the waterfall even though you might become wet.
Brúarhlöð
Brúahlöð canyon is located at the Golden Circle close to Gullfoss waterfall in South Iceland. The river Hvítá is floating through impressive stone walls which are towering out of the water. This place is popular for river rafters which are either starting with their boats shortly before the canyon or even take a dive into the ice cold water by jumping down the cliffs of Brúahlöð canyon. If you are lucky you can watch them jumping into the water which is always fun to see. Hvítá is originating in Langjökull glacier and on its way it is falling at Gullfoss watrefall into a canyon called Gullfossgljúfur. Then the river keeps on floating to Brúahlöð. I personally love this magical place with its impressive stone walls which appear plane when reaching out of the water.
Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is a natural hot spring in South Iceland which is known to be the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. Even though this lagoon is not as secret anymore as it was it is still one of the most natural and original lagoons in the south which is also offering some comfort. When talking about comfort I am talking about the possibility of buying drinks which you can enjoy like real Icelanders when bathing in the pool. The showers and locker rooms are modern and allow you to lock your important things like your purse and phone. The hot water comes from the natural hot springs surrounding the pool. Even a little geyser is showing off every few minutes. But you can only bath in the swimming pool. All areas around are too hot to take a bath. The ruin you can see from the pool used to be the old changing room. My boyfriend was still changing there when the lagoon was still secret and used by locals. This is actually not that long ago as we are not that old.
Drive to Kálfhóll where we have a lovely Dinner
Day 2 – South coast adventure
Urriðafoss
Urriðafoss waterfall is located along the river Þjórsá which is with 230km the longest river in Iceland. The waterfall is easy to reach as it is located directly beside the Ring Road. The walking path was just renewed. Therefore, it is very easy to walk around and look at the waterfall from many different directions. The name “Urriðafoss” comes from the Icelandic word for trout which is ”Urriða”. Þjósá is a very popular place for fishing as it is possible to catch many different types of fish like salmon and of course trout.
Seljalandsfoss + Gljúfrábúi
This waterfall reminds of waterfalls in fairytales. Located at the south coast of Iceland with a hight of 60 meters you can already spot Seljalandsfoss from further away when driving along the ring road. But to take a closer look definitely pays off. To reach the waterfall from the parking lot takes max. 5 minutes of walking. The walking paths are leading around the waterfall and in summertime it is even possible to walk behind it. Standing behind this waterfall is magical. The water comes from the so called Seljalandsá which originates at the glacier Eyjafjallajökull. This mountain glacier became famous in 2010 as it is an active vulcano whose eruption stopped the whole air travel in Europe for several days.
Gljúfrabúi is a hidden waterfall in a cave close to Seljalandsfoss. Located in the south of Iceland many people who visit Seljalandsfoss are not aware which nature pearl is hidden in only about 10 minutes walking distance.
Glúfurá river is falling 40 meters in a narrow, cave like canyon. To reach it it takes some effort as you have to go into the canyon which is filled with the water of Glúfrá river. The water is not high but it might be that your feet become wet. But I promise that this is worth it! When entering the cave you will feel the mystic atmosphere as walking closer and closer to the waterfall. A big stone directly in front of it is the perfect spot for pictures and to capture the hight and power of it. I love to just stand in front of the waterfall and enjoy the sound, the air and the water.
Insider tip: It is very wet inside the canyon. I would recommend wearing waterproof cloths or even a rain gear. Maybe have a spare pair of socks in your car to change. If you like to take pictures I would recommend to take enough wipes for your lens because it will become wet due to the splash water of the waterfall.
Skógarfoss
Skógarfoss impresses with a hight of 60 meters and a width of 25 meters. It is easy to reach and visible from the ring road directly. The walk from the parking lot is very short and takes max. 5 minutes. Everyone who wants to see it from above can take the stairs and walk to the top of the waterfall.
Lunch: Picknick on the way with sandwiches, vegetables, fruits, coffee and some sweets.
Dyrhólaey + Dyrhólaey Light house
This natural arch in the sea is located at the south coast of Iceland close to Vík. You can either drive up to the light house and take a look from there or you drive a bit further to the view point. I personally would recommend to drive to both places but the light house is harder to reach as the road up there is tricky to drive and you need a 4WD car. The view point does not only offer a beautiful view at the arch Dyrhólaey but also over the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Sea gulls are flying around the stone cliffs in summer as this is the perfect place for them to build a nest. On the beach you might be able to spot other birds which makes it a good one for bird lovers.
Dyrhólaey it self is a promontory at the south coast of Iceland close to Vík. It is possible to catch a look at it from two places which are close to each other. Driving up to the Lighthouse is one possibility.
I recommend to drive up to this place especially if you are interested in birds and want to get an easy possibility of seeing puffins. The lighthouse is built on a cliff which is in summertime the home of hundreds of birds. If you want to have the chance of seeing a puffin you have to consider that they are not always on Iceland. The period for Puffins in Iceland is from April until mid September. When you arrive it might take a while until you figure out which of the hundreds of birds flying around the cliff are puffins. Fast you will figure out that the puffin is not a very athletic bird. As soon as you learned to understand which of the flying birds are puffins it is easy to tell them apart. I took my best shot of a puffin on this place.
If you are not so much interested in birds this place will allow you to have a gorgeous view over the Black Beach “Reynisfjara“ in both directions.
Black Beach
The Reynisfjarra Black Beach is probably the best known beach in Iceland. It impresses with its black sand, basalt formations and strong waves.
ATT. The power of the waves on this stretch of Iceland’s coastline is not to be underestimated. Despite the numerous warnings, tragically, people do lose their lives each year due to disregarding safety precautions. Unpredictable sneaker waves can swiftly pull individuals into the sea without warning, and once caught in the water, escape becomes nearly impossible due to the treacherous underwater terrain. Even Olympic swimmers would struggle against these formidable conditions…
BUT: This is one of the most magical places of the Island. So take care and enjoy this place. Always follow the rules and keep a safe distance of the water when strolling around. The black sand makes this beach to something very special. The cliffs on the side are natural formed basalt column. I still cannot understand what an artist nature can be. Basalt columns impress with their natural six edges that appear due to the temperature and pressure during the solidification of lava.
Vík
Vík is a small village located at the ring road on the south coast of Iceland.
Thinking about Vík most people probably think about the church on the hill with its red roof and a view over the village and the close beach.
Vík offers accommodations, restaurants and a supermarket. It is a perfect place to stop if you are on a road trip on the ring road as many natural sights are close to this place and the infrastructure is good. Furthermore, it offers a lava museum and some adventure tours start from Vík like glacier hikes on the close glacier Mýrdalsjökull.
Drive back home to Kálfhóll where we have a nice Dinner
