VIK: NARVIKK/ISTOCK; SNORKELING: ASHLYN GEORGE
The seaside town of Vik, with basalt columns off the coast
DAY TWO
Tour companies have made it easy
to sightsee right from Reykjavik, with
dozens of excursions to countryside
glaciers, lava fields and northern lights
viewing spots. If you like to journey at
your own pace, renting a car might be
the best way to experience Iceland’s
biggest attractions while retaining the
freedom to make spontaneous stops
and embark upon side adventures.
Combine history and geology on
a day trip along The Golden Circle.
It’s one of Iceland’s most popular
sightseeing routes and a great way
to explore the country. Thingvellir
National Park, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, is one of the circuit’s
primary attractions. Like all parks in
Iceland, admission is free.
Thingvellir houses Thingvallavatn,
the largest natural lake in Iceland,
along which lies Silfra, the MidAtlantic Ridge rift. Here, the North
American and Eurasian continental
plates are slowly ripping away from
each other at a rate of about two
centimetres a year. Adventure seekers
can get seriously up close to the ridge
by snorkeling or scuba diving between
the divide. Don’t worry about the
water’s frigid temperature: A dry suit
with rubber seals prevents water from
entering around the neck and wrists.
Visibility in the lake is often more than
100 metres, making it easy to see the
rift’s dramatic lava and rock gorges.
It’s definitely worth the cold plunge
to enjoy this truly unique experience.
When back on dry land, remember
that the weather here is often very
unpredictable and can change
quickly. Always carry several layers,
including rain gear, and be prepared
for sunshine, rain, sleet and a lot of
wind throughout the day. With layers
in tow, make your way to the Althing,
Iceland’s original parliament. The
Get up close to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
structure dates back to 930 AD and
several important historical events
have taken place here, including
the adoption of Christianity around
1000 AD and the foundation of
the modern Icelandic Republic
in 1944.
Leaving the park, continue east
toward Geysir and Strokkur geothermal area, featuring Iceland’s most
famous spouts. The word “geyser”
derives its name from Iceland’s great
Geysir—though ironically, this one
no longer erupts very often.
Strokkur, however, erupts every 10
to 15 minutes; you won’t have to wait
long to see its 100°C water shoot up
25 metres in the air.
For more fantastic water views,
continue east to Gullfoss, one of
the country’s most photographed
waterfalls due to its stunning twotiered, 32-metre drop.
After completing the magnificent
Golden Circle route, spend the night
in Vik, a picturesque town on Iceland’s
southern coast. Vik is a very popular
destination for exploring Reynisfjara,
a black sand beach with three sea
stacks visible from shore. »
AMA INSIDER
SUMMER 2016