Island of Ice and Smoke - Iceland

How about visiting places that few people know about, and even fewer had a chance to see them with their own eyes? See truly lunar landscapes - raw, naked spaces that look untouched by human hands. For lovers of a blaze of colors and lush vegetation of warm countries, the vision of such a trip is not necessarily attractive. However, for those who like to get to know new things, a metaphorical walk on the moon will be an unforgettable experience. Poles can stay on the island without the need for a visa - all you need is a passport or a new ID card.

Walk on the Moon

The aforementioned austere spaces and amazing views can be found in Iceland, but unfortunately this is not a trip for every budget. You can reach the island by plane or ferry and neither of these options is cheap, but if you can afford to visit this magical corner, you won't regret the money spent. Prices for weekly trips start from less than 3,000. euro - the cost includes a return ferry trip for 2 people and their vehicle, accommodation in a cabin with a toilet plus 7 nights on the island. The ferry runs from the Danish Hirsthals to the Icelandic Seydisfjördur, stopping in the Faroe Islands on the way. On some cruises, you can go ashore and explore the area. When you organize your trip yourself, you can reduce costs, but the ferry ride will still take the lion's share of the fees. In addition, we will not save much on food - you cannot bring it to the island.

Lunar landscape in the restaurant window

When it comes to food, try Icelandic cuisine based on dairy and grain, fish and lamb. Fish dishes are not too expensive as opposed to meat dishes (except lamb and lamb), and they are delicious. We will get to know excellent herring and dishes made of cod, salmon, trout, salt and many other species of fish. If you have the courage to try the local specialties, you can order marinated mutton heads or smoked mutton kernels ( Sursadir hrutspungar ). And if he has the courage and at the same time a decent runny nose, he may be tempted by fermented shark meat - the famous hakarl . Alternatively, he can prepare to taste this dish thanks to high-percentage vodka (svarta daudi, meaning "Black Death").

When going to Iceland, it is best to have your own vehicle, with a 4x4 drive. Otherwise, travelers will have to give up a large part of the attractions on the island, because they simply will not be able to get to them through the interior full of rocky roads and fords (crossings across the river). Regardless of the season of the year you visit the island, be prepared for sudden changes in weather. You need to bring a decent jacket to protect against wind and rain, warm shoes, hat, scarf, gloves and sunglasses. When visiting the island, it is best to wear an onion to avoid problems related to the vagaries of the aura.

Volcanoes, craters, fords and stones

The island can be explored in 2 days (e.g. by taking the Ring Road, i.e. road number 1), but it fully deserves more attention. The highlight of the trip is Askja , a great volcano with a lake situated in a crater, which was formed after the eruption in 1875. It is the deepest lake in Iceland, attracting many tourists every year. The volcano is located in the central part of the island, in the Krafla volcanic massif. Scientists have been reporting on water warming in lakes for some time, which may mean that Aksja will wake up again in the future. Scientists also have no doubts that it is only a matter of time before another Icelandic volcano, Katla, erupts. It is 10 times larger than the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which crippled European air traffic in 2010.

The big attraction of the island is also Lake Myvatn , known as the "lake of flies" because of the swarms of annoying flies, which are attracted to the reservoir of carbon dioxide. Seydisfjordur is less than 200 km away. The surroundings of the reservoir are amazing, ranging from the color of the earth and rocks to the vegetation. Near the lake there are areas that resemble not the landscape of the moon, but of hell - Hverarönd. It is a geothermal area dotted with bubbling sulfuric mud and holes in the ground from which hot steam is constantly puffing. This is an amazing place, but by no means suitable for a romantic date. Particularly sensitive noses find it hard to withstand the sulfur fumes.

The magic of waterfalls

Icelandic waterfalls are full of romance. Not only are there many of them, but they are powerful compared to the European ones. It is not without reason that the local gigantic Dettifoss is called the Niagara of Europe - it falls from a threshold 100 meters wide and 45 high, with a boom pouring hectoliters of water to force it into the 27-meter-high Hafragilsfoss waterfall below. The cascading Gullfoss, the famous "Golden Waterfalls", is also admired. There are many hotels and viewpoints around it, and in the immediate vicinity there is a national park. Gullfoss is located in the southwest of the country, so you can see it before exploring Reykjavik.

The area around the capital of Iceland is rich in tourist attractions, especially the Reykjanes peninsula. It is home to the real pearl of the island - Bláa Lónið , or the Blue Lagoon . It is a famous spa located in a geothermal area where you can take a bath in hot springs rich in minerals. The resort is especially liked by people suffering from skin diseases.

Tourists wishing to stay in the area can choose Reykjavík Campsite (Tjaldsvæðið Laugardal), a 5-star campsite located 3 km from the center of the capital. An overnight stay for 1 person costs ISK 1,400 (about PLN 36.5), while access to electricity is associated with a fee of ISK 900 / day. There is no need to convince anyone that it is worth stopping at the peninsula. The surroundings are beautiful, amazing and the scenery is never seen anywhere else. Thanks to the mass of memories gained in Iceland, the return trip will not be long.

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