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Travel to: <\/em>Ring Road <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Around every bend, a new and striking landscape awaited us and painted dramatic vistas in my mind that I will fondly reminisce about for the rest of my life. On our adventure, we discovered endless glaciers and blue icebergs, massive waterfalls, rugged mountains, active volcanoes, erupting geysers, miles of enchanted coastline, whales, and countless wild sheep; concluding with a laid-back weekend in the eclectic capital of Reykjavik.<\/p>\n We started our journey around the island\u2019s Ring Road heading clockwise and northeast from the Reykjavik airport. Upon our arrival at our first stop in the quaint fishing village of Arnarstapi, we were eager to get out and start discovering the magic of Iceland. Lucky for us, in the month of July, the sun rises at 3 am and sets around midnight, leaving us with plenty of hours of daylight to explore. For our first Icelandic meal, we savoured the delicious flavors of the local fish stew called Plokkfiskur. <\/span><\/p>\n Despite our jet lag, instead of catching some zzz\u2019s after dinner, we hopped on a massive snow cat that crawled to the top of <\/span>Sn\u00e6fellsj\u00f6kull<\/span><\/a>, a 700,000 year old stratovolcano covered by a glacier. At the top, we spent time trekking and frolicking about in the snow, and were later awestruck as we watched the midnight sun \u201cset\u201d over the Sn\u00e6fellsnes Peninsula. Even after the sun sets, an eerie and soft lightness lingers on until the next sunrise.<\/span><\/p>\n See Also: <\/em>Visiting Iceland in Summer Vs Winter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Our adventure took us onward and eastbound to the second largest Icelandic city of Akureyri, boasting a whopping 17,000 inhabitants. The highlight here was exploring the marine wildlife and landscapes of the Eyjafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Fjord aboard a whale watching vessel on a calm, grey afternoon. We witnessed and learned many interesting facts about the fjord\u2019s history, folklore and ecosystem. My partner was over the moon when he spotted his very first whale as a pod of minke whales danced around the boat.<\/p>\n See Also: <\/em>Camping in Iceland: Rules, Packing Tips and Everything You Need to Know<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n That evening he ordered the minke special for dinner. Yes, that\u2019s right\u2026 he tried… whale. Iceland is one of the few countries where whales are still hunted and consumed, despite controversy surrounding this matter. I suppose he was thinking, \u201cWhen in Rome\u2026?\u201d I made the mistake of sharing this bit of information with his mother, and he will likely never live the wrath from this one down, or eat whale again.<\/p>\n Our journey to the east coast took longer than anticipated as we made several spontaneous pit-stops to explore the marvels surrounding us, and hit a few dead ends. The first stop was Go\u00f0afoss, one of Iceland\u2019s most spectacular waterfalls. Not much further down the highway, we began to notice a very strong sulfuric odor and stumbled upon a most unusual landscape as we descended down the far side of the N\u00e1mafjall ridge. We stared wide-eyed out the window at billows of steam arising from the orange and grey crater-like earth and had to see this perplexing phenomena up close and personal.<\/p>\n We followed the signs to the geothermal mystery of Hverar\u00f6nd and spent the next hours exploring its vibrant colors, boiling mud-pits, and fumaroles\u2014 openings in the earth\u2019s crust emitting steam and the ever pungent sulfur. For a moment I had to pinch myself. I wasn\u2019t certain if I was still on planet earth. It felt more like Saturn, or some undiscovered planet in an undiscovered galaxy.<\/p>\n As we ventured onwards, we attempted to gain back some time by following a promising looking forest road we found on our map. Several hours later, we sighed in disappointment as it became apparent that our 2WD neon-green Chevy Spark rental was not cut out for the conditions of the road. Without any cell service or a soul in sight, we decided to backtrack the entire way back to the Ring Road in order to avoid getting stranded.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite delays, we finally made it out to the most remote destination of our journey – the nature and heritage preserve center of <\/span>Sk\u00e1lanes<\/span><\/a>, in Iceland\u2019s East Fjords region. The trek out there was long and daunting, even requiring fording an active river via a massive 4WD Jeep. (If we attempted this with our Chevy Spark, we would\u2019ve been swept immediately out to sea, so we had to hitch a ride from the guesthouse owner.) I have to admit that this river crossing fiasco made me nervous, and I had half a mind to turn back. All of my fingers and toes were crossed in hopes that the engine wouldn\u2019t flood and leave us stranded. We eventually made it and my fears vanished as I \u00a0viewed the dramatic sea cliffs, lush and vibrant meadows, and cascading waterfalls.<\/span><\/p>\n See Also: <\/em>Where to Take the Best Photos in Iceland: As Told By a Photography Expert<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n We enjoyed getting to know the fellow adventurers and live-in ecology research students at the red farmhouse\u2019s shared dinner table. We ventured out on a late night hike through meadows and along seacliffs with the farmhouse dog as our guide, indulging in the exuberant beauty that encircled us. The solitude we experienced here was like no other. It helped foster a new appreciation and respect for peace and quiet, far from our typical harried lives. And instead of feeling as though I was in another galaxy, this time I felt like I was literally on the edge of an untouched corner of earth.<\/span><\/p>\n We had made the journey from west to east, and now it was time to begin the second half of our adventure as we turned southwest. The views were surreal as we traveled along the Ring Road with rugged coastline on our left and towering jagged snow-capped mountains on our right. We stopped at a few charming Viking villages and cafes, and a Viking movie set along the way to the enchanting <\/span>J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n glacier lagoon, situated at the edge of the Brei\u00f0amerkurj\u00f6kull glacier. The J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n lagoon is a magical glacier lake that was formed after the Brei\u00f0amerkurj\u00f6kull glacier began receding from the Atlantic. We spent the afternoon hiking around the magnificent glacier and then the lagoon, fascinated by the blue icebergs floating in the lake and in the nearby Atlantic along a dark sandy beach.<\/span><\/p>\n Our next stop in southern Iceland was the magnificent <\/span>Sk\u00f3gafoss\u2014a massive and gushing waterfall along the<\/span> Sk\u00f3g\u00e1 River. After daringly exploring the base of the falls, we hiked along the river and were so awestruck by the lush green terrain, we hardly noticed the pouring rain. By this point in the trip, we had read and heard all sorts of stories about the <\/span>Hulduf\u00f3lk<\/span><\/a>, the magic \u201chidden\u201d elves of Iceland living in a parallel society, possibly doubling the country\u2019s population. My imagination ran wild in Iceland, and I became a believer. I thought for certain I would spot one lurking behind a rock or green hill along this enchanted hike, but to my dismay, they remained \u00a0hidden and invisible. <\/span><\/p>\n The folklore of the Hulduf\u00f3lk runs deep in Icelandic culture. The elves are <\/span>really <\/span><\/i>a big deal here and varying surveys claim that over half of the population entertains the possibility that the elves do in fact exist. The folklore states that one should never throw a stone in order to avoid hitting an elf. Sometimes construction projects are even delayed, again in an attempt to avoid disturbing the elves.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we headed further west and closer to Reykjavik, we made a stop-over in the village of Hella.<\/span> One of my favorite ways to explore when I travel is with my beloved Asic running shoes. Wherever I travel, they travel too. There is so much to be discovered on an aimless run, that often can\u2019t be found in the travel books. Despite the imminent rain, we put on our gear and headed out through the fields behind our guesthouse and stumbled upon a pair of Icelandic horses. Icelandic horses are absolutely gorgeous. They look more like stocky ponies, and sport thick, heavy coats and beautiful manes. We fed them some grass, and were on our merry way.<\/span><\/p>\n After days of actively exploring the outdoors, we made it full circle to the hip yet quirky Reykjavik, the world\u2019s northernmost capital city set along the sea and snow-capped mountains. Reykjavik is filled with colorful buildings with creative architecture and design, chill bars and cafes, a bustling nightlife, fresh and contemporary Nordic cuisine, vintage and eclectic shopping, museums and art galore, and music, music, music! I could go on for hours about the gem that is Reykjavik but instead will just give a few tips and chime in on my favorite discoveries.<\/p>\n See Also: <\/em>Iceland Vs Greenland: Which Remote Island is Calling Your Name?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n To begin, in order to fit in with the Icelanders, I suggest finding yourself a cozy <\/span>Icelandic \u201cLopapeysa\u201d sweater.<\/span> Atop a hill not far from the city center, there is a beautiful church called <\/span>Hallgr\u00edmskirkja <\/span>that towers over the city. For a small fee you can go to the top for great views of Reykjavik. For the music lovers out there, you don\u2019t have to go far to be spoiled by the sound of music. They say everyone from Iceland is a musician, and I think it\u2019s true. We enjoyed exploring the magnificent Harpa concert hall, designed in cooperation with Danish-Icelandic artist <\/span>Olafur Eliasson<\/span><\/a>. The structure consists of colorful geographic glass panels connected by steel framework. <\/span><\/p>\n During an afternoon stroll along the harbor and through the nearby neighborhoods, we stumbled across a neighborhood festival where we indulged in local eats, and watched a fantastic local show comprised of many youngsters playing upbeat jams with a wide array of instruments. \u00a0If you\u2019re a fan of the the classic film \u201cThe Big Lebowski\u201d, enjoying a stiff white russian at the local <\/span>Lebowski Bar<\/span><\/a> is an absolute must. And if you fancy eating meat, on your way home from the bar, make sure to try an Icelandic \u201c<\/span>Pylsur\u201d hotdog or two, with everything on it. <\/span><\/p>\n On our final day, we visited the famous Blue Lagoon and mighty \u201cGeysir\u201d geyser to conclude our journey. Like all the other stops along the way, we were awestruck by Iceland\u2019s brilliant natural beauty. We made the smart decision to get to the Blue Lagoon\u2019s geothermal spa as it opened, avoiding some of the crowds. Then we patiently waited at the Geysir, a wait well worth the view when it finally spewed into the sky.<\/p>\n For anyone who loves music, the great outdoors, enchanted terrain, magic elves, or simply exploring off the beaten track, (and can handle grey skies), Iceland should be at the top of your bucket list.<\/span><\/p>\n One of my all time favorite bands is Iceland\u2019s <\/span>Sigur R\u00f3s whose uniqueness is \u00a0hard to categorize, but is described as post-rock, ambient, art rock, and dream pop<\/span>. If you have a hankering for Iceland and dreamy music, I highly recommend watching their <\/span>Heima documentary<\/span><\/a>, which follows their ethereal sound around Iceland as they spend two weeks traveling the country and playing free, unannounced shows for their fellow Icelanders. Be warned, it\u2019s so beautiful, you might cry. <\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re into festivals, every fall Reykjavik hosts the renowned <\/span>Iceland Airwaves<\/span><\/a> music festival. Since it\u2019s inception in 1999, the festival has grown to become one of the premier showcases for new Icelandic music as well as music from all over the world.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n![\"Iceland-Ring-Road\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/intro-Allison-Gutscher.jpg\")
Arnarstapi Fishing Village & Midnight Glacier Sunsets<\/h2>\n
![\"Arnarstapi](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1-Arnarstapi-Allison-Gutscher.jpg\")
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<\/div>\nDancing with Minke Whales<\/h2>\n
![\"Aboard](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/2-Akureyri-Allison-Gutscher.jpg\")
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<\/div>\nSpontaneous Pit-Stops and Dead Ends<\/h2>\n
![\"Hverarond-Geothermal-Iceland\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/4-Hveraro\u0308nd-Allison-Gutscher-compressor.jpg\")
<\/a>East Fjord Serenity<\/h2>\n
![\"Meadows](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1-Arnarstapi-Allison-Gutscher-1-900x608.jpg\")
![\"Skalanes-Heritage-Preserve-Iceland\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/5-Ska\u0301lanes-1-Allison-Gutscher-compressor-900x600.jpg\")
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<\/div>\nGlaciers and Icebergs Galore<\/h2>\n
![\"J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n-Glacier-Lagoon-Iceland\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/8-Jo\u0308kulsa\u0301rlo\u0301n-1Allison-Gutscher-compressor-900x600.jpg\")
Magic Elves and Waterfalls<\/h2>\n
![\"Sk\u00f3gafoss-Waterfall-Iceland\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/11-Sko\u0301gafoss-Allison-Gutscher-compressor-900x600.jpg\")
Icelandic Horses of Hella<\/h2>\n
![\"Hella-Icelandic-Horses\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/12-Hella-1-Allison-Gutscher.jpg\")
![\"Icelandic-Horses\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/13-horses-Anthony-Politelli.jpg\")
Charming & Eclectic Reykjavik<\/h2>\n
![\"Reykjavik-Hallgr\u00edmskirkja-Church-Iceland\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/14-Reykjavik-istock-iStock.jpg\")
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<\/div>\n![\"Traditional-Icelandic-Lopapeysa-Sweater\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/17-Reykjavik-Anthony-Politelli.jpg\")
The End: Lagoons and Geysers<\/h2>\n
![\"Blue-Lagoon-Iceland\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/18-Blue-Lagoon-1-Istock.jpg\")
More on Music<\/h2>\n
![\"Sigur-R\u00f3s\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/20-Sigur-Ros-from-web-site.jpg\")
Top Tip for Exploring Iceland<\/h2>\n
![\"Iceland-Landscape\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/end-1-Allison-Gutscher.jpg\")
![\"Icelandic-Landscape\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/end-2-Anthony-Politelli.jpg\")
![\"Iceland-Landscape\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/end-3-Anthony-Politelli.jpg\")
![\"Icelandic-Sheep\"](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/end-4-Allison-Gutscher.jpg\")