Our last day in Iceland had the least hospitable weather with strong wind, rain and snow. The prior three days were cold but sunny. Since were travelled in winter, I think we were extremely fortunate. After breakfast at the hotel, we started on our tour of the renowned Golden Circle. The three sights that make up the circle are Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss waterfall.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It commemorates where Viking settlers established an annual assembly in 930 CE which has become the world’s oldest ongoing parliament – Alþingi. They deemed their meeting place ‘the fields of parliament’, which translates to Þingvellir.
Thingvellir also marks where the North American and Eurasian continental plates meet. This is the only country where this valley, the Mid Atlantic Ridge, can be seen above sea level. Visitors have the opportunity to dive and snorkel through freezing waters in the Silfra fissure.
Öxarárfoss
Öxarárfoss waterfall can be found in Thingvellir. The waterfall flows in two drops over the cliffs of the Almannagjá gorge. Öxarárfoss is a man-made waterfall. It is said that the Öxará river (Ax River) was moved hundreds of years ago to provide water for the members and visitors of Alþingi. During the depths of winter, the waterfall is entirely frozen over. When we visited, the waterfall was still covered in ice but water was flowing down the falls.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Our second stop was Geysir Geothermal Area. The area became active more than 1,000 years ago and contains more than a dozen hot water holes, including two famous geysers. Great Geysir is the earliest documented geyser in European literature and gives all other geysers their name. Geysir rarely erupts anymore.
Strokkur (Churn) geyser is still active and goes off approx. every ten minutes. We were able to watch it 3 times while we were there. The water shoots up to 100 feet in the air. This stop also included lunch which we ate at the Geysir Centre across the street.
Gullfoss
The final destination in the Golden Circle is Gullfoss waterfall. We saved the most iconic waterfall for last! It has two drops, with an overall height of over 30 meters (100 feet). The wind gusts were so strong when we visited that I had to fight to walk upright. We were only able to stand at the observation deck for a short while before retreating inside.
The Golden Circle is definitely worth the trip and is only a short drive from Reykjavik.
Friðheimar Farm
After the Golden Circle we visited Friðheimar farm. The farm grows tomatoes all year in their greenhouse. We were given background on how the farm uses geothermal water to cultivate the tomatoes. They even bring in bees from other countries to pollinate the plants! The greenhouse includes a restaurant too. All the food and drink are tomato themed. I had a virgin bloody Mary.
The farm also offers a horse show that must be pre-booked for groups. We got to see and feel Icelandic horses up close and were given a show of the 5 gaits the horses are famous for. In addition to walk, trot, and gallop, Icelandic horses have the tölt (a smooth run) and skeið (flying pace).
Reykjavik
Finally, we returned to the Icelandair Hotel Natura in Reykjavik. We once again ate the buffet dinner at the Satt Restaurant.
Buffet dinner
2019 Price: $40 per person
The next morning, we took a pre-booked Gray Line bus back to the airport. Our flight out of Keflavik left at 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday and, due to the time difference, we arrived home at 5:15 p.m. that same day.
All-in-all it was a good first tour experience. I think I still prefer to plan trips myself but I appreciated having a guide driving on unknown wintry back roads. Iceland is definitely on my list to visit again. With any luck, I can plan a trip during the warmer months to see puffin, whales, and the northern country.
Amazing! I thought I’d never say this (not a cold weather person) but… I want to go!