In search of the Northern Lights

About the destination: Reykjavik is not your typical capital city, it has no magnificent buildings, or a historic city centre or grand monuments, this city is much more than that. Iceland’s capital is different, full of life and very close to nature. Its location, at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, between two fjords and surrounded by a lunar volcanic framework, makes the city, whose name literally means Bay of Smokes, incomparably special. The world’s northernmost capital is the perfect place for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts. Surrounded by sea, whale watching is one of the most popular tourist activities. The city has plenty of open spaces: parks, pedestrian areas, a lake situated next to the city hall and Nauthólsvik geothermal beach just 15 min away from the city centre. Throughout the city there are 7 municipal geothermal pools where locals go to socialise and relax after work. Other activities like cycling, hiking, horse riding, sailing and fishing can all be enjoyed on the doorsteps of the capital. Aside from all its natural wonders, Reykjavik always has something to offer. It is a cosmopolitan and dynamic city full of museums, art galleries and cosy coffee shops. Its nightlife is exciting and outrageous, during a night out, it seems locals are making up for the prohibition on beer that was in force till 1989 and nightspots tend to stay open until the early hours of the morning. During the day, the capital is a much more relaxed place, with its neat colourful houses, rubbish-free streets and an easygoing pace of life. Reykjavik is considered one of the cleanest, greenest and safest cities in the world. Getting lost in this city is almost impossible: Hallgrímskirkja church and Öskjuhlíð hill are visible from most places in the city centre and are essential landmarks for orientation. Reykjavik is dynamic, creative, modern, cosy and very special. Its peculiar personality and magnetic surroundings will make you agree that there’s no better city in the world.

About the destination: Arnarstapi is a village on the southern side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The area has several old and charming houses with interesting stories to them and is renowned for its beautiful nature. The beach at Arnarstapi holds a particular attraction. It has an eroded circular stone arch, called Gatklettur, and here, the interplay of spectacular waves and the light of the sun create a fascinating spectacle. Large colonies of the arctic tern also nest in the area, and both these features make it very popular amongst photographers. An old horse trail through the lava field Hellnahraun is highly popular for hiking, due to the impressiveness of the surrounding landscape.

About the destination: Akureyri is a town in the north of Iceland. It's the second largest urban area in Iceland and the fourth largest municipality. Often referred to as the Capital of North Iceland, Akureyri is a significant port and fishing centre. Akureyri is a very picturesque town with its location by a scenic fjord, eclectic building styles and streets winding their way through gorges. Spend some time walking around the town centre, see the impressive church and Listagilið (literally "the art canyon"), home to a number of arts and crafts galleries and shops. The peaceful municipal botanical garden, Lystigarðurinn, is worth a visit, as are the several small museums scattered around the town.

About the destination: Egilsstadir, in Iceland, is the largest town in the east of the island. It's part of the Austurland region and has a population of around 2,300. Egilsstadir is located on a plain along the Lagarfljót River. Its small airport and excellent hotel and restaurant facilities have made this small Icelandic town a popular tourist destination, both for Icelanders and visitors from abroad. One of the main attractions of Egilsstadir is its natural environment, serving as the gateway to the main fjords of eastern Iceland: Seyðisfjörður, Reyðarfjörður and Vopnafjörður. Very close to Egilsstadir you can visit two spectacular waterfalls: Hengifoss, almost 120 metres high, and Fardagafoss. Its valleys and mountains (including the 1800-metre-high Snæfell Peak) offer the best environment for hikers, especially during the summer. Near Egilsstadir is the Hallormsstadaskógur forest, the largest wooded area on the island. Egilsstadir can also be a good base camp for a trip to the wonderful Vatnajokull National Park.

About the destination: Hofn is the only urban centre that can be found after passing Kirkjubaejarklaustur. It's a grey town and not overly attractive but it serves as a good place to stay overnight due to its proximity to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon (78 km) and the great Vatnajokull. Hofn is located on a peninsula in the south-east of Iceland and is surrounded by several small islands, the largest of which is Mikley, followed by Krókalátur and Hellir to the east of the city. The name Hofn means port and it's one of the few fishing ports in southern Iceland. Navigation here has to be cautious due to the formation of sandbanks which must be dredged frequently to maintain a minimum depth of 7-8 meters. This port can be frozen during the harshest winter months. Hofn also has an airport that only operates domestic flights. It's located on the Ring Road, with access via route 99. The most important cultural event in Hofn is the famous lobster festival which is held on the first weekend of July. Hofn is home to several museums, including the Glacier Museum, the Museum of Folklore and the Nautical Museum among others. We stayed in Hofn for two nights as we made a round trip to the south of Iceland (Iceland: Organisational Data). During our stay we took several walks through the streets, went to supermarkets, petrol stations and dined in the port restaurants that were very close to our apartment, we could do little more after arriving in the village in the afternoon and with almost everything closed. The most remarkable thing about Hofn is the wild nature that surrounds it. I'll leave you with some samples of landscapes near this town.

About the destination: Reykjavik is not your typical capital city, it has no magnificent buildings, or a historic city centre or grand monuments, this city is much more than that. Iceland’s capital is different, full of life and very close to nature. Its location, at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, between two fjords and surrounded by a lunar volcanic framework, makes the city, whose name literally means Bay of Smokes, incomparably special. The world’s northernmost capital is the perfect place for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts. Surrounded by sea, whale watching is one of the most popular tourist activities. The city has plenty of open spaces: parks, pedestrian areas, a lake situated next to the city hall and Nauthólsvik geothermal beach just 15 min away from the city centre. Throughout the city there are 7 municipal geothermal pools where locals go to socialise and relax after work. Other activities like cycling, hiking, horse riding, sailing and fishing can all be enjoyed on the doorsteps of the capital. Aside from all its natural wonders, Reykjavik always has something to offer. It is a cosmopolitan and dynamic city full of museums, art galleries and cosy coffee shops. Its nightlife is exciting and outrageous, during a night out, it seems locals are making up for the prohibition on beer that was in force till 1989 and nightspots tend to stay open until the early hours of the morning. During the day, the capital is a much more relaxed place, with its neat colourful houses, rubbish-free streets and an easygoing pace of life. Reykjavik is considered one of the cleanest, greenest and safest cities in the world. Getting lost in this city is almost impossible: Hallgrímskirkja church and Öskjuhlíð hill are visible from most places in the city centre and are essential landmarks for orientation. Reykjavik is dynamic, creative, modern, cosy and very special. Its peculiar personality and magnetic surroundings will make you agree that there’s no better city in the world.