Amazing Iceland

Northern Iceland - with its amazing landscapes and natural wonder.

My first visit to Iceland - and its time to see what Northern Iceland is like - the less well known area, served from Gatwick and Manchester with Easyjet flying into Akeyuri airport in 3 hours - in the winter season, very small with just 2 passport control desks ! We then were met and travelled about half an hour north along the edge of the Fjord - which is 60km long to Hauganes - with its rich fishing grounds, and fish processing center for the very famous for its salt cod.( baccala) There is black sand beach here and some hot tubs you can pay to use overlooking the bay. We had a lunch of the famous cod here - all freshly caught each day.

We then travelled further north through 3 tunnels through the mountains - one was single file with passing places ! 4km 7km and 4km, and we arrived at a Beer Spa in Dalvik- each tub takes two and you have beer on tap while you are there. Its 19900 krone for 30 minutes and unlimited beer and use of the relax room after to dry off - they do not recommend showering for at least 3 hours.

We travelled north again to Siglufjordur - we visited the Herring err Museum - so much I didnt know about herring industry of over a hundred years ago. This was followed by the Beer Brewery Segull67 - they make lagers and IPA and we got to taste several of them !! The bar is also open here just for drinks. Dinner was at a local Moroccan restaurant (Siglunes )then we headed to the Siglo Hotel for our first overnight.

Day 2 After an unsuccessful whale watching trip. There had been some Orcas the day before and they frightened the Hump Backs away. We headed back to Akureyi for lunch... In a very popular restaurant called Greifinn very central with a huge menu. Great pasta and pizza!!

We then travelled to Husavik.. The centre for the fisheries and whale watching. The whale museum must be on your list, super museum well laid out for all ages. Finally time for a dip at the Geo Sea Thermal Spa... Amazing infinity hot pools with great sea views (so we are told.. It was snowing by then!) and a swim up bar. We headed to our next stop Hotel Berjaya. A much more Scandinavian style hotel, more rural by the Lake Myvatn.

A few fun facts today if you would like to visit.

1.There are no trains in Iceland

2.The island of Hrisey.. 15 mins by boat has 180 residents and a school for 27 pupils

3. Not many forests in Iceland... The trees are very small... If you get lost just stand up!

4.Female Orca whales go through the menopause

5.Highest point in Iceland 2120m above sea level on a Glacier.

6.Akureyi has an annual knitting festival.

Today was another busy day in North Iceland I can’t believe there is so much to do! Last night we stayed at the hotel Berjaya again on Lake Myvatn apparently in summer they are inundated with midges !. We were then briefed by a brilliant guide from GeoTravel who are a company based in the North that put on excursions, we were going on the Snowmobile tour which was brilliant. North Iceland‘s goal is to be one of the best winter destinations in Scandinavia, they want to be compared to them as the infrastructure is already here just not a lot of people know about it. Geotours offer excursions like the below Snowmobiling, Ice Cave Expeditions, Waterfall superjeep tour ,Northern lights, Whale watching ,Snowshoeing, Volcano sunrise hike which we are doing tomorrow, Thermal baths, Husky rides and much more - take a look at geotravel.is .Lunch was at the Cow Shed... Literally the cows are next door!! so all locally produced meat. We then went to Hverir to see the bubbling mud pots.... Bit smelly!!! Followed by a dip in the Nature Baths.. Warm spring from an under ground fissure deep below the earths surface a larger thermal bathing area. A brewery tour at Myvatn Ol and dinner at the hotel Sel - run by the same family as the brewery and a visit to Grojotagja cave with a lake underground where locals used to swim before the Nature Baths opened, and here is large gap in the Tectonic plate.

. Fun facts for today

1. Check out the 13 Yule Lads of Iceland - fascinating Xmas story

2. There is nothing naturally inhabiting Iceland than can kill a human 😂

3. There is a gap in the Tectonic plates at a place called Grojotagja where one side is in Iceland and the other in North America

4. North Iceland has a Diamond circle

5. Myvatn has 500 inhabitants but have over 500,000 visitors each year

6. Petrol stations are literally stand alone petrol pumps not manned.

Early start this morning for a sunrise and very cold hike up Hverjfall volcano 😂 Off to the base station and we had crampons to head up. We‘d had more snow so. they were essential The highest point is 170m above the ground, and it's 4km to walk around the rim. Amazing Views from her across the lava fields and towards the mountains.

Hotel visit to the Foss Hotel, built in 2017. 92 rooms some with amazing views over the lake. Suites with a view sleep up to 4 and they offer interconnected rooms for up to 5. No hot tubs here but they are planned.

Next stop Dimmuborgum, in a lava field with walking trails and finding out more about the yule lads!! Next stop the spectacle of Godafoss waterfall, a must visit for anyone in this area 12m high and 30m wide and very loud! We then made our way back to Akureyi, and a stop at the botanical Gardens with the largest selection of arctic fauna and a walking tour of the city, the oldest house dates back to 1795. The city stretches out along the fjord.

We checked into the Kea Hotel in the city centre. Hotel visit to the hotel Akureyi... Only renovated and extended a few years ago. Great location and beautiful traditional decor. The Christmas shop was a late addition to the itinerary followed by the forest lagoon on the lakeside. Our favourite of the lagoons /spas we visited Fun Facts You can get to the ski slopes in 10 mins from Akureyi.

Route 1 goes around the whole of Iceland and is 1300km

Wear latex gloves under your ski gloves... Keeps your hands warmer !

Hilton are opening soon in Akureyi

Top tips

Be prepared to change your plans while here.. Weather can change really quickly!

In June you get 24 hours of sunlight.

Layers layers Layers - and sturdy shoes !

Finally there are three types of weather in Iceland... Good, very good and refreshing!! What an amazing trip so much to see and do in this area. If you would like an adventure, with waterfalls, lava fields, whales, and adrenaline filled acitivites look no further and get in touch ! I can put together your bespoke itinerary to the beautiful North of Iceland.