Iceland: Tectonic Plate Diving
Iceland is Europes westernmost united states of america, and occupies a strategic location inside the North Atlantic, straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, on the edge of the Arctic Circle. One of the coldest nations within the global, it's also one of the worlds maximum volcanically lively hotspots. Iceland is famous this day for its mix of glaciers, bubbly scorching springs, rugged fjords and fiery volcanoes.
Iceland can provide you with a certainly uncommon diving revel in you cant get everywhere else: diving among two tectonic plates, astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the fault line where two of the Earths tectonic plates are drifting aside. It just isn't simply enjoyable, however it's also specific purely few people have dared to check out the adventure. To get to the diving website, you first have to pressure deep into geo-thermal territory and tectonic plate exercise. If youre now not yet delighted sufficient, that you could force tomorrow to its glaciers within the south and race snowmobiles.
The u . s . a . is the so much carefully populated in Europe, with simply 283,000 human beings residing in a neighborhood the dimensions of England or america nation of Kentucky. Over 1/2 of the populace lives down in its southwestern corner, around Reykjavik, the small however cosmopolitan capital. The other good-sized inhabitants heart is Akureyri, up at the north coast.
What Else to Do
All lengthy-distance buses and domestic planes start out their journeys from Reykjavik. You can stopover at Geysir, the customary geyser from which all other gushing hot springs get their title, and the surprising waterfalls at Gullfoss. The countrys solely foreign airport at Keflavik is at the Reykjanes Peninsula, a neighborhood teeming with birdlife and day yacht charters whales.
Outside Reykjavik and the populated southwestern corner, the wilder edge of Iceland meets your eye large-open areas of shiny inexperienced fringed with coastlines of purple and black volcanic sands set towards a backdrop of brooding hills and mountains. On the west coast, inside the towns of Borgarnes and Reykhold and the encompassing nation-state, every panorama function you spot can be linked to materials of the Icelandic sagas.
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the countrys most handy hiking vacation spot. Arguably, Icelands such a lot dramatic scenery is within the far northwest, the West Fjords, in which youll discover tiny fishing villages ensconced at the foot of table-exact mountains or tucked away in the neck of slender fjords which take care of the residences from ferocious Arctic storms that batter this exposed section of the nation.
You can loosen up for a day at Akureyri. From here, its gentle to head contained in the Arctic Circle to the island of Grimsey. The countrys greatest vacationer appeal external Reykjavik is Lake Myvatn, one hour away to the east of Akureyri. Many species of duck and waterfowl nest on this lake, which is surrounded through proof of volcanic job, along with lengthy-dormant cinder cones and still-steaming lava fields. North of Myvatn is the small the city of Husavik, the top-rated position for summer whale-looking at cruises, even though simply inland to the east you'll be able to hike along deep river gorges of the Jokulsargljufur National Park to the surprising Dettifoss, Europes most valuable waterfall.
Icelands so much profitable lengthy-distance trekking course is chanced on near the glacial lagoon, Jokulsarlon. The Porsmork path is some of the worlds such a lot exhilarating walking paths. In the south coast, you would take a ferry to the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman islands) to survey the worlds greatest puffin colonies and feature a have a look at Surtsey, the new island created by using volcanic eruptions within the mid-Nineteen Sixties.
When to Go
Icelandic climate is notoriously unpredictable. In summer, theres a truthful hazard of vivid and sunny days. Many bus routes by using the internal dont start off until eventually past due June or early July when the snow in any case melts. The sunlight does now not wholly set for the duration of June, and although theres no true nighttime sun, nights are easy from mid-May to early August across the country. Between September and January, the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights shall be observed. Hiking and camping out are out of the query in winter.
Planning Your Trip
Most finances accommodations open purely from late May to early September. In wintry weather, theres little danger of hotels rather then enormous resorts in Reykjavik and the most towns. Given the long distances interested to achieve Iceland, flying is the quickest and most cost-effective choice. The perfect airfares are around June to August whilst the weather is most advantageous. Fares drop September to November and April to June, and you get the most reliable fees right through the off-season, November to March. The most effortless flights from Europe and Asia suffer London; there are direct flights from the US, yet Canadian travellers desire to move via the US.