The trick of getting the most out of a trip to Iceland
Icelandair hotels, a great choice!
Those looking to visit Iceland and experience the country's magnificent
landscapes, must first organize the trip well in order to get the most out
of it. Iceland is larger than most think. Did you know that Iceland is
larger than Belgium, Denmark and Holland - combined, and that it is about
the same size as Britain? This size, plus a population of only 275,000,
makes Iceland the most sparsely populated in Europe.
If you are thinking of just making a short stop, perhaps two or three days,
then the Icelandair hotel at Fl��ir would be an excellent choice. It's only
an hour's drive from Reykjav�k, and the route through Thingvellir National
Park is the perfect introduction to Icelandic history, and nature. The
Al�ingi (Icelandic Parliament) was formed there in 930 AD, and the area is
one of the most beautiful found anywhere in the world. Lava formations play
a major role in the area, while Thingvellir lake (the largest in Iceland)
dominates this most venerated park that is enclosed by various types of
mountains. Thingvellir is also a place of continuous geological activity,
as it lies astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that marks the boundary between
the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Signs of this activity are
numerous fissures and chasms, some of which are quite awe-inspiring.
The route than takes us to the Geysir hot spring area. Geysir itself no
longer spouts, but other, smaller geysers in the hot-spring field do. There
are also numerous pools of bubbling water and mud. A short detour and the
road leads to Gullfoss in all its grandeur, a 96-foot high waterfall that
drops with incredible force.
After arriving at Icelandair Hotel Flu�ir, a friendly 32-room hotel with
all conveniences, it's ideal to bathe and feel the tiredness ooze from
one's body. Afterwards, there are plenty of things to see and do at Flu�ir
and the surrounding environs. It's only a short drive to famous Mt. Hekla,
whose eruption history dates back 6000 years. In the vicinity are lava
formations of various shapes and sizes.
Nearby is Thj�s�rdalur valley, a world of incredible natural beauty, and
ancient history. The glacial river Thj�rs� runs through it. Ruins of a
farm at St�ng from Viking times can be viewed, and in those days the valley
thrived only to be destroyed later by volcanic eruption. A replica of a
chieftain's farmhouse from Saga days has been build and is open for
viewing.
Those with more than two or three days at their disposal should travel on
to the Icelandair hotel at Kirkjub�jarklaustur. The road there runs
alongside the coast, through some beautiful areas and past interesting
sites, for example, Sk�gafoss, a spectacular waterfall, and the local folk
museum at Sk�gar with displays that provide a good insight into daily farm
life in days of old. Situated in one of the country's most lovely areas,
the Icelandair hotel at Kirkjub�jarklaustur has 57 comfortable rooms with
all conveniences. The local climate is quite mild, and the natural
surroundings varied: white glaciers, black sands, blue lakes, green
pastures, waterfalls and moss-covered lava.
A short distance away is Skaftafell National Park, which some say is home
to the most incredible view in the world. There are fine hiking trails in
the park for those interested in seeing everything close-up. A wide variety
of vegetation thrives in the area, and during spring and early summer it is
a bird watcher's paradise.
Do you have a bit more time to discover the magic of Iceland? If so, then
continue your trip along the coast where you'll have a glacier on one side,
the ocean on the other, and black sands in between. Next stop: H�fn in
Hornafj�r�ur, a lively, colorful fishing town where Icelandair Hotel H�fn
awaits you with 36 well-appointed rooms and a good restaurant offering
excellent fish dishes, and the most famous lobster among others.
Nearby is Vatnaj�kull glacier, larger than all other glaciers in Europe
combined. This is a world all its own just waiting to be explored. One can
go on organized trips, enjoy skiing, drive on snowmobiles or just enjoy
walking and being in a clean, white, pure, fresh world that can best be
described as other-worldly. Along the perimeter of the glacier is still
another world of uniquely unusual natural formations. Anyone visiting
Vatnaj�kull will forever keep it in memory.
Well, if you are able to stay in Iceland for a week or even 10 days, then
you should continue through more great landscapes until you arrive at
Egilssta�ir in the center of east Iceland, where you'll find Icelandair
Hotel H�ra� with 36 well-appointed rooms and a good restaurant. From there
it's easy to take numerous short trips in the vicinity and see deep fjords,
tall mountains, grassy valleys and vegetated heaths that are home to herds
of reindeer, and where delicious mushrooms grow wild. Also, it is only a
short trip into the highland interior and glaciers.
Iceland is like no other country, and as was mentioned earlier, it is
important to try and get the most out of your trip here. So don't forget to
relax and enjoy what Iceland has to offer, including staying at friendly
and comfortable Icelandair hotels.
If you would like more information about the Icelandair hotel chain, which
also operates Icelandair Hotels Loftlei�ir and Esja in Reykjav�k as well as
Edda summer hotels around the country, then please contact us.
ICELANDAIR HOTELS
Hotel Loftlei�ir
Reykjav�k
Tel: (+354) 505 0910
Fax: (+354) 505 0915
Homepage: www.icehotel.is
Email: [email protected]
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