Top 10 things to see/do in Iceland (Iceland)

Name: jpjarratt

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Product:	Iceland
Date:	12.08.02 (3323 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Different

Disadvantages: Expensive

This is my personal top 10 and I'm sure many people will disagree both with the content and the order.

1. Jokulsarlon - Southern Iceland. The name means Glacial River Lagoon. It is formed by glacial retreat and is several miles long and wide. You can hear ice breaking off the glacier and see icebergs floating through the lagoon and towards the sea. It is possible to go on a boat in amongst the icebergs which I greatly recommend.

2. Drive a 4x4 to Landmannalaugar - Uninhabited central highlands of Iceland. 4x4s are not cheap to hire but the drive from Reykjavik along dirt tracks for much of the way is great as is the final river crossing if you are brave enough. This is a spot surrounded by colourful and sharply faced mountains. One side is a wall of lava formed by slow flow from a fissure in one of the mountains. There is a natural hot pool at the base of this lava and I will never forget sitting in it with a group of friends, all nicely warm, whilst around us the rain was driving and visibility was so poor you could hardly see the mountains !

3. Whale watching in Husavik - North East Iceland. This is a small coastal town from which you can go on one of the old whaling boats out to sea to see a variety of whales - apparently 95% success rate. Seeing whales jumping next to the boat is amazing. It is absolutely freezing out at sea though.

4. Mud pools and volcanic craters around Leirhnjukur and Namaskaro - North Iceland. At Leirhnjukur you can climb up the crater of a volcano warmed by steam rising from the lava below. At the rim you can look over and see the bluer than blue volcanic lake in the crater. Nearby there are some fantastic boling mud pools which stink of eggs (sulphur).

5. Dettifoss - North Iceland. One of numerous waterfalls in Iceland, this is by no means the highest. However it is the most powerful waterfall in Europe and close-up is awesome.

6. Geysir - Near Reykjavik. Although busy with touris
ts this really is something. Geysir itself is the main geyser but has not
erupted properly since the 1960s although is due to do so soon. To make up, Strokkur is a smaller geyser that spurts a 30m jet of water about every 5 minutes. Cameras ready !

7. Lake Myvatn - North East Iceland. The name means "Midge Lake" and it doesn't disappoint. By and large though they don't bite and the view of this shallow lake is great. It has many islands and is surrounded by craters and pseudocraters.

8. Snowmobiling on one of Iceland's glaciers. Iceland has 4 main glaciers but Myradsjokull and Vatnajokull are the ones that are most commonly used for snowmobiling or skidoo trips. You can hire one yourself (at a cost) or go with other people on a larger machine.

9. Night out in Reykjavik. Get down to the off license in Reykjavik (I only found one). Have a few slightly cheaper drinks and then hit the pubs/cafe's before winding up in a club - one of many. Carry on till the locals stop (about 9am).

10. Blue Lagoon - near Reykjavik. This has to be done. Bathe in a lagoon warmed by run-off water from the geothermal power station situated adjacently. This is a surreal but great experience even if a bit touristy, but there you go.

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