According to legend, this island was given the false name of Greenland to discourage people from establishing there and steer them toward Iceland instead. Iceland, the last nation to have been inhabited, is among Europe’s least populous countries. The majority of the terrain is inhospitable, rural, and desolate. The Scandinavian nations have the greatest impact on the language, culture, and people, with a mix of Celtic appearances. I expected Reykjavik to seem like a little town during our visit, and I expected to do most of our sightseeing and hiking in the countryside, but I was astonished to discover how remote, arid, strange, and stunning this location is.
The alternatives are limitless and exciting, ranging from white ice caps to black sand beaches, volcanoes to glaciers, hot spring spas to explosive sulfur geysers, and cliffs to twin folding waterfalls, dog sledding to white water rafting, whale watching to mountain hikes. You can’t imagine somewhere else in the world being able to view the ocean while perched atop an ice-covered glacier and having volcanic activity create ravines and ridges in the slope.
The road trip to adventure
The amusing thing about road trips is that, despite how boring they can be, people still like them. They are among the most effective methods to quickly explore a place. The nation provides striking scenery that may be visited, including lava fields and glacial lakes. The Golden Grand Circle Tour, which enables visitors to see breathtaking views in Iceland, is one of the best tours. The journey typically departs from Reykjavik and lasts for longer than seven hours. However, it may end up being closer to eight hours.
There are several rests stops along the journey where you may stop by national parks such as the one at Thingvellir, where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates separate.
The trip’s specifics are listed below.
The National Thingvellir Park
Typically, the first stop on a day excursion to the Grand Golden Circle is Thingvellir. It is one of the natural wonders that may be found on the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia. It is a location with significant amount of historical significance. Additionally, this location is a significant since it was the site of the first outdoor parliament. It started in 930 AD and lasted until 1798. This location tells tales of territorial and political conflicts that are indicative of continuous development and compromises. Due to its strong cultural values, the Thingvellir National Park was included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
Geysir
Geysir is often the next destination on the Grand Golden Circle day excursion following the Thingvellir National Park. The outbursts of the geysers will startle you. The Great Geysir had ceased exploding in the 2000s, although Strokkur, its younger sibling, does so more often. The typical height of the eruption is twenty to fifteen meters. You may locate a variety of eateries here and get something to eat that is quite delicious.
Gulfoss Waterfall
The Golden Falls, also known as the Waterfall of Gulfoss, can be seen immediately after the second Geysir stop. The waterfall is regarded as one of the most powerful ones. Before it falls into one fissure, it often dips in phases of 21 and 11 meters. This entire action gives the impression that something has vanished beneath the earth’s surface. This location may be appreciated by several locations that provide diverse picturesque views that give a distinctive view and provide options for taking pictures of the waterfall.
Kerid
You are required to visit Kerid after the fourth stop, the Faxi Waterfall on the Tungufljot River. This volcanic crater may be found in the Grimsnes region of South Iceland. It is only one of the several crater lakes in the region. Therefore, it is known as the volcanic zone of Western Iceland. This includes the Reykjanes Peninsula and the Langjokull Glacier. It was formed when the earth continued to move over certain hotspots, yet it is an easily identifiable caldera.
There are many sights to view, including the Blue Lagoon, the Langjokull glacier, and the Golden Circle trip. After leaving the city and traveling through the countryside, you may take advantage of the fresh air, go horseback riding, go whale watching, go bird watching, or enjoy a day bathing in the Blue Lagoon’s warm, mineral-rich spring water.