Iceland Tales- Why you need to go to Þingvellir National Park

If you are planning a trip to Iceland and need to know what to see and do then here is why you need to put Þingvellir (Thingvellir) firmly at the top of your list!

With the snow-capped hills, waterfalls, plains, rugged terrain from when time began and the largest natural lake it is a truly spectacular place. It probably sounds a little wanky but you can actually feel that it holds significant importance to Iceland and its people.

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#viewgoals

I don’t know how many more superlatives I can use when talking of Iceland but visiting Thingvellir and seeing the beauty and grandeur of the area really is something else!

Its name comes from the old Norse words Ping (assembly) and vollr (field). I’m almost embarrassed to say I didn’t know much about Thingvellir before went but i soon learnt it is more than just an important historical landmark it’s also where you can LITERALLY walk between a continental drift. Which coincidentally is also a GOT filming location. Two birds one stone.

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The National Park contains the site of the first parliament of Iceland dating back to 930. It was where the clans would meet, settle disputes and decide upon the laws that would drive the country forward. It became a national park in 1930 and this was largely to protect the ancient assembly site and to protect the natural land. There are several information boards up around the main assembly site explaining the history behind where you are standing.

If all that history wasn’t enough then there is the chance to see with your own eyes what a continental rift looks like. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is where the Eurasian and North American plates meet and the land between them subsides.  On average each year they drift 2 cms a year apart.  You can see, walk or even scuba dive along it!

The best place to do this is in Silfra Lake where you can dive between the tectonic plates. We didn’t get a chance to do this but it’s on the list for next time.

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The clearest water

If camping and hiking are more your thing then you are in luck and camping – There are facilities for this and It would be an AMAZING place to see the Northern Lights. There are two campsites and from what we found out you don’t need to reserve but you do need to obtain a permit from the visitor centre and there is a cost per person. Children under 17 are free though. If you just want to hike then there is plenty of routes to take you around the park including the remains of the historic abandoned farms of Hrauntun and Skogarkot.

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Oxarafoss Waterfall

Obviously, there has to be a waterfall, it is Iceland after all, and you can find the beautiful Oxarafoss Waterfall for yet another postcard-perfect waterfall photo. The good thing is you don’t need to hike to far to see this one as it is fairly close to one of the car parks.

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Þingvallakirkja
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Þingvallakirkja

There is a very quaint 19th-century church close to the assembly site which you should walk around. This church was built in 1859 but Christianity was introduced to Iceland prior to 1000 which at the time split people’s religious beliefs from paganism and Christianity. At the time to stop chaos the Lawspeaker declared that Icelanders should take up Christianity but if there were pagan they should practise this in private. There has been a church at Thingvellir soon after the decision was made. The church is open 9-5 daily from May/June to early September. We didn’t get to go inside but you can have a good peek in the windows and it’s beautiful to look at both inside and out.

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Continental Drift. You may also have seen this in GoT

If you are a big fan of Game of Thrones you will be aware there are many filming locations dotted around Iceland. Thingvellir was also used as a filming location with 4 scenes featuring in the show. The Wildlings Camp, the path leading to Eyrie, Brian and the Hounds battle scenes, as well as Arya’s and Sandors journey, all were shot here.

Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is located on Golden Circle route of Iceland, just 40ks northeast of Reykjavík. You can easily self-drive through the park just keep an eye on the weather or most Golden Circle Tours will include a visit within their itinerary.

As with most natural wonders in Iceland, it is free to visit and explore just be aware of the parking fees and if you need the loo it will cost you so have some change to hand. You may also need to check the seasonal hours as with the reduced daylight in winter certain areas may be inaccessible.

A trip to Iceland really wouldn’t be complete without visiting this stunning atmospheric place, that just epitomizes Iceland and its history.

For more ideas on what to do in Iceland check out our post on the Lava Tunnel and 38 Photos of Iceland

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planning a trip to Iceland and need to know what to see and do then here is why you need to put Thingvellir National Park at the top of that list! Post by thewanderingdarlings

Iceland Tales- The Lava Tunnel

Looking for a unique experience close to Reykjavik to see to the inner workings of a volcanic eruption? Then this is the tour of The Lava Tunnel is for you!

Have you ever been inside a lava tunnel?

To be honest, before I went to Iceland I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a lava tunnel. I always thought the lava burst up out of the ground and not flow underground like a huge fire breathing river. The things you can learn whilst you are travelling!

There are so many geological experiences to enjoy in Iceland and I must say this was one of my favourite activities that we did whilst we were there. Actually walking where lava once flowed! Not many people can say they have done that!

We came across the Lava Tunnel a little by accident (or luck you may say) and even luckier still got there with a minute to spare before the next tour. We thought we might just get to see an opening of the tunnel but no we quickly discovered they did two tours. One standard and one extreme. We opted for the standard as it was an hour tour and touted that it was easy walking. The Extreme tour is 5 to 6 hours long and for the more adventurous and go further into the tunnel. Maybe one for the next trip.

The tunnel is 1.4k meters long and was formed due to the path of the lava from the Leitahraun eruption over 5,000 years ago. This lava tunnel is considered one of the longest lava tubes in Europe. They have restored it well especially as it was only opened officially in Summer 2017. Initially, you could make your own way in however over time it was becoming more unstable and ended up being a bit of dumping ground with lots of rubbish being left in the tunnel. It was then strengthened with footbridges and lights and added knowledgeable guides that can talk you through the history of the tunnel. We had a really insightful guide who gave us so much information about the rock formations, how you can see what temperature the lava got to in places and also answered lots of questions about the geological makeup of Iceland and just Iceland in general.

At the beginning of the tunnel, there are skylights where the cave has collapsed had let the snow in so formed huge big snow dunes. They allow the light to shine in and show just how expansive the tunnel is. Leading into the chamber you are also treated to a huge display of Icicles. There were so many and they were the tallest I had ever seen. We were told that in winter they are even taller and larger. They looked so magical and it just shows even further that Iceland really is the land of fire and ice.

At the end of the standard tour, there is a part of the tunnel where they turn off the lights and you can see how dark it is as there is no light from anywhere coming in. It really plays with your eyes. You truly feel underground and so close to the centre of the earth. It’s an unnerving experience in a way as it’s not often we ever get to experience true darkness.

The Lava Tunnel is located 30 mins from Reykjavik and is open from 10 am – 5 pm daily all year round. With your ticket for the standard tour, you get free hire of a helmet and helmet light. It does get chilly in there so make sure you are dressed warmly and definitely have sturdy footwear (it can be a little slippy in places). As with anything in Iceland, it’s not cheap but it is worth the expense for a truly interesting experience. The standard tour without transport is 6,400 ISK per person (as of June 2018) with the Extreme tour it is 19.900 ISK per person.

To see more about this tour or to book click here or for more inspiration on what see and do in Iceland click here

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38 photos that will make you want to visit Iceland, like right now!

Iceland had long been on my bucket list and I can hand on heart say that it MASSIVELY over delivered on all my expectations. The varied landscapes, the people, that lava fields, the waterfalls, the geothermal activity, the ruggedness, the midnight sun, the black sand beaches and just the absolute magic of the place. It was seriously like visiting another world or a secret land that’s been lost in time.

It is the perfect destination for all types of travellers, from the adventurers to the road trippers, to the science and history lovers, to the luxury travellers. It has something for everyone and if you didn’t leave in awe then you need to get your eyes checked.

Iceland literally rose up from the ocean and is still forming. There is even an island which recently rose up that no one apart from scientist can visit. It’s a geological hotspot sitting on the cusp of two continents. Because of this, there are more volcanoes than anywhere else and earthquakes are a daily occurrence although not that you would notice. There are so many reminders of the intricate nature of the island with snow-capped volcanoes, glistening glaciers, towering waterfalls, lava tubes, thermal pools, geysers, black sand(!), green mossy lava fields, commanding mountains and rugged basalt coastlines. It just shows that it is an island like no other and certainly very different to the dry paddocks of Australia and the green fields of England that I am used to.

Tourism is a big contributor to the Icelandic economy with over 1.1 million visitors annually(over double the population). Even with that many people visiting you can still feel the untouched elegance of the country. It’s got a rawness that even though you know so many others have been there before you that your almost the first ones to discover it. There will be some sites that are full of other tourists but it never feels too overcrowded. Maybe it’s because everything is so big and vast or maybe it’s because Iceland is still in its tourism boom. I often wondered what it would be like in ten years time and can it still retain its natural charm with even more tourists. We shall just have to see but I really hope so. Iceland is a country everyone should have the opportunity to see.

There will be lots of posts coming soon so keep your eyes peeled but for now here are 38 photos that will make you want to get online and book up your visit. Even looking at these photos I am just not sure they still give Iceland the justice it deserves!

pretty bike in reykjavik - 38 photos to visit Iceland from The Wandering Darlings
Cute find in Reykjavik
Þingvellir waterfall long exposure - 38 photos of iceland from the Wandering darlings
Waterfall in Þingvellir
Church in Reykholt - 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Church in Reykholt
Icelandic Horses from travelling to Iceland
Icelandic Horses
Grass Hut in Þingvellir National Park - 38 Photos to visit Iceland from the wandering darlings
Grass Hut in Þingvellir National Park
Rainbows at Skógafoss long exposure - 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Rainbows at Skógafoss
World famous Reynisfjara with its black sandy beach- 38 photos of iceland from the wandering darlings
World famous Reynisfjara with its black sandy beach
Sólheimajökull- 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings. Humbling landscapes
Such humbling landscapes about to walk over the verge to witness Sólheimajökull in all its glory
Sólheimajökull - 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Sólheimajökull – I could look at this view for hours
Skógafoss waterfall iceland - 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
You always just feel so small in Iceland.  Can you see the person in front of Skógafoss?
The Blue Lagoon Iceland - 38 photos to visit Iceland from The Wandering Darlings
The Blue Lagoon
Blue water, white silica and black volcanic rock at The Blue Lagoon. 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Blue water, white silica and black volcanic rock at The Blue Lagoon
mossy lava fields , 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Mossy lava fields
lava tunnel Raufarhólshellir, 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Lava tunnel Raufarhólshellir
Nature creates the most amazing patterns especially at Reynisfjara, 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Nature creates the most amazing patterns especially at Reynisfjara
Kleifarvatn Lake
Skógafoss on top of waterfall. 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
When visiting Skógafoss make sure you walk up to the top of the waterfall and follow the path for views like this!
Black and white Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik. Photos to visit Iceland from The Wandering Darlings
Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik
Moody lakes and black stones beaches at Kleifarvatn
The colours are out of this world.. Overlooking Reynisfjara
The colours are out of this world.. Overlooking Reynisfjara
View in Þingvellir National Park- 38 photos to visit iceland from the Wandering darlings
Þingvellir National Park
 Seljalandsfoss  38 photos to make you visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Seljalandsfoss
Wide open spaces
Different view of Hallgrimskirkja
Different view of Hallgrimskirkja
Views like this around every corner of iceland. visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Views like this around every corner
The Queen of all Waterfalls- Gullfoss. 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
The Queen of all Waterfalls- Gullfoss
Þingvellir - A GOT filiming location 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Þingvellir – A GOT filiming location
open road in iceland. 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Iceland is made for road trips
Muted tones at Kleifarvatn
Sulfur smells at Seltun.
Sulfur smells at Seltun
Behind Seljalandsfoss looking through the waterfall , 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Behind Seljalandsfoss looking through the waterfall
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss
Eyjafjallajökull
This bad boy Eyjafjallajökull ruined so many holidays in 2010 but just looks like butter wouldn’t melt here
Geysir Iceland. 38 photos to visit iceland from the wandering darlings
Geysir
Þingvellir National Park
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Borgarnes
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Street Art in Reykjavik
Dressing as a Viking saga centre in Reykjavik. Photos to make you want to visit Iceland.
You can even dress like a Viking at the Saga Centre in Reykjavik

 

We’ll have more posts coming soon about Iceland and the places featured above so please do check back.

The wonderful Deb’s World has also blogged about our time in Iceland here

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