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An Effortless Masterpiece: The Hidden Beauty Of Háifoss
One can begin to crave nature after one too many walks up and down Laugavegur. On a recent autumn day, our choice was to head to one of Iceland’s most astonishing sights—Háifoss, the majestic high falls, located in a beautiful water carved…
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Hiking to the Reykjadalur hot springs
Going for a hike is a must-do activity in Iceland. The beautiful scenery comes in a package with fresh air, pleasant physical activity and—if you choose right—a dip in some natural hot springs at the end. The Reykjadalur hiking and hot springs…
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Practical Magic: Learning Sorcery In Strandir
Heavy clouds hover only dozen of metres above the ground, confirming the presence of an approaching blizzard. I slide my fingers over the cool hood of the car, carefully tracing invisible lines and arches. Adding the last circle, I’m done. With a…
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Seeing The Underworld Of Iceland’s Lava Tunnels
Iceland’s lava fields have their own particular beauty. Their velvety moss carpets and waves of dark rock peaks have a peaceful vastness. But it’s not only the view that makes them special—the unique process of their formation has led to fascinating natural…
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Buggy Adventures: Muddy Wheels And Grins
“Up for some splashes?” I ask. The engine is roaring and the wind beating at the visors of our helmets as we approach a deep, icy pool of muddy water in the middle of the road. The noise and hellish turmoil turns…
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Let Them Eat Lobster & Stuff
It’s technically langoustine, not lobster, but Langoustine & Stuff doesn’t sound right. It misses the fricative soft rhyme of “ster” and “stuff.” That’s the type of linguistic gymnastics marketing wordsmiths simply die for–and, if their product is a living creature, it’s what…
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Weathering Iceland
Iceland’s wind. I’ve been in this country for only two months now, but we’ve spent so much time together, me and this fellow, that I feel able to say we know each other pretty well. I’ve gotten used to his morning grumpiness…
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Exploring Exploration: The Explorers Festival Comes To Húsavík
“Can you imagine being up there, literally on the moon, flipping the pages of your instruction manual, and coming across this?” Dr. Huw Lewis-Jones says, with laughter in his voice and eyes. He’s pointing at a little black and white picture of…
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Welcome To Whaletown: A Day In The Northern Town Of Húsavík
After a five-hour night drive, and numerous failed attempts at napping, we arrive at our destination at last. The sun has just reached the peaks of the mountains, covering the bright blue bay in shimmering light and hitting the colourful rooftops and…
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Sjón Takes Part In “Future Library” Project
Award-winning Icelandic author Sjón is the third writer to add his work to the “Future Library” project, where it will lay unread along with 99 others until the start of next century. This autumn, Scottish artist and author of the project Katie Paterson invited Sjón to…
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American Tourists To Outnumber Iceland’s Population
It is expected that, at the end of this year, the number of American tourists who have visited Iceland in 2016 will grow beyond 332,000 people. This will mark the first time in history that these friendly western visitors in a span of a year will have…
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Exhibition Tackles Gender Equality At Mengi
At the start of next month, a new art exhibition – “An Issue of Structure” – opens at Mengi. It aims to illuminate the reality of gender equality and acceptance in Nordic countries, in the words of the author Snövit Hedstierna, by…
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Stormy Weather: A Look Back
A reader-submitted video montage lets you relive the magic and wonder of the severe rainfall and winds that blustered through Reykjavik these past few days. Videographer: Muhammed Emin Kizilkaya As reported, on October 11 The Icelandic Met Office warned people that very heavy…
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Italian Man To Celebrate Birthday With Grueling Physical Exercise
Matteo Meucci, an Italian mountaineer living in Iceland, has challenged himself to climb 100 alpine, mixed and ice routes up Iceland’s mountains, as well as to run 100 km over the span of one year. The Matteo’s 100 Challenge, as the creator…
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The Anatomy Of An Icelandic Hotdog
It’s well known that the more time you spend in a certain culture, the more it breaks into you, shifting the delicate notions and beliefs of your mind and heart. For example, after only a month in Iceland, I am having second…
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The Arctic Circle Assembly Starts Today
The largest international gathering on Arctic issues, The Arctic Circle Assembly, starts today at Harpa and hosts 2000 participants from more than 40 countries. Taking place until October 9, the conference will cover a wide range of topics, including the impacts of…
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Fin Whales Remain (Somewhat) Protected
The start of this month arrived with good news for those who stand against whaling, and for the animals themselves, as last week the proposal to remove key protections for great whales was denied in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered…
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Real Life Postcards For This Week’s #GVPics
From time to time it’s good to surprise your just-out-of-reach loved ones with a beautiful post card containing warm greetings and wishes. This week we picked out some (virtual) post stamp worthy candidates! Our runners-up are: On the way to the top. #vsco…
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Happening Today: Hasselblad Award Winners Exhibit Opens!
A collection of portraits by seven photographers, all of whom have been awarded with the the most prestigious photography prize in the world – the Hasselblad Award! This exhibition features some of the most iconic portraits from last eight decades: Irving Penn’s…
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Your Weather Forecast: Prepare To Be Unsurprised
Iceland’s in for weather as shifty as usual. Over the next few days, different parts of the country are going to take turns enjoying showering in the rain and sitting under the clouds. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, some sunshine will find…
