Iceland? In winter?
Ok, before you decide that visiting Iceland in winter is the worst idea you’ve ever heard and run to the nearest website promising you suntan lotion and rum-filled coconuts and paper umbrellas, give me a shot here. Remember Maria’s words in Mighty Ducks :D2
Greenland is covered in ice, Iceland is very beautiful
I know, it may not be the deepest thing you’ve ever heard. And, yes, especially in the winter, Iceland will be covered in ice just as much as Greenland. But even so, the truth remains valid. Iceland it is very nice. Even in the dead of winter.
Even without the midnight sun, the skies are still ablaze Due to Iceland’s location in the far north (along with Alaska, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Greenland), the night features one of the world’s most amazing light shows: the Northern Lights. , Prayed Northern Lights. Those of us who live further south will have the opportunity to see them on rare occasions. I have seen them in New Hampshire and southern Canada several times. The further north you go, the more reliable and amazing they become: resplendent dancing curtains of green, yellow, and blue light. Sometimes even red.
In the past, people have come up with all sorts of explanations: my personal favorite is that it’s the souls of single women who have died. Today we know that they are caused by solar radiation interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere. This explanation does not change the fact that the Northern Lights are one of the most
beautiful views that a person can expect to see.
Every year, countless tourists flock to the northern countries hoping to see the lights. Not a few take advantage of their summer vacations, they head north for a week…
…and realize that they forgot something. In the summer, the sun barely sets, if at all. You can’t see the Northern Lights in Iceland (or anywhere else) unless it’s dark enough to give you a chance to see them!
Now, you might be thinking that it’s all very well that you can only see the Northern Lights if it’s the dead of winter, but no light show is worth standing outside in the freezing cold just on the off chance that you’ll see something. flicker.
That’s why Iceland is the best place to go! Iceland is teeming with volcanic activity. The happy upshot of this is that every city, and even many of the smaller hotels, have their own naturally heated outdoor hot tubs. Get out of Reykjavík (perhaps to the northern capital of Akureyri) and away from the city lights. Share a bottle of liquor with your fellow traveler, and as the steam swirls around you, keep an eye out for the Northern Lights, shooting stars, and whatever else might be in the sky.
Will I be able to enjoy something else in Iceland?
It is true that many of Iceland’s museums and other attractions will be closed or have greatly reduced hours during the winter. But, don’t let that stop you. Natural resources never give up. The golden circle becomes even more impressive in winter. Gulfoss Waterfall is stunning at any time of the year, but when the waterfall is made up of frozen falls, a still waterfall, it will fill you with awe.
Geysir (the erupting plume of water that gives all the others their name) erupts from the frozen ground, reaching a height of 65 meters. The contrast is impossible not to appreciate.
Þingvellir is amazing in winter, and you will have a once in a lifetime opportunity if you come in winter. Dive or snorkel the chasm between Europe and North America in a dry suit. The water is one of the clearest in the world, with visibility of hundreds of meters. special visits
they’re easily fixed and you’ll have a story to tell your friends back home to settle any doubts that you’re the most adventurous person they’ve ever met.
Iceland is notoriously expensive. Despite recent economic problems, Iceland is still not a cheap destination. That said, you can really benefit from visiting Iceland in the winter. Many hotels reduce rates by up to 50%. That means more money in your pocket to stay a few more days, or really splurge on a nice meal. Also, if you go out of season, you will have Iceland to yourself. Therefore, you will have more money, less other tourists. Sounds like a win to me.
Let your inner viking run wild
January 22 to February 22 is when Icelanders go back to their Viking roots and celebrate the winter festival of Þorrablót. The festival originated as a celebration that winter was halfway over and that
the people had survived. Traditionally, people would save the finer foods (most of which had been set aside to ferment the previous year) and begin consuming them on the holiday. Delicacies include rotten shark, jellied sheep’s head, dried fish. These foods are practically only consumed during the holidays.
This is your only chance to really taste these traditional foods. Sure, they’re not likely to be topping any international menus anytime soon, but as far as unique dining opportunities go, this is pretty high.
If the taste gets you down, the good news is that there’s plenty of brennivín (an Icelandic brandy) to go with it. The common nickname is Black Death, and it is especially powerful. You can be sure that after a few drinks, you’ll be ready to join everyone in the rest of the night’s singing and dancing celebrations.
If it’s sun, sand, and an amazing tan you’re after, Iceland won’t be the place to go in January. But, if you really feel like going off the beaten track and having experiences most people will only ever read about, why not explore this northern country? Treat yourself to an experience that you will truly remember for years to come.