#Private Day Tours From Reykjavik

[mobscene-london]

THE DATES SO FAR:

Travel to Costa Brava in Spain and explore the historical Tossa de Mar before having dinner aboard a catamaran ride around the coast at sunset.

A day in Heraklion, Crete, to explore the beaches, local architecture, and museums.

A visit to San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily, to embrace the beautiful beaches. An afternoon spent climbing the face of Monte Monaco, before winding down with a relaxing dinner in the town, with plenty of local wine to share.

Head to Tromsø, Norway, to go ice swimming in the Norwegian Sea. Warm up in a wood fire sauna, before heading into the city for a cosy dinner, and a night of great cocktails at the Magic Ice Bar.

Edinburgh, Scotland. A trip to the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, filled with optical wonders and playful illusions, followed by a walking tour to the historic Edinburgh Castle. The trip will conclude with a night in a cosy log cabin surrounded by the beauty of the Scottish landscape.

A trip to Amsterdam to visit the art museums on the Museumplein, followed by dinner and live music.

A night out in Moscow. Italian food and French Champagne at Mario's, followed by a ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre. Finish things off with a late-night stroll to St. Basil's to take in the architectural beauty of the city.

Brunch date along the beaches of Tenerife, before joining the festivities of Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

A weekend getaway to the small island of Malta, where they can submerge themselves in the culture, food, and scenery, far away from the busy life of London and all its drama.

An apartment in Central Paris, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, with prosecco upon arrival. A day of leisure, followed by dinner at the Sphére, located on Rue La Boétie.

Spend some time exploring Wine Factory N1 in Tbilisi. After plenty of wine tasting and bar hopping, an evening dining at the opulent Biltmore Hotel awaits; beautiful views over the city as the perfect accompaniment.

A pamper filled day at the luxurious Blue Lagoon Spa in Iceland, before toning it down with a beer and brewery crawl through the country's capital. End the night camping in one of Reykjavik's Geodomes.

The night consists of great food and live music. A chance to dress up and step into another world. Dinner at the Story Restaurant in London, followed by Abel Selaocoe and Britten Sinfonia at the Barbican Centre.

A trip to New York to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and do a food tour of the city together.

Private Island Living off the coast of Greece. A small Island villa just for two. Peace, quiet, and no nosey neighbours.

ADDED THURSDAY:

Enjoy a long-weekend away to Ibiza where you will experience both sides of the Island; nights out in the best clubs with the greatest DJs and the nights in watching sunsets by the beach, most luxurious dinners. A date with the best of both worlds.

Get tipsy together on a weekend away at Amalfi Coast. Stay in five-star Hotel Santa Caterina, with its far-reaching views along the coast, a luxurious beach club and two restaurants, for a four-day ‘Luxury Amalfi Coast Wine Experience’.

Arrive in San Sebastián just when the locals get started for the night, around 9pm. Choose from a number of Michelin star restaurants and spend the rest of the night drinking and enjoying the company. Wake up the next day for a walk along the golden beaches and explore more of the food the city has to offer.

Take a hike around the Isle of Skye and maybe a dip in the small water ways if you're brave enough. See the beauty that Scotland has to offer. The night will end at a cottage for 2 with a chef catered meal and an overnight stay.

During the day, enjoy a walking tour of Haga Old Town in Gothenburg, Sweden and a small boat tour of some of the archipelago. End the night with dinner at family owned Familjen where the mood is cosy and the food is all local.

A long weekend in Monaco. Enjoy the comfort of the iconic Café de Paris, spending the afternoon pampered in its spa before heading to an opera. Michelin restaurants, beach sunsets, and ultimate luxury mark a perfect weekend.

Austria. Visit the lakeside alpine village of Hallstatt in the Alps and enjoy a picnic lunch via boat ride. Attend an Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class in the afternoon before venturing to Salzburg to tour Hohensalzburg Fortress. Dine at the restaurant atop and attend a night-time concert there while taking in the balcony view of the historic town of Salzach below, including the river and mountains.

A weekend in Positano, along Italy's soaring Amalfi Coast. This includes a private boat tour to the island of Capri.

Sunset watching on a private yacht off the Greek Islands in quiet and private location, followed by luxurious but relaxed dinner and champagne. (edited to be in-keeping with geographical constrictions. Send a follow up date acknowledging this if you wish to change it. ♥)

Jetset to Finland, spend the morning exploring the snowy forest on horseback, try your hand at ice fishing before enjoying lunch prepared over an open fire. Experience the excitement of an overnight husky or reindeer safari to chase down the northern lights and return to the lodge the next afternoon to wind down in one of the glass house igloos of Kakslauttanen resort and enjoy the spectacular sights with a warm hot chocolate and a decadent five course dessert degustation.

[icelandoffbeat]

Exploring Iceland — Self-Drive Holidays, Road Trip Adventures, Private Tours, and Vacation Packages

Iceland is a land of stark contrasts, where fire and ice coexist, and ancient landscapes tell stories of volcanic eruptions and glacial movements. For travelers seeking both adventure and tranquility, Iceland offers a unique experience that caters to various travel preferences. Whether you’re interested in the autonomy of self-drive holidays, the excitement of road trip adventures, the exclusivity of private tours, or the convenience of vacation packages, Iceland has something to offer every type of explorer.

Iceland Self-Drive Holidays

Iceland self-drive holidays are an excellent option for those who crave independence and flexibility in their travels. Renting a car allows you to explore Iceland at your own pace, taking in the breathtaking scenery and stopping whenever something catches your eye. The Ring Road, which circles the entire island, is one of the most popular routes for self-drive holidays, offering a comprehensive tour of Iceland’s diverse landscapes. From the rugged coastlines of the East Fjords to the towering peaks of the Westfjords, this route provides a full spectrum of Iceland’s natural beauty.

A self-drive holiday also allows you to explore lesser-known areas, such as the remote Highlands or the volcanic landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula. With the freedom to create your own itinerary, you can discover hidden gems like the crystal-clear waters of Silfra in Thingvellir National Park or the serene geothermal pools of the Myvatn Nature Baths. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls or seeking solitude in Iceland’s untouched wilderness, a self-drive holiday offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

Iceland Road Trip Adventures

For those who enjoy a bit more structure while still retaining the thrill of the open road, Iceland road trip adventures are an ideal choice. These adventures often include pre-planned routes that guide you through Iceland’s most iconic sights and hidden treasures. Whether you’re exploring the Golden Circle, with its geothermal wonders and thundering waterfalls, or driving along the South Coast with its black sand beaches and towering glaciers, road trip adventures ensure you don’t miss any of Iceland’s highlights.

One of the main advantages of a road trip adventure is the opportunity to experience Iceland’s diverse landscapes in a relatively short period. For example, a journey along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula offers everything from lava fields and volcanic craters to picturesque fishing villages and glacier-topped mountains, all within a day’s drive. These adventures often include recommendations for activities like glacier hiking, whale watching, or visiting natural hot springs, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Iceland’s natural beauty.

Private Tours in Iceland

Private tours in Iceland offer a personalized and exclusive way to experience the country’s many wonders. With a private tour, you can benefit from the expertise of a local guide who can tailor the itinerary to your specific interests, whether that’s photography, geology, or Icelandic folklore. Private tours are available for all types of experiences, from exploring the remote highlands to discovering the cultural heritage of Reykjavik.

A private tour allows you to delve deeper into Iceland’s unique landscapes, with the flexibility to spend more time at sites that captivate you. Whether you want to explore the ice caves of Vatnajökull Glacier, soak in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, or hunt for the Northern Lights in the winter sky, a private tour offers a bespoke experience that caters to your preferences.

Iceland Vacation Packages

For travelers who prefer a more organized approach, Iceland vacation packages provide a hassle-free way to explore the country. These packages typically include accommodations, transportation, and a range of guided tours and activities, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip rather than worrying about logistics. Whether you’re interested in a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or an adventure-filled expedition, there’s a vacation package to suit your needs.

Vacation packages are especially popular for first-time visitors to Iceland, as they ensure you experience the best of what the country has to offer. From exploring the Golden Circle to cruising along the South Coast, these packages offer a well-rounded experience that showcases Iceland’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and unique attractions.

Conclusion

Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes and diverse travel options make it a top destination for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Whether you opt for the freedom of a self-drive holiday, the excitement of a road trip adventure, the personalized experience of a private tour, or the convenience of a vacation package, Iceland promises a journey filled with unforgettable moments. Embrace the beauty and wonder of Iceland, and let its natural splendor leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

[taxi-in-iceland]

Creating Memorable Iceland Experiences with Custom Travel

Travelers from all over the world have always been enthralled by Iceland, the country of fire and ice. Its breathtaking scenery, which includes enormous glaciers and tumbling waterfalls, along with its rich cultural history make for an experience of a lifetime. Although there is no denying Iceland's charm, seeing the country's most well-known attractions isn't enough to make an experience genuinely unforgettable. The secret to discovering Iceland's charm in a way that speaks to each person's unique tastes and interests is the custom travel Taxi service in Reykjavik.

Personalized Itineraries: The Heart of Custom Travel

Creating unique routes is the foundation of custom travel. An itinerary that is specifically tailored to your interests and preferences is created, unlike ordinary excursions that adhere to strict timetables and predetermined itineraries. Are you an enthusiastic hiker who can't wait to discover undiscovered trails? Or are you a keen photographer who wants to catch the Northern Lights in all their splendor? Perhaps you have a fascination with Icelandic history and tradition, or perhaps your fantasy is to bathe in a remote hot springs area away from the masses. A personalized schedule guarantees that your trip to Iceland will be more than simply another vacation—rather, it will be a compilation of experiences that are exclusively yours.

Exclusive Experiences: Beyond the Ordinary

In Iceland, custom travel also provides access to unique experiences that are frequently inaccessible to regular visitors. Imagine going on a private glacier trek with a knowledgeable guide who explores the myths and science of these glacial behemoths. Think about going on a customized culinary tour to sample traditional Icelandic cuisine prepared by neighborhood cooks at off-the-beaten-path eateries. These unique experiences, which might include a private whale-watching excursion, a visit to a remote hot spring, or an inside peek at a typical Icelandic farm, give your vacation a deeper, more genuine feel.

Flexibility and Freedom: Travel at Your Own Pace

The freedom that personalized travel provides is one of its biggest benefits. You may make last-minute changes to your schedule when you have a personalized one. Maybe the weather is ideal for a last-minute vacation to the Blue Lagoon, or perhaps you want to spend an additional day visiting the Golden Circle. Custom travel gives you the freedom to choose at your speed and according to your schedule, unlike group trips that follow established itineraries. This adaptability guarantees that your trip to Iceland will seem more like a customized experience than a pre-arranged tour.

Expert Guidance: Local Insights and Hidden Gems

For a personalized vacation experience, collaborating with a travel expert possessing a comprehensive understanding of Iceland is priceless. You won't discover advice from these specialists in internet reviews or guidebooks. They are knowledgeable about hidden jewels that only locals know about, the ideal times to visit well-known sites to avoid the crowds and the subtle cultural differences that can enhance your stay. Their advice may take your trip from ordinary to spectacular, whether it's setting up a visit to a lesser-known but no less beautiful waterfall or suggesting a family-run guesthouse where you can enjoy genuine Icelandic hospitality.

Sustainable Travel: Respecting Iceland’s Natural Beauty

One of Iceland's main attractions is its natural beauty, however, this duty for sustainable travel equally applies. Personalized travel enables more deliberate and eco-friendly decision-making. Travel experts can assist you in booking eco-friendly lodging, planning activities that minimize your effect, and promoting regional companies. You may make sure that your visit has a good impact on Iceland's environment and communities, protecting its beautiful landscapes for future generations, by choosing a customized vacation.

Creating Lasting Memories: The True Value of Custom Travel

Making memories that will last a lifetime is the ultimate aim of every trip. Personalized travel is more than just going to a place; it's about creating memories that last long after you've left. These unique encounters become treasured memories, whether it's the breathtaking view of the Northern Lights dancing across the sky, the exhilaration of riding an Icelandic horse across tough terrain, or the peaceful hours of contemplation beside a remote lake. They are the moments you'll relive in your memory every time you think about Iceland, the tales you'll share for years to come, and the pictures you'll proudly hang on your wall.

Conclusion:

It takes more than simply seeing the sites to make a bespoke vacation to Iceland unforgettable. It's about fully experiencing the nation's distinct beauty and culture in a way that speaks to you on an intimate level. You may make sure that your Taxi Reykjavik airport trip across Iceland is as distinctive and remarkable as the country itself by selecting a customized strategy. Whether it's your first time here or a repeat visit, personalized travel from Puffin Taxi gives you the chance to have an authentically unique experience in Iceland, making memories that will last a lifetime.

[umichenginabroad]

Week 3: Becoming Cultured in Reykjavik

Welcome back to Reykjavik and sorry for the delay in posting this. A few things came up and I’ve had a lot of things on my plate that have been keeping me a bit more on the busy side. Anyways, without further ado let's get right into this past week.

Museums:

Now hear me out, normally I am not a museum person but sometimes you have to experience the local culture and see what the place has to offer. Reykjavik has a city card which can grant you up to 72 hours of free museum entries, free bus rides, free pool entry, and discounts to some of the smaller private owned museums. We had a three day weekend and so we decided to spend the weekend going to some of the museums and checking them out. We knew that we wanted to do this for a while and this weekend just worked out really well to do so. 

Our first museum was a small art museum by our apartment. This one had some really interesting pieces. I’m not personally the biggest art enthusiast and I’m not the best at understanding art so I can’t really get to retrospective here. I just see pretty pictures and think that picture is pretty or cool looking. Sometimes I can tell the hidden meaning but, if there’s no description to go off of it’s really hard to judge the artist’s meaning. 

Mountain Milk by Johannes S. kjarval

After this initial museum we had about a 30 minute walk to the next museum. Honestly, one of the nicest things about Reykjavik is that it is extremely walkable for a city. This next museum was about a very specific Icelandic sculptor and it is inside of his house. Honestly my initial thought was how did this man live in this place and how was it situated when he lived there. But, in terms of the art it is some really cool pieces. I find sculptures to be really fascinating because it takes an insane amount of work to be able to build something in 3 dimensional space. In the same way that if you think about cubing something versus just squaring it means that you have that much more to work with. Shown below is one of the more interesting pieces that I found which was called the blacksmiths and was three identical pieces of different sizes. My interpretation is that it’s meant to represent different experience levels of trades, there's the master, the worker, and the apprentice. Their individual size is representative of their skill level, that’s my interpretation at least.

The Blacksmiths by Asmundur Sveinsson

Sunday we continued our museum journey. Our first stop on the museum tour for Sunday was a very interesting and contemporary museum that had some unique installations. I don’t really know how to describe all of the things that were here other than in vague descriptions. I’m going to include the coolest piece that I saw there but we also did see another piece which showcased the movement of magnetic north throughout time which was a collection of 20+ pieces. 

These are all flowing and are all videos and continue throughout all the walls. I just find it cool how they show different parts of Iceland.

Our next museum is one that is going to go without a picture and for good reason. The next stop was one that everyone who I know who's gone to Iceland has extremely suggested and practically demanded that we go here. It is the Icelandic Phallogical museum. Now, if you don’t know what a phallus is then consider yourself lucky and don’t search it up, if you do know what a phallus is then it is exactly what you would think it is. The museum had them from a bunch of species as well as habits and facts about them. It’s so cool. Also, the museum had a cafe which was the most important thing here and I will talk more about that later in the food review section.

Afterwards we decided to go to the photography museum thinking that it sounded interesting. What we saw was more disturbing than the last place. What we saw was the decomposition of a horse in nature and its body. It was both disturbing and mildly interesting. The way that nature and the world built around the horse was really fascinating and it was beautiful in a weird way. 

I did take a video of all the pictures of the decomposition but I figured that might be a little much for this.

Next we went to another art museum but this one was leagues ahead of the one we saw on saturday. This one had special features by two artists and each of the artists' pieces took up whole rooms and were amazing experiences. One of the pieces put you in a dark room with flickering lights, an ambiguous smell that’s neither good nor bad, and freaky and creaky sounds. It was such a surreal experience and is something that I’ve never seen done to this extent before. There were many amazing experiences like this at the museum but I can’t do them justice. It is honestly something you have to experience yourself. I highly recommend going to the Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús. For reference I will try and explain this next piece (the one in the picture below). In this piece there are these metal sheets and there is noise that is generated by these metal sheets vibrating at specific frequencies and the noise has certain characteristics caused by the divots and features of the metal sheets. The metal sheets themselves are really interesting art pieces, but the unique combination of the sounds generated makes it so much more interesting .

These gigantic plates in their hall that vibrate at extremely high frequencies but with very low amplitude. 

The final museum of our museum tour day was the National Museum of Iceland. As you might expect from something boasting that title it was amazing. This museum focused on the history and development of Iceland. It had artifacts and told a story about the growth and development of Iceland as a culture and nation. As a history nerd and someone who just likes learning about this stuff I loved going here. I honestly felt like I needed more time. We were at the museum for an hour and I was feeling rushed near the end and so I missed out on some of the more modern Icelandic history. The unique thing here was that due to it being Iceland’s 80th anniversary the museum had a special exhibit about the founding of Iceland. It was really interesting learning about it and how it had some of the highest voter turnout in the world of any election.

Icelandic Coat of Arms

THERMAL POOOOOOL!!!!!!!

Sorry it was just really nice

So Iceland is known in part due to their high volume of geothermal activity and hot water. Iceland has thermal heated pools. In these pools there is no chlorine in the water and the water is extremely fresh and really nice. The normal pools are pretty nice like ~70 degrees fahrenheit like a nice warmish temperature. They also have an actual geothermal salt water hot tub that was 104 degrees fahrenheit. The entire experience was just surreal and was amazing. They also have cold tubs which are painful but can have health benefits. Now, I’ve talked about all the amazing benefits of the pools in Iceland, but there is also going to be no picture here. The reason being that in Iceland there are very strict rules about the pools. The price to pay in a sense for the pools being so clean and not having chlorine is that you have to take a naked shower and clean yourself off before you enter the pool. If you fail to wash yourself properly (this is what I’ve heard) you will get sprayed by a cold hose (which I did see the hose) to clean yourself. Obviously there are separating changing rooms and stuff and then you put your bathing suit on and leave your towel in the shower area afterwards. While it was weird at first to get nude for the shower the pools were more than worth it and honestly no one cares and everyone is just focused on their own stuff and just wants to go to the pool. 

Alex’s Food Corner

Welcome back to my scuffed food review. I hope you find something tasty here. 

Valdis Waffle + Ice cream:

Ok hear me out, this was actually sooo gas. Like no joke it was so good. Even though it did feel wrong and kind of weird to eat ice cream with a fork and knife it was delicious. The fresh belgian waffle just melts and the ice cream is just so nice and sweet and the flavors work so well. I got mine with pistachio and toblerone ice cream. Honestly it just hit the spot just right and made my day. Sorry to all those out there who are allergic to tree nuts and stuff but it was just a good combination (and there’s more ice cream to come). I did pass out for like 2 hours afterwards but that’s my fault for not drinking water. Easy 9/10. 

Reykjavik University Fish and Chips:

I felt like trying the school’s lunch. Honestly it was one of the most reasonably priced meals that I’ve had in Iceland and it was pretty good. I’m not the biggest fan of fish, but if you put it in batter and fry it it’s pretty good. Pretty solid 7/10

Pasta with Chicken and red sauce:

Now hear me out, this is so good. This is just some pasta cooked in chicken broth with tomato paste and some spices. It honestly is so good and just hit the mood I was feeling and was so good. I did have to defend myself for cooking this because I boiled chicken which I didn’t know was a controversial topic. Anyways, it was so good and I am probably going to make some more this week. Easy 9/10 

Phallus Waffle with bacon:

Ok this is probably pushing what I am allowed to put on here but it was so good. The phallological museum has a cafe in which they sell phallus shaped waffles. It was around lunchtime and I wanted something savory and so I got a bacon waffle with fries. Ignoring the shape of the waffle (which is just a funny touch), the waffle and bacon itself were cooked really well and it honestly tasted delicious 8/10.

Rolled Pistachio and Kit-Kat Ice Cream:

I was really feeling Ice cream this past week ok. On our way back from the museums, some of us decided to go get ice cream and we found this cute little shop on our way. So we stopped in there and I got pistachio and kit-kat rolled ice cream with chocolate shavings and granola. My logic was like trying to go for a nutty granola bar kind of flavor profile and honestly I cooked. This was such a good combination and it was delicious. Again, I am sorry to all my nut allergic friends but this was good. The only thing dragging this down was the weird berries in the granola that I picked out cause they didn’t taste good. A pretty reasonable 8/10.

Hard Rock Cafe Burger:

It was one of the people’s birthday and so to celebrate we went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Reykjavik. It was honestly a really good meal. The burger was cooked really well and it was one of the best burgers that I’ve had so far while in Iceland. In addition, they had real pickles which did help. The fries needed a little salt but they were good after that. Pretty easy 8.5/10

Toblerone Crepe:

I know I am a repeat offender but when I see something that I don’t usually see I have to try it. We went to a crepe shop and they offered toblerone as one of the toppings for the crepes. I got it and let me say, that was gas and I loved it. It was a little expensive but honestly it was well worth it. The crepe just melted in my mouth and it was so good to eat and I would honestly go there again. I have to give this a 9/10.

Kiwi Boba Slush:

Now for those of you who don’t know what Boba is then you are missing out. We had our first programming exam on thursday and so to celebrate I went and got Boba, something that I like to do to celebrate finishing an exam. There’s a boba shop right by our apartment and it’s one of the only ones that I have seen in Reykjavik as a whole. I will say, this was one of THE BEST kiwi slushes or just boba in general that I have ever had. I am not lying when I say that this was unironically so good. It may very well have just been that I was in the mood for it and was not emotionally great at that time so this just tasted extra good but it was SOOO GOOD. I have a friend who is allergic to tree nuts and kiwi, and to you I am sorry, you know who you are and I swear it was just that they tasted good. I just happened to eat a lot of these things this past week and I enjoyed it. Anyways, the boba’s rating is a very solid 9/10.

That’s all for me this past week, and I swear I will release my blog post talking about actually studying while abroad but there’s just been so much cooler stuff to talk about other than just boring studying stuff. There’s just been a lot on my plate with the exam and other stuff but it’ll get out I pinkie promise.

Alex Shamoun

Robotics

Engineering in Reykjavik 

[williamllucas]

Luxurious Travel Tips: Exclusive Solo Travel to Iceland!

Do you like the finest things in life and travel alone? Have visions of an Icelandic journey that blends the excitement of discovery with the comforts of home? We will provide some clever luxury travel tips in this blog article to help anybody organizing a solo vacation to Iceland have an unforgettable time.

Solo Travel to Iceland – 

Iceland has become a traveler's dream destination because of its amazing scenery, thunderous waterfalls, and lively culture. The island country is a great place for travelers looking for both luxury and adventure since it provides a unique combination of urban sophistication and natural grandeur. Iceland is a great destination for single travelers, particularly women since it is often ranked among the world's safest nations. Iceland provides a variety of unusual experiences, such as feasting on delicious Icelandic food, touring ice caves, and taking a bath in a geothermal hot spring.

Luxury Travel Hacks -

Private Tours: To discover Iceland's natural treasures, choose a private guided trip. Your journey will be customized by skilled experts who may adjust the itinerary to fit your interests and speed.

Boutique Accommodations: Select opulent lodges or boutique hotels that provide a warm, welcoming ambiance. These lodgings often provide upscale facilities and attentive service.

Fine Dining: The gastronomy of Iceland is developing rapidly. Savor fine Icelandic dining at renowned eateries in Reykjavik and nearby areas. Remember to try the local specialties, which include fresh fish and lamb from Iceland.

Spa Retreats: Relax in the Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths, two of Iceland's geothermal spas. Get pampered with an opulent spa package to relax after a full day of sightseeing.

Luxurious Transportation: To improve your trip, think about hiring a luxurious automobile or SUV or a high-end vehicle. Owning a car gives you the freedom to visit off-the-beaten-path locations whenever it suits you.

Helicopter Tours: See Iceland's breathtaking scenery from above with a helicopter tour for a very lavish experience. Seeing far-off places like the Highlands and glaciers is exhilarating. Take a luxurious tour of the Northern Lights with experts who can show you the finest places to see them.

Expert Photography: Use expert photography services to document your trip to Iceland. A lot of tour companies provide this service, so you may be sure to have beautiful experiences to treasure.

Overall, you can have as opulent and breathtaking of a solo trip to Iceland as you would want. You may travel alone and enjoy all of Iceland's natural beauty, culture, and comfort with these luxury travel tips. It is a chance to enjoy the seclusion of traveling alone without sacrificing the finer things in life. Make bookings, plan, and think about utilizing a trustworthy travel website like traveltillyoudrop.com to get additional advice and insights for your vacation before you go on your solo trip to Iceland. You may be sure that your alone trip to Iceland will be an amazing and memorable experience if you have these tips at your disposal.

[dsandrvk]

Thursday, August 10 - Reykjavik

Our forecast was for all-day rain, but once again the weather forecasters got it wrong, and after a few light sprinkles, we had coolish temps (around 50 degrees F) and very strong east winds, but no real rain. Since we had been to Reykjavik before, but had rented a car and gone the "golden circle" out into the countryside, we opted to stay close to the capital city this time.

Our original plan has been to take a ferry a short distance to a now uninhabited island with trails, ruins, and a view back to the city, but the threat of rain and the howling wind made the thought of tramping around the flat, treeless expanse less than appealing. So we went with option number two, which was to take the shuttle bus the 2.5 miles into the main part of town, and just explore. We figured we could still do the island if the wind died down and we got bored in town.

But Reykjavik has lots of areas to explore, and we managed to fill our day checking out neighborhoods and main attractions. This small city and environs has a population of around 248,000 residents, which is about 66% of the population of Iceland. Our bus dropped us off by Harpa, the concert hall and opera house that faces onto the "old harbor" area. It is quite stunning, even on a gloomy day, with different colored hexagonal glass panels. We managed to walk around inside later in the day while waiting for our shuttle bus, and although we didn't get to see into the theaters, the lobby areas were extremely photogenic.

From here we wandered along the waterfront, passing the main tourist area with lots of restaurants and stores, mostly geared to the tourist trade. There is still a cruise dock here for at least one ship, although a bigger cruise terminal was located out near where our ship was docked. Surprisingly, the business areas were fairly compact and a couple of blocks away were lots of private houses, most clad in vertical corrugated metal sheathing. It makes sense in this area of few trees and harsh conditions that a more durable sheathing would be used, although pebbled concrete is also common. There is also a good amount of wooden window and porch detailing, usually painted a contrasting color. And almost every large expanse of end wall boasted some street mural - some were great, some okay and a few were somewhat disturbing.

All around the city, on every building and flagpole, were pride flags. The library here even had a selection of LGBTQ+ books proudly displayed just off their lobby. And near City Hall was a pop-up "Pride Centre" with flags, scarves, hats, and other merchandise, along with a small cafe. It turns out that we were there smack dab in the middle of their pride festival, which runs from August 8-13, culminating in a parade this Saturday that is expected to draw over 100,000 people.

We grabbed a couple of hot dogs at the famous Baerjarins Beztu Pylsur, which is just a small shed that only serves the hot dogs and soft drinks and coffee and that's it. There are lots of other Pylsur stands around Reykjavik, but this is the original and at lunchtime the line can get really long. They're served with onions, relish and several kinds of mustard and all the tables around have these wooden "rests" to place the dog in while you are doing something else.

We also walked by City Hall, which overlooks a small nicely landscaped lake. In a large downstairs room there is a topographical model of all of Iceland, at least 40 feet across. It is remarkably detailed, with inhabited areas painted orange. While we were there there was a steady stream of guided tours that walked around it and heard about the various locations. We enjoyed looking at Heimey Island, where we had just been, and Isafjordur, where we will be tomorrow.

Another major stop in Reykjavik is the Hallgrimskirja, a huge Lutheran Church on the highest point of the city. The church stands 244 feet tall, and is one of the highest buildings in the country, and can also be seen from almost any point in Reykjavik. It was originally designed in 1937, but wasn't completed until 1986. There is a statue of Leif Erickson in front of the church that predated construction and was designed by Alexander Stirling Calder, the father of the Alexander Calder famous for mobiles and stabiles (especially some in Chicago). The interior of the church is quite plain, but evokes gothic cathedrals in its immensity and vaulted arches.

A more modern sculpture faces out onto the waterfront not far from Harpa, called Sun Voyager. It was commissioned to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Reykjavik. The stainless steel sculpture is evocative of a Viking ship, and was originally supposed to face west, into the setting sun, but changes in urban redevelopment led to its current location, facing north. It does seem to be a popular place for selfies, as well as a climbing structure for children.

Notes on the other pictures - the tall green column is actually a public WC. It takes coins, and since we didn't change any money in Iceland (cards are accepted everywhere, including at hot dog stands), we opted to use the bathrooms at the library and City Hall during the day. The second shot is just a residential neighborhood with very neat houses, and the dark brown house with a steep roof is the first house in Reykjavik, originally built in 1762. The house with the onion dome appears to be a guest house, and just appealed to me visually.

Somehow we never had time to go to the island, as we found too many things to do and see in the city itself. I took lots more pictures than I have space for here, and may include them later, since all the color in the buildings, signs and flags made up for a somewhat gloomy day. Tomorrow we are on to Isafjordur, another repeat stop for us that we never got a chance to properly explore. The weather is supposed to improve, too.

[discovericelandtours]

Top Reasons Why You Should Make Reykjavik Your Base While Touring Iceland

Iceland is a land of natural beauty, with stunning landscapes, glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, and volcanoes. When planning a trip to Iceland, choosing a base camp is essential. While there are many towns and cities in Iceland, Reykjavik stands out as the best option. Here are the top reasons why you should make Reykjavik your base while touring Iceland:

  Central Location

Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital city and is situated on the southwest coast. Its central location makes it an excellent base for exploring the rest of the country through Private Tours in Iceland organized by Discover, a superior travel agency. Most of Iceland’s main attractions are within a few hours’ drive of Reykjavik. Whether you’re interested in the Golden Circle, South Coast, or Westfjords, Reykjavik is the perfect starting point.

  Wide Range of Accommodation Options

Reykjavik has a wide range of accommodation options, from hostels and budget hotels to luxury apartments and high-end hotels. Whatever your budget, you can find a place to stay in Reykjavik that suits your needs in your Private Tours in Iceland.

  Great Restaurants

Reykjavik has an excellent food scene, with a wide range of restaurants serving Icelandic and international cuisine. Whether you’re looking for seafood, lamb, or vegan options, you can find it all in Reykjavik. Some of the best restaurants in Iceland are located in Reykjavik, making it an excellent place to try new foods.

  Vibrant Nightlife

Reykjavik has a vibrant nightlife scene, with a wide range of bars, clubs, and live music venues. Whether you’re looking for a quiet drink or a wild night out, you can find it in Reykjavik. The city is known for its lively nightlife, and there is always something happening in the evenings.

Easy to Get Around

Reykjavik is a small city, and it’s easy to get around on foot or by public transport. The city is compact, and most of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other. There are also plenty of buses and taxis available if you need them.

  Plenty of Things to See and Do

Reykjavik has plenty of things to see and do, from museums and art galleries to thermal pools and spas. You can visit the famous Hallgrimskirkja church, take a stroll around the old harbor, or explore the city’s many parks and gardens. There is something for everyone in Reykjavik.

  Close to Nature

While Reykjavik is a city, it’s also close to nature. There are plenty of opportunities to explore Iceland’s stunning natural beauty from Reykjavik. You can take a day trip to the famous Blue Lagoon, go whale watching, or hike in the nearby mountains. Reykjavik is the perfect base for exploring Iceland’s natural wonders.

  Safe and Friendly

Iceland is known for being a safe and friendly country, and Reykjavik is no exception. The city is safe to walk around, even at night, and the locals are known for being friendly and welcoming to tourists.

  Summary

Reykjavik is the perfect base for exploring Iceland. With its central location, wide range of accommodation options, excellent food scene, vibrant nightlife, and easy access to nature, Reykjavik has everything you need for a memorable trip. Whether you’re traveling on a budget or looking for luxury, Reykjavik has something for everyone.

  To get the latest updates visit our blog and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

  Blog source: https://discover.is/top-reasons-why-you-should-make-reykjavik-your-base-while-touring-iceland/

[dailytomlinson]

2020 is finally coming to an end, and we can’t say we’re disappointed about it. It sure has been a long way for everyone, yet some artists had a lot on their plate. Take a look at Louis Tomlinson’s year. As complicated as 2020 has been for him, he still unlocked achievements and outdid himself in the best way. So let’s take a look at how Louis Tomlinson made 2020 his year, let’s go!

Louis Tomlinson Released His Debut Solo Album Walls

After four years of anticipation, and a good two years of teasing, Louis released his debut album, Walls, on January 31st. The record received positive critics and fantastic feedback from his loyal Louies. From the party anthem ‘Kill My Mind’ to the emotional ‘Two Of Us’, with a few sweet escapes such as ‘Too Young’, not to mention the punchy ‘Always You’, the album brought the fans everything they had hoped for. In addition to that, Louis stole our hearts with heartfelt and sincere lyrics that only he has the secret of. Magic.

Louis Started His Worldwide Tour And Gave His First Solo Show

Louis started his worldwide tour in March before it got interrupted. Touring was what he had always been looking forward to, ever since he’d decided to start a solo career. Louis had expressed the exciting feeling and positive stress that he feels right before going on stage. Luckily enough, he had the time to perform twice in Spain at the beginning of March. His first whole solo show took place at Razzmatazz, in Barcelona, and reunited around 2000 fans (sold out). An hour and a half of musical bliss, a performer who shares a lot with his fans, and an incredibly talented band. What else?

Walls Went Number #1 In 53 Countries And Worldwide Upon Release

Louis Tomlinson made 2020 his year in the charts too. He always had a dedicated fandom, and that’s no surprise. However, he seemingly wasn’t expecting the global success of his debut album Walls. Indeed, it went number #1 on iTunes in 53 countries upon its release on January 31st, including the United Kingdom and the major part of South America. Not only that, but the album also climbed the iTunes Worldwide Chart to reach #1 in a matter of hours. Legends only.

Louis Released The Music Video for ‘Walls’, And It’s A Masterpiece

January 16th revealed the final single off Walls, the album, which was none other than the title track itself. Louis described it then as his proudest song on the album, with strong influences of Oasis. A few days later, on the 21st, Louis blessed us with the music video, shot in Morocco by Charlie Ligthening. The camera follows Louis through the Sahara desert and traces his path through a ballroom and dancing crowds. Some other scenes show him surrounded by masked people, or behind four silhouettes that he identified as his four former bandmates. The Easter eggs, the quality of the video, and the suit (yes, the suit, don’t you lie) made it a fans’ favorite, for it now counts more than 12 Million views.

Louis Reached 1.4 Billion Streams on Spotify

It looks like the fans’ streaming parties paid off this year. With only one album, four other songs, and remixes or edits, Louis reached the milestone of 1.4 Billion streams on Spotify this year. Additionally, he also made it to 4 Million followers on the platform. The numbers speak for themselves, and the achievement is huge for an artist who only received little promotion for a debut album, stopped on its way due to the pandemic. Here’s to his first billion, and some more soon! Overall, Louis knows he can count on his devoted Louies to increase the number of streams significantly with new challenges, the way they did it in December with #12DaysOfWalls. (Original idea by @miss_always_you).

He Launched Only The Poets Internationally

If you’re a Louie, there are big chances that this name rings a bell. Only The Poets, a band coming from Reading in the UK, literally skyrocketed this year. After their first performance as Louis’ first act on stage at Scala in February 2020, their popularity started increasing. And Louis confirming them as his first European act only made it better for them. They continued their year with live-streams, private Zoom calls, and pre-listening sessions of their singles with fans. They ended it with a social distanced show in Banbury and a Zoom Tour in a few European countries and South America. And the mutual support Louis and these lads give each other is heartwarming.

Louis Decided To Part Ways With Syco

This one is for the fans. After ten years of collaboration with Sony’s label, Syco, Louis decided to part ways with them for a new adventure. He officially announced his decision with a tweet on July 11th that took no time to break the Internet. Soon enough, hashtags related to the news trended around Twitter, other artists, and radios congratulated him on his decision. Louies celebrated with funny memes and GIFs but made sure to surround Louis with love and support through it all. Now we wait (for the new label announcement).

Louis Didn’t Only Postpone His Tour, He Made It Bigger

Another proof that Louis Tomlinson made 2020 better. Not only did Louis pursue his dream and goal to tour, but he also grew it out. After postponing the tour three times, the newly announced European dates include a few more stops, including Reykjavik (Iceland), Warsaw (Poland), Prag (Czech Republic), Vienna (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland), and an additional date in Paris (France)! The shows sold out in less than 40 minutes, making it more than 15,000 tickets purchased. Due to the high demand in Zurich, the venue changed and 500 more tickets went on sale! In Argentina, a wild mobilization of fans on Twitter led him to open the whole Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires. Some additional tickets went on sale for the Chilean show as well. And guess what? They all sold out.

Louis Was Crowned Artist Of The Summer With 13 Million Votes

Still, doubting that Louis Tomlinson made 2020 his year? A radio station from Philadelphia, @965TDY, launched a Twitter award ceremony last summer to crown an artist ‘Artist Of The Summer’. Many polls, 13 Million votes, and 26 Billion points later, Louis was elected and was all over Twitter thanking his fans for their dedication. Louies had acquired the absolute record of 26 Billion points thanks to their votes on the radio station’s website, and thanks to their mass voting parties. Another proof that Louis and his fans are unstoppable altogether. The support is always undeniably strong, and so is the bond between the artist and the fans. Happy days.

Walls Magically Rises On The Itunes Charts In October

Indeed, nine months after its release, a new wave of fans bought the album on iTunes and made it rise in the charts. The magic truly happened after @UpdateHLD (a Twitter update account), reminded new fans to purchase the album if they had not already. Considering Louis gained a certain amount of fans during the global lockdown, the initiative went successful, and soon enough, Walls was climbing the charts just like it did on January 31st. As incredible as it seems, it even received its first #1 on the USA iTunes chart. Louis didn’t miss on thanking his fans for their continuous support, expressing how amazed he was by the chart climb.

Louis Offered An Online Live-Stream Show, #LTLivestream

Early December, Louis announced his first live-stream show from London for December 12th, entitled #LTLivestream. He promised a very special show, hosted by the platform Veeps, and didn’t lie. The general sale for the tickets (of course) crashed the website, making everyone panic. Louis then confirmed that the tickets were unlimited. The show was as incredible as originally announced, with an orchestra, fans participating through a digital wall, and a new haircut that conquered the fans. The numbers later revealed that Louis had sold over 160,000 tickets. #LTLivestream is the most sold live-stream for a male solo artist in 2020. Being the generous philanthropist that Louis is, he has given the $2.8 Million raised to many charities and his touring crew. The charities benefitting from the funds are FareShare UK, StageHand, Crew Nation, and Bluebell Wood. And they wonder why we love him.

Louis Surprised His Fans With A New Song Called ‘Copy Of A Copy Of A Copy’

Last but not least, after spending a year on a rollercoaster, Louis revealed a brand new song during #LTLivestream. He had been hinting at it through a teaser for the live-stream and via a cryptic tweet that made everyone think he was referring to ‘Copy Of A’ by Nine Inch Nails. However, he proved everyone wrong during the show with a brand new song. ‘Copy Of A Copy Of A Copy’ reminds us of the general sound of ‘Walls’ (the single), and stole everyone’s heart and soul once again. Immediately after the show, the fans asked Louis when the single would be out, to which he replied that he wasn’t sure about it being one. The disappointment faded away when he said it remained an option and would put it on the second album. We’ll take that.

And that, folks, is how Louis Tomlinson made 2020 his year for us! We have so many memories of Louis this year and can’t pick a favorite! What would be yours? And what do you think is yet to come from Louis next year? 

[hollywoodfamerp]

Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland!

Featuring a subterranean spa, a geothermal lagoon and a restaurant that re-imagines Iceland’s culinary traditions, this 62-suite luxury hotel is encircled by the Blue Lagoon’s mineral-rich waters. All rooms provide a mini-bar with soft drinks, wine and Icelandic beer, turndown service, WiFi and 24-hour room service.

Located in the heart of an extraordinary volcanic frontier, the Retreat offers all guests unlimited access to the Retreat Spa, the Retreat Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon and Blue Lagoon Ritual, as well as skin care amenities. Designed to erase the boundaries between hospitality and well-being, each suite becomes the foundation of a relaxing, rejuvenating and exploratory experience.

Offering daily guided group hikes and yoga sessions as well as afternoon Icelandic coffee in the shared lounge, this hotel has a 24-hour front desk, concierge service and valet parking. An à la carte breakfast is served each morning.

UNDER THE CUT, YOU WILL FIND THE ITINERARY FOR OUR ICELAND TRIP!

Just a quick note: there is only ONE mandatory event during the trip, which is the Blue Lagoon Party. Everything else in the itinerary are just suggestions of things that will be happening daily on the trip and stated just to get creative juices flowing. You are not held to do any of the items listed and can come up with your own itinerary if you wish. However, everyone must be at the Blue Lagoon Party.

In a few days the roommates list will be posted! Please be sure to do at least ONE para, chatzy, text thread or gif chat with your roommate and please BE SURE TO TAG THE MAIN IN IT OR SEND US AN IM WITH THE LINK so we know everyone is making new connections and plots! We ask that you only tag the main or send us the link via IM when the thread reaches at least 6 notes. We will be keeping track, otherwise a strike will be implemented. This interaction can be one of the events that will be listed in the itinerary below or it can just be something the two of you plot on your own! Roommates will be generated by a randomizer. While couples will not be rooming together, on February 14th (Valentine’s Day) all couples are allowed to have their celebs rent out a private suite for the entire night if the muns want. However, the night of the 15th - regular roommates will be back.

Please remember that this is a MANDATORY trip from February 9th until February 16th – meaning all celebs need to be in attendance for the trip. Whether you are on hiatus or not, you must say your celeb is attending the trip.

Please like this notice so we know you’re all up to date! 

SUNDAY, FEB 9TH

ARRIVAL: Celebrities arrive in Iceland. Time of arrival is up to mun.

FEB 10TH - 14TH: SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

SNOWMOBILE ON A GLACIER: Cruise through snow and ice on Langjökull, one of Iceland’s largest glaciers, on this guided tour. Take a ride in a 4x4 monster ice truck and enjoy the Icelandic scenery on the ride to the glacier. Then, suit up in the provided gear, learn how to drive the snowmobile, and follow your guide as you speed through ice and snowfields. (Can be done during the day OR at night. At night celebs can get to view the Northern Lights!)

WHALE WATCHING: Scout out minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and orcas as you cruise from Reykjavik by luxury yacht. The Amelia Rose vessel offers a smooth sail over the sometimes-turbulent Icelandic seas, and boasts three partially sheltered viewing decks plus a sumptuous lounge that’s complete with cozy blankets and onboard Wi-Fi. Learn about sea life from the team as you go, cruising around Iceland’s wildlife-rich Faxaflói Bay.

GOLDEN CIRCLE DAY TRIP:  Your first stop is at the Thingvellir National Park, the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. This is where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, which allows you the unique feeling of having one foot in each world. Next destination is the famous Geysir Hot Spring. Watch Strokkur erupt every few minutes up to 30 meters high. Here you can buy a lunch during the stop. Gullfoss the Golden Waterfall is next and will amaze you with its beauty and raw power.

HORSEBACK RIDING TOUR: Get close to nature in the way of old Icelanders on your 2 or 4-hour horseback riding experience from Reykjavik, dependent on transfer option. Hop on a small, sturdy, Icelandic horse, a breed originally brought here by the Vikings, and enjoy a relaxing ride through lava-laden scenery past mountains, lakes, and moors. Hot drinks, riding equipment and guidance is included.

SNORKELING: Swim between tectonic plates on this snorkeling tour to Silfra, located in Thingvellir National Park. Clear glacial waters make it easy to see stunning underwater landscapes, while included dry suits help keep you warm throughout the tour.

SECRET LAGOON: Soak in the warm waters of the Secret Lagoon, a scenic pool of natural hot springs. 

SATURDAY, FEB 15TH: MANDATORY EVENT 

BLUE LAGOON PARTY: You’ll need your bathing suit and your best party outfit soon after! Hollywood Fame will be renting out the entire Blue Lagoon for the A-list party. We’re starting off the event with all celebs taking a dip in the geothermal spa! Everyone will get to experience the rejuvenating powers of the Blue Lagoon's legendary waters and explore the breathtaking beauty of the moss-covered landscape.About this ticket. Various face masks will be given if the celebs wish to experience the full spa treatment. Access to Lava Cove (a private area within the Blue Lagoon) will also be open for use by the celebs. After - celebs will get the chance to clean up in one of the private bathrooms before putting on their best outfit and head to the Lava Restaurant. The fine dining establishment will be turned into a an unforgettable party spot. Food and drinks will be served as a DJ spins the tunes to get everyone going! With the views of the Blue Lagoon surrounding the restaurant it’s sure to be a night to remember! The hashtag for this event will be #hfrpbluelagoonparty

SUNDAY, FEB 16TH 

DEPARTURE: Celebrities leave Iceland. Time of departure is up to mun. Celebs do not have to leave Iceland just because the trip is over in the group.

[brn1029]

Time for your Rock Report

Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. has announced that due to overwhelming demand, legendary musician Billy Joel has added another show as part of his record-breaking residency at Madison Square Garden next year. The show, scheduled to be held on March 26, will mark Joel's 89th monthly and 135th lifetime show at The Garden. The record-breaking residency began in January 2014 with Joel playing one show every month at The Garden. The MSG franchise says he is ready to perform "as long as the demand continues".

Green Day and Eddie Vedder are set to headline the baseball-themed Innings Festival in Arizona next February.

The two-day festival is scheduled to take place February 25-26, 2023, with Green Day to headline on Saturday and Vedder on Sunday. In addition, the festival will feature performances from Weezer, Black Crowes, The Offspring, The Pretty Reckless, Paris Jackson, Marcus Mumford, The Revivalists, Mt. Joy, and more.

Elvis Costello has announced "Elvis In Iceland," a special four-day immersive experience featuring an exclusive private performance with pianist Steve Nieve. The 4-day event, which will also include a concert with special guest Nick Lowe, is set to take place between May 25-29, 2023 at Reykjavik's Harpa Concert Hall.

Attendees will be able to enjoy four days and nights of live music, an exclusive Q&A session with Costello and Lowe, photo opportunities with Elvis, Steve, and Nick, a limited edition signed event poster, four-star hotel accommodations, first-class meals, spa visits, tours of the Icelandic countryside, and much more.

Registrations for "Elvis In Iceland" are available now through December 25. In addition, a personal invitation from Costello is streaming now on YouTube.

[nevadacurrians]

The Best Whale Tours Options in Samana

Whale watching is the best way to spend a vacation in the Pacific Northwest. You can choose from private or commercial whale watching tours in Juneau. You will get the most out of your experience if you choose to depart from one of the main harbors in the town, which is located near the church. Whale watching tours in Juneau can be booked throughout the day. You'll get to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.

Whale watching isn't a very active activity but it's a wonderful experience. Not only do you get to see the largest mammals in the world, you'll also get to learn about the species that inhabit the ocean. You will be accompanied by a naturalist or marine biologist on your whale-spotting tour. They will help you to identify and understand the unique behaviors and habits of these animals.

There are many opportunities to whale-watch in Punta Cana tours. Kayak excursions are offered by many whale-watching outfitters to allow for a closer encounter. This area can host up to 200 orcas in the spring and summer. Other than orcas, there are grey, humpbacks, and minke Whales.

Juneau is frequently referred to as the best spot for whale-watching in Alaska. It is also one of the most popular spots worldwide to see humpback whales. Jayleen's Alaska, which is owned by local whale watching experts, takes small groups on tours to spot humpback whales. If you're fortunate, you might be able to spot orcas when you visit the area in July or August.

If you're tight on budget, you might consider a kayak ride. Many kayak tours are only $15 an hour, and are an excellent way to see orcas and blue whales from the water. Make sure you check the weather conditions before going out to see whales. These tours are popular among travelers to San Francisco since they can be taken directly from Pier 39.

Iceland is another wonderful location to whale watch and is one that is very popular around the globe. Iceland is home to several whale watching boat tours in Husavik, Dalvik, Hauganes, and Reykjavik. Several of these tour companies offer whale watching tours in the Faxafloi Bay. Some whales have been known to come close to the boats.

Whale watching in San Diego, California is a highly popular activity. There are many different ways to view this natural wonder. Some whale watching tours begin by taking passengers on a boat to a designated viewing area. For instance, blue whales are usually seen between November and February. There are many humpbacks that can be viewed throughout the year. Their breaching behavior is a big draw for whale watchers. On your tour, you might see harbor seals, dolphins, and California Sea Lions. If you're lucky enough, you might be able to see orcas in the area.

[bluelagooncyprus]

Is it worth visiting Blue Lagoon in Cyprus?

If you're thinking about planning a trip to Cyprus, you may be wondering if it's worth visiting Blue Lagoon. Located on the island of Cyprus, the Blue Lagoon is a man-made lagoon that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. To help you decide if it's worth a visit, our Travel & Leisure journalists evaluated Blue Lagoon based on traveller reviews, tourism statistics and our own expert analysis. Whether you're looking for a relaxing day at the beach or an exciting adventure, read on for everything you need to know to plan your visit to Blue Lagoon.

What is Blue Lagoon and why is it worth visiting

 The Akamas Hills National Park, also known as the Akamas Peninsula, is a national park in Cyprus. It’s made up of 8 different nature reserves, two of which are within the national park, namely the Blue Lagoon and Cape Greco.

The Akamas National Park is a unique area of the island that offers stunning views and plenty of natural attractions. The Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous attractions in the area, which is home to a variety of unique marine life. The lagoon is a protected Mediterranean sea, which is home to a variety of species of flora and fauna.

The Blue Lagoon is surrounded by hills on all sides, meaning you can swim, snorkel, and dive safely while admiring the beautiful scenery. The Blue Lagoon is a popular destination for tourists, and it’s also a great place to go if you want to go diving or hiking. It is one of the best places to snorkel in Cyprus, and it’s also one of the best dive sites in the country.

Why you should go to Blue Lagoon?

Blue Lagoon is a man-made lagoon with beautiful, turquoise waters, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees. It is located at the southern coast of the island, about 15 minutes away from central Reykjavik.

It is quite popular among the locals as well as tourists. The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction, with about 2 million visitors each year. Blue Lagoon has an underwater spa where you can swim and relax in geothermal seawater. It also caters to VIP guests with private tubs and massage treatments. The lagoon is rich in minerals such as silica, sodium, and calcium.

The water temperature here stays between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The temperature of the water is controlled to stay consistent. The water is rich in minerals, such as silica, sodium, and calcium. These minerals have therapeutic benefits. The water is said to have healing properties for arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, and many other skin diseases.

It also has anti-aging properties. The minerals in the Blue Lagoon help to remove dead skin cells. Water is known to help in treating skin diseases.

How long should you stay at Blue Lagoon?

 The Blue Lagoon in Akamas is a must-see attraction for anyone who visits Cyprus. You can relax in the crystal clear waters while admiring the breathtaking mountains, or take one of the many boat tours to explore the caves and coves along the coast. It is recommended that you spend at least 3 hours at the Blue Lagoon to fully experience all that it has to offer.

Most people visit Akamas for its beautiful beaches and the amazing scenery of the Blue Lagoon, but you can also go diving or snorkelling in the clear waters or hiking to nearby locations. You can also take one of the boat tours to explore all the caves and coves along the coast.

Things to do at Akamas Blue Lagoon

 Akamas Blue Lagoon is one of the most beautiful spots in Cyprus, and it's not to be missed!

The name "Lagoon" is quite literal; the water in Akamas Blue Lagoon is fresh, and it's a beautiful shade of turquoise. The lagoon is 1.25 miles in circumference, and the waters average about 16 feet deep.

The lagoon's water is fed by the ocean, but it's protected from the open ocean by the rocks that surround it. This makes it an ideal spot for diving, snorkelling, and swimming; the water quality is great and the water is always warm.

The lagoon is also a popular spot for sailing and kayaking. The lagoon is home to a variety of species, including the endangered Mediterranean monk seal and the endangered loggerhead sea turtle.

Blue Lagoon turtles protected area

The Blue Lagoon is a protected reserve area in Iceland. It was founded in 1975 with the main objective of protecting sea turtles.

Those turtles are the only species in the world which spend their entire life in the water. Once hatched, they never leave the water. The only places where they can find food are near the surface of the water.

The species is critically endangered because of poaching. For many years, hunters have been trying to catch baby turtles in the shallow waters where they were born.

Since 1975, the protected area of the Blue Lagoon has around 200 turtles, which amounts to less than 1% of the global population.

You can get the chance to visit specific locations and beaches where turtles are growing up their eggs and of course, if you are lucky enough you can see some small turtles getting out of their eggs and starting running towards the sea. It is surely a unique experience that not many people have the chance to see.

Where to stay in Blue Lagoon

The best place to stay in Akamas Blue Lagoon is at the Akamas Peninsula and Baths Hotel. This hotel is a quiet, family-run hotel that overlooks both the Akamas Peninsula and the Mediterranean. This hotel offers luxurious, comfortable accommodations, and the hotel’s restaurant serves delicious food with a fantastic reputation.

There are also areas that are specifically for camping where people usually go and spend their night there in their tents and camp beds. Bare in mind that there are a lot of mosquitos so be prepared for that as well.

Conclusion

Blue Lagoon is a fantastic place to visit in Cyprus. It's warm, clean and perfect for swimming and snorkelling. If you're looking for something more adventurous, you can circumnavigate the lagoon by boat. Blue Lagoon is also home to some excellent restaurants, cafés, and bars, so you won't be bored while you eat your lunch. Blue Lagoon may be crowded at times, but if you're looking for a day at the beach, Blue Lagoon is a great choice!

[taxi-in-iceland]

Day Trips from Reykjavik: Exploring Iceland Beyond the Capital

Introduction

Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, is the primary center of attraction for tourists visiting Iceland. But, the real magic of Iceland lies not just in Reykjavik but also in places beyond its capital. It's also about its natural beauty with majestic waterfalls and sensational volcanoes that will take your breath away. So, today we will take a look into places where you can visit while in Iceland beyond its capital city. You can book a taxi service in Reykjavik to visit these places. So, let's dive in.

Golden Circle Tour

The Golden Circle is the most famous of all scenic routes in Iceland and combines stunning landmarks and historically significant places in a circular sightseeing tour. Its proximity to Reykjavík and the airport area, as well as the short drive between the sights, make it convenient for everyone to include the Golden Circle tour into their itinerary. Whether you take only one or more days to explore the Golden Circle, you’ll experience some of the most stunning geological wonders Iceland has to offer!

South Coast Adventure

The south coast of Iceland is an astonishing medley of waterfalls, glaciers, and famous black sand beaches. They are the home to the biggest glacier in Europe and the gateway to some of the most beautiful hiking areas in Iceland. In case you don’t have your own vehicle, a lot of tour providers offer south coast tours starting from Reykjavík, ranging from 12-hour trips to 3-day excursions. We recommend you take your time - there are so many places to enjoy, trails to hike, and sights to photograph!

Snæfellsnes Peninsula Excursion

Snæfellsnes is the long and narrow peninsula sticking out of Iceland into the North-Atlantic Ocean to the west. Snæfellsnesoffers dramatic landscapes and examples of most of the natural wonders found in Iceland and is therefore often called “miniature Iceland” or “Iceland in a nutshell.”

Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay

Faxaflói is a large bay in west Iceland, between the Reykjanes and Snӕfellsnes Peninsula. It faces Reykjavík and is a hot spot for puffins and whale watching. Throughout the summer, the most commonly seen species are Minke and Humpback whales. Whereas, Harbour Porpoises and White-Beaked Dolphins are seen year-round. Other species are seen on occasion, including Orcas and Blue Whales.

Blue Lagoon Relaxation

The Blue Lagoon is a health and geothermal spa on the Reykjanes Peninsula. A visit to the Blue Lagoon Iceland geothermal spa is an important part of your stay in Iceland. Guests renew their relationship with nature, soak up the scenic beauty, and enjoy breathing the clean, fresh air while relaxing in the warm geothermal seawater.

Conclusion There are many beautiful places to visit in Iceland beyond Reykjavik. Private Tours From Reykjavik are available from many tour websites. Puffin Taxi is one such tour provider where we are dedicated to providing you with the best experience in Iceland that you want. From picking you up at the airport to planning your entire trip to Iceland, we are here to provide you with the best services possible.

[lindsaystravelblogs]

The end of Iceland

Day 9

We berthed at Siglufjordur and immediately after breakfast, we all had to have another RAT test. To avoid a second lobotomy, I managed to get tested by the male doctor. Last time, I was tested by a woman who seemed to be digging for gold and left me with a sore nose for a day or so.

I think eight people tested positive and after releasing some people from quarantine, I think we had 17 people in isolation for the rest of the trip.

Siglufjordur used to be the biggest herring fishery and processing town in Iceland and they have a big herring and cod museum in town.  It occupies five adjacent buildings and we explored all of them. They had a huge collection of fishing paraphernalia - from half a dozen fishing boats to hand-tools for processing the catch.  One building has an outdoor processing line where they show the tourists how the fish are washed, scaled, gutted, salted and packed into barrels.  The demonstrations occur three times a day and one was completing when we arrived so we never got to see that, and the next one was after we had to be back on the ship.  At least we could see most of the process from whole fish to barrels full of salted fish even if we couldn’t see the steps between.

We walked around town a bit on the way back to the ship and called in at the supermarket to buy a couple of items – but I can’t recall what.  We don’t really need anything extra on board because they feed us well – maybe it was postage stamps?

After lunch, we did the only thing that came close to an expeditionary activity. The ship moved to Dragney Island, a privately-owned island just off the coast. We got kitted up and into the zodiacs and cruised around the bird cliffs.  The cliffs were very dramatic with caves and fantastic holes in the rock towering above us and birds everywhere.  We were taken to a jetty, one zodiac at a time, where we met the ‘laird’: the owner of the island and his son.  They don’t live on the island permanently, but visit it and stay for short periods.  It is just a rarely-visited place that he purchased to conserve the bird cliffs and other natural environment.  There was another private tour there on the day – four people I think, known to the owner – but he doesn’t normally allow visitors.  The only reason we were allowed was because one of our crew is a personal friend of the owner and he negotiated the visit as something to do on the way back to Reykjavik.  We spent a couple of hours zodiacing around the island and the nearby solitary massive sea-stack until a couple of women in our zodiac carped long and loud enough wanting to be taken back to the ship.

Late in the afternoon, we all gathered in the Lecture area again for the Captain’s Farewell Cocktails and presentation of Certificates.  Everyone got a Certificate as evidence that they had circumnavigated Iceland (even though we didn’t) but the brave souls who did the Polar Plunge got an additional one certifying as to their insanity.  Our Expedition Leader waxed lyrical trying to gee us up into a frenzy of excitement after such a fantastic expedition but my heart wasn’t quite with him.

For us, it was the highlight of the entire non-circumnavigation and the only expedition-like thing we did in the whole eleven days.

Day 10

I had asked the staff if we could detour a few kilometres on the way into Reykjavik to try to see the volcanic eruption – and was told that they had already decided to do that, but not to tell anyone for fear of raising expectations – only to find it wasn’t visible  or shrouded in fog, etc.

But we did!  They woke us at 3:20 am and cruised along the coast very slowly so all the starboard passengers could see it, then they cruised back so the portside people could see it.  It was really just a glow on the horizon, but you could see a smoke plume and some reflection on the clouds.  I took some fairly poor photos but Heather got a few that were much better than mine where you could actually see a little of the glowing red lava so I will try to post that one.

Back to sleep for a few hours and then we were in Reykjavik and preparing to say goodbye to the people we had met.  Nine of us were going on to the Greenland expedition so would be back on board at night, but first we had to experience the Golden Circle again.  More of that shortly.

A mini-summary

Overall, I found this section of our trip pretty disappointing.  The highlights were very obviously Dragney Island and the volcanic eruption and associated earthquakes.  The rest was often mildly interesting but mostly a repeat by bus of what we had experienced by car.  The need to abort the most interesting part of the trip was disappointing, but if it weren’t for the threatening bad weather, we would not have seen Dragney Island at all.

The new ship is very clean and comfortable with excellent features but it is big and we don’t get close to anything so I very much prefer the old tubs we used to travel on – they were true expeditions and a lot more fun than the ‘bus ride’ of this trip.  (But we have now started our Greenland expedition and it is already better than the Iceland one in my view.)

Final Icelandic bird-count is 47 species, 20 of which we had not previously seen in Iceland.

[legionnaireslover]

Day 8: Iceland travels

Day 8: Wednesday September 19/18

We never went swimming after all but did have a yummy meal at a cafe on the main street. Dan had the meat soup with three small sides and bread and I had the salt cod in herbs with 3 sides. The sides we chose were carrots, broccoli and beets ( the serving size was about a large spoonful each). The beets were not pickled but were crunchy - I really liked them! The broccoli was almost nutty on flavour and crunchy too. My cod was a huge hunk of beautifully fresh fish done in a light herb sauce. Dano had a big bowl of hearty beef soup. We shared each others meals so we tasted everything. Our drink of choice was a large glass of Viking Gold draft. By the time we were done dinner it was too late to go swimming so we just went back to the hotel room and relaxed until bed time.

This morning it was a laid back sort of day - slept in, big smorgasbord breakfast with unending selection (included in the hotel room cost) and then back up to the room to do a bit of laundry. We plan on going swimming in a couple of hours. Later this afternoon we will be pony riding.

It is still raining but it isn't hard and there isn't any wind so it should be ok. I think we have to take our swim suits with use on the ride because we will be using a hot tub after the ride.

Talk to you all later...

After the laundry was done we took our swimming togs and went swimming at the huge public swimming facility right across the road from our hotel. What a great time we had experiencing Icelandic culture! We learned the ropes and then got our showers in the gender segregated rooms and dressed in our suits and met up again in the outdoor pool area. There were at least 7 different pools with differing temperatures (not counting the kiddie pools). We went first to one rather large one that was about 35 degrees. Then it was off to the lap pool which was decidedly cooler. They offered a basket of goggles at that pool and we spent quite a while swimming laps for exercise.

Then we tried out almost all the other pools. The hottest was set at 44 degrees c. They also had a cold water pool for contrast dipping. The had a steam room as well but we didn't try that. We had a great little chat with a gentleman who was on his lunch break who explained how the child pool worked. We stayed a bit longer than an hour and then we were getting hungry ( it was almost 2 PM.) So we headed back to the dressing rooms and met up in the lobby of the pool building. BTW the whole time we were there the "out of water" temperatures hovered around 6 degrees C.

We got tidied up and then headed downtown for lunch. We found a funky place and it actually served TEA PIGS TEA !!! AND they had PEPPERMINT!!!

Then it was a short time back at the hotel to get ready for our "horsey" time!

No problem catching the ride to the farm/guest house where we were scheduled to go for a ride on Icelandic horses. When we got there they informed us there would be no two course meal that was supposed to be included in the ride event. No big deal - we are getting a refund for the food and it means we can go anywhere we want for dinner at a later time as well. We were the only two people on the ride so it was a private ride just for us. :-))

Our guide was a young woman from Finland named Mary. We were given our tickets and headed down the path to the stables. Mary was expecting us and we were immediately put at ease by her warm and friendly manner.

She talked a bit about the basic rules and introduced us to our ponies (which were the size of very small horses). She was very patient and clear with her instructions. Once she explained the difference between western and English riding ( which was the method the Icelandic people use) she helped us mount our steeds and we were on our way!

Icelandic horses are extremely sensitive to audible commands so riding was very easy.

The ride was scheduled to last just over an hour and we had a great experience talking with Mary along the way. She had started out in the fashion business as a designer in London, but one day decided to chuck the crush of the big city and start training horses. That lead her Iceland finally although she "winters" in Australia training horses there for the tourist trade until the Icelandic winter is over.

She took pix of us on our horses at the half way point and complimented me on my handling of my ride!

The weather was fairly co-operative - just light drizzle now and again.

Both of us had tons of fun!

Finally we were back at the barns and dismounted, saying our goodbyes to Mary.

Part of the deal was a dip in the guesthouse hot tub ( we had brought our swimming suits). So we prepared ourselves and then went outside to the tub. While we were in the tub another couple joined us and they were from Vancouver. Actually the guy was originally from Hamilton and was VERY familiar with SARNIA !!!

We didn't spend too long in the tub but it was fun talking to that couple. It took a while to get dried off and dressed but then they offered us a tea and a brownie before heading back into town.

Everything was wonderful but unknowingly I forgot our swimsuits after we had finished our brownies. I didn't discover this until halfway through supper but I quickly called the pony farm and arranged for them to deliver our suits tomorrow. Unfortunately they won't be able to get them to us until after we have left for our tour of Lake Mytvan. But at least we will have them back before we head back to Reykjavik. For the tour we will just rent suits for the Nature baths tomorrow - so all is well.

Our dinner was exquisite! We had martinis, dan had a steak and I had lamb tenderloin. It was a gourmet delight!

Wonderful relaxing time and super delicious!

Tomorrow we just have to be down in the lobby by 8:45 so it isn't going to be too rushed. And I am looking forward to that delicious complimentary breakfast!

Later...

[reykjaviknickelle]

My 4 Favourite Attractions

Blue Lagoon:

The Blue Lagoon is in a place called Rif, around a 45-minute drive from Brim Hotel. Originally a waste pool for the geothermal powerplant, it wasn’t until news spread of the waters healing qualities for skin issues that it became popular. The first pool opened to the public in 1987. Since then, it has become the most popular attraction in Iceland, offering a range of facilities, such as steam rooms, a variety of food places, and even its own hotel. (Guide to Iceland) Personally, I found the Blue Lagoon to be a truly wonderful experience. Every aspect, from the staff to soaking in the waters was splendid. Whilst I was using the silica mud mask it started to snow and the combination of the mountain views, calm surroundings, and warm waters made for a truly unique spa experience. The package I used at the blue lagoon included entrance, a towel, one silica mud mask, and one drink. This cost ISK 8,490 which is around £50. This is quite expensive when there are other less known, more affordable options available such as Secret Lagoon, however, the blue lagoon boasts first class facilities and is a must do activity in Iceland. For these reasons I believe it is worth the money, especially for first time visitors, and highly recommend everyone visit this attraction.

Thingvellir National Park:

Thingvellir national park is part of the golden circle and is easily accessible by car, whether privately or as part of a tour. Thingvellir is unique as it offers not only a variety of viewpoints and pathways to witness the breathtaking views of the valley, but it is also a location steeped in history. Within this park were the annual meetings of one of the first diplomatic parliaments in the world. Iceland was split into four parts with each having a representative that would come to the park to solve the issues of Iceland at the time. This occurred from around 930 until 1798. Many major events occurred in this park, surrounded by the sheer beauty of the land. There is no entrance fee for this park, however, there is a parking fee of 500 ISK (£2.93) but the ticket is valid for the entire day. There is also the option of taking a guided tour which can vary in price but is beneficial if you want to learn as much as possible. Finally, there is a nice café, visitor centre, gift shop and bathroom facilities which make the experience comfortable. For these reasons I highly recommend you visit Thingsvellier national park, not only for the awing natural landscapes but for the Icelandic history. Taking the opportunity to walk in the Viking's footsteps.

Café Loki:

Kaffi (café) Loki is a quaint family run restaurant, located across from Hallgrimskirkja cathedral in Reykjavik. They specialise in providing a homelike feel and serve traditional Icelandic fare. Every single aspect of my experience at Cafe Loki was amazing, from beginning to end! The booking service was fantastic, and the host was very accommodating of our sudden request for the table. The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming. The waitress was lovely and was very helpful in assisting with what to order and how to correctly eat the food. Although there was a mix up in the kitchen, the service recovery was instantly handled well. Now I did not expect much from the food, as it is so simple, but it was truly delectable. I ordered some of the traditional foods that were deemed unpassable, smoked lamb on the flatbread, mashed fish on homestyle rye, and sweet bread. In addition to this, we got brennivin shots and fermented shark to share. The waitress informed us this had to be chewed at least 16 times and then chased with the brennivin. All the food was delicious, and I got good portions for the price I paid 3550ISK, around £21. Cafe Loki was truly amazing, and I advocate wholeheartedly for the restaurant. Ensure you go here when you visit Reykjavik!

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Although it is not the only black sand beach in the world Reynisfjara is a truly especial sight. The sand on the beach is black due to the now dormant volcano in the area. When this erupted the lava was cooled when it reached the sea and has been eroded into sand. in addition to the uniqueness of the beach, the folklore surrounding the sea stacks are another selling point of the beach. It is said the rock stacks are trolls that were pulling ships ashore when the sun rose and turned them to stone. Now they are the nesting place for a variety of birds. There is a nice café with walls made entirely of glass allowing you to view the waves in the warmth. The cafe itself is not expensive and the coffee was delicious When I visited the beach, the sea was extremely violent due to the weather, this meant you could explore the beach or the cave. However, it made for a truly mesmerising sight. I highly recommend you visit Reynisfjara as part of a south shore tour, as it offers the opportunity to learn as much as possible about the volcanic activity and the folklore surrounding the area. Overall, it is a truly distinctive experience that should be sought out.