Just a little throw back to my time in Iceland last fall.

Iceland is a northern, sparsely populated (with a population total of just above 300,000), country, built of ice and fire. It boasts both unique history and landscape, and was a great way to end my European adventure.

I flew into Iceland on Wow Airlines. Since they are an Icelandic company, they have the names of different Icelandic gods on their planes. I flew on Freya, the Nordic Goddess of Love.

My first day in Iceland I headed a bit out of the capital city of Reykjavik, where I was staying, for a horse back ride through Iceland volcanic fields. Iceland is known for a specific type of horse known as the Icelandic horse. They are a sturdy breed, known for having very few diseases. Because of this, no other horses are allowed into the county, and once a horse leaves it can never come back in. Additionally, these horses have a specific walk called a tolt. It’s a bit like a trot, but the horse picks up it’s front legs in a specific fashion so that as a rider it feels like a smooth glide. It’s not easy to get the horse to do, and takes a certain finesse. I was able to get my horse to tolt for brief moments on our ride, and it was a very different and cool experience.

We rode through the lava fields that make up part of Iceland’s mainland. It’s terrain unlike any other, scattered with diverse plant life, caves, and probably elves. The belief in elves is a strong part of the Iceland’s belief and heritage, so much so that residents will often set up doors on the sides of rocks, and other elf equipment in their yards and around the fields.

This was by far my favorite day in Iceland, so much so that I almost went again!

My second day in Iceland I took a tour out to the Blue Lagoon. In order to see Iceland, you have to rent a car or sign up for a tour. It’s one of the reasons why visiting the country is somewhat expensive.

The Blue Lagoon is fed by the nearby geothermal power plant. After being heated by the volcanic activity below the surface, the steam and water run turbines that generate electricity before moving through a heat exchanger for the municipal water heating system. The water then flows into the Blue Lagoon. It is rich in minerals like silica and sulfur, and it said to have healing properties for some suffering with certain skin conditions.

For myself, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the Blue Lagoon experience. The water is a unique color of Blue which is pretty, and the spa experience was nice. Mostly I felt that it was a bit expensive for the amount of time that I wanted to spend there. It may have been different had I been traveling with a friend or family member, but I felt the charm wore off quickly.

That is not to take away from it’s beauty, and any healing powers the water may have. If you’re traveling in Iceland, it’s definitely an experience not to miss. Just expect to spend a day at the pool.

On my third day I ventured into the city of Reykjavik. While hosting 2/3 of the country’s population (about 200,000 people), it’s a small and walkable city, easily explored in a day. I walked into the city along the bay, offering wonderful views of the water and the volcanoes and mountains in the background.

It’s host to many interest coffee shops, bars, and stores. Reykjavik is a good way to get a taste of some of Iceland’s most famous clothing pieces, and offers ample opportunity to learn about the mythology, lore and history of the country.

We climbed to the top of the Hallgrímskirkja, a Lutheran church and one of the tallest buildings in Iceland. From there we were able to see Reykjavik from 360 degrees, a wonderful portrait of a beautiful, unique and colorful city.

One of the main attractions in Iceland that surrounds the city of Reykjavik is called the Golden Circle. On this all day tour, our first stop was an Icelandic farm and greenhouse. The owners showed us how they are able to grow tomatoes and cucumbers in an area of the world that gets little sunlight – in a giant greenhouse.

We then visited the Strokkur geyser, which is still active and erupts every 5-10 minutes shooting hot volcanic water high into the air.  The Gullfoss waterfall, which is gorgeous and expansive. In late fall is was partially frozen, adding to it’s grandeur and mysticism. And finally the Thingvellir National Park rift valley. The valley was a meeting site for many of the Nordic tribes in Iceland’s early history. A short hike takes you from the bottom of the valley to the top, offering up some of the most beautiful views that I experienced in Iceland.

I feel that there is so much more to Iceland than I got to experience on my short stay there. One day perhaps I will have the opportunity to go back and explore more of the country. I find the history, mythology, lore and landscape absolutely fascinating, and would love the chance to delve deeper into this rich country.