Iceland has an impressive variety of landscapes that will delight all nature lovers, especially when winter covers the unique island in white. From the vast deserts of Mývatn, deformed by increased volcanism, to the intricate designs of the western fjords, Iceland gives the pleasant impression of travelling through many countries while remaining in one land. The frequent changes in weather conditions reinforce this effect and surprise the most discerning travelers, especially when it is dressed in white.
Adventurers, choose the holidays!
Some curious adventurers decide to discover Iceland during a winter road trip, when the natural wonders are revealed with a mercury well below 0°C and the days are much shorter. At that time, the roads are hardly passable, except for roadno. 1 and a few main arteries regularly maintained by road workers. Even if the surroundings of Reykjavík are not a problem, you will have to rent a 4x4 to face the northern winter. If the campsites are, with rare exceptions, closed, the youth hostels, some guesthouses and hotels remain open with lower rates. A trip in winter is therefore very special and will suit the intrepid who want to approach it "from another angle". In the middle of a period where the interior of the cafes seems warmer and the Rúntur, the capital's bar tour, a little crazier..
Because at this period, Iceland is discovered under a thick coat of snow, which leaves free course with many activities. We mount there the famous snowmobile, the snow scooter, to take possession of the places. And because of the growing interest in the tracked or four-wheel drive monsters, more and more service providers are offering various guided tours with the indispensable experienced driver. The most popular destinations are the Snæfellsjökull glaciers on the peninsula north of Reykjavík, the Langjökull glaciers in Borgarfjörður, and the Vatnajökull glaciers in the southwest, near Höfn. Nothing better to take possession of these snowy landscapes and go on an adventure. It is also an opportunity to be Jack London and to drive a dog sled across the snowy plateaus of the country. A unique experience!
Unique baths
In the land of fire and ice, the favorite pastime of Icelanders is a simple pleasure: splashing around in geothermal water, naturally warm, highly mineralized and soothing to the body and soul. A real meeting place, a large number of Icelanders meet in these pools every morning and evening, to chat or simply relax after a long day. You will find natural springs all over the country. A place not to be missed, no matter how commonplace it may seem. In short, even in the depths of winter, don't forget your swimsuit! Among the most famous "lagoons" of Iceland is the Blue Lagoon, which has become in a few years thenumber one tourist attraction of the country. Located near the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, it offers turquoise water with a temperature of around 39°C. The pleasure of bathing in naturally warm, milky water is immense. The wave, rich in minerals, is also known for its curative qualities, especially in the dermatological field (eczema, psoriasis...).
Unforgettable Northern Lights
Winter is also the best time to observe the northern lights. A period which extends from October to March, between 8 pm and 2 am. If the weather (clear sky) and the location (low light pollution) are suitable, you will be able to see them, once the night falls, from the end of August until mid-April. Several agencies, in Reykjavík or Akureyri, organize night outings to admire them. But to really appreciate this phenomenon, whose intensity fluctuates, it is still more pleasant to go to an isolated place, with a local who knows about it. Scientifically speaking, the polar aurora, in this case northernlights, are the result of the interaction between electrically charged solar particles (electrons and protons) and the gases in the ionosphere (between 60 and 1,000 km in altitude). A tiny part of the constant flow of charged particles emitted by the sun, the solar wind, enters the Earth's upper atmosphere via "polar horns", present at the magnetic poles. The electrons and protons then collide with the gases present, exciting their atoms by transmitting an electric charge (ionization). When these atoms return to their initial state, they release light energy in the form of photons, visible in the form of light veils that undulate in the sky (polar aurora). Although most of the observed auroras are green in color, they can also be tinted red, blue and purple. The intensity of solar activity and the altitude at which the aurora forms explain this chromatic variation. The famous green glow is due to the collision between solar particles and oxygen molecules present between 100 and 240 km altitude. Below 100 km, the nitrogen molecules produce blue and purple light emissions. Between 240 and 1000 km, oxygen emits red auroras. You are now ready to impress your friends and family during a long Icelandic evening...
To the assault of the ice caves!
During the day, the most important part of an Icelandic trip will be to go to the ice caves. Because at this time of the year, hundreds of rivers freeze from the melting of the largest glacier in Europe, the majestic Vatnajökull. The Skaftafell National Park is located at the foot of the glacier and the area is ideal to discover the famous ice caves of the country. In winter, they form under the Vatnajökull glacier. This unique activity can only be done with a guide between November and March, because they melt and disappear in spring. Whether in Vatnajökull or, further east, in Jökulsárlón, made famous by James Bond, this is a unique opportunity to discover this world of ice with its intense blue colors of incredible beauty.
And Merry Christmas!
During the Christmas period, the stores are decorated in the image of Icelandic legends, such as the Christmas cat (or Jólakötturinn in Icelandic) who devours children who have not received clothes for Christmas or the 13 Christmas elves, the yule lads, who love to make a mess! In the restaurants, you can enjoy many Christmas buffets. Also not to be missed are the Christmas markets in and around the capital. The Christmas market that starts the earliest (end of November) is the one in Ellidavatnsbaer, which is a bit far away. Beware, it is only open from 12pm to 5pm on weekends! In the center, on the Ingólfstorg square, don't miss the ice rink and the very festive stands in the evening. Other markets are to be discovered in Hjartagarður, Laugardalur Park, the Open Air Museum... There are new events every year, so be sure to check them out before your trip. On New Year's Eve, too, the country is ablaze and most Icelanders go out of their homes to attend parties, dance and have fun in the city, or to admire the magnificent fireworks that everyone throws off in sweet merriment. In short, the best way to end an unforgettable trip to the land of fire and ice! And to imagine trying again in summer to finish discovering the famous roadno 1.
Smart info
When to go? Whatever the season, keep in mind that the weather is always changing. Nothing can be taken for granted! The beautiful morning sun can suddenly hide behind a thick fog, the western side of the fjord so sunny can give way to the rainy eastern side, etc. Iceland can be visited more and more all year long; and if the summer period represents the big tourist season when everything is open, the rest of the year gains more and more to be visited to discover less people and new and different atmospheres each time. Some curious intrepid people discover this country and its natural wonders under colder temperatures and shorter days. The interior of the cafes seems even warmer and the Rúntur a little crazier..
Getting there. It takes about 3h35 for a direct flight from Paris to Reykjavík.
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