Christmas in Iceland

O gradu: Reykjavik nije tipičan glavni grad, nema veličanstvene zgrade, povijesni centar grada ili grandiozne spomenike, ovaj grad je mnogo više od toga. Glavni grad Islanda je drugačiji, pun života i vrlo blizu prirode. Njegova lokacija, na rubu Atlantskog oceana, između dvaju fjordova i okružen lunarnim vulkanskim okvirom, čini grad, čije ime doslovno znači Zaljev dima, neusporedivo posebnim. Najsjeverniji glavni grad svijeta je savršeno mjesto za ljubitelje prirode i divljih životinja. Okružen morem, promatranje kitova je jedna od najpopularnijih turističkih aktivnosti. Grad ima mnogo otvorenih prostora: parkovi, pješačke zone, jezero smješteno pored gradske vijećnice i geotermalna plaža Nauthólsvik udaljena samo 15 minuta od centra grada. Kroz cijeli grad nalazi se 7 gradskih geotermalnih bazena gdje se lokalci druže i opuštaju nakon posla. Ostale aktivnosti poput biciklizma, planinarenja, jahanja, jedrenja i ribolova mogu se uživati na pragu glavnog grada. Osim svih svojih prirodnih čuda, Reykjavik uvijek ima nešto za ponuditi. To je kozmopolitski i dinamičan grad pun muzeja, umjetničkih galerija i ugodnih kafića. Njegov noćni život je uzbudljiv i nevjerojatan, tijekom noćnog izlaska, čini se da se lokalci nadoknađuju za zabranu piva koja je bila na snazi do 1989. godine, a noćni klubovi su otvoreni do ranih jutarnjih sati. Tijekom dana, glavni grad je mnogo opuštenije mjesto, sa svojim urednim šarenim kućama, ulicama bez smeća i opuštenim ritmom života. Reykjavik se smatra jednim od najčišćih, najzelenijih i najsigurnijih gradova na svijetu. Izgubiti se u ovom gradu gotovo je nemoguće: crkva Hallgrímskirkja i brdo Öskjuhlíð vidljivi su iz većine mjesta u centru grada i nezaobilazne su orijentacije. Reykjavik je dinamičan, kreativan, moderan, ugodan i vrlo poseban. Njegova posebna osobnost i magnetna okolina natjerat će vas da se složite da nema boljeg grada na svijetu.

O gradu: Selo Vík smješteno je na glavnoj cestovnoj prsteni otoka, otprilike 180 km cestom jugoistočno od Reykjavíka. Vík í Mýrdal ili jednostavno Vík, kako ga mještani nazivaju, je udaljeno primorsko selo na jugu Islanda i najjužnije je selo na islandskom kopnu. Prirodno okruženje u Vík í Mýrdalu je prilično lijepo, s plažom od crnog pijeska punom ptica, planinom Reynisfjall na zapadu, Hjörleifshöfði na istoku i ledenjakom Mýrdalsjökull na vrhu planinskog područja koje je savršeno za istraživanje prekrasnih staza. Selo Vík nalazi se na glavnoj prstenastoj cesti oko otoka, otprilike 180 km (110 mi) cestom jugoistočno od Reykjavíka.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Hofn is the only urban nucleus that can be found after passing Kirkjubaejarklaustur. It is a gray town and not too attractive but it serves to stay overnight because of its proximity to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon (78 km) and the great Vatnajokull. Hofn is situated on a peninsula in the south-east of Iceland and is surrounded by several small islands, the largest of which is Mikley, followed by Krókalátur and Hellir to the east of the city The name Hofn means port and is one of the few fishing ports in southern Iceland. In it, navigation has to be cautious due to the formation of sandbanks which must be dredged frequently to maintain a minimum depth of 7-8 meters. This port can be frozen during the harshest winter months. Hofn also has an airport that only domestic flights operate. It is located on the Ring Road, accessing the route 99. The most important cultural event of Hofn is the famous lobster festival which is held on the first weekend of July. Hofn contains several museums, including the Glacier Museum, the Museum of Folklore and the Nautical Museum among others. We spent the night in Hofn for two nights as we made a round trip to the south of Iceland (Iceland: Organizational Data). During our stay we took several walks through the streets, went to supermarkets, gas stations and dined in the restaurants of the port that were very close to our apartment, we could do little more after arriving in the village in the afternoon and with almost everything closed. The most remarkable thing about Hofn is the wild nature that surrounds it. I leave you some samples of landscapes near this town.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Egilsstadir, Iceland, is the largest town in the east of the island. Belonging to the Austurland region, it has a population of around 2,300. Egilsstadir sits on a plain along the Lagarfljót River. Its small airport and good hotel and restaurant facilities have made this small Icelandic town a popular tourist destination, both for Icelanders and foreign visitors. One of the main attractions of Egilsstadir is its natural environment, being the gateway to the main fjords of eastern Iceland: Seyðisfjörður, Reyðarfjörður and Vopnafjörður. Very close to Egilsstadir you can visit two spectacular waterfalls: Hengifoss, almost 120 metres high, and Fardagafoss. Its valleys and mountains (including the 1800-metre-high Snæfell Peak) offer the best environment for hikers, especially during the summer. Near Egilsstadir is the Hallormsstadaskógur forest, the largest wooded area on the island. Egilsstadir can also be a good base camp for a trip to the wonderful Vatnajokull National Park.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Lake Myvatn is one of the highlights of the north. All major services are provided in the village of Reykjahlid, such as a mini supermarket, bank, post office, health care centre, school and swimming pool. At Lake Myvatn, different types of accommodation are available as well as good restaurants and cafés. Birdlife by the lake is abundant and a visit to the new Bird Museum is worthwhile. Myvatn Nature Bath is located just east of Reykjahlid village, where travellers can enjoy a relaxing dip in the warm natural water. In the Myvatn region there are many marked hiking routes.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Akureyri is a town in northern Iceland. It is Iceland's second largest urban area and fourth largest municipality. Nicknamed the Capital of North Iceland, Akureyri is an important port and fishing centre. Akureyri is a very picturesque town with its location by a scenic fjord, eclectic building styles and streets winding their way through gorges. Spend some time walking around the town centre, see the impressive church and Listagilið (literally ""the art canyon""), home to a number of arts and crafts galleries and shops. The tranquil municipal botanical garden, Lystigarðurinn, is worth visiting, as are the several small museums dotted around town.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Borgarnes is a town located on a peninsula at the shore of Borgarfjörður in Iceland. The town is located 60 km north of the capital Reykjavík and is connected to other places in Iceland through the second largest bridge in Iceland, Borgarfjarðarbrú; it is the biggest town in the Borgarbyggð municipality. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Safnahús Borgarfjarðar. Several small museums and collections are housed together in one building: A natural history collection, local history museum and an art collection, as well as the local archives and library. • Skallagrímsgarður. A small municipal park in the heart of town.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Islandia to niezwykła wyspa wypełnione przepiękną naturą - wulkanami, gejzerami, wodospadami i lodowcami. To kraj, który przez wiele wieków zamknięty był na migrację dzięki czemu rodziny potrafią wskazać swoich przodków na wiele pokoleń wstecz. Tu latem słońce nie zachodzi w ogóle, ale za to zimą ciemności panują przez cały dzień. Nie odstrasza to jednak turystów spragnionych krajobrazów rodem z baśni oraz niesamowitej kultury. Bo tu nawet zimą mimo minusowych temperatur wszystko wygląda magicznie - nawet ośnieżone dachy domków wyglądają niczym wyjęte wprost z krainy świętego Mikołaja. Warto również wiedzieć, że gorące serce chłodnego państwa to stolica - Rejkiawik. Jest to czyste, zadbane, estetyczne miasto, otoczone czarującą przyroda. Tu również można wspiąć się na wieżę kościoła Hallgrimur, by podziwiać panoramę miasta, czy spędzić czas w Błękitnej lagunie nad brzegiem jeziora, gdzie się znajdują SPA i inne centrum wypoczynkowe. Dla spragnionych wrażeń jest też wisienka na torcie - Islandia uważana jest za jedno z najlepszych miejsc na obserwację nocnego nieba na którym podziwiać można zorzę polarną.