2013 Best Summer Trip #13
Midsummer brings near round-the-clock daylight to Europe’s westernmost country and its drive-of-a-lifetime loop. Rounding each bend on the 830-mile Ring Road reveals another of Iceland’s fire-and-ice wonders—glacier-fed waterfalls, black-sand beaches, knife-cut valleys, lunar-esque lava fields, boiling mud pots, and seabird cliffs. Keep your eyes on the road, and pull off frequently to rest, hike, and enjoy the view.
When to Go: Mid-June to September
How to Get Around: Renting a car or SUV gives you the freedom to detour off the highway. Ring Road is (mostly) paved, but side roads are often narrow and gravel, and mountain “F-roads” can be little more than mud tracks. Always proceed with caution and plan ahead. Check current road conditions and driver safety information at Safetravel Iceland, or consider a self-drive or guided tour with a local Iceland travel expert like Nordic Visitor or Iceland Travel.
Where to Stay: Zen-like Blue Lagoon Clinic Hotel is only a 20-minute drive from the airport, making it a convenient place to start or end your Icelandic adventure. From the 15-room oasis, it’s a short (but possibly foggy and wet) walk through the surrounding lava fields to the healing, geothermal waters of the world-famous Blue Lagoon. Room rates include complimentary Blue Lagoon passes. Hotel guests also have early morning and evening access to the Clinic’s private therapy lagoon.
Where to Eat: Humarsúp (lobster soup) is the specialty of the house at Sægreiffin, or the Sea Baron, named for its owner Kjartan Halldórsson. Located in a nondescript fisherman’s hut in Reykjavik's old harbor, the lunch-through-late-night (open 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. through August 31) restaurant is a tourist favorite—but don’t let that dissuade you. From the barrel seating to the smoked eel odor, the Sea Baron is funky, fun, and straight-from-the-ocean fresh.
What to Buy: Visit one of the three Handknitting Association of Iceland Reykjavik locations to purchase Icelandic wool sweaters (including lighter summer weights), blankets, and mittens made by local artisans. For licorice candy (and anything else you could possibly need) walk or take the Tourist Information Centre's free shuttle bus to the sprawling Kringlan Shopping Centre.
Helpful Links: Visit Iceland
What to Read Before You Go: Iceland: Land of the Sagas by Jon Krakauer and David Roberts (1998)
Fun Fact: Iceland has more than 170 geothermal pools and a public swimming pool in every village and town, making it possible to swim or soak your way through the country no matter what the season. Since warm water (with temperatures ranging from 80 to 107°F) is everywhere here, children are required to learn to swim. Lessons are part of the school curriculum, and swimming proficiency is required to graduate.
loop - 圈，环
lunar - 月牙形的
‐esque - [接续]。。。样式的
detour - 绕远
lagoon - 湿地，泻湖
geothermal - 地热的
complimentary - 招待的，免费的
therapy - 疗法
nondescript - 没留下印象的
dissuade - 阻止
barrel - 酒桶
funky - 有臭味的
hand knitting - 手工编织
blanket - 毯子
mitten - 露指手套
licorice - 甘草
curriculum - 课程
proficiency - 娴熟
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