If you look hard enough these days, you can still see evidence of the world famous, yet entirely unpronounceable volcano that dominated the news last April. Drive up a gravel road near the Seljalandfoss waterfall in South Iceland, for instance, and there at the bottom of a steep valley is a scene etched in stark black and gray. The only color: a few brave weeds poking up from the ash-covered hillside and valley floor. Every step kicks up a mini dust cloud and shoes turn gray, as you stand in awe of the natural wonder that makes this such a special place to visit.
Drive back down to the Ring Road, and the Iceland that tens of thousands travel to visit each year, the Iceland of green hillsides, golden fields, and black sand beaches along jagged-edge shorelines is still there the way it has been since the first settlers arrived in 874 A.D.
For most Icelanders, were it not for television news coverage – and jars of ash sold in gift shops – there would be little evidence of the volcano.
Iceland performs in a delicate dance with nature. Between the elements, the darkness of winter and the near total sunlight of summer, the reliance upon the sea, and the country’s renowned free-range livestock, we’ve learned never to take Mother Nature much for granted. We live as one with the forces that surround us and invite the world to experience all the excitement Iceland has to offer.
Now that Iceland is on the world’s radar, we’re experiencing even stronger interest in travel to our special island. Local tour operators have created numerous “volcano tours” for the curious adventure seeker.
This summer you can witness once-in-a-lifetime sights that many would only imagine seeing on the cover of magazines. The country is alive with adventure and wild beauty. Draw inspiration from our young, active and ever changing landscape.
