Author

About the Author
Jewells is a native New Yorker that fell in love with an Icelander and now lives in one of the most fascinating countries in the world. As the host of the All Things Iceland podcast, she shares about Icelandic culture, history, language and nature. When she is not making podcast episodes or YouTube videos, you can find her attempting to speak in Icelandic, hiking up mountains, reading books and spending time with her family.

Iceland Is Small But Here’s Why That’s Misleading

If you’ve ever looked at a map of Iceland and thought,  “Oh wow, it’s tiny — we can totally see everything,” you are not alone. I hear this all the time. And honestly? It makes sense.  Iceland looks small on a map, but traveling through it is a very different experience. I’m going to explain…

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Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Iceland Obsessed Friend

If you’re searching for the perfect Christmas gift for that Iceland-obsessed friend in your life, I’ve got you covered. As someone who lives in Iceland and shares all things Icelandic year-round, I’ve rounded up a curated list of meaningful, cozy, and delicious gifts that will make any Iceland lover light up this holiday season. Here…

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A Pioneering Icelandic Actress – Aldís Amah Hamilton

Aldís Amah Hamilton is a trailblazing Icelandic actress, writer, and cultural icon. Born in Germany and raised in Reykjavík, she has starred in hit shows like The Valhalla Murders, Netflix’s Katla, and co-created the gripping series Black Sands. In 2019, she made history as the first woman of color to embody the Fjallkonan, Iceland’s national…

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3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Iceland for the First Time

If I could go back to my very first trip to Iceland in 2013, knowing what I know now after living here for over nine years and traveling extensively around the country, there are three major things I would do differently. And I think these are going to help you as you’re planning your own…

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More Than Music: Iceland’s Pop Icon Páll Óskar on Life, Love & Legacy

Since bursting onto the scene in 1993, Páll Óskar—also known as Paul Oscar—has been turning heads, moving hips, and breaking boundaries. He’s not just a singer. He’s a performer, a provocateur, a fearless icon who has never shied away from being exactly who he is—openly gay, genre-bending, and unapologetically fabulous. And let me tell you,…

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Is This Iceland’s Best-Kept Secret Stay? – Harmony Lodge Tour

I recently stayed at Harmony Lodge, and let me tell you… it blew me away. If the idea of relaxing in a private sauna and hot tub, surrounded by Icelandic nature — and away from the tourist crowds — sounds like a dream, then keep listening. I’ll also be sharing an exclusive discount you can…

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Why My Life in Iceland Will Never Be the Same

I have some deeply personal and exciting news to share with you today… I’m pregnant! 🍼💫 My mind is still blown that there is a tiny human growing inside of me. It’s been such a surreal, emotional, and beautiful experience. And honestly, it’s made me fall in love with this country in a whole new…

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The Ultimate Betrayal: How Two Icelandic Wives Humiliated Their Husbands & Faced Consequences

Two married women argued about which of their husbands was the bigger fool. Finally, they decided to test their husbands to see if they were as foolish as they seemed. Want more Icelandic Folklore Stories? This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing an Icelandic folklore story every Friday in…

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The Strange Disappearance of the Bishop’s Maid

A long time ago, a bishop was traveling, visiting different areas he was designated in Iceland as part of his duties. As was common back then, he had a group of servants with him, including a maid whose job was to cook his meals. One evening, after setting up camp on a mountain, everyone went…

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A Gentle Icelandic Troll Who Left Behind Mysterious Treasures

In the rugged highlands of Iceland, a troll named Bergþór lived with his wife in a cave called Hundahellir, nestled in the slopes of Bláfell. Unlike the fearsome reputation trolls usually have, Bergþór was a gentle giant, mild-mannered and kind—though not someone you’d want to provoke. Skilled in the mysterious “black arts,” Bergþór kept mostly…

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