All Things Iceland Episodes

The Mysterious Hot Spring Bird – Folklore Friday

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. What is a Hot Spring Bird? This is a relatively short folklore story but is one that might interest anyone who plans to visit or take a dip into a hot spring while in Iceland….

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Sæmundur the Wise Outsmarts the Devil – Folklore Friday

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Who Was Sæmundur the Learned? Back in the 1100s, Sæmundur Sigfusson was the pastor at the well known ancient manor of Oddi in South Iceland. What was different about Sæmundur is that he had an…

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5 Fascinating Facts About the Icelandic Horse

The Icelandic horse is a breed like no other, with a history that is deeply intertwined with the island nation itself. Brought to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries, these horses have remained a pure breed for over a thousand years. The isolation of Iceland has played a significant role in…

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Hallbera the Trickster Ghost – Folklore Friday

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Who is Hallbera the Icelandic Ghost? There is an old Icelandic folklore tale about a ghost named Hallbera. It is said that she resides in the Scouts Cabin. She specifically occupies one of the bunks….

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The Man with 18 Children Among the Elves – Folklore Friday

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. The Toddler’s Transformation One summer on a farm when everyone else where collecting hay, a woman and her child, a toddler, were in the house because she was doing chores. The child was well behaved,…

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Nykur – A Deadly Icelandic Water Horse – Folklore Friday

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. What Makes a Nykur Different than a Normal Icelandic Horse? Nykur is a water horse that is a gray color but it can shape shift into other things, living or dead. However, it’s said that…

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Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 4

This is the fourth episode for my segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. If you want to submit a question, you can do it here. You can check out previous Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland episodes here. Answers to the Questions That Were Submitted 1. Stephanie J….

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The Man & The Polar Bear – Folklore Friday

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. A Tale from Grímsey Island I’m sharing about a man and a polar bear in Grímsey, which is the northernmost inhabited island in Iceland. It is the only part of Iceland that is the Arctic…

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Iceland Will Require a Visa Waiver Fee Starting in 2025

At the beginning of 2025, a new travel authorization system called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will come into effect. This new requirement aims to bolster security across Europe, addressing concerns related to terrorism and the influx of migrants and refugees. Non-EU visitors who previously didn’t need a visa will now have to…

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The Four Protectors of Iceland – Folklore Friday

This is part of my Folklore Friday Series, where I am sharing an Icelandic folklore story every Friday in 2024. A King’s Decree Leads To Iceland’s Land Spirits Being Discovered In the Heimskringla saga of King Olaf Tryggvason, there is a captivating tale of King Harald Bluetooth’s failed attempt to invade Iceland. According to the…

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