Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland Archives - All Things Iceland

Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 5

Jewells Chambers — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 16:48:40 +0000

This is the fourth episode for my segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. If you would like to submit a question, please use this link.

You can check out previous episodes on Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland here.

If you have questions that are specifically for an upcoming trip and getting the answer is time-sensitive, feel free to book a one-hour private video trip planning call with me.

1. Anne C. said: "Have you been to Faroe Islands? Is it an easy enough day trip or overnight or weekend from Iceland? What are logistics and approx costs/fees associated? Best time of year?"

Flights from Reykjavik, Edinburgh, and Oslo to the Faroe Islands with Atlantic Airways are only one hour long,

The Faroe Islands can also be reached by ferry from Iceland and Denmark. Slow travel at its best! This service is operated by a Faroese company, Smyril Line.

Icelandair flights are currently 5-6 times a week from May to October. The price starts at $206 if departing from Reykjavík

Check out Visit Faroe Islands for more information.

2. Michael F. said: "We are returning to Iceland for the 2nd time in September. Our flight gets in early and we saw some hotels close to the airport offer a nap-n-go option. We were hoping to catch a nap before driving to Hveragerdi. Is this something you would recommend?"

I think the Nap and Go program is a great option to get some rest before heading out on the road. It seems that you need to contact the hotels for the room rates because they are not on their websites.

3. Scott H. said: "What is it like taking a car on a ferry? To visit the Westman Islands. We are staying overnight there and I would like to have my luggage and other things with us while we are there."

Taking the ferry to the Westman Islands has been a very positive experience for me. I think the best route is when you depart from Landeyjahöfn on mainland Iceland and going to Heimaey. You can book you car as part of your ferry ticket, which makes getting around the island even easier.

4. Ana C. said: "Hi Jewells! How was it for you experiencing winter time in Iceland for the first years? Was it too hard? What was the most difficult part? Do people there change habbits to enjoy the little daylight they can while working for instance (like longer lunch breaks)? What changes in the daily life ? Ended up being a lot of questions Takk!

I talk a lot about the coping mechanisms I have used to thrive, and not just survive, winter in Iceland in this video.

5. Ana C. said: "What is the most difficult part for you about learning Icelandic? Vocabulary itself, conjugation, verbs? "

Icelandic has several things that make it difficult. Pronunciation, declensions, conjugations, and some exceptions to rules can trip anyone up. This includes Icelanders. I think my avoidance of saying something wrong due to the four cases in which words can decline or conjugating verbs was more of an issue than saying words properly.

For many language learners that have an accent when they speak Icelandic, that can be a deterrent in having Icelanders understanding what you are saying because most Icelanders are not accustomed to hearing an accent when they speak Icelandic.

6. Madeline M said: "This isn't exactly about Iceland, but...can you give us the backstory of your theme music?"

The selection of my theme song was based on me wanting to play music that gave you the vibe of taking a road trip or feeling nostalgic.

It would have been nice to have a local Icelandic band create the sound but I was DIYing everything so there was not a lot of money to put into this. After many hours of checking out music on a royalty free music site, I knew I had found the right song.

7. Shelley D. said: Do you have resources for lodging in Iceland?

Yes, I have many lodging recommendations on My Iceland Map.

8. Christine said: "Thank you for all the great advice and inspiration! What experiences or sites do you suggest for young travelers? (Ours specifically is 5 years old.) "

My absolute pleasure! Iceland is very child friendly. There are many playgrounds, museums for younger people, local pools, and being out in nature, like doing the Golden Circle or driving around the country. Some museums that families love to take their kids are Perlan, The Lava Show, Whale of Iceland, and the Árbæjarsafn Open Air Museum.

9. Christine said: "The reverse of my other question: what sites do you definitely suggest parents of kids avoid? Thank you!"

Glacier hikes, zip-lining or very strenuous hikes are the activities I do not recommend for young children.

10. Laura G. said: "I am going to Iceland in August with my boys 5&8. Can you recommend a public hot spring or pool in Vik and Hofn? "

The swimming pool in Vík – https://sundlaugar.is/en/sundlaugasafn/vik/

Höfn swimming pool – https://www.south.is/en/service/hofn-swimming-pool

11. Katie S. said: "Hi Jewells. My husband, teenage son, and I are coming to Iceland at the beginning of July. I hope you get to this before then! I heard on a recent episode that you are 100% plant based. My husband and I are almost 100% vegetarian and are curious about the variety and availability of vegetarian/vegan dishes in Iceland. Our tour company sent us a Restaurant Guide Book, but most things that are highlighted are meat/seafood based. Also, our son is a typical American teen (we're from upstate New York), who tends to be a bit picky. Are there good options for someone who isn't as adventurous (pizza, burgers, etc.)?"

Yes, Dominos, Black Box Pizza, tons of burger places like 2 Guys, Tommi’s Burger Joint, Dirty Burgers and Ribs, Íslenska Hamborgarafabrikkan, and Yuzu Burger. There is also always the famous Icelandic hot dog which can be found downtown and at pretty much any gas station in the country.

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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.

The post Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 5 appeared first on All Things Iceland.

Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 4

Jewells Chambers — Thu, 30 May 2024 16:53:28 +0000

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. asked: "What is the tipping culture in Iceland?"

Tipping in Iceland is not expected, nor is the service you get dependent on it. While you can tip if you want to, it is certainly not a part of the culture, and some might even tell you that they don’t accept tips due to workers being paid a livable wage.

2. Ana R. asked: "What are your favorites pools and spas around Iceland? Cheers from Brazil!"

My favorite high end pools and spas are:

Sky Lagoon
Geo Sea
Forest Lagoon

When it comes to natural hot pools, my favorites are in the West fjords. They are as follows:

Laugarnes on Birkimelur hot pool
Heydalur hot pools and indoor pool in a greenhouse
Krossneslaug pool

For local swimming pools, I really like Lágafellslaug in Mosfellsbær and Laugardalslaug in Reykjavík.

3. Caroline said: "I’m traveling to Iceland from the US and I was curious if I should get some Icelandic kronar before I come to have on hand. I know Iceland prefers cards, but would having cash on hand be helpful?"

Because Iceland is becoming an almost cashless society, using cash is not necessary. Even really small vendors take debit and credit cards. You are more than welcome to take out Icelandic Kronar if you want to but you don’t need cash.

4. Caroline said: "What is the tipping culture for tour guides? For example, is it customary to tip the guide and/ or driver if you do a whale watching or glacier lagoon tour?"

There is no expectation or encouragement to tip your tour guide. Of course you can if you want to but it is not a custom in Iceland to do that.

5. Stephanie said: "I traveled to Iceland in March 2017 and flew Icelandair. The programming on the flight included tv episodes of an Icelander who had moved to a small town and talked about the life and activities in that town. It was great and I haven't been able to find it again! Do you happen to know what the show is, or can you recommend other shows about life in Iceland? Thank you!"

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find the show you watched on Icelandair. You can find some shows on RÚV that have English substitles. There is also a channel on RÚV that has educational content. However, it is only in Icelandic.

6. Kelly N. said: "What's a good way or place to get a daily summary of current events in Iceland (in English! )...as I'm sure you know, the daily morning and/or evening New York times is what I use in the US...love your show! :)"

Here are the Icelandic news outlets online that are in English:

7. Mariana said: "Have you ever been to the Inside the Vulcano Tour? Is is worth it? Thanks!"

Yes, I have been to Inside the Volcano some years ago. I think the experience was unique and interesting. I know it looks quite pricey, but I felt like it was worth it. The inside of the lava chamber was mind-blowing to me.

8. Chrissy P said: "Hi, Jewells! I’m a new listener and fan of the pod. My partner and I are visiting Iceland for the first time at the start of June and will be spending 2 weeks camper vanning it up! We’re birders and overall lovers of nature and are thinking of renting cameras instead of packing and bringing our own. Do you have thoughts or recommendations for renting cameras while we’re in Iceland? I know camera rentals can get pretty pricey quickly. Also, we too are East coast vegans! Thanks so much for all the plant based recs you’ve given on the pod! A bonus question, if it’s okay, would be for your favorite vegan-friendly hot dog spot in Iceland :’) Thanks so much!!"

Here is one place that I found where they rent cameras.

These are my favorite vegan hot dog places:

The hot dog stand in Akureyri
The pysluvagninn truck in Selfoss
Vikingapyslur
Vikivaki on Laugavegur

9. Rob From Chattanooga said: "What do Icelanders think about the movie Eurovision Song Contest?"

Many Icelanders found the movie to be funny and loved that Iceland was being featured in such a big movie with big movie stars like Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams.

10. Anne C. said: "What is something local people of Iceland miss or like to bring back from other places that might be difficult to get or very expensive there? For example my friends who live in the Virgin Islands miss Peanut Butter, fresh berries and odd things that are difficult to get over there or are expensive. What do you miss food or daily use wise...??? Does that make sense?"

Many Icelanders miss having summers or just weather in general that has temperatures above 60-degrees Fahrenheit. It is common for many of them to vacation in Tenerife or other warm locations. Because many things in Iceland are expensive, so many Icelanders will take an extra, empty suitcase for shopping. They can shop for clothes, toys, shoes, and etc.
I miss some foods and restaurants, access to certain hair products, my family and less expensive prices for pretty much anything.

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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.

The post Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 4 appeared first on All Things Iceland.

Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 3

Jewells Chambers — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 20:53:34 +0000

This is the third response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here.

1. Should I exchange a small amount of currency before I leave? I have heard that Iceland is a cashless society, but I am thinking about tour guide tips or random purchases.- Christina

Iceland is not yet a cashless society, but we are certainly heading quickly in that direction. It isn’t necessary to take out cash in the local currency because debit and credit cards are the preferred method of payment. Also, tipping is not expected or encouraged because companies pay their employees livable wages for their work. You can, of course, take out cash to tip your guide or make random purchases if you prefer to pay that way but that’s up to you because it is not required.

2. Hi, I have another question! You wear such beautiful Icelandic sweaters on your Instagram. Where should I shop when I come in the spring? Somewhere that has really nice ones and doesn’t jack up the prices for tourists? - Alison

Kolaportið is flea market by the old harbor that is only open during weekends. There are some vendors there that are selling handmade Icelandic sweaters for a decent price.

Another place is the Handknitting association of Iceland. They have two locations in Reykjavík and all of their sweaters are handknit in the country. One helpful tip is to make sure you get the appropriate form at the store to get the 24% VAT (Value added tax) back at the airport when you leave the country. Iceland has that tax included in the price but they refund it for tourists on certain items.

3. "Hi Jewells, I have recently discovered your podcast, and have been binge listening to episodes to prepare for my upcoming trip in May! ( I am so excited!) I am learning so much, and I appreciate hearing about your experiences! Thank you! You mentioned that eating in restaurants is quite pricey in Iceland for a variety of reasons, including allowing restaurant owners to be able to pay their employees a living wage. Is it still customary to leave a tip for waitstaff? If so , is the recommnded amount the same as the US? (20-25%) Thank you for taking the time to read my question." - Vickie

The great news is that tipping is not part of the culture in Iceland, so you don’t have to factor in any % to your bill. This applies in every place, including cafes.

4. Hi Jewells! My family will be there in June. Is there a traditional event for summer solstice? - Ruth

Unlike other Nordic nations, Iceland does not have nationwide celebrations for the summer solstice. One place that has an annual event is in the far north. It is an island called Grímsey. They have a multiple day festival to celebrate the long and seemingly endless summer day. Here is where you can find the program for last year. I assume they will have the 2024 program soon. Please note that you need to take either a boat or plane to reach Grímsey. I have heard that many people get sea sick on the boat, so keep that in mind if you choose that option.

5. "Thank you so much for your informative podcasts! My wife and I are planning to visit Iceland for the first time in October 2025. We believe that the best way to experience a new place is to immerse ourselves in it and to attempt to learn the language. What was your experience in learning the Icelandic language, and what do you recommend is a good way/resource to learn the language?" - Gerald

My recommendation for learning Icelandic is to get as much input of the language as you can in a way that you can relate to. Meaning, it helps to see shows or read text at your level or slightly above that you can understand enough to start internalizing it. Input that is repetitive can help you to become more familiar wth certain sounds and phrases. As a visitor, my episode on Useful Icelandic Phrases for Visitors is a good place to start. The other resources I listed below can help too.

6. Hi Jewels! Have you been to the “Sorcery Festival” in Hólmavík? It takes place in late April and looks really interesting. - Ruth

I have yet to attend that festival but it sounds like a lot of fun. If you get a chance to attend, Ruth, I would love to hear about your experience.

7. Hi Jewells! I was hoping you could talk about the tipping culture in Iceland. Thanks! - Julia

Thankfully, Iceland does not have a culture of tipping. Due to unions negotiating on behalf of workers for fair and livable wages from employees, tipping is not necessary or encouraged in Iceland.

8. Hi Jewells! Do you have a suggestion for whale watching in the south of Iceland? I won't have enough time to make it to Húsavík, but I still want to go. I'm visiting in June and torn between whale watching in Reykjavik or Olafsvik.- Casey

Yes, whale watching from Reykjavík can be a lot of fun. You might see Minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises and dolphins. If you are looking for a company that does it from the harbor in the city, then I recommend Arctic Adventures. You can use my code Iceland10 to save 10% on any of their tours, including the whale watching one.

9. What itinerary would you suggest for a person with only 8 full days in Iceland who wants to see as much as possible. - Marilyn

There are many factors that come into play when planning a trip in Iceland, including when you plan to come, what kind of budget you have, the accommodations you prefer and so on. My suggestion, without knowing any of that information up front, is to split the eight days up as the following:

1 Day in Reykjavik when you arrive

1 Day on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

2 Days in North Iceland

1 Day around the Golden Circle

2 Days in the South/Southeast

1 Day either back in Reykjavik or the Reykjanes Peninsula

If you would like to discuss your trip in more detail, feel free to book a video consultation with me and I can help you plan a more personalized itinerary.

10. Which ice caves and glaciers have you visited and which ones are you favorites? - Ana

I like the Katla Ice Cave, Into the Glacier, and naturally forming ice caves that guides often find on the glacier during winter that do not have names because they are not expected to last into the summer. Arctic Adventures has tours like that and you can use my code Iceland10 to save 10% on any of their tours and activities.

11. My question is: What's the meaning of the Icelandic phrases that you say at the end of each episode? I might have missed the explanation in one of your earlier episodes since I became only a regular listener a couple of months ago. I've always loved the sound of the Icelandic language and would love to know more about it, even though I'm not ready to commit to learning it yet - Jonas

The phrase I say at the end is „Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega“. It means thank you kindly for listening and see you soon.

12. We will be driving all around Iceland for about 12 days. How much ISK would you recommend we bring? - Stephanie

In the podcast episode I go more in-depth into the numbers but for two people during summer I have an estimate of about $8,000. That is kind of on the conservative end.

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The post Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 3 appeared first on All Things Iceland.

Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 2

Jewells Chambers — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 23:27:11 +0000

This is the second response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here.

1. "What do Icelanders generally like and dislike about Americans?" - Garrett

In general, I’d say that Icelanders don’t have a lot of dislikes when it comes specifically to Americans. It is more like dislikes of tourist in general. So, if you are respectful of the the people and language, Icelanders are very open to those who want to visit.

That being said, there are some things that come up that can be a little bothersome for Icelanders that wouldn’t be considered as strange in the US.

The first that comes to mind is that many Americans are not comfortable showering naked before entering the swimming pool. The changing rooms are separated by gender. In order to not use as much chlorine in the local swimming pools, showering without your bathing suit on is a requirement.

Americans are the largest group of tourists to Iceland and kind of shy when it comes to this rule, so it is normally assumed that a person is from the US if they try to skip showering naked before entering the pool.

Also, many Icelanders don’t agree with how the political system in the US is set up. I mentioned this in my last ask me anything answers, that only having two political parties to choose from for higher political offices is a strange and foreign thing to Icelanders.

Things Icelanders like a lot about the US during World War 2 and it was shut down in 1994. During those decades, the US’s influence on Icelandic culture exponentially grew. Icelander’s like American TV shows, food like pizza, burgers and fries, as well as celebrities, other media, and trends.

2. "On my recent trip to Iceland, I didn’t see any Dolly Parton imagery. Does the amazing Ms. Parton have any major influence on the country and does Iceland have a favorite Dolly song?" - Rob

Dolly Parton is certainly beloved by many in Iceland, as she is around the world. It is not often that you will see posters of American or even foreign celebrities in Iceland unless it is promoting a concert or a product.

It might surprise some people to know that a decent number of Icelanders like country music. It makes sense when you think about how most of Iceland is like a rural place with lots of farmland in the US than a bustling city.

My guess for favorite Dolly song is Jolene but a close second might be 9 to 5. Since Dolly Parton has been iconic as a performer and song writer, and Iceland has a ton of musical artists, there is no doubt in my mind that she has influenced many people here.

3. "Ha ha the motherland! Just stumbled upon your podcast. Most of my family lives there still! My grandpa was Air Force back when Kelkajvik had an Air Foce base. Don’t they have the best hotdogs? Have you done well watching tour yet? My cousin Owns a company that does it, haven’t been back in 8 years, need to leave America before it Darkens my soul. Watch out for them elves the old father is watching" - Nat

Hi Nat. This is such a fun share. I do believe that Iceland has some of the best hot dogs, if not the best. Granted, I have not eaten a hot dog made from an animal in almost 9 years but I remember it being tasty and many visitors attest to this as well. One awesome thing is that the vegan version is delicious too.

Yes, I have been whale watching in Húsavík in North Iceland with a company called North Sailing.

I hope you do come back to visit in the near future.

Yes, the elves are all around us. While I try to be mindful of them, the trolls are the ones I am most concerned about.

4. "Hi Jewells, I would like to know more about how you learned Icelandic. Your pronunciation sounds like native to me! I started learning Icelandic as well half a year ago (after I visited Iceland for the first time) but I really struggle with the pronunciation. Do you have some tips? Thank you and keep up with the great podcast! Greetings from Prague!" - Alexandra

My journey to learn Icelandic has been fun, frustrating, and all types of emotions in between. I still tell people that I am working on being fluent because I don’t want to be held responsible for any terrible mistakes that I am bound to make.

Pronunciation of Icelandic like a native speaker is by far one of the tougher parts of the language. Of course, declining of words is harder but I think pronunciation is a close second. The one thing that helped me the most with pronouncing Icelandic words as close to native speaking as possible was to ask a native speaker to constantly correct me when I spoke.

When I was married to Gunnar, he was the person correcting me the most but I also asked my co-workers and friends because I was determined to get it right. Doing this can cause a lot of frustration because there are sounds in Icelandic that might be foreign to your mouth or mother tongue. I also think listening to a lot of Icelandic helps too but the key is to have a teacher or friend who speaks Icelandic well to help you.

It is also helpful to know that some people speak Icelandic with an accent. Meaning, they don’t sound like a native speaker when they talk the language but what they are saying is correct. That is totally fine and there is no reason to beat yourself up because you don’t sound Icelandic.

However, your question was mainly about pronunciation so I am addressing that. I am still a stickler with how I say things even to the point where I am over pronouncing words and I am learning to say things more colloquially. The more you learn Icelandic, the more you will hear that Icelanders don’t always pronounce every part of the word. That can cause some confusion at times but with practice and a trained ear, you will pick up on it.

If you don’t already, I would look into private lessons with an Icelandic teacher to work on your pronunciation, if you don’t already have one. iTalki is one place that has teachers. Also, there is Icelandic Made Eas(ier) by Siggi. Lastly, there is a great app called LingQ, where you can hear and read in Icelandic from different sources online, like videos, songs, and so on. It is awesome and the premium version is totally free for those learning Icelandic.

Viltu læra íslensku? and Íslenska fyrir alla are other resources for learning Icelandic and hearing it spoken.

5. "What are the best dishes to try when eating out in Iceland? When I want to splurge on meals out, I want them to be good." - Leah

Please keep in mind that I am 100% plant-based and have been for many years but I am still aware of the meals that people typically try when they come here. If you are a meat and fish eater, then lamb, arctic char, salmon, and cod are very popular here.

Michelin star restaurants

Dill
Öx
Moss Restaurant

Other Restaurants

Kol
Kopar
The Fish Company – Fiskifélagið
The Grill Market – Grillmarkaðurinn
The Fish Market – fiskmarkaðurinn
Duck and Rose
Sumac
Mat Bar
Tides in the 5-star Hotel called the Reykjavík Edition

I normally like to order the 3 course or 5 course menu at places because when I normally do the math, it comes out to be less expensive than a la carte.

6. "Heading to Iceland at the end of May! Best places to get good coffee?" - Alison

Reykjavík Röst
Mokka Kaffi
Kaffitár
Reykjavík Roasters
Te og kaffi

7. "What quintessential Iceland souvenirs do you recommend bringing back home? An authentic sweater is out of my price range, but I would like to buy some gifts for others and myself." - Christina C.

Icelandic Candies
Icelandic chocolates – Some of the most popular ones are from Nóí Sírius, Góa, and Freyja
Sea salt from Iceland that has different herbs and flavors
Alcohol – vodka, beer, gin, and other spirits made in Iceland. You can get small bottles at the airport duty free shop, which is less expense.
Hats
Mittens
Jewelry
Skin care products from the Blue Lagoon and Sóley
Books
Hot dogs and their toppings

Some places to get inexpensive souvenirs or gifts are grocery stores like Krónan, Bónus, Hagkaup, as well as the flea market called Kolaportið. Also, the National Museum of Iceland has a shop and you can possibly find some inexpensive items there too.

8. "Where should we drive around Reykjavik (or Vik) to hunt for the northern lights? Looking for somewhere to park within maybe a half hour with a good dark view" - Christina S.

Heiðmörk
Grotta lighthouse
Perlan
Lighthouse on Saebraut across from Hofdi house
Sun Voyager
Hafravatn

9. "Hi Jewells! We will be in southern, west and northern parts of iceland in early April. Is there any chance of seeing puffins this early? If so, where would be the best place? Thank you :)" - Sasha C.

Typically, puffins come to Iceland in May and stay until mid August. Unfortunately, when you come Puffins will not be here yet.

Tjörnes Peninsula and grímsey island are places in north Iceland where you can see puffins. You can also see Puffins in Dyrhólaey, and the Westman Islands.

10. "Hi, what would be one or two extra special food related experiences for a passionate foodie coming to Iceland in the spring?" - Alison G.

A food walking tour in Reykjavik. Here is a popular one where you can save 10% on the tour. The Food Lovers Tour by Your Friend in Reykjavík

Use the code ALLTHINGSICELAND in all caps to save 10%

The restaurants that I mentioned in an earlier question will definitely be great experiences.

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The post Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 2 appeared first on All Things Iceland.

Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 1

Jewells Chambers — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:20:53 +0000

This is the first response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here.

Questions sent in from the listeners of the All Things Iceland Podcast

1. Can you please discuss some of the history of Ravens in Iceland. I was delighted to hear about some mischievous Ravens by Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, who were working in tandem to collect and confiscate tourist's goods. Do we know when they arrived in Iceland and how has their presence impacted Icelandic culture?

There are several stories relating to Iceland that involve ravens. The first that pops into my mind has to do with Óðinn, the Norse God, that had two Ravens. They were named Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory or mind). They flew around the world (Midgard) and brough back information to Óðinn. Because Norse people settled in Iceland, the belief and worship of Óðinn came with them.

Another story that comes to mind is of Hrafna-Flóki. He was a Norse Viking that is said to have given Iceland its name. He didn’t stay in Iceland because he encountered a very harsh winter where he almost didn’t survive. However, before he left he went on top of a mountain in the fjord and saw that the fjord was packed with ice. Due to that, he called this place the land of ice or “Iceland”.

2. Hello. We are taking a cruise out of Reykjavik with NCL and looking to arrive a few days early to explore. We will be renting a car with Go Car Rental and wanted to know the best way to get from their Reykjavik office to the cruise port in September upon our rental return? The cruise port is Skarfabakki. Thank you for your input!

The easiest way to get from Go Car Rental Iceland‘s Skógarhlíð location in Reykjavík to Skarfabakki is to take a taxi. It is about 9 minutes by car, so it will not be very expensive. The name of a taxi company to use is Hreyfill.

3. If there was only one beautiful place in Iceland you could visit which one would it be?

This is such a tough question. I know that only one place was requested but I will provide two. One is more remote and that is Eldgjá in the Icelandic highlands. The other is the Westman Islands, which is much easier to access. To learn about all of the places I enjoy around the country, including hidden gems, check out My Iceland Map.

4. Thank you for your informative entertaining podcast. Do you need to drive in order to fully enjoy Iceland? I'm a passenger princess and don't know how I would get around if I don't come with someone who drives.

You can definitely be a passenger princess and still see Iceland. I suggest taking tours that are for small groups. It is more intimate than the big buses and you see as much of the country as you want. On this website you can find many day tour and multi-day tour options.

5. How do people in Iceland view the political climate in the US???

The answer to this can be long because it involves so many layers. In short, the Icelanders I have spoken to have often been confused about what is happening politically in the US. Not that they don’t understand how the system operates but wondering why it is allowed to be the way it is. An example is that politics in the US is dominated by two parties. There is also a lot of extremism and it seems that politicians often want to pass laws or vote for laws that undermine the safety and rights of their constituents.

6. Can you please slow down and maybe even spell out that names of places you mention in your podcast? It’s a wonderful podcast but it is so difficult to understand Icelandic names without seeing them in print (and even then it’s difficult)!

I totally understand that it can be hard to listen to the podcast and not understand how to spell the words I am saying in Icelandic. One of the reasons I write a lot of notes here on my website is so that you can reference it to see what the words look like that I talk about in the episode.

7. What wildlife can I expect to see on a trip to Iceland, and where can I find them?

This list of where to find animals in Iceland is specifically for during the summer months (May – September in most cases).

Icelandic sheep – roaming around in the countryside everywhere
Icelandic horses – grazing in fields or on a horseback riding trip
Icelandic cows – grazing in fields
Goats – grazing in fields (not many of them)
Whales – on a tour out at sea
Reindeer in the east (roaming free)
Puffins – Látrabjarg, Grímsey, Dyrhólaey, Westman Islands, Borgarfjörður Eystri in East Iceland, off the shore in a boat in Reykjavík.
Seals (They live all around Iceland, but the best places to spot them are the Westfjords, the Vatnsnes Peninsular, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, Hvammstangi
Mink – probably will not see them
Rodent – in the countryside
Orcas – out at sea
Porpoise – out at sea
Icelandic sheep dog – at a farm working hard
Arctic fox – at the Arctic Fox center in the Westfjords, Hornstrandir in the Westfjords, and sometimes roaming around
Puffins – Borgarfjörður Eystri in East Iceland, Látrabjarg in the Westfjords, off the shore in a boat in Reykjavík, Dyrhólaey,

8. What are some “hidden gem” spots on the South Coast of Iceland?

It is getting tougher to have hidden gems on the south coast but here are three:

Nauthúsagil
Gluggafoss
The path beyond the steps at Skógafoss waterfall. When you go that path in the summer you can see multiple waterfalls and hardly any people. This is a highland path but you don’t need to take it all the way into the highlands to enjoy.

9. How difficult is finding food in Iceland for people with dietary restrictions? (ex. Gluten or Dairy-Free)

Thankfully, it is not difficult. All the food markets have food like this, such as Krónan, Bónus, Hagkaup, and Nettó. Most restaurants have at least one option, if not multiple options on their menus.

10. I will be in Akureyri with my family in June on Independence Day. What can we expect to see for festivities?

The National Day of Iceland which is on June 17th is very important celebration for the people of Akureyri and everyone around the country. The town is decorated with flags and a full celebratory program. Here is a link to the 2023 program to give you an idea of what to expect.

There will be a parade, concerts, games, performances, and lots of food. I hope you and your family have a lovely time.

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