Thingvellir is characterized by tectonic rift valley and marks the rifting of the Eurasian and North American plates from each other. In 930 the Icelandic Parliament, the first democracy in the world, was established at Thingvellir. Thingvellir became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Did you know that the english name “geyser”, derives from the one and only in the Haukadalur area in Iceland? The geyser Geysir itself erupts boiling water up to 70 meters, but is almost inactive now. Strokkur, only few meters apart from Geyser, erupts on average every 5 minutes.

Near Geysir is the Gullfoss Waterfall, which probably tops the list of being the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland. Enjoy the view from above and walk down the path to get close to the powerful waterfall.

Seljalandsfoss is a 60 m high waterfall, beautifully located and exceptional because you can enjoy it from behind. A path takes you around the waterfall and standing behind it is a rare and unique experience. However, on very cold days the path can be closed because of ice, but then you have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful icy landscape.

Skógafoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. It is also 60 m high and about 25 m wide. Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are both in glacier rivers, meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. Eyjafjallajökull is now famous for it’s 2010 volcanic eruption that disrupted air traffic in Europe.

Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier, flowing out of the ice cap Mýrdalsjökull. Underneath Mýrdalsjökull is the famous volcano Katla. Glaciers are retreating and disappearing around us on an unprecedented rate. It is predicted that in a few decades the glaciers in Iceland will all be gone.

Iceland is a volcanic island, made up mainly of basaltic material that is black in colour. Hence, the “Black Beaches”. The black beach was, in 1991, ranked as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. On the beach, there are remarkable basalt columns. Reynisdrangar is a sea stack, a geological formation made by wave erosion of surrounding material.

Hopefully the weather allows a view of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which is famous for it´s eruption in 2010.