Gullfoss (translated to ‘Golden Falls’) is one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved waterfalls, found in the Hvítá river canyon in south-west Iceland. 

The water in Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, before cascading 32 meters (105 feet) down Gullfoss’ two stages in a dramatic display of nature’s raw power. This incredible site is seen by most visitors, as it is on the Golden Circle sightseeing route.

Because of the waterfall’s two stages, Gullfoss should actually be thought of as two separate features. The first, shorter cascade is 11 metres (36 feet), whilst the second drop is 21 metres (69 feet). The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70 metres (230 feet), descending into the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon. Geologists believe that this canyon was formed by glacial outbursts at the beginning of the last age.

In the summer, approximately 140 cubic metres (459 cubic feet) of water surges down the waterfall every second, whilst in winter that number drops to around 109 cubic metres (358 cubic feet). With such energy, visitors should not be surprised to find themselves drenched by the waterfall’s mighty spray.

As mentioned, Gullfoss makes up a part of the highly popular Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside Geysir geothermal area and Þingvellir National Park. Many Golden Circle tours include additional activities that can be taken from Gullfoss, such as ascending the mighty nearby glacier Langjökull and entering its ice tunnels, or snowmobiling along its gleaming surface.

The Mighty Geyser

Strokkur is Iceland’s most visited active geyser. One of the three major attractions on the world-famous Golden Circle sightseeing route. I know its crazy that I traveled thousands of miles to see this geyser and I have never seen Old Faithful just a couple of states up.

We walked quite a way through this park but

Þingvellir National Park

Þingvellir has the official UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique geology in which two tectonic plates meet, the North American plate and the Eurasian. Slowly pulling apart a few centimetres per year, the plates are the main reason for Iceland’s volcanoes and spectacular landscapes. For a truly surreal experience, diving between the plates in Silfra is possible.

We walked quite a ways through this park but the scenery was so beautiful you didn’t mind.

Come to the church by the wildwood

Oh, come to the church in the vale

No spot is so dear to my childhood

As the little brown church in the vale

How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning

To listen to the clear ringing bells

It’s tones so sweetly are calling

Oh, come to the church in the vale

Come to the church by the wildwood

Oh, come to the church in the vale

No spot is so dear to my childhood

As the little brown church in the vale

This was such a photographic little church. I couldn’t help take a ton of pictures of it.

Þingvellir , anglicized as Thingvellir is a national park in the municipality of Bláskógabyggð in southwestern Iceland. Þingvellir is a site of historical, cultural, and geological significance, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. The park lies in a rift valley and to its south lies Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland.

Þingvellir is associated with the Althing, the national parliament of Iceland, which was established at the site in 930 AD. Sessions were held at the location until 1798.

The church with the buildings to the right of it were used during these parliament sessions and the buildings were used for

Do you like fresh off the vine tomatoes? Herbs and vegetables so fresh that the dirt is still on them? Have you ever ate in a greenhouse? At Fridheimar’s Greenhouse in Reykholti, Bláskógabyggõ you can.

Our travel team had a tomato lunch….tomato everything lunch!

We started with the one and only Friðheimar Tomato Soup served on a buffet with sour cream, home baked bread, cucumber salsa, butter and fresh herbs

And then we were served stone baked Tortilla with tomato, fresh basil and Mozzarella. Next course was fresh Ravioli pasta with home made pasta sauce and pesto! Absolutely delicious! And then there was dessert!

Yes that is tomato ice cream! Home made tomato ice cream à la Friðheimar!! I can leave it to your imagination but I will tell you it pretty much was left just like that on the table! I don’t think anybody cared for the tomato Ice Cream!

These are a few shots from around the greenhouse. Flowers and Vegetables were blooming and growing everywhere!

1. Fresh Iceland Cod with chef’s choice of accompanments
2. Rose – not necessarily culinary but beautiful
3. Mushroom soup
4. Desert
5. Fried Cod
6. Icelandic Lemon-aid

I do wish I could remember the exact names of each of these. But the first three are from the Jorgensen Kitchen CenterHotel Midgardur and the last three are from a bar across the street from our hotel and were very good.

There are three parts to this Museum, first the Museum of Sculptures and art, second his apartment, and third the gardens.

His Museum

His Apartment

The Gardens

Jónsson chose to locate the museum on the top of Skolavorduhaed, “a desolate hill on the outskirts of town,” as he puts it in his autobiography. The museum was the first building to be constructed on the top of the hill and Jónsson realized what possibilities this location, the highest in town, offered. Like some of his contemporaries, he dreamt of Skolavorduhaed becoming the political and cultural Acropolis of an independent Iceland. The museum was built according to a plan by the artist and it may thus be said that the museum building constitutes his biggest sculpture. The building served as his studio, as a gallery for his works and even as his home.