Author: Signe Smala - The Reykjavik Grapevine

Author: Signe Smala

Sólheimajökull: A Stunning Ice Giant

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Just a 158 kilometres drive south of the capitol—pleasantly accessible from Reykjavík—lies Sólheimajökull, the “Home of the Sun.” The glacier…

Sólheimasandur: Breathing In A Vast Horizon

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A desert of black sand bound by crashing ocean waves and deceivingly calm mountains, the gritted velvet plains of Sólheimasandur…

An Effortless Masterpiece: The Hidden Beauty Of Háifoss

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One can begin to crave nature after one too many walks up and down Laugavegur. On a recent autumn day,…

Hiking to the Reykjadalur hot springs

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Going for a hike is a must-do activity in Iceland. The beautiful scenery comes in a package with fresh air,…

Practical Magic: Learning Sorcery In Strandir

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Heavy clouds hover only dozen of metres above the ground, confirming the presence of an approaching blizzard. I slide my…

Seeing The Underworld Of Iceland’s Lava Tunnels

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Iceland’s lava fields have their own particular beauty. Their velvety moss carpets and waves of dark rock peaks have a…

Buggy Adventures: Muddy Wheels And Grins

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“Up for some splashes?” I ask. The engine is roaring and the wind beating at the visors of our helmets…

Let Them Eat Lobster & Stuff

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It’s technically langoustine, not lobster, but Langoustine & Stuff doesn’t sound right. It misses the fricative soft rhyme of “ster”…

Weathering Iceland

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Iceland’s wind. I’ve been in this country for only two months now, but we’ve spent so much time together, me…

Exploring Exploration: The Explorers Festival Comes To Húsavík

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“Can you imagine being up there, literally on the moon, flipping the pages of your instruction manual, and coming across…

Welcome To Whaletown: A Day In The Northern Town Of Húsavík

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After a five-hour night drive, and numerous failed attempts at napping, we arrive at our destination at last. The sun…

Sjón Takes Part In “Future Library” Project

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Award-winning Icelandic author Sjón is the third writer to add his work to the “Future Library” project, where it will lay…

American Tourists To Outnumber Iceland’s Population

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It is expected that, at the end of this year, the number of American tourists who have visited Iceland in 2016 will grow beyond 332,000…

Exhibition Tackles Gender Equality At Mengi

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At the start of next month, a new art exhibition – “An Issue of Structure” – opens at Mengi. It…

Stormy Weather: A Look Back

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A reader-submitted video montage lets you relive the magic and wonder of the severe rainfall and winds that blustered through…

Italian Man To Celebrate Birthday With Grueling Physical Exercise

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Matteo Meucci, an Italian mountaineer living in Iceland, has challenged himself to climb 100 alpine, mixed and ice routes up…

The Anatomy Of An Icelandic Hotdog

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It’s well known that the more time you spend in a certain culture, the more it breaks into you, shifting…

The Arctic Circle Assembly Starts Today

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The largest international gathering on Arctic issues, The Arctic Circle Assembly, starts today at Harpa and hosts 2000 participants from…

Fin Whales Remain (Somewhat) Protected

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The start of this month arrived with good news for those who stand against whaling, and for the animals themselves,…

Real Life Postcards For This Week’s #GVPics

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From time to time it’s good to surprise your just-out-of-reach loved ones with a beautiful post card containing warm greetings…

Happening Today: Hasselblad Award Winners Exhibit Opens!

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A collection of portraits by seven photographers, all of whom have been awarded with the the most prestigious photography prize…

Your Weather Forecast: Prepare To Be Unsurprised

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Iceland’s in for weather as shifty as usual. Over the next few days, different parts of the country are going…