Iceland is definitely worth a visit. An island with a great tradition, mainly consisting of overwhelming nature with impressive waterfalls and many thermal-tectonic surprises. When in summer the sun disappears only briefly below the horizon, not only the earth but also life bubbles on Iceland.

The flight from Switzerland takes barely 4 hours and one finds oneself in another world. To prepare for the journey to the moon, NASA sent its astronauts to Iceland. Who has seen the lonely interior of the country, understands why. In order to discover this, I rented a pickup camper near the airport. Not quite as cheap as a rental car, but ideal to get around safely on the rough paths off the ring road.

June to August are the best months to penetrate the interior of the country. The later the better, as many paths are not passable in June due to the melting snow. But side trips as for example to Landmannalaugar off the usual tourist paths are always worthwhile; here, one still experiences loneliness and pure nature. Those who do not want to be quite so adventurous on the way and avoid the steering of an all-wheel-drive camper as well as the fords through waist-high water, will definitely get a lasting impression of this unique island in the middle of the North Atlantic on the continuously asphalted ring road, although one has to share it with others. Instead of sleeping in a cozy camper, it sleeps well in schools that are converted into simple but functional pensions during the summer months and are not quite as expensive as usual hotels. In the south of Iceland, impressive waterfalls as for example the Skogafoss, the Svartifoss or the Seljalandsfoss lure - one more beautiful than the other. In Vik y Myrdal, a short excursion to the black pebble beach with the distinctive rocks Reynisdrangar is worthwhile and a little further east, one can even admire small icebergs that swim in the lake Jökulsarlon and wait to be photographed. If you like watching animals, you should seriously consider targeting the distant Westfjords - nowhere else can you get as close to the puffins as here. With a bit of luck you might discover some seals in the Westfjords; I even got a young arctic fox in front of the camera. For a whale safari I recommend the whale centre in northern Husavik, where you can watch dwarf and humpback whales eating and playing.

Don't miss a short ferry crossing to the Westman Islands, which lie south of Iceland. The small archipelago attracts hiking, the fish tastes particularly good here and the people are extremely friendly.

For those who have only a few days at their disposal or are considering to get to Canada, for example, to make a stopover in Iceland, the Golden Circle is recommended, where one already gets a good impression of Iceland. The geyser Strokkur regularly shoots up here. I am impressed by the steam filled water bell that forms shortly before the eruption and shimmers in the most beautiful blue tones. And not far away the glacier river Hvita plunges over two cascades into the depth - the Gullfoss is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Iceland. Rainbows shine in the drizzle and sunshine and make the waterfall even more beautiful.

And those who drive back to the airport after all these impressions should not miss to visit the Blue Lagoon. In the turquoise blue water it is wonderfully bearable and tired limbs become vital again in no time.

To properly prepare for your trip

How you get there:
Nonstop flight with Icelandair or EasyJet

How you get around:
e.g. with a camper from www.mcrent.ch

How long am I supposed to go:
from 7 days, better 14 days

Best travel time:
May to September

Highlights:
Reykjavik, Geysir Strokkur and Gullfoss, Blue Lagoon, Svartifoss, Landmannalaugar, Jökulsarlon, Latrabjarg (Westfjords), Skogafoss

Eat delicious:
Burger in Tanginn, Fish in Fiskibarinn, Heimaey Westman Island

More info:
www.visiticeland.de


Realised by Michael Bachmann
Further travel pictures under www.kissed-by-nature.com