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Most visitors to Iceland have come first for the amazing scenery and well over 80% start in Reykjavík the island nations capital. If you’re considering your first visit to Iceland the fastest way to hit the ground running is to take Iceland’s Golden Circle tour. Because of its popularity there are a number of tour company options to consider or you can rent a car and take the tour on your own.
Icelands roads are well maintained, marked and easy to navigate and rental cars are reasonably priced. A one day rental will usually cost less than a tours cost for one person.
The three major sites composing Iceland’s Golden Circle sightseeing route include Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall, but virtually all guided tours include a number of additional sights.
The rift trail
Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park – There are several places on land where the Earth’s tetonic plates are actually pulling away from each other creating new land. Called a rift zone Þingvellir is the oldest of the national parks in Iceland and geologically sits atop of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Þingvellir National Park is located in the southern part of the country about a 40 minute drive from Reykjavík . It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains the rift, the country’s second-largest lake, the Þingvallavatn Lake (Lake of the Parliament) and the amazing Öxarárfoss Waterfall. It also contains many hiking trails and camping grounds, and while admission to Þingvellir National Park is free there is a charge to park.
Thingvellir National Par
Geysir Geothermal Area – If the name Geysir seems a lot like geyser, the truth is that Geysir is where the name originated. While most of the geothermal area is on private land and there have been attempts to start charging, the area is still free. The oldest accounts of Geysir in Haukadalur Valley date back to 1294, when earthquakes in Iceland caused changes in the geothermal area and created several new hot springs. Geysir is the main geyser and has been measured to reach the height of 170 meters. Seismic activity in the area has effect on Geysir and after being dormant for a number of years, Geysir was revived by an earthquake in 2000.
Gullfoss Waterfall – Just a few miles past Geysir, on Iceland’s Golden Circle route is Gullfoss waterfall. Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions because of the sheer size of the falls and the ninety degree switch the falls takes half way down. There is plenty of parking and the visitor center has a nice restaurant, snack and gift shop with free restrooms.
Other attractions within the area of the Golden Circle include:
Kerið crater lake – is a beautiful volcanic crater lake on the Golden Circle route, filled with blue-green water with black and deep red slopes. It is believed to be an explosion crater formed 3,000 years ago.
Secret Lagoon Hot Spring – features a single pool supplied from hot and cold springs, keeping it at a perfect 100 to 104 °F. Spend time relaxing in the hot springs while viewing the beautiful landscape that includes a geyser spouting jets of hot water and steam every few minutes.
Blue Lagoon – Located in the heart of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark and surrounded by moss-covered lava fields, the Blue Lagoon Iceland is a wonderland named one of the 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic in 2012. Once perceived as little more than an unusable byproduct of Iceland’s geothermal energy production, the Blue Lagoon is now water attraction with its warm waters known for their healing, rejuvenating, and nourishing qualities.
The Sólheimajökull and Mýrdalsjökull Glaciers – Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of the mighty icecap of Mýrdalsjökull on the South Coast of Iceland. It is one of the most easily accessible glaciers to reach from Reykjavík, just 98 miles away and is a favorite spot for glacier hiking.
The Black-sand Beaches of Vik – Reynisfjara is a black sand beach in Vík and one of the most popular black sand beaches in Iceland. It is located only two and a half hours away from Reykjavík and is worthy of a stop if you are near.
The Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls – Skogafoss is a waterfall at the cliffs of the former coastline. As the coastline receded seaward the former sea cliffs remained. Skogafoss waterfall comes from two glaciers, Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull and drops almost 200 feet. From the top of Skogafoss waterfall is an inspiring view out over south Iceland’s coastline. Seljalandsfoss is another well known waterfall in Iceland. It drops almost 100 feet and is remarkably beautiful. If there is enough time add these waterfalls to a trip on south coast.
Hellisheiði Power Plant
There are also a number of good museums and culture sites in Reykjavík along with the interesting Geothermal Energy Exhibition an interactive museum on Iceland’s volcanic processes at Hellisheiði Power Plant, just a twenty-minute drive outside Reykjavík.
Once an out-of-the-way island, Grenada is gaining in popularity as a cruise port of call. The capital of St. George is considered by many as one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque towns wrapping around a half-moon shaped harbor. Called the spice island it is a great place to shop for nutmeg and other spices.
Where the Ship Docks
St. George has a well equipped cruise pier and terminal located below Fort St. George and attached to the Esplanade shopping mall with public facilities.
Fort St. George sits above the town.
Grand Anse Beach
Transportation
Getting around the island usually requires a taxi, water taxi or renting a car. There are usually plenty of taxis in front of Esplanade Shopping Mall. Rental cars are available in St. George but you will need to pay about EC$30 for a temporary drivers license.
Taxis – Taxi fares are reasonably inexpensive with a trip around town costing less than EC$11 about US$4 or out to Grand Anse Beach for EC$27 or US$10.
Money
Grenada is part of a group of islands that form a common market and use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar with EC$2.67 equal to one US Dollar. US Dollars and credit cards are normally accepted.
Christ of the Deep statue
Attractions
Beaches – Grenada has an abundance of great beaches but the most popular is Grand Anse Beach not far from the pier in St. George.
The Rain Forest – This island is blessed with some of the richest rain forests in the Caribbean offering a number of nature trails and spectacular waterfalls to visit.
Grenada Rainforest
Spices – Known as the spice island you can find many opportunities to buy spices at really remarkable prices. If you have the time take a tour of a plantation. One of the most popular spices grown on this island is nutmeg.
Bryce Canyon National Park. One of Utah’s incredible National Parks Bryce Canyon is a favorite for its unusual formations and great hiking. These giclée prints will soon be available in several sizes and styles, custom printed for each individual order on archival, museum grade paper using fade resistant inks.
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Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.
The rainforests of this tiny nation are what draw visitors to this lush island along with some incredible snorkeling and diving sites. Dominica is home to incredible hiking trails, many leading to the islands amazing waterfalls.
Geologically Dominica is one of the most recently formed Caribbean islands. Created by volcanos rising from the sea millions of years ago, this island lies on the line between two opposing tectonic plates. Even today there are a number of steaming springs and fumaroles dotting the islands landscape. The volcanic forces that created Dominica explain why this island, smaller than New York’s Manhattan, has mountains climbing almost to 5,000 feet. It’s those tall mountains that pull moisture from the northeast trade winds crossing the island that causes heavy rainfall contributing to its flowing streams and waterfalls.
Dominica is a safe island in the Caribbean with tourist-targeted crime being very rare and locals who are generally friendly and more than eager to help you.
Where Your Ship Docks
Cruise ships dock at a pier right at the center of the capital of Roseau’s waterfront, situated on the western side of the island. Taxis are common but public facilities are not readily available. Walking off the ship will find you in the center of town.
Getting Around Dominica
The easiest and often the least expensive way to get around the Roseau area is by taxi, but to see more of Dominica you need take a tour or rent a car, as the major sights and destinations are fairly spread out. Rental cars and taxi services are available in downtown Roseau and while there are local minivan buses that are cheap and run regularly along the coastal routes between Roseau and both Scotts Head and Portsmouth, figuring out routes and times can be a challenge. Also bus service is reduced after business hours with almost none on Sundays.
Currency
Dominica uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) as its official currency. The currency is also shared with Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and Anguilla, and all are members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. U.S. Dollars are widely accepted along with major credit cards.
Attractions
Dominica is a place for adventures. With volcanic peaks, lush rainforests, rugged coastlines and sparkling waterfalls, giving Grenada its nickname of Nature Island. If you are looking for tropical beaches, they are few and far between. The islands geological history has left most of its shoreline rugged and most of the island’s beaches are covered in rocks and pebbles rather than sand. The big attraction here is to explore some of the worlds most interesting rainforest trails with many well maintained and marked. For specific information visit the OFFICIAL DOMINICA TOURIST SITE.
Other attractions include Fort Shirley, part of the Cabrits National Park and located on a scenic peninsula just north of Portsmouth. This fortress is most famously known for the revolt of English African slave soldiers in 1802, an event which would lead to freeing of all British slave soldiers in 1807.
Dominica is also noted for being the home to the Kalinago Indians, who are the descendants of the island’s original people who were known as Carib Indians throughout the Caribbean. The Kalinago are famous as rainforest guides and offer a number of tours as well as programs demonstrating their way of living and culture. There’s more information HERE.
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