Who: Steve Nelson and Ellen LaRiviere of Evergreen.
Where: Gullfoss (Golden Falls) is about 80 miles east by northeast of Reykjavik. Gullfoss is a 105-foot-high, double-cascade waterfall and is considered Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall. The water is from the glacial river Hvitá and has its source underneath the glacier Langjökull. From the glacier to the Atlantic, this river flows for 83 miles through southern Iceland.
Best meal: The Scandinavian breakfast served every morning at our hotel, the Hotel Skjaldbreid in downtown Reykjavik.
Best deal: The tour packages offered by Reykjavik Excursions. It is a bit pricey to see the aurora borealis, Blue Lagoon or the black sands of the South Shore; or to go horseback riding through lava fields or snowmobile on a glacier, but the efficiency and quality of service make it worth every krona.
Best time to go: Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys surprisingly moderate temperatures year-round. The temperate ocean climate is cool in summer and fairly mild in winter. However, the weather is very changeable, and one should be prepared for the unexpected (for instance, it can rain in every direction at the same time). The average temperature for Reykjavik in July is 56 degrees; 35 degrees in January. The best viewing of the aurora borealis is, of course, at night, plus or minus a week of the new moon. Take long underwear and a windbreaker, as the nights are cold.
Best travel tips: Take your bathing suit for the countless hot springs. A beer will cost $10, so because each person is allowed to bring 1 liter of spirits into Iceland, buy a bottle of your favorite “good stuff” at the duty-free in the States before arriving in Iceland.
