Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss - Waterfalls, Day 3

Day 3 in Iceland took us farther northeast, counterclockwise around the country where we had plans to see a few more waterfalls and other natural sites including a black beach and a hike out to Iceland's oldest pool.  Our first two stops featured on the blog today were waterfalls.  If you haven't picked up on it by now, anything that is a waterfall in Iceland ends in the word "foss" and today is all about fosses.  Lots O' Foss. 

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Signage

Golden Circle - Iceland

The Golden Circle is one of the most popular and touristy things to do just outside Reykjavik.  You get to see a whole lot of Iceland in just one day, just outside of Iceland's capital city.  You drive a big loop to see waterfalls, geysers, and craters.  With this proximity to the capital and awesome array of attractions, you will get some larger crowds. My advice is to start early and enjoy some of these spots before the busses show up. 

Touring Iceland's Golden Circle is a long day filled with important Iceland history, classic F roads (gravel roads) with potholes, and of course, waterfalls.  Keep reading to see my itinerary, where I stayed, what I ate,  which spots I loved, and which you can skip if you are short on time.

Things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland

So you want to go to Iceland? 

Or maybe you just have a long layover in Reykjavik before continuing on somewhere else in Europe.  Either way, here is my list of a few things you should (or shouldn't) do while visiting the most northern capital in the world.  Reykjavik, Iceland's city, has a latitude just under the Arctic Circle at 64°08'N.  It is a bustling little city, with great art, food, shops, and sites to see.  I spent almost 3 days in this windy city and have some tips, spots for good food (good cheap food) and general sites for you to see.  This list is a little different than the general iconic spots you see on the blogs or guides.  I've included some extra activities featured around eating (you know it), unique spots like the phallological museum, and tell you where you go for happy hour specials and booze over 2.25%.  Before you go, make sure you pack your raincoat, ten layers, and accept that the wind and sideways rain will (likely) be your constant struggle.  I hope you enjoy this city as much as I did. 

Standing outside famous "Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur" with a famous Icelandic hot dog

All About Icelandic Horses- riding tours and fun facts

Riding horses is something I rarely do on vacation.  It seems silly to pay all this money to go ride a school-broke lesson horse that usually involves 95% walking on a dirt path with 20 other people who have never ridden a horse before.  BUT, Iceland was going to be an exception to this rule.  Icelandic horses are so unique, and the countries landscape so insanely beautiful, that I couldn't pass the opportunity to tolt (more on that later) around the Icelandic countryside, taking in the views of Iceland from the saddle.  If I go back to Iceland, I would certainly sign up for one of the more advanced overnight tours instead of the 2 hour session open to all groups.  I have so much to tell you about our tour, who we used, how much we paid, and why we went riding but first, it's time for some fun facts.

1 Hike 2 Breweries- Easthampton, Massachusetts

There are very few things better than scouting out a new brewery after a hot New England hike.  The temperatures were in the 80s in September and after a lovely hike up to the summit of Mount Tom, I was happy to discover that there were two breweries just a few miles away. New City Brewery and the Abandoned Building Brewery were both in the same complex a 5 minute drive from the state park entrance.  With Olive in tow, we headed out to try some local Massachusetts beer.