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Buttes of Sedona
In northern Arizona lies Sedona, a town known for the surrounding buttes (isolated hills with steep sides and a flat top (similar to but narrower than a mesa). Sedona sits on the border of the lower desert of southern desert turns into the high deserts of northern Arizona and Utah, combining dry, arid landscapes with…
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Hiking in the Kiso Valley
Japan’s Kiso Valley in Nagno Prefecture lies near the Japanese Alps. History of the Kiso Valley Kiso Valley has been important to Japan for at least the past 1,500 years. There are records that mention the Kiso Mountain Road opened in 702 to connect current Nagano Prefecture to lands to the south. The region has…
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Kapa’a Beach: Tropical Paradise (Kaua’i, Hawaii)
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Strokkur Geysir and Geysir Geothermal Area (Iceland)
Located in southwestern Iceland, Strokkur Geysir is a regularly erupting geyser in Iceland’s Geysir Geothermal Area. Located only a short trip from the capital, Reykjavik, it is easy to reach by car or bus and can easily be included in a day trip. History Strokkur Geysir made burst onto the Icelandic scene in 1789 when…
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Bru Horsefarm – Feeding Icelandic Horsesnear Iceland’s Famous Geysir
If you are in Iceland’s southern region and love animals, Bru Horsefarm should be on your list of places to visit. Located less than 5 minutes from Iceland’s well-known Strokkur Geyser, the farm features Icelandic horses – a specific pure breed that is unique to the island. About Icelandic Horses Icelandic horses are a breed…
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Jökulsárlón – Iceland’s Famous Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs
Situated in southeastern Iceland, Jökulsárlón – or the Glacier Lagoon – is a famous attraction that has people flocking from all over the world. Here you can watch glaciers calf off Vatnajökull in their array of hues from transparent to baby blue. You can also watch them begin their journey, destined to end up as…
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Diamond Beach (Iceland)
Located in the southeastern area of Iceland, Diamond Beach (or Breiðamerkursandur in Icelandic) is a fascinating site. Located just downstream from Jökulsárlón Lake and, more importantly, Vatnajökull, it is the site at which glaciers go to die. The glaciers begin their life cycle here by first calving off of Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest glacier. From here…
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Seyðisfjarðarkirkja: Powder Blue Church with a Rainbow Street (Iceland)
Located in eastern Iceland, Seyðisfjarðarkirkja (or Seyðisfjörður Church in English or also known as the Bláakirkja – Blue Church) is a beautiful powder blue church in a beautiful port town that is surrounded by mountains. Sitting in one of the Eastfjords of Iceland, the views of and from this church are simply stunning. Seyðisfjörður is…
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Stuðlagil Canyon: Basalt Columns in Iceland’s Northeastern Region
In Iceland’s remote northeastern region is Stuðlagil Canyon, one of the many examples of basalt columns in Iceland. Basalt columns form when lava cools and cracks, forming pentagonal or hexagon shapes. This cracking continues downward, forming the columns that give basalt columns their name. If they are exposed to air, they are usually hexagonal. If…
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Arctic Henge: Iceland’s modern neolithic Monument
Imagine you are driving in the remote northern region of Iceland. You are near the northernmost point of the island when you come across what looks like a stone circle. Is this the Icelandic answer to Stonehenge? If you think so, you are not alone. This is the Arctic Henge. The Arctic Henge is located…
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Jökulsárgljúfur: Iceland’s answer to the Grand Canyon
Jökulsárgljúfur, located in the north of the main island, is Iceland’s largest canyon. It hosts several interesting features, including three waterfalls, and has some excellent hiking opporunities. Geology and Formation Jökulsárgljúfur was formed during a catastrophic flood of the river Jökulsá, creating a 25-km / 15.5-mile long, 0.5-km / 0.3-mile wide canyon that sometimes has…
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Akureyri Rainbow Footpath: One of Iceland’s Famous Three Rainbows
In Iceland:s northern area lies its second city: Akureyri. With a population of 20,000 people in 2025, it is a bustling metropolis for this island nation of 404,000 people. Within the city is the Museum of Art, which the Akureyri Rainbow Footpath. As a staunch defender and supporter of equal rights for all genders and…
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Goðafoss: Waterfall of the Gods (Iceland)
Located in northern Iceland, Goðafoss is one of the most famous in Iceland with ties not only to the original Norse settlers in the 8th and 9th centuries but also to the conversion of Iceland from paganism to Christianity. History and Religion Iceland was first settled in 874 AD by Norse settlers who came from…
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Hvitserkur: Dragon, Rhino or Camel? (Iceland)
Located in northern Iceland, Hvitserkur is one of the famous shaped rocks in Iceland alongside others like Elephant Rock on Vestmannaeyjabær. But what exactly is its shape? A dragon? A rhino? A camel? I will let you decide that for yourself. Hvitserkur is a 15-metre / 49-foot basalt rock that sits off the Vatnsnes Peninsula.…
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Kálfshamarsvik: Beautiful Lighthouse with Horizontal Basalt Columns (Iceland)
Located in northern Iceland, Kálfshamarsvik refers to a historic lighthouse that sits on this coast warning ships of the peninsula. But what makes this special you ask. There are many lighthouses on Iceland (e.g. Svörtuloft Lighthouse and Malariff Lighthouse to name a few), so what is so great about this one? Well, the answer lies…
