In Bardaströnd (western part of Iceland) you can find a delightful and warm swimming pool right by the sea. The place is called Laugarnes vid Birkimel in the Bardastrond area.
The swimming pool is old, ca 60 years old but has been renovated recently. During the summertime you may expect it to be open from 13:00 - 23:00.
Enjoy!
An Iceland nature watching cruise with the family on Breidafjörður is an unforgettable experience.
Breidafjördur is a natural paradise where you can see and observe greater variety of birdlife. There are about 2800 small islands scattered all around this big fjord. Many of them were occupied in the past and you can see abandoned houses here and there, most of which are still maintained and used during the summer.
Among the bird species you can expect to see are the delightful puffins, eider ducks, kittiwakes, fulmars and even eagles.
During the tour the seabed is dragged for shellfish which you'll get a chance to both taste and observe. You'll probably never taste as fresh sea-urchin roe!
If you really want to experience something special, you should visit the old fishery station at Hellnar in Snæfellsnes and feel the spirit of past generations in this beautiful place.
Let the elves in the rocks play with your imagination and last but not least visit Kristjan and Sigridur and have a fantastic fish soup at their popular Fjoruhusid (Fjöruhúsið) on the shore, a small restaurant only open during the summertime.
Photo: The popular Fjöruhúsið with some guests on the veranda.
When you leave the town of Borgarnes in the direction of Bifröst (University Campus) pay attention after about 20-30 km. Two secret hot spots are well worth your visit in the neighborhood of Bifröst.
A little below Bifröst, on your left side, you'll find a road that leads to Hreðavatn, a beautiful little lake where it is possible to buy fishing permits if you wish. The surroundings of the lake are extremely beautiful and mostly hidden from Road 1. There are all kinds of trails available for short or long walks.
Glanni - Paradísarlaut
Another secret hot spot is also a little below Bifröst on your right hand side when driving from Borgarnes. Actually two spots to be precise! On your right side runs the river Norðurá with the beautiful waterfall Glanni. You'll find a nice walking path leading to it.
But don't just stop at Glanni... continue on the path until you reach Paradísarlaut - the Hollow of Paradise. A beautiful (and romantic!) oasis in the lava on the banks of Norðurá, not too far from Glanni.
Paradísarlaut is a hollow with a tiny lake in the middle with green grass, moss and bushes all around. You'll have to climb down a path to get down. A very romantic and wonderful place and if you brought some coffee and provisions, you can easily enjoy a small picnic there.
The whole of West Fjords is one big secret hot spot!
This is one area that often gets left out when travelers, both foreign and Icelandic travel the Ring Road. This is a great pity since nowhere else in Iceland is nature as spectacular and glorious. Soaring mountainsides, deep valleys and numerous possibilities for outdoors activities.
Photo of Drangajokull glacier in west Iceland by Johann Dréo. Wikipedia commons. Attribution 2.5.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Islande_glacier_Drangajokull.jpg
Flatey is the name of an island in Iceland’s greatest archipelago, Breiðafjörður.
Breiðafjörður has so many small islands that it’s almost impossible to count them. Many of the islands were inhabited the whole year around in earlier times but only in Flatey there remains a year-round settlement.
Photo by Salvör Gissurardottir. Wikipedia commons - Official licence.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Flatey-hus4.jpg
Reykholt
Fosshotel Reykholt (budget option)
In Reykholt, the home of Snorri Sturluson, Iceland’s most famous saga writer, poet and historian.
