Iceland 2019

The opportunities we experienced were unique, dynamic and thrilling: walking between two of Earth’s major plates; swimming in the world famous Blue Lagoon fed by a thermal power station; trekking over the fells to swim in a thermal river; witnessing the mighty Strokkur, the planet’s most active geyser.

The Blue Lagoon was really special. It was great to walk into the warm mineral water when the day was turning cold and wet.”

Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and European plates are slowly moving apart, resulting in regular earth tremors and giving rise to over thirty active volcanoes, some of which can erupt from below mighty ice caps like Eyafjallajökull. Geothermal power plants take advantage of the huge energy potential stored in sub-surface superheated water and they also provide virtually free heating and hot water for homes and workplaces. It is one of the world’s emptiest nations and is a true wilderness.The thermal river that we visited lay close to the hotel. It was a cold day and we hiked into the fells before having a soak and a swim in the waters fed by hot springs…it actually got hotter further upstream!”

The thermal river that we visited lay close to the hotel. It was a cold day and we hiked into the fells before having a soak and a swim in the waters fed by hot springs…it actually got hotter further upstream!”

Our geographers had a fantastic time and they all have great memories of the sights they witnessed and activities they experienced.

The secret waterfall was wonderful. We visited the tourist waterfall at Selialandfoss but our guide took us to this hidden gorge with its own falls. It’s amazing that somewhere like this was formed totally naturally and without any human intervention.”

The ancient Icelandic parliament took place at Þingvellir and it was incredible to visit this open-air meeting place where democracy and law-making were practised by the Norsemen. It lies right in the rift valley, surrounded by lava fields.”