Natural, World Iceland horse

Iceland, horses

Iceland horses

From Westman Islands. Iceland horses on Heimaey, the biggest of the islands.

To me, some of the most inspiring sights the natural world has to offer can be found during a scenic hike through snow-capped mountains. The sharp, thin air and glorious clarity of the world below never fails to leave me with a increased sense of gratitude and appreciation for life.

 Undated file photo shows the scenery of the Sanqingshan Mountains in east China's Jiangxi Province. China is applying to the UNESCO to list the mountain that features picturesque scenes and rich culture of the Taoism as a world natural heritage site. 

Vacation in Iceland and you’ll enter a whole new realm of experience. You’ll discover original nature as you’ve never seen it before, and the equally original people for whom timeless nature, ancient heritage and modern lifestyle coexist in harmony. The freedom to roam in the city or the wilds as you please, explore and have fun — this is the key to the Iceland experience. Iceland is an island of 39,756 square miles, about the size of Virginia, with an average height of 500m above sea level. Its highest peak, Hvannadalshnukur, rises to 2,119m, and glaciers, including Vatnajokull, the largest in Europe, cover over 11 percent of the country.

Situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is a hot spot of geothermal activity. Thirty post-glacial volcanoes have erupted in the past two centuries, and natural hot water supplies much of the population with cheap, pollution-free heating. Rivers, too, are harnessed to provide inexpensive hydroelectric power. The electrical current is 220 volts, 50 Hz. 
Of a population numbering just over a quarter of a million, half live in the capital, Reykjavik, and its neighboring towns in the southwest. Keflavik International Airport is located about 50km from the capital. The highland interior is uninhabited (and uninhabitable), and most of the population is situated along the coast. 
The economy is heavily dependent upon fisheries, which are the nation’s major resource, and almost 60 percent of all exports are made up of seafood products. Yet only a small proportion of the workforce is active in this sector (5 percent in fishing, 6.5 percent in fish processing), and over 50 percent of the workforce is employed in services, public and other.

Iceland - a country of fantastic natural beauty
 Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.... fantastic nature, wonderfully clear air, awesome lights.... it's a great place.

Because I only spent a short time at any of the visited places, I've put all my Iceland impressions on one page. Next time I'll definitely stay longer!

Claire : What was the weather like when you were there and what time of the year would you recommend visiting?
Jure : The weather in Iceland is as diverse as it’s landscape. In a single day we would encounter sunshine, rain and even a snowstorm. As said before, we arrived in June, in the summit of Iceland’s beauty.






Claire : What accommodation did you use or could you recommend?
Jure : A friend of ours, who happens to own a travel agency, took care of the accommodation. We stayed in various places: countryside hotels, student dorms, and even in a nice wooden cottage.
Claire : What were the highlights of your trip?
Jure : Everything was great, but if I had to single out three landmarks, I’d say extinct volcanoes, sulphur pools, and fields of hardened magma.





Claire: PTR thanks Jure for sharing his experience and wonderful images with us. This is a destination that has been on my “must do” list for a long time and he has certainly sold it to me.