We transfer to the airport for our flight to Reykjavik after breakfast this morning. Today we'll discover more of Iceland's marvels as we circumnavigate the Golden Circle, a ring of natural highlights: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir hot spring area and Gullfoss waterfall. First, we'll stop at Thingvellir National Park, the location of a major rift between two tectonic plates—the European and North American—which creates a dramatic (and growing) fissure in the land. The snowcapped mountains surrounding this forested plain, dotted with canyons, caves, streams and springs, form a striking natural amphitheater. It's not surprising that the world's oldest Parliament was formed here. Lunch is on our own after the visit at Thingvellir.
Then we'll visit Geysir, the geyser from which all others take their name, which erupts frequently in dramatic columns of water that shoot into the air. In this area of intense geothermal activity, puddles of water on the ground literally boil.
We end our Golden Circle tour with a visit to the stunning Gullfoss waterfall, which features three tiers of rushing white water that flow into a hundred-foot deep crevice.
We'll continue overland to Selfoss/Hveragerdi and check into our hotel. Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland and the gateway to all that this area of rich farmland and natural wonders has to offer. Located on the banks of the Olfusa River, it is home to around 6,300 inhabitants. We'll have dinner at our hotel this evening.
Hot water. Cold water. Wrenching tectonic plates. It's all connected & it's dynamic.
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