Iceland's Magical Northern Lights

Located in southwestern Iceland, the capital and largest city of Iceland is said to be the location of the first permanent settlement. It is believed that the city was established around AD 870. Until the 18th century, there was no urban development, but the city was founded in 1786 as an official trading town and grew steadily over the next decades. Soon Reykjavík became the national center of commerce, population, and governmental activities. The city is rated among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world.

Leave behind the bright city lights and sail into the darkness of Faxaflói Bay in search of the aurora borealis – or northern lights – one of nature’s wonders. When revealed you will be dazzled by the flickering display of light bursting with color that unfolds before your eyes.

Each year during the winter months, travelers journey to Iceland and venture out into the dark to see the magical but elusive northern lights (aurora borealis). This natural phenomenon is the product of collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere; the results are spectacular! Streaks of colorful light appear across the sky. The colors can vary from white to pink or purple and, most commonly, green. The best time to witness the lights in Iceland is from late September to mid-April when nights are longest. This light show is truly dazzling and worth the pursuit.

The Golden Circle is the most popular tourist route from Reykjavík in South Iceland. Two main stops on the route are Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss Waterfall (Golden Falls). The route covers about 300 kilometers looping from Reykjavík into central Iceland and back.

Around 930, the Althing general assembly was established in Thingvellir. A law passed in 1928 protecting the area, which shall remain the property of the Icelandic nation under the preservation of the Althing. Thingvellir National Park was officially founded in 1930, marking the 1,000th anniversary of the Althing. In 2004, the park became a World Heritage Site. Throughout the park, travelers can visit the many hiking trails.

Visit the Lava Exhibition Center to learn about Iceland’s historic eruptions and current lava flows that make Iceland a showcase of volcanic activity.

The picturesque village of Vík is the southernmost village in Iceland, and despite its small size, it is the largest settlement around and an important staging post. Vík's black sand beaches are some of the wettest places in Iceland. The cliffs of the beaches are home to many beautiful seabirds, most notably, the colorful puffins. The village lies directly beneath the Myrdalsjokull glacier, which sits atop the Katla volcano.

A majestic glacial lake in southeast Iceland, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. The lagoon is situated at the head of the Breioamerkurjokull glacier. It developed into a lake after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The lake has grown since then at varying rates because of the melting glaciers. Today it is considered one of the natural wonders of Iceland and a major attraction for tourists. Several animals including various fish, seals and seabirds can be seen in or by the lagoon.

In 1976, a geothermal spa was formed during operations at the nearby geothermal power plant. Soon after, people began to bathe in the unique water and apply silica mud to their skin. Blue Lagoon opened its facilities in 1987. Following the opening was the opening of a special clinic for psoriasis patients. Blue Lagoon even started producing its own skin care products. Today, the Blue Lagoon is recognized as one of the wonders of the world.