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INFORMATION

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Cities Reykjavik - The largest city and capital Akureyri - Capital of the North Egilsstadir (Egilsstaðir) Hafnarfjörður - City of elves and an annual Viking festival Hellissandur Hofn (Höfn) in Hornafjordur Husavik (Húsavik) Isafjordur (Ísafjörður) Keflavik - Major airport and NATO/U.S. Naval Air Base Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) - Pompei of the North, volcanic island, great birdlife, largest puffin colony of Europe. Vopnafjordur (Vopnafjörður) Dettifoss - Europe's biggest waterfall

Other destinations Although most visitors don't stray far from the capital city, this is a shame as some of the most memorable sights of Iceland are further afield. There are many excursions offered by tour companies and are readily available from any of the main centres such as Reykjavik and Akureyri. They will fly you around and take you on to the glaciers and to the big volcanos for a reasonable price. Blue Lagoon - famous outdoor pool and health center. In area of Reykjavik and the international airport. This geothermal spa in the middle of a lava field was very surreal. Þingvellir [2] (pronounced "THINK-vet-lihr") - National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. 20 or 30 miles eastward of Reykjavik. Interesting for a number of reasons. This is not only the site of the longest running parliament in the world (the name literally means parliamentary fields), it's also where the North-American and European continental shelf plates are being torn apart. And if you think Gullfoss - the Golden Falls On the edge of the inhospitable Interior of Iceland about 60 miles east of Reykjavik, the river Hvita plunges down a double cascade to create what many people believe is the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland Geysir - Geothermal hot spot A bit west of Gullfoss. Geysir itself (from which the English word "geyser" derives) rarely erupts, but fortunately Strokkur next door goes off every five or ten minutes. Myvatn A lake near Akureyri in the North of Iceland, Myvatn has an unearthly appearance owing to special types of volcanic craters throughout the lake. Skaftafell National Park Jokulsarlon The majestic glacier lake in southeast Iceland and is located near Hofn and on Route 1. Interior Iceland water runoff flows into Jokulsarlon lake which opens into the Atlantic Ocean. Isafjords Located in northwest Iceland, the westfjords are somewhat isolated but beautiful to see. Dettifoss Europe's largest waterfall located in southern end of Jokulsargljufur National Park. A Golden Circle tour is available from Reykjavik which will take you round the Gulfoss waterfall, geysirs, the crater, the Garden of Eden and the Mid-atlantic rift/ place of Icelands first Parliament. Although you dont get much time at each stop the guide does tell you about Icelands history and some general information. Iceland offers many hiking opportunities. Hiking in Iceland is no easy business, strong walking boots which support your ankle are recommended as the terrain is usually craggy lava rock or springly moss with hidden holes!