"The Thing at the Big Water" Top 5 Page for this destination Þingvellir by yooperprof

Þingvellir Travel Guide: 62 reviews and 314 photos

don't do this at home, folks - Þingvellir

Getting here is half the fun!

I'm sure it wasn't the best idea I've ever had - trying to drive to the rift valley where Iceland's largest lake is located in my small rental Toyota. Especially on a back road. Especially on a day after a snow fall, when the road was still largely covered in icy slush. Thank goodness I'm a Yooper! Thank goodness I have decent winter driving skills! Thank goodness I was lucky!

It was a dark and stormy day. . .

The dramatic landscape, though, made it all worthwhile. Something deeply dramatic and satisfying about the harsh rugged interior of Iceland - you have a little awe for the rugged people who have made this island their home. And what were they thinking when they decided to locate their main "talking place" - the antecedent of the world's parliaments - here in the interior of the country, far removed from the accessible coastline?

Big sky, big water, big snow. . .

Last visit to Þingvellir: Mar 2006
Intro Written Apr 10, 2006
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Reviews (6)

will grow up one day to be the grand canyon - Þingvellir

Rift Valley Things to Do (2)

This is one of the best places in Iceland to see evidence of continental drift. It's where the European and North... more travel advice

stop and smell the roses, so to speak - Þingvellir

Roadside pullouts Favorites (3)

There are several places along the road where you can pull-over safely, without having to worry about being in the way... more travel advice

Geothermal power station Favorites (3)

The power lines which connect the generating station to the outside world are one of the few signs on human civilization... more travel advice

a piece of the rock, or the rock itself? - Þingvellir

Iceland's First National Park Favorites (3)

This region is Iceland's oldest National Park, and there are many places of great natural beauty. I'm sure that in the... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Drive safely. . .

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Comments (6)

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agapotravel Nov 25, 2007 at 5:54 PM

Hi again! We are back from Iceland. We absolutely loved it! We weren't driving in snow like you. :-) Check out my pages and let me know what you think. Thanks!
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nickandchris Sep 17, 2007 at 7:14 AM

Would love to visit Iceland but definitely not in winter!!!!
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cwhit21 Nov 12, 2006 at 11:40 PM

I heard from a few that they had the nicest hot springs, did you hit them up?
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chewy3326 May 10, 2006 at 7:11 PM

Visiting Iceland in winter seems like quite an adventure... with the rental car, freezing roads and all, good thing nothing bad happened!
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deecat Apr 15, 2006 at 11:40 AM

Speaking of desolation! Interesting but not my cup of tea...I dislike winters here and they are really rather mild.
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Dabs Apr 13, 2006 at 10:20 AM

Good thing you are very skilled at driving in the snow!