Iceland: The country of ice cream

Iceland is not only known for its glaciers (Snæfellsjökull, Vatnajökull), but also for its ice cream. In any season or weather situation, the locals consume large quantities of ice cream of many kinds. The ice cream shop is the only place in Iceland where you’ll find a queue on a Friday night at 22 hours. Below is a brief overview of the best places to eat ice cream in Iceland!

Ísbúð Vesturbæjar, in the district of the same name, is considered by many as the best ice cream shop in Reykjavík. It offers a milk-based ice cream, and you can choose three flavours per ice cream from a vast range such as chocolate, strawberry, banana, kiwi, chocolate-chip, blueberries, to name a few. The result is delicious and is called Þeyttingur. You will also find a selection of more traditional ice creams such as vanilla ice cream surrounded by a chocolate glazed "clown" for children, ice cream with chocolate sauce (hot or cold), ice cream with licorice (licorice another popular treat in Iceland) and so on …

Other Ice cream shops available in Reykjavík are Yoyo, known for its frozen yogurts, and Valdís, known for its original flavours (e.g. peanut flavor).

The Brynja Akureyri ice cream shop, located in the old city, ranks as one of the best in Iceland. But be careful, however, when choosing the size of the Icelandic ice cream; "medium" for an Icelander is considered  "huge" for a foreign traveller ... In Akureyri’s city centre, it’s possible to find an ice cream shop on the street, Geislagata, and some cafes that also offer frozen desserts, and ice cream served in a cone (í brauði) or cardboard container (í lassi).

You will find ice cream in all petrol stations or kiosks (sjóppur) around the country. Some farms also make homemade ice creams, such as Holtsel in Eyjafjörður, Erpsstaðir near Snaefellsnes peninsula, Efstidalur near the Golden Circle and Brunhóll near Vatnajökull. Brunhóll calls their ice cream Jöklaís, which translates  “glacier ice."

Ísbílinn is a truck that supplies farms in the countryside with all kinds of ice cream treasures, a great invention and treat for anyone living in rural parts of Iceland. In the summer time, ísbílinn ( translates "ice car") also stops in major towns and announces its presence with music playing over its speaker -the international signal for the ice cream van. In winter, the mobile ice cream trucks are confined to small towns and remote valleys.

Ice Climbing in Iceland

If you are in Iceland for a trip, it is quite difficult not to notice the asset of the country that is, glacier that extends to 4,500 square miles.

Every year, ice climbing on these magnificent glaciers is being observed, particularly on the Svínafellsjökull and Sólheimajökull, which are located in the southern part of Iceland. In these locations, day trips are being offered from Skaftafell and Reykjavík.

If ice climbing is not your forte, you may choose a better alternative, that is, hiking trips which can be availed of at the Vatnajökull glaciers (East), as well as the Snæfellsjökull glaciers (West). In all cases, ice climbing and glacier walking should never be attempted without the guidance of a professional guide. Walking tours on the glacier are often combined with other types of tours such as glacier lagoon boating, as well as jeep safaris.

In winter time, when the waterfalls freeze, the place just turns into an endless winter wonderland where the place for playing grows ever wider along with the possibilities that can be enjoyed in the area.

By taking advantage of one of the guided tours offered, you will get a chance to see first-hand, some untamed nature of Iceland. These different tours may be availed of depending on difficulty and expertise. Ice axes, as well as crampons, are readily available; however it is still recommended that you bring along with you waterproof trousers, light sweater, quick dry trousers, gloves, a hat and jacket. Additionally, you may find hiking boots for rent in the area.

Among the most popular tours are the ones in Sólheimajökull, Skaftafell, Snæfellsjökull, and Svínafellsjökull.

Ice climbing is a type of outdoor activity that is readily available all throughout the year in Iceland. When availing of a tour, you will receive a brief explanation to what ice climbing is, and get the opportunity to master some stints in ice climbing. There is no doubt that in no time, you will become a very good climber.

Mike, Iceland24h.blogspot.com
© 2014 Iceland24h.blogspot.com, October 2014