According to ethnicityology, the main attraction of the country is its amazing landscape: countless tiny lakes, rivers and waterfalls, active and dormant volcanoes, geyser fields and volcanic landscapes. In Iceland, there is the Haukadalur Valley of Geysers, where the Big Geyser (Geyser) is located with hot mineralized water of bright turquoise color. Periodically, it spews jets of steam 40-60 meters high. In general, more than 7 thousand geysers are spread in this valley, although only the Strokkur geyser often erupts. Be sure to visit the Deildartunguhver hot spring, the largest in Iceland. It provides more than 150 liters of boiling water every second, which the locals use for heating their homes, evaporating sea water and swimming pools. At any time of the year, you can swim in the Blue Lagoon geothermal lake – the water temperature here is always above +16. Of course, the numerous volcanoes with their multi-colored slopes and snow-white peaks, which can be observed in any part of the country, remain the unique attraction of Iceland. Among the largest volcanoes and volcanic fissures are Kverkfjöll, Hekla, Helgafell and many others. The capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, is famous for its unique early Scandinavian architecture. In the city center, “Old Reykjavik”, you can still find traditional old houses and even barns and sheepfolds, however, converted into cafes or shops. In the center of the city there are also a huge number of lawns and tiny lakes. Of the most interesting buildings, it is worth noting the Government Building and the Parliament Building. There are no industrial buildings on the territory of the capital, and houses are heated with water from thermal springs, so the air here is amazingly clean. There are many museums in the city where you can get acquainted with the history of the country and the way of life of the Vikings (National Gallery of Iceland, Arbair Folk Museum, National Museum, etc.) It is worth visiting the original Hallgrimskirkja Church. The city has a large number of thermal pools, including outdoor ones (with a water temperature of +27). Also popular are Blaulown Lake (Glacial Lagoon), connected to the ocean by a strait; Hengil area with its thermal waters; glacier Torf; Grimsky lakes; geothermal fields Nesjavellir, Landmannaleugar, Kölyur, Onavfelsnes; fields of “colorful land” near Hveragerdi; numerous waterfalls (Gullfoss, Goudafoss, Hauifoss, etc.) not far from Hveragerdi; numerous waterfalls (Gullfoss, Goudafoss, Hauifoss, etc.) not far from Hveragerdi; numerous waterfalls (Gullfoss, Goudafoss, Hauifoss, etc.)
National cuisine of Iceland
Characteristic features of Icelandic cuisine are the use of a large amount of fish and seafood, as well as old traditional recipes. Moreover, for those who are not used to the specific dishes of local peoples, this food may seem not only strange, but also inedible. For example, the traditional dish “haukarl”, the recipe for which has come down to us from the time of the Vikings. The fresh meat of the polar shark, from which this dish is prepared, is poisonous due to the high content of ammonia, so it is first buried in the ground for 5-6 weeks, and then weathered for 4 months. However, not all tourists decide to try the local delicacy, primarily because of the specific smell. More familiar dishes are popular, such as marinated herring “seald”, marinated salmon “gravlax”, fried or dried fish “hardfiskur”, as well as a variety of fish sandwiches. According to traditional recipes, meat is also prepared, especially lamb, so there are also quite a lot of exotic dishes: “blakya” meat, fried almost to coals, “svid” – a dried or marinated whole sheep’s head, chopped sheep’s liver “slatur”, smoked lamb “hangikiot ” and many others. In our time, vegetable dishes began to gradually penetrate the territory of Iceland, which was extremely rare here before. Skyr, a fermented milk product that resembles yogurt or cottage cheese, is also considered traditional. The local strong alcoholic drink “Brennyvin” tastes like a cross between vodka and whiskey. The choice of traditional European wines and other drinks is also rich, although alcohol in Iceland is extremely expensive (6-7 times more expensive than in Duty Free stores). The local strong alcoholic drink “Brennyvin” tastes like a cross between vodka and whiskey. The choice of traditional European wines and other drinks is also rich, although alcohol in Iceland is extremely expensive (6-7 times more expensive than in Duty Free stores). The local strong alcoholic drink “Brennyvin” tastes like a cross between vodka and whiskey. The choice of traditional European wines and other drinks is also rich, although alcohol in Iceland is extremely expensive (6-7 times more expensive than in Duty Free stores).
Visa to Iceland
Citizens of the Russian Federation are required to apply for a visa to enter Iceland. This can be done at the consular representation of the Kingdom of Denmark, the consular department of the Icelandic Embassy in Russia does not deal with visa issues. When applying for a visa on your own (and not through a travel agency), you must provide a valid passport, the original and a copy of the first page of the old passport, hotel reservation confirmation, international medical insurance policy, two color photographs, a certificate from the place of work/study, a certificate of availability of funds (50 euros per day per person), a cover letter indicating the exact route and purpose of the trip, a Schengen visa application form and other documents. The full list can be viewed on the website of the Danish Embassy in Moscow. If you are applying for a visa yourself, processing will take three to eight weeks. The consular fee is 1500 rubles.
