J'AIME December 2017

T R AV E L
The land of fire and ice
NICOLA BRERETON, OF RB COLLECTION IN LICHFIELD, DISCOVERS A WORLD
OF WONDER ON AN ACTION-PACKED WHISTLESTOP TOUR OF ICELAND
THE STUNNING
GODAFOSS WATERFALL
Iceland; having sold it for many years my
preconceived idea was purely a Reykjavik city break,
with a trip to the Blue Lagoon and an opportunity
to see the Northern Lights. I imagined it to be quite
barren with not much to do or see; how wrong could
I be?
As soon as our plane descended into Keflavik airport
the view that unfolded was simply stunning. Our
first taste of this amazing island had begun and it
certainly was not about to disappoint. Leaving the
airport we were met with the most beautiful houses
dotted along the vast coastal line, all individually built
in striking colours that complement the surrounding
areas. Immediately we were captivated by the stories
of the first Viking settlers and how they sent a prayer
up to their god to guide them to a new land, threw
a log into the sea and followed it along the coastline.
The log was then carried around the coast, finally
coming ashore in a bay with what appeared to be
smoke. They called this new town Reykjavik, Nordic
for ‘bay of smoke’. The smoke they could see was, in
fact, the steam rising from the hot springs.
After an hour’s drive we arrived in the beautiful
city of Reykjavik. The main area is made up of
white-washed and colour-washed wooden buildings
full of character. Although the drive in gives the
impression of a sprawling city, the main part of
Reykjavik itself feels quite peaceful. Most visitors
and locals alike can be found along the many cafés
and bars of Laugavegur, passing the time listening
to buskers, while drinking an Icelandic coffee and
people watching. From here the main shopping
area can be found, although not many European
recognisable shops are here however this is slowly
but surely changing, giving Reykjavik a whole new
cosmopolitan vibe.
Our home for three nights was the beautiful
landmark Hotel Borg. Dignified and imposing, Hotel
Borg overlooks the beautiful square of Austurvöllur,
in the heart of Reykjavík, across from Althingi, the
Icelandic parliament, and the cathedral and just a
five-minute walk from the harbour front. Our first
night in Reykjavik was to be an exciting one. After a
quick freshen up we were to set off on the hunt for
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