June 11: Iceland’s Golden Circle, Ancient Parliament, and a Culinary Finale

Morning: Golden Circle Adventure—Thingvellir National Park
Today we set out with Arctic Adventures for the iconic Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour, eager to experience Iceland’s natural and historic wonders. 


Maryland cookies?? ...at breakfast?

Our first stop was Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Icelandic democracy. Here, in 930 AD, the Vikings established the Althing (Alþingi)—the world’s oldest existing parliament. Representatives from across the island would gather in this dramatic rift valley to make laws and settle disputes, a tradition that continued for centuries and laid the foundation for Iceland’s unique political culture.

Thingvellir is also geologically remarkable: it sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The plates are slowly drifting apart—about two centimeters per year—creating a landscape of deep fissures, lava fields, and clear rift lakes. Walking between the plates, we could see and feel the earth’s ongoing transformation, a reminder of Iceland’s ever-changing nature.

Van driver giving instructions

important sites

















Scenic Views and a quick wildlife (tamelife) stop

















Geysir Hot Spring Area & Gullfoss Waterfall
Next, we traveled to the breathtaking Gullfoss Waterfall, where the Hvítá River plunges in two dramatic tiers into a rugged canyon. The sheer force and beauty of the falls were unforgettable, and we lingered on the viewing platforms to take it all in.









Our third stop was the Geysir Hot Spring Area in Haukadalur Valley. While the original Geysir is mostly dormant, we watched as Strokkur erupted every few minutes, sending boiling water skyward. The geothermal landscape was alive with steam and bubbling pools.











Afternoon: Soaking in the Secret Lagoon
After a morning of adventure, we headed to the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir, Iceland’s oldest swimming pool. Surrounded by steaming vents and lush green hills, we soaked in the warm, mineral-rich waters—a perfect way to relax and reflect on the day’s sights.











Evening: Dinner at Fiskmarkaðurinn (The Fish Market)
Back in Reykjavik, we treated ourselves to a memorable dinner at Fiskmarkaðurinn (The Fish Market), one of the city’s top restaurants. Toni chose the king prawn tempura—light, crispy, and served with a sweet yuzu jalapeño dressing—and a perfectly cooked steak. Rob started with the creamy seafood soup (made from crab broth, rock crab, sea urchin, and coconut) and followed with the lightly salted fried cod, served with celery salad and velvety potatoes. The flavors were inventive and beautifully presented. We were tempted by the dessert menu, but after such a feast, we were simply too full!












From walking between continents and ancient parliaments to soaking in geothermal pools and savoring Icelandic cuisine, today captured the very best of Iceland’s nature and culture.

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