The world has been through a Baptism of Ice and Fire this last 18 months or more. There is a beautiful glow much like the Aurora Borealis at the end of the tunnel. I am sure that the achieved and attained readers of Portmanteau by now have guessed that this edition is all about Iceland! The wonderland on earth with seasons that vary diametrically, holding a charm any time of the year. But very few have experienced Iceland in all its beauty and glory. Portmanteau brings you Iceland - a destination all year round. A year-round has another implication this time. Portmanteau turns a full circle around the sun with this edition. We have exciting things in store for you going ahead. The adventure is about to begin. Strap on and fly forth.
Ashish
A deep dive into a story that's arcane, thoughtful, and sometimes humorous!
Everyone who visits Iceland for the first time goes through the Golden Circle covering a span of about 300 km around southern Iceland. A beautiful and scenic route, mired in curiosities, as is all of Iceland, of the geological and even democratical nature. The settlement history of Iceland in fact begins about 1000 years ago, although there are few shreds of evidence to suggest the Irish Monks had settled here much before.
The Must-dos in Iceland!
A stunning hike through remote Icelandic wilderness ending with a geothermal soak in pools nestled in a magnificent highland canyon figure on the top for us.
Enjoy a relaxed walk among natural wonders not found in many guidebooks. Be amazed by the spectacular two-tiered waterfall Langifoss.
Hagar, the horrible!
Inspired by Fire and Ice!
Locations from GOT:
VATNAJÖKULL NATIONAL PARK
Scenes with the Wildlings north of The Wall in seasons two and three were filmed at Svínafellsjökull Glacier, an outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull icecap, and other locations nearby in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve on the South Coast of Iceland.
GRJÓTAGJÁ HOT SPRING CAVE
The famous scene where Jon Snow breaks his vow with Ygritte was shot in Grjótagjá, a hot spring cave near Lake Mývatn in North Iceland. The hot spring does exist - but bathing in it is forbidden because the water is far too hot. The waterfall which shows up in this scene is, alas, not real!
DIMMUBORGIR
The scenes where Mance Rayder sets up his camp and Sam Tarly is being attacked by white walkers was filmed in the area of Dimmuborgir and the otherworldly lava fields that surround it.
THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK
Thingvellir National Park was the location for Arya's and Sandor Clegane's journey, and the fight between Brienne and the Hound in the fourth season. The pass to the impregnable Eyrie was filmed at the rift between the tectonic plates. If you visit the Golden Circle sights in Iceland you can actually walk through this area and see these places close-up for yourself!
Oh, and did you know that the Mountain is played by an Icelandic actor? Or that the band playing at Joffrey’s wedding was actually Sigur Rós, a famous Icelandic band?
KIRKJUFELL MOUNTAIN
Kirkjufell is one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. It appears for a second in episode five of the sixth season, when the Children of the Forest created the first White Walker. The mountain can be seen again in season seven when the Hound describes it as a mountain that looks like an arrowhead.
Nothing is Improbable in Iceland!
Or everything!
West Iceland is a natural wonder with many ‘beyond your wildest imagination’ places. Here is a quick look at a few of them.
Freshly fallen snow absorbs sound waves, giving everything a seemingly hushed, quieter ambience after a flurry. But if the snow then melts and refreezes, the ice can reflect sound waves making sound travel further and clearer.
Culinary delights from the land of fire and ice!
Now that you can travel to Iceland given that you are vaccinated, we would rather have you go there and indulge in the authentic epicurean experiences rather than recreate them in your kitchen.
So here is a list of places (not exhaustive) as you drive around the Golden Circle, to experience a few delicacies Iceland has to offer.
Soundtrack your road trip through the Land of Ice and Fire with a playlist featuring Iceland's best bands and artists.
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