Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Events
    • Shop
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Events
    • Shop
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR EXPATS, DIGITAL NOMADS, AND DREAMERS.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Your Escape Plan

Iceland: Progress with a Backdrop of Beauty

  • BY Ian Lim Bonner
  • April 19, 2017
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Iceland: Progress with a Backdrop of Beauty

Iceland is an island filled with mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. It is a theme park for geologists and environmentalists. It is also one of the most advanced countries in terms of energy production and safety. Most people do not realize how energy efficient and progressive Iceland’s infrastructure has become. According to Scientific American, Iceland uses renewable energy for 99 percent of its energy consumption. Geothermal accounts for a sizable chunk of that energy production. Farming has surprisingly become an important industry in Iceland, due to its geothermal powered greenhouses and fish farms.

Iceland is also in the process of developing hydrogen fuel from its geothermal power plants, which could be used to powerboats and cars. If you are looking for a destination to travel abroad with the smallest amount of risk, Iceland is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in terms of homicides, police-related violence, and drug-related crimes. In the 2011 Global Study on Homicide, conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Iceland’s homicide rate from 1999 to 2009 stayed below 1.8 per 100,000 people within any given year.

This is significantly lower than the U.S., which had a homicide rate from 5.0 to 5.8 each year during the same time frame. In 2013, Icelandic police shot and killed a person for the first time in the nation’s history. That is a mind boggling statistic. In a BBC News Article, it is theorized that the lack of violence is due to low rates of drug use, an enormous middle class, and sensible gun ownership laws. However, the low violent crime rate is not due to low private gun ownership. In fact, Iceland ranks 15 in the world for legal gun ownership per capita.

Esja
Esja

Even though Iceland is a safe and technologically advanced nation, most visitors travel to this wonderful country for its beauty. When I traveled to Iceland for four days in 2013, I packed my days with national parks and other wilderness excursions. Similar to most tourists, I made Reykjavik my base camp. I rented a room at KEX Hostel in the city center. This is a fairly well known youth hostel, with Of Monsters and Men playing a concert there in 2011.

Within the city of Reykjavik there are museums, spas, and a Big Lebowski-themed bar. At the Lebowski Bar, you can spend an evening drinking a wide range of white Russians. I chose to sip on a coffee inspired take on the Dude’s favorite drink. Right outside of the city, there is a popular mountain called Esja, which stands at 2,999 ft. This is an accessible mountain with multiple trails for hikers and is a doable day trip from Reykjavik. Be cautious of the weather conditions close to the summit.

Esja
Esja

 Beyond Reykjavik, I rode Icelandic horses through the countryside and chased the aurora borealis in the depths of the nighttime sky. The northern lights are visible in Iceland from September to mid-April. It is suggested that visitors utilize the dark nights in the dead of winter to increase their chances of seeing the magnificent light show. I was there at the beginning of April, but the lights were faint the two nights I searched for them.

Iceland: Progress with a Backdrop of Beauty

I took two extended day trips during my trip abroad to Iceland, highlighting some of the most impressive features of the country. Both times, I booked with a tour company that arranged everything. This is the only option, unless you are willing and able to rent a vehicle. The first day trip I took was to the Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and the Geysir. Þingvellir is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This national park houses the site of the Alþingi, which once was the oldest known parliament in the world. From 930 AD to 1798, two weeks out of each year, citizens of Iceland would meet, make laws, and settle disputes. Gullfoss, which translates to Golden Falls, is a stunningly blue glacial waterfall that is definitely a must-see. Lastly, Geysir is a great place to experience the geothermal activity of Iceland. This geyser is particularly active, so you won’t have to stand around long to see it in action.

Gullfoss
Gullfoss

 The second trip I took was along the southern shore of Iceland to Jökulsárlón, commonly known as the Glacier Lagoon. This trip was quite expensive, but I knew I had to see this magical place. On the way there, we stopped at a couple waterfalls, the most notable was Skógafoss. We also took a short trip to an old cemetery. I am having trouble finding the name, but a tour guide will know if you ask them during the trip.

Jökulsárlón was my favorite place I visited during my overseas trip to Iceland. It was surreal seeing all of the glacial ice on the black sand beach. In the warmer months, you can take a boat trip into the lagoon when there is less ice. I urge you to look up professional photos of these locations. My photographs do not even come close to depicting Iceland’s beauty.

Jökulsárlón
Jökulsárlón

 

 

If you’re interested in buying a home abroad and want to weigh up your options, visit ECI Developments, who specialize in creating exceptional residence and resort communities across the world.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • expats
  • safety and security
  • sightseeing
  • weather and climate
Previous Article
  • Your Escape Plan

St. Kitts and Nevis Celebrate Rich History with Month of Celebration

  • BY Jordan Steadman
  • February 25, 2017
View Post
Next Article
  • Real Estate

International Real Estate Listings, Agents, Guides, Investments

  • BY David Pierce CCIM
  • June 13, 2017
View Post
You May Also Like
Top 10 Best Places to Live in Mexico – Discover Your Ideal City
View Post
  • Mexico
Top 10 Best Places to Live in Mexico – Discover Your Ideal City
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 8, 2025
Buying a Property abroad
View Post
  • Your Escape Plan
Why More Investors Are Buying Homes Offshore
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 8, 2025
Best Places to Live in Spain: A City-by-City Guide for 2025
View Post
  • Spain
Best Places to Live in Spain: A City-by-City Guide for 2025
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 8, 2025
Hungarian Citizenship by Descent Journey from Amercia
View Post
  • Second Citizenship
Our Journey from America to Hungarian Citizenship
  • BY Ethan Cohen & Learn Hungarian Anywhere
  • October 1, 2025
The Tale of the Tael - A timeless store of value across centuries
View Post
  • Finance
The Tale of the Tael’s: A Hard Lesson about Hard Money
  • BY Michael Checkan
  • September 24, 2025
Craggy cliffs and quiet harbors frame life in the Isle of Man
View Post
  • Your Escape Plan
Life and Opportunity on the Isle of Man
  • BY Aneesa Marufu
  • September 19, 2025
Central America’s strategic position is reshaping the global offshore banking map
View Post
  • Plan B
The Future of Global Finance Runs Through Central America
  • BY Luigi Wewege
  • September 17, 2025
Tokyo's infamous cherry blossoms.
View Post
  • Japan
How I Built a Life in Tokyo in 3 Months
  • BY Annie Nagel
  • September 8, 2025
Trending Posts
  • 1
    • Mexico
    Top 10 Things to Know if You’re Moving to Mexico
    • September 26, 2025
  • Hungarian Citizenship by Descent Journey from Amercia 2
    • Second Citizenship
    Our Journey from America to Hungarian Citizenship
    • October 1, 2025
  • Abkhazia jewel of Soviet summer escapes 3
    • Field Notes
    Secrets of the Soviet Riviera
    • October 3, 2025
  • Summer in Lapland: Lapland’s wild landscapes glow under the endless Arctic sun 4
    • Field Notes
    Before the Snow Falls in Lapland
    • September 29, 2025
  • Expat Child Syndrome 5
    • Wellness
    The Untold Story of Expat Kids
    • October 6, 2025
Subscribe
Know Before You Go
  • Top 10 Best Places to Live in Mexico – Discover Your Ideal City 1
    • Mexico
    Top 10 Best Places to Live in Mexico – Discover Your Ideal City
    • October 8, 2025
  • Best Places to Live in Spain: A City-by-City Guide for 2025 2
    • Spain
    Best Places to Live in Spain: A City-by-City Guide for 2025
    • October 8, 2025
  • Expat Child Syndrome 3
    • Wellness
    The Untold Story of Expat Kids
    • October 6, 2025
  • Abkhazia jewel of Soviet summer escapes 4
    • Field Notes
    Secrets of the Soviet Riviera
    • October 3, 2025
  • Hungarian Citizenship by Descent Journey from Amercia 5
    • Second Citizenship
    Our Journey from America to Hungarian Citizenship
    • October 1, 2025
Learn More
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Newsletter Subscription
Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/