I try to incorporate UNESCO World Heritage Sites into my travels whenever I can. So when I visited Iceland last year, I added Thingvellir National Park to the top of my destinations list. We rented a sweet VRBO house on the shores of Lake Thingvallavatn in the park where we spent several nights, drinking wine in the evenings by a cozy woodstove, watching birds dive into the lake for their dinner and marveling at our good fortune to find such a place.
I am so glad that I saw Thingvellir. The stunning vistas that go one forever with no manmade structures spoiling the view are fabulous. (I always say that it does my heart good to see such places.) But in addition, Thingvellir is the site of the world’s first parliamentary proceedings, beginning in 930 AD. And it just so happens that it’s one of the world’s rift valleys; the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet here. No wonder it’s a World Heritage Site! You know those certain places you visit where you leave a little piece of your heart behind? This is one of those places.
I stood here and imagined how it must have been hundreds of years ago when people traveled from all over Iceland to meet on these plains.
Several hiking trails are easily accessible from the main road through the park.
A recent survey conducted by the University of Iceland found that 62% of the respondents thought it was at least possible that elves exist. Some people oppose building roads for fear of disturbing the homes of the “Hidden Folk.” I saw this little rocky entry below and thought it was a likely spot for an elf to at least find temporary shelter.
I love the plants in Iceland. So different from our desert plants at home.
Icelandic is a difficult language.
I’m still not sure why there are so many cairns in this spot.
I can’t pass up farm animals. Must…take…photos…
What’s at the end of the rainbow? Thingvellir!
I took the next two photos from the lakeshore outside of our rental house. Note the geothermal activity in the background! Once in awhile I caught a whiff of sulfur.
Is this your kind of vacation destination? Learn more about Thingvellir:
Thingvellir National Park (in English)
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Thingvellir National Park
weird & cool stuff seen while out & about 
Wow Ruth! It’s sooooo gorgeous there! So beautiful and peaceful and I bet cold … but I don’t mind the cold. I prefer it above the heat, so I think I would enjoy it just as much there as you did. Of course you can’t miss the chance to let us see the cute farm animals. They are adorable! That one looks like he was talking to you as well. 😀
Stunning shots hon and thanks so much for sharing. Next time I want to hide in your suitcase and go with. 😆 *hugs*
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For sure, Sonel, let’s go! Hugs to you and have a great week.
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The Cairns photo is my favourite 🙂
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I’m using it for my computer desktop image right now. I need to research this cairn concept more…
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Thanks for sharing Iceland with us. It makes me want to go and visit the Thingvellir, the glaciers and the hot springs. Great fun!
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Nice photos, I think I like your plant life shots best. I would love to got to Iceland someday.
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Oh, you should plan it! It is incredible…and a photographer’s dream!
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Yes, I can tell from the photos I have looked at that I would have a hard time deciding what to shoot first 🙂
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Great photos Ruth, and good info. This park is very big medicine for geologists and geophysicists. A boundary between two plates isn’t normally an easy thing to see, and you sat there by a warm fire with a drink in your hand. Very cool. We stopped in Reykjavik for a few days and plan on returning to see the rest of the island. How was your rental? ~James
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Hi James! Yes, you and Terri must return. I like to rent via VRBO or HomeAway, and this little cottage was one of our best experiences. It was more expensive than my allotted budget, so we didn’t stay here for the entire week, but we really enjoyed it while we were there. Well worth the splurge. Check it out: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p474242vb
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Thank You for this interesting post. Your photos are wonderful and they praise the beauty of this place.
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High praise from you, Sartenada! Thank you. 😉
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I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Iceland once, for a month, in September. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a place so rich in lichen varieties. Thanks for the memories, Ruth! -Gary
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I fell in love with this country, Gary. 😉 How wonderful to stay for a month! Yes, there were lichens everywhere.
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I miss Iceland, too… 🙂
http://myvirtualplayground.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/melanes-its-icelandic-horses/
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Are you planning another visit to Iceland soon, Melanie?
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Stunning views, such a special place! Thank you so much for the tour! so many cairns 🙂 Are those sheep?
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You bet, Amy! You see them everywhere.
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Beautiful post Ruth! There has been a slew of posts on Iceland lately, and I can feel it calling out to me 🙂
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Oh, Madhu, you should go. What an incredible place.
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Looks beautiful, Ruth. I’ve seen so many amazing Iceland photos recently. 🙂
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Jo, Iceland blew me away. I’m trying to figure out how to get back there this year, if only for a layover for a couple of days.
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As ever, excellent photos and really informative text. Wild, windswept and just about devoid of human intrusions: Thingvellir looks a magical part of the world. Phil.
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