Here you can browse through my blog posts prior to February 2022. Currently I'm sharing my travel experiences, candid opinions, and what's on my mind solely on my Facebook page. — Rick
The best day out from Reykjavík is an all-day road trip called the Golden Circle. The drive is punctuated by roadside attractions, and the highlight is Þingvellir — a sight that’s of both historical and geological importance. Walk with me down the great fissure, where the tectonic plates of Europe and America meet.
Heading to Iceland? Our new Rick Steves Iceland guidebook features a mile-by-mile, self-guided driving tour of the entire Golden Circle.
There’s a special charm to small, old-school, community museums — like the one I just visited, the Sagnheimar Folk Museum, filling the floor above the Westman Islands’ little town library.
All over the world, “interactive,” “high-tech,” and souped-up museums (often with lots of glitz but no actual artifacts) are the highly advertised, money-making hits. Many of these, with fancy shops and restaurants attached, are little more than commercial ventures. It’s the low-key, low-tech community museums — staffed by knowledgeable volunteers with a passion for their mission — that often tell the real story. In Iceland, I found the glitzy museums (the Lava Centre, the Whales of Iceland exhibit, and so on) were twice the cost and half the value as the old-school, simpler museums (like Sagnheimar and the Skógar Folk Museum, on the South Coast).
From the Glencoe Folk Museum in Scotland, to the Westfries Museum in the Netherlands, to the Third Man Museum in Vienna, to the little historic museum filling the Carnegie Library in my hometown of Edmonds, don’t neglect the lovingly-gathered, old-school community museums — filled with artifacts found in local attics, staffed with enthusiasts who really know their stuff, and at old-fashioned prices. What’s your favorite? Let me know in the comments here, on Facebook, or on Twitter.
More than in any other country I can think of, simply road-tripping is a big part of the joy of exploring Iceland. And it’s hard to get lost: Route 1, the “Ring Road,” circles the island in one big loop. Each little road branching off the main road has a sign showing what’s out there — and at most points of visual or historical interest, there’s a handy pullout, with a thoughtful information board explaining things in Icelandic and English. (Forgive my fancy camera work as I not-so-gracefully multitask in this clip.)
How was your driving experience in Iceland?
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Heading to Iceland? Pick up a copy of the Rick Steves Iceland guidebook.
Earlier today, I shared my thoughts about the “Do not pass this point” signs that travelers often come across — and I wrote that I generally choose to ignore them.
I asked you to share your own thoughts — and wow, what a torrent of thoughtful responses I received. I read over 500 of your comments (all of them) here and on Facebook, and they were filled with wisdom…far more wisdom than I shared in my initial post. I learned a lot, and I must say, I was wrong, and the community of travelers on my page was right. I appreciate how, on this forum, I can learn from you, as well as vice versa.
So, after considering your comments — the vast majority explaining the many ways that warning signs are worth taking seriously, with only a few agreeing with my take on proceeding at your own risk — I’ve taken down my original post. As a travel writer who respects the platform I have to share my thoughts, I do have a responsibility not to give advice that can endanger people.
Stay tuned for lots more travel advice. And if you think I’m steering you wrong, I have no doubt you’ll let me know! Happy (and no foolish, risk-taking) travels.
In my travels, I see the reality of our changing climate everywhere. Join me now at the icy tongue of Sólheimajökull, on Iceland’s South Coast — and listen in as my guide Stefan reflects on the impact of climate change on a dramatic glacier.
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What about you? Have you witnessed the impacts of climate change during your travels? Let me know here, on Facebook, or on Twitter.