10 day road trip circumnavigating Iceland with my niece, my neighbor friend and her daughter.

We are not going to Iceland for the food, baked puffin? We are not going to Iceland for the weather, 50 degrees & rain. We are not big hikers. And it’s expensive. So what draws us to Iceland?

Iceland is known for its hot springs, volcanic landscape, glaciers, waterfalls. Perhaps it is the natural beauty that attracts us. But as the trip unveils, the answer will become apparent.

Under 50 degree temperatures, day or night, everybody wears genes, black pants, tennis shoes or boots complemented with a warm jacket. In the evening when the temperatures drop, gloves, hats, scarfs come out. And an umbrella is a smart accessory at any time! The pace is a constant stroll without stopping. Possibly due to the cold or few benches available. People watching is from the warmth of bars and restaurants. Iceland draws an international crowd of families, single women and groups or pairs of men. Incredibly ice cream cones are popular even in this cold climate.

Shopping opportunities abound, but the prices are astonishingly high. An Icelandic knit sweater can easily cost $350, while a papier-mâché sheep wall hanging may run $550. Nothing in Iceland comes cheap. Still, the shops are filled with beautiful local treasures — Icelandic brands, handmade horsehair jewelry, ceramic mugs, books by local authors, and, of course, lovingly hand-knit scarves, hats, gloves, and other charming trinkets.

The houses themselves brighten the landscape, with roofs painted in cheerful shades of green, pink, blue, and yellow. Rows of colorful homes line the streets, their vivid doors and trim standing out against the gray skies and rugged volcanic backdrop. In a country often wrapped in mist, wind, and rain, the bright colors seem to bring warmth and personality 

A must-see architectural marvel is the Harpa Concert Hall, perched near the wharf with its stunning glass facade reflecting the sea and sky. Free to enter, the building buzzes with activity, from its stylish gift shop to the lively café filled with locals and travelers alike. During our visit, high school graduations were underway, and families dressed in their finest carried armfuls of colorful flower bouquets to celebrate the graduates. Throughout the streets, students in costumes and festive attire raced about playing scavenger hunt games, filling the city with energy, and celebration.

Iceland is a land shaped by volcanoes. Geothermal water, (naturally heated by magma close to the earth’s surface), provides an abundant source of free energy. Through an intricate network of continuously circulating pipelines, this natural heat warms homes, schools, swimming pools, and even sidewalks during the cold winter months.

We arrived in the town of Vik under fierce gusts of wind and sleet-driven rain. Simply getting the luggage from the car became an adventure, requiring both hands just to hold the door open against the powerful wind. Thankfully, our hotel was warm and welcoming, with generous lobby spaces perfect for escaping the storm, along with a pool table, ping pong table, and even a dart room for indoor entertainment. Early night to sleep after my canned gin & tonic.