Iceland should really think about changing its name; sure it can get a bit cold in Iceland but not like Greenland, which ironically is covered in ice. Iceland has got to be losing millions on tourism because of the assumptions that people probably make about it because of its name. In reality, Iceland is hardly icy at all, and is actually covered in lush green hills and mountains. In a way Iceland is like the European version of Colorado. Among the rolling green hills and snow capped mountains of Iceland sits the Hótel Brimnes. The Hotel Brimnes is located in the small Icelandic town of Ólafsfjörður and what separates the Hotel Brimnes from other generic hotels is that guests can choose to stay either in the main standard hotel facility or in Finnish style bungalows that sit at the edge of Lake Ólafsfjarðarvatn . In truth, the main Hotel Brimnes facility is quite average so if you really want to have an unforgettable stay in Iceland then go with the cottages. Each of the Hotel Brimnes’ eight wood cottages has a hot tub, kitchen, and a lounge in addition to the usual bedrooms and bathrooms. Cottage accommodations range from the small four bed cottages to the large 6 bed family cottage. The main Hotel Brimnes facility has eleven double rooms and like the cottages, have a great view of Lake Ólafsfjarðarvatn and the surrounding mountains and countryside.
If you’re staying at the Hotel Brimnes and you see a series of bright green lights coming from outside your hotel or cottage window at night then don’t panic. It’s not the Icelandic police: they use blue lights. In fact, what you are probably seeing is the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis is nighttime display of lights in the sky which is caused by ionized particles impacting the Earth’s magnetic field. The Northern Lights are only visible in Polar Regions like Iceland and are truly a sight to behold.
Alright, the Northern Lights are great and all, but what are you going to do during the day? Well why not go for a drive and explore some of Iceland’s natural beauty? Just stop by one of the many off-roading rental companies operating in Iceland and to explore the countryside. You’re going to want a real study vehicle that has some all terrain tires and some study wheels though because Iceland definitely has some rugged terrain. Drive to the newly formed town , Fjallabyggð or visit the fjords of the Tröllaskagi peninsula. Or if you’re daring, travel to the famous and difficult to pronounce volcano, Eyjafjallajokull, which that erupted in 2010. The volcano is pretty safe now, and it’s just one of many areas in Iceland you might want to explore. Maybe a name change isn’t necessary but in any event, Iceland seriously needs to work on its image problem because the country is gorgeous. Find out more about the Hótel Brimnes at their site here.
Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang (USAF) & Rögnvaldur Jónsson
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