scandinavia

Exploring delightful Helsinki: the Christmas City

16 November 2019 by tadgraphics

Situated in the heart of Helsinki, the Esplanade Park (Esplanadi) serves as a promenade for visitors and a place to relax for the locals

Christmas in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland, truly feels like stepping into Santa Claus’ world. The snow drapes everything in white softness and Christmas illuminations light up the streets. Known as the “Daughter of the Baltic”, Helsinki was founded in 1550, but was redesigned in 1812 by the Russian tsars as a mini St Petersburg. The stunning Finnish capital is an international metropolis, but it still has a small town feel. Helsinki is a wonderful city to explore all year round, but it is especially magical in the winter.

Helsinki is a wonderful city to explore all year round, but it is especially magical in the winter

Helsinki in winter

The city is draped in Christmas lights and the main street, Aleksanterinkatu, comes alive with shoppers. Although the sun barely rises above the horizon, the long nights and dark days are lit up with decoration and cheer. Shop windows are illuminated, each one trying to be more radiant than the next.

The glittering lights of Helsinki by night

Even when the temperatures are low, people gather in cosy pubs and restaurants to eat and drink with friends and loved ones. Try some Glögi, which is a warm traditional drink made from spiced wine with a dash of vodka and a sprinkling of almonds and raisins. It will warm you up from the inside out.

Winter in Helsinki means long nights and short days

The city is also a great base for the many winter outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in Finland, including skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, dog sledding and more. After a big day of exploring the icy wilderness, you can warm up with an authentic Finnish sauna experience.

Christmas decorations at one of the shop windows

Christmas market at the Senate Square

Senate Square is where you can soak up the Christmas cheer and search for that perfect gift at the Christmas market. It is the largest and most famous Christmas market in Helsinki, made up of nearly 120 stalls, each filled with decorations, handmade crafts, drinks and desserts made by local artisans and vendors.

There are over one hundred booths to explore, so give yourself plenty of time to wander and browse. You can also treat yourself to a warm meal or a hot drink while you listen to the live music.

While you are there, walk over to Aleksanterinkatu Street (also known as the Christmas Street) next to the Senate Square to check out the Christmas illuminations and decorations put up by shop owners. If you plan on spending Christmas in Helsinki, that’s definitely the heart of the event.

Senate Square taken during the day, the white building is the Helsinki Cathedral

Buildings and museums in Helsinki

Located in Senate Square, the impressive Helsinki Cathedral is the most iconic place in the city. All covered up in snow, it truly looked like some Russian palace out of a fairy tale. And indeed, the cathedral was originally built as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, which was Tsar Nicholas I at the time.

Helsinki Cathedral visible from a distance

Close to the Cathedral is the City Museum that documents the history of Helsinki and its inhabitants. It’s a great place to get started on a tour of Helsinki as it helps you understand the local culture and traditions.

The beautiful Uspenski Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral

Walking away from the city center and towards the sea, the Katajanokka neighbourhood is where the old prison “Nokka” and the beautiful Uspenski Cathedral are. This quiet little neighbourhood is surrounded by the sea, and a stroll on the old pier will reveal incredible views on the completely frozen waters of the Gulf of Finland. It felt like winter had frozen some waves in their tracks.

The inside of Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the "Rock Church" — The inside of Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the “Rock Church”

A little further away from the city centre, the Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the “Rock Church”, is a modern and unique building, directly excavated into solid rock. The big dome looks incongruous in the middle of these old buildings. In this city of design, nothing feels wrong as everything is made with beauty in mind.

Fortress at Suomenlinna

If you have an extra day in Helsinki why not check out Suomenlinna? Located on a group of islands off Helsinki, this amazing fortress was built in 1748 by the Swedish. Named as the “Gibraltar of the North,” it is one of the greatest sea fortresses in the Baltic, a UNESCO listed heritage site and an important monument to European military history.

Named as "Gibraltar of the North", the UNESCO listed heritage site Suomenlinna is one of the greatest sea fortresses in the Baltic — Named as “Gibraltar of the North”, the UNESCO listed heritage site Suomenlinna is one of the greatest sea fortresses in the Baltic

However, when the Russians attacked in 1808 the Swedish army was unprepared and withdrew, allowing Helsinki to be conquered by the Russians and the fortress to be besieged. When you visit this historic site, you will feel like you have stepped back in time to an era of cast iron cannons and stone fortifications – long before cars and modern technology.

The fortress can be reached via a ferry from the Market Square, which is included in your Helsinki public transit day ticket. The journey only takes 15 minutes. Entry to the island is free and you can also visit the museums for a small fee.

The tunnels of Suomenlinna were used as storages, secret passages and as bomb proof protection during wartime

Surrounded by the frozen sea and dusted with snow, Helsinki in the winter is truly stunning. The peace and the stillness of the icy streets, contrasted with the warm glow and friendly hospitality within the buildings, will draw you in and enchant you.

Helsinki is freezing in the winter due to the cold sea wind

Tips on walking safely in snow and ice

We had a few slips and fall on the first two days after arriving in Helsinki. I have compiled some tips that can help you get around in snow and ice safely. After all, you do not want to get injured while on holidays.

Wear appropriate footwear. Make sure your footwear has visible treads, if possible, opt for a heavy treaded shoe with a flat bottom.
When walking, bend slightly forward and walk flat-footed with your centre of gravity directly over your feet as much as possible.
Keep your hands out of your pockets.
Anticipate ice. Be wary of thin sheets of ice (black ice) that may be on wet pavement.
When walking up or down stairs, make sure you use the handrails for support.
Make sure you look at the floor as you enter a building as the floor may be wet with melted snow and ice.
Don’t take shortcuts over snow piles or icy areas where snow and ice removal is not feasible.
Look out for falling snow and ice when you walk under awnings and buildings.

Norway in a Nutshell – Part 3: Bergen

9 January 2018 by tadgraphics

Bryggen is one of the most photographed tourist spots, these colourful buildings enjoy a historic quaintness that can only be found in Europe

So far our time in Norway had shown us a little bit of everything the country has to offer. From the busy capital city to the wild fjords and majestic mountain regions, Norway was exceeding our expectations on every level.

After a journey by train and boat across the country’s stunning landscapes, we had just arrived back in civilisation. Bergen is Norway’s second largest city. But with less than 300,000 people living within the city limits, it had a nice small town charm, which we weren’t expecting.

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city. But with less than 300,000 people living within the city limits, it had a nice small town charm

Nicknamed ‘the capital of the fjords’, Bergen sits hemmed in between the surrounding mountains and the Byforden. The Norwegian fjords don’t follow a straight path to the sea and instead weave their way around the peaks to create dramatic bodies of water and spindly arms of rugged land. This, combined with the many islands where much of the city’s suburbs are located, the result is a spectacular setting.

Bryggen, one of Bergen's and Norway's main attractions — Bryggen, one of Bergen’s and Norway’s main attractions

We had just two nights to explore the city, and after arriving from Flåm in the evening, we checked into Hotel No 13, which is located just a short walk along the edge of the Lille Lungegårdsvannet city lake from the train station. A modern hotel with trendy decoration, Hotel No 13 also played on the early 20th century art nouveau style of its building. This is most obvious in the beautiful colourful stained glass ceiling in the reception area. After admiring our surroundings, we settled in the for the night and enjoyed some rest ahead of our full day of exploring the city on foot the next morning.

After a good night’s sleep, we were up bright and early for a full day of exploring – starting with a walk to the Fløyen Funicular station. As mentioned earlier, Bergen is defined not just by its fjords, but also its mountains, and another of its nicknames is ‘the city of seven mountains’. Fløyen is the peak closest to the city centre, and the funicular allows those short of time (or unwilling to walk the 400 metres to the top) a quick way of reaching the summit. Within ten minutes of boarding we were taking in the impressive views. From this vantage point Bergen’s unique geography is really obvious, and the combination of city, mountains and water was extremely photogenic. We spent the next few hours wandering around the many trails which run around the snow covered mountain before heading back down into Bergen.

Mount Fløyen is covered in snow in winter

Being such a water oriented city, Bergen has a lively fish market. As it was lunch time, we decided to head there next. Outside and right on the waterfront, the stall holders sold everything from crabs and prawns to salmon and even whale! If you make a purchase they will even cook it for you. It made for a cheap, delicious and authentically Norwegian lunch.

Bergen Waterfront where the famous fish market is located

Whilst sat enjoying our lunch along the waterfront, we had an opportunity to admire the architecture in a part of the city known as Bryggen. One of the oldest parts of the city, Bryggen is on the UNESCO world heritage list. It was originally founded by German traders who would visit the city which is why its full name – Tyskebryggen – translates as The German Dock. Lining the water are a procession of colourful wooden buildings with steep triangular roofs. One of the most photographed tourist spots, these delightful buildings enjoy a historic quaintness that can only be found in Europe. It is this part of town that features on the majority of Bergen’s postcards. So needless to say we spent some time photographing them.

One of the oldest parts of the city, Bryggen is on the UNESCO world heritage list

Conveniently our next destination was just on the other side of Bryggen. We meandered through its streets until we reached the Bergenhus Festning. This is the city’s fortress and it has guarded the harbour entrance since at least the 1240s. There are a few different buildings which make up the castle with some being built later – although still being centuries old. The oldest is Haakon’s Hall, where Viking kings would hold great feasts, get married and plan their invasions. After taking it all in, we wandered slowly back along the harbour and back to the centre of town. Along the way we caught an amazing sunset lighting up the fjord and made dramatic silhouettes of the mountains.

Bergenhus Festning, the city’s fortress has guarded the harbour entrance since at least the 1240s

With our day in Bergen coming to an end, we still had one more thing we wanted to see. First however, we needed to eat. Keen to sample more local cuisine, we headed to a place well known for serving gourmet meals based on local culinary traditions. A hip, modern restaurant, Marg & Bein was as good as we had hoped. Located in the area around Fosswinckels gate, the atmosphere was elegant yet informal, and it was great to try more Norwegian food.

Our last stop was back in Bryggen. Bergen is far enough north to experience the northern lights. Normally you picture the phenomenon taking place over deserted snowy landscapes, so to see it over the old buildings of Bryggen sounded like an experience not to me missed. While we did see the lights, they were fairly faint and not as impressive as what we had seen in Lapland. It still made for a great night however, and it just highlighted how spectacular the northern lights had been the last time we saw them. It wouldn’t be right to complain as many people never get to experience them, and we had now done it trice!

The interior of these colourful wooden buildings in Bryggen is equally impressive

Come the next morning it was time to say bye bye to Bergen, and we headed to the train station for our return trip to Oslo. We would be retracing our steps along the Bergensbanen line, however this time without the diversions of our outward journey. The scenery along the way was no less enchanting this time around, and we rolled past snow covered mountain after mountain. Along the way we went through Finse, the highest station in Norway and accessible only by this train line. To get there we had to pass through a ten-kilometre tunnel, without which the villagers would be totally cut off. Eventually we arrived in Oslo, happily satisfied that we had seen some of the best that Norway had to offer.

Bergen from Mount Fløyen — Nicknamed ‘the capital of the fjords’, Bergen sits hemmed in between the surrounding mountains and the Byforden

Prints from my Norway photo collection are available in a variety of different sizes and framing options. Please get in touch to find out more.

Norway in a Nutshell – Part 2: Myrdal, Flam and Fjord Cruise

11 December 2017 by tadgraphics

Myrdal Station — Colourful cabins and a hotel in the snowy hillside of Myrdal

Think about Norway, and most likely it’s the country’s beautiful mountains and fjords that comes to mind. Most people visit Norway to see the fairy-tale landscapes, and yes, we were no different to other tourists in that respect.

We had just spent an enjoyable couple of days in Oslo, soaking up the atmosphere of Norway’s fascinating capital. Without question, seeing the history of the country embodied in the old buildings, and getting the full New Year’s experience surrounded by people in such a special place was truly unforgettable. But now we were eager to see and explore some of Norway’s famous natural attractions.

Myrdal Station. The Bergensbanen is not only the highest train line in Europe, and is said to be one of the best rail routes in the world

The day of adventure started out with a train delay. Not ideal, because when visiting at this time of year, one has to make the most of the daylight hours. But we didn’t let that dampen our spirits. Albeit an hour late, we eventually boarded the Bergensbanen train and by 9.30 am we were on our way.

The Bergensbanen serves an important practical purpose – linking Oslo to the country’s second city of Bergen over the mountainous rooftops of Norway. It is also a very popular method of transport amongst tourists, because the train journey provides an ideal opportunity to enjoy some of the country’s spectacular natural features. While both ends of the line sit at sea level, to get between them the train must ascend more than 1,000 meters over the mountains.

Voted one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys, the Flåm Railway offers panoramic views of some of the wildest and most magnificent nature in the Norwegian fjord landscape

The Bergensbanen is not only the highest train line in Europe, and is said to be one of the best rail routes in the world. As we climbed along Europe’s highest mountain plateaus, the views became more and more beautiful, with the very best section nestled between the villages of Gol and Geilo. Winter felt like the best time to experience Norway, as the blanket of snow made it feel more authentically Norwegian, and added a layer of photogenic charm.

Norway's fairy-tale landscapes never ceased to amaze — Norway’s fairy-tale landscapes never ceased to amaze

Close to the route’s highest point, another smaller train line cuts off, which allows you to enjoy even more of the otherworldly landscapes. We took a detour from Myrdal to Flåm on board Flåmsbana (also known as Flåm Railway). While waiting for our train to Flåm, we managed to explore the snowy hillside on foot. Fortunately, we were wearing appropriate footwear!

Voted one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys, the Flåm Railway offers panoramic views of some of the wildest and most magnificent nature in the Norwegian fjord landscape. The 20.2 km railway, which took 20 years to complete, is one of the steepest train lines in the world. The journey passes through 20 tunnels, of which 18 were built by hand. While the original intent of the train is to help locals get around, the spectacular scenery meant that it is now largely used by tourists like us.

Unfortunately, it was here that the earlier delay leaving Oslo cost us. When you are this far north the sun sets early in mid-winter, and by the time we boarded the Flåm Railway at 3 pm the sun had already set. It meant we didn’t get the clear views we hoped for as there was very little light outside.

The train made a short stop at Kjosfossen Waterfall, which was a highlight of the train ride. With a fall of 225 metres, it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Norway. If you visit, you’ll notice a small power station, built at the side of the waterfall, which used to power the Flåm Railway.

Impressive view of Aurlandsfjord in Flåm

Despite the fading light issues, the train journey – which took us on a 900 metres descent along the valley bottom – was a delightful experience from beginning to end. From inside the train we had a first hand view of rivers cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down the side of steep, snow-capped mountains, and mountain farms clinging dizzily to sheer slopes. It was all quite a sight to behold.

Flåm was by far one of the most magical places we visited during our Norway trip. Flåm means ‘little place between steep mountains’ and it is certainly an accurate name. Running parallel to the train track is a small river which turns into the Aurlandsfjord when it reaches the village. After spending a night at the Flamsbrygga Hotel, the fjord was the next attraction to tick off our list.

We spent the morning walking around the valley, including a short return stroll to the next settlement – Lunden. In the afternoon we boarded our boat, and set off on a cruise of the fjords. Rather than retrace our steps from Myrdal to Bergen on the Bergansbanen train, we took the scenic route and headed into the network of fjords and then to Gudvangen where we would be taken by bus to meet the train.

Rustic and cosy Flåmstova Restaurant in Flamsbrygga Hotel

Norway is of course famous for its fjords; water filled valleys, that snake like fingers through the mountains and out to sea. As they do this, they connect up to each other and create a complicated network. The Aurlandsfjord runs north from Flåm to meet the Nærøyfjord – a world heritage listed site and the narrowest fjord in Europe. Being enclosed so tightly by the cliff-like walls makes them even more imposing and dramatic. And to make it that bit more picturesque, the sides of the fjord were punctuated by mighty waterfalls and small farms clinging on to the cliffs at impossible angles.

The Nærøyfjord is itself one arm of the Sognefjord, and we reached this wider waterway in good time. We met our bus at Gudvangen, and were taken to the town of Voss to re-join the Bergen train line. It was snowing by this point, which meant our bus couldn’t take the Stalheimskleiva – Northern Europe’s steepest road. We were however still treated to some incredible landscapes on our bus journey to the train, which included negotiating a thrilling succession of thirteen hairpin bends! Something made even more hair-raising in such a big bus.

At Voss we boarded the train, and relaxed for the last part of the journey to Bergen. It gave us an opportunity to reminisce over our adventures to date, and contemplate what was to come next.

Snowing in Voss as we boarded the train to Bergen

Prints from my Norway photo collection are available in a variety of different sizes and framing options. Please get in touch to find out more.

Scenic Bergensbanen, the Bergen Railway

The Flåm Railway and Flåm

The Flåm Railway is one of the steepest trainlines in the world

It was a snowy and icy morning in Lunden

Approaching Nærøyfjord – a world heritage listed site and the narrowest fjord in Europe

The sides of the fjord were punctuated by mighty waterfalls clinging on to the cliffs at impossible angles

Norway in a Nutshell – Part 1: Oslo

22 November 2017 by tadgraphics

The Oslo Opera House is an extremely interesting building to look at; its angled white exterior and sloped marble-covered roof appears to emerge right out of the water. You can even walk up to the marble-embellished roof for a bird’s eye view of Oslo.

Scandinavia is a part of the world which captivates me. It is a land of dramatic scenery, rich history and mysterious folklore. Its rugged, windswept landscapes couldn’t be much less like the arid expanses of Western Australian that I call home, and they also make it a photographer’s dream.

Having already been enchanted by Finland, Iceland and Sweden, I was excited to see what Norway had to offer. We traveled by rail from Stockholm into Oslo on 31 December to be there to witness the city’s New Year celebrations.

Oslo is Europe's fastest growing city — Oslo is Europe’s fastest growing city

Oslo is the busy capital of Norway, and sits at the top of one of the country’s famous fjords. While it is as ancient as the other capitals in the region, a fire in 1624 destroyed the oldest parts of the city so you won’t find the medieval buildings of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan. This doesn’t make it any less attractive however, and there are plenty of grand edifices built in the centuries after the fire. By clearing out the old, the fire has also given Oslo a distinctly modern appearance in places, the glass skyscrapers that frame its skyline gave it a forward looking and pleasant feel. We had been treated to the sight of pine forests and peaceful lakes on our train journey into the city, and so the bustle of the city and the excitement and anticipation for the New Year made quite a contrast.

Having arrived by day, we checked into our hotel and visited some of the attractions before the evening’s festivities began. We passed through Oslo Central Station on our way to the Comfort Hotel Karl Johan, just a few minutes walk away. The hotel is a funky place to stay, and it is playfully decorated. We were greeted with a wall of neon pop-art lights at the reception desk as soon as we walked in. It was centrally located and was as comfortable as the name suggested. All in all, it was the perfect place to stop for two nights.

Oslo Royal Palace — The Royal Palace which has 173 rooms, is home to the royal family, and set in the centre of some peaceful landscaped gardens

We set off to enjoy our afternoon of sightseeing, with the first stop being the Akershus Fortress where we witnessed the last sunset of the year. The fortress is one of the few buildings that survived the 1624 fire. This grand old castle sits on the waterfront, and comes complete with towers, walls and spires. While the king lives in the palace these days, many of his ancestors are buried here and the royal guard still patrol its gates. The castle is on the east side of the Oslofjord meaning that we were treated to the sight of the sun setting over the water.

From Akershus Fortress we moved on to the Oslo Opera House, a little further along the waterfront (also known as the Harbour Promenade). The opera house is an extremely interesting building to look at; its angled white exterior and sloped marble-covered roof appears to emerge right out of the water. You can even walk up to the marble-embellished roof for a bird’s eye view of Oslo. The fjord archipelago with vibrant and small traditional wooden summer houses can be seen on the right, Oslo city on the left and hills and mountains further behind. Inspired by the Norwegian nature the interior of the opera house is equally breathtaking and impressive with cavernous space fronted by a huge glass wall.

Oslo put up a great sunset on the last day of the year

Much of Oslo’s main sights are within walking distance of each other which is handy if, like us, you are trying to fit a lot into a short amount of time. Just before midnight we followed the crowds around the corner to the Oslo City Hall where we welcomed the New Year with fireworks.

The first day of the year was our only full day in the city, so it consisted of a whirlwind of sightseeing. Luckily most of the things we wanted to see were on the same street, making it easy to get between them. Karl Johans Gate is the main artery of the city centre connecting the central station to the palace. It is also the street our hotel was located on making things even easier.

Shopping along Karl Johans Gate — Impressive buildings along Karl Johans Gate

We spent the morning exploring Fjord City on the waterfront. A lot of money has been put into the area surrounding the fjord, and today it is a modern, perhaps even futuristic looking area which couldn’t be more different to the old world charm of Karl Johans Gate despite being only a couple of blocks away. The project started in the 1980’s with the Aker Brygge area where there were once shipyards and warehouses and now restaurants and shopping centres. At one edge of the district overlooking the water, is the city hall where we had watched the fireworks the night before. We walked passed it again and admired its brutalist architectural style. The city hall houses some of the great Norwegian art dated between early 1900s to 1950s, with motifs ranging from Norwegian history, culture and working life. The bells in the city hall clock tower plays a different music chime every hour.

The Royal Palace is our next attraction. This enormous 173 rooms building is home to the royal family, and set in the centre of some peaceful landscaped gardens. The palace is a relatively recent construction having been finished in 1849. That doesn’t make it any less impressive however, and it was a great introduction to the neoclassical style of architecture commonly found in Oslo.

View of Aker Brygge from Akershus Fortress

Towards the palace end is the Stortinget, the parliament building; a beautiful winged building with a round central chamber. Just beyond it is the National Theatre which was extremely photogenic thanks to its domed roof and column flanked entrance. This is also the oldest and grandest part of town.

The next morning we embarked on the first leg in our tour of Norway, so we settled in for another good night’s rest. Next stop… Flam and Bergen by rail.

A beautiful and calm morning to explore the islands of the Oslofjord

During our time in Oslo there was one place which looked too luxurious to miss – the Hotel Continental. Housed in one of Oslo’s grandest buildings it is the definition of refined European Opulence. We spent a night feeling almost as special as the king down the road in his palace, and woke up refreshed.

The National Theatre was extremely photogenic thanks to its domed roof and column flanked entrance

Winter survival tips

If you are like us who are not used to walking in ice and snow,

Exercise with caution and assume all wet, dark areas on pavements are slippery and icy. Dew or water vapour can freeze on cold surfaces, forming an extra-thin, invisible layer of ice that can look like a wet spot on the pavement.
Walk in designated walkways if you can. Taking shortcuts over snow piles and other frozen areas can be hazardous. Look ahead when you walk; a snow- or ice-covered sidewalk, especially if on a hill, may require travel along its grassy edge for traction.
Bend your knees slightly and walk flat-footed and lower your centre of gravity directly over the feet.
Leave your hands and arms free and out of your pockets to balance yourself. You can help break your fall with your hands free if you do start to slip.
Try not to carry a heavy backpack or load, you will lose your sense of balance.
Watch where you are stepping and go slow. This will help your reaction time to changes in traction.
When walking on steps always use the hand rails and plant your feet firmly on each step.
Take short steps or shuffle for stability. Stop occasionally to break momentum.

Interested to own a piece of Oslo and Norway?

My Oslo photo collection is available as prints and comes in a variety of framing options. Please get in touch to find out more. You can also browse our selection of landscape photographs from our portfolio.

View of hills and mountains from Oslo Opera House

Inspired by Norwegian nature the inside of the opera house is equally breathtaking and impressive

Nobel Peace Center is located on the Oslo waterfront

The luxurious Hotel Continental, housed in one of Oslo’s grandest buildings, is the definition of refined European Opulence

Snowy Reykjavik – a magical Christmas in Iceland

26 September 2017 by tadgraphics

For someone who lives in sunny Perth, Australia, it’s been a long held dream of mine to spend a white Christmas somewhere in the northern hemisphere. Well, my dream finally came true last year, when I had the opportunity to spend Christmas and the New Year in the Nordic countries – including Iceland.

Prior to my visit, I pictured Iceland to be a very cold country with frozen landscapes, snow-covered peaks, black sand beaches and sky scraping geysers. But this magical island country in the North Atlantic Ocean has a lot more to offer than what I initially imagined.

With a population of 320,000 people, Iceland is one of the least-populated countries in the world. No big surprise really, given its harsh cold climate. The capital city, Reykjavik (also known as Bay of Smokes and the most northerly capital city in the world) has a population of 122,000. To give you an idea of just how least-populated the country is, over 50 cities in the United States enjoy a greater population compared to Iceland, including New Orleans and Tulsa.

Lake Reykjavíkurtjörn — Frozen Lake Reykjavíkurtjörnin is located in downtown Reykjavík, next to Reykjavík City Hall and the National Gallery of Iceland

A little bit of Iceland history

The settlement of Iceland can be traced back to AD 874. According to Landnámabók, also known as The Book of Settlements, the chieftain Ingólfr Arnarson became the first permanent Norse settler on the island. Up until then, other people had been known to visit and remain over winter, but their stays were not permanent. As centuries followed, Norsemen settled Iceland, bringing with them thralls of Gaelic origin.

From 1262 to 1918, Iceland was part of the Norwegian and later the Danish monarchies. Then, in 1944, Iceland broke its ties with Denmark to officially become independent. It’s now 73 years since Iceland became a free and independent republic, with National Day celebrated every year on June 17.

The Icelandic population relied largely on fishing and agriculture, and it remained that way until the 20th century. Up until that point in its history, Iceland was one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Progression through industrialisation of the fisheries, together with aid from the Marshall Plan, was a major turning point for Iceland. It brought prosperity in the years following World War II and by the 1990s, Iceland had transitioned into one of the world’s wealthiest and most developed nations.

Reykjavik is covered in snow during winter

The Land of Fire and Ice

Iceland is often referred to as the Land of Fire and Ice because it is a nation of contrasting landscapes. With many interesting places to explore, especially in the western parts of the country, the country is home to a large number of volcanoes, both active and extinct, as well as lava fields, hot springs and geysers. Iceland actually has more hot springs than any other country on earth.

The highly active Strokkur Geysir geothermal area with boiling mud pits, exploding geysers which spouts water 30 metres into the air every 6 to 10 minutes, is a favourite stop along the Golden Circle route

Iceland is one of the smaller nations in Europe, but for overseas visitors it is becoming an increasingly popular destination. With 2.3 million visitors expected in 2017, tourism is a fast growing industry, thanks in part to the country’s incredibly beautiful landscape. Iceland just so happens to be home to many of the continent’s most impressive waterfalls.

Iceland’s must see waterfalls

Gullfoss

A spectacular sight, this multi-tiered waterfall is one of the popular attractions on the Golden Circle route. Also known as Golder Waterfall, it is located in the canyon of the Hvita River in the southwest of Iceland. This waterfall is the largest in Europe and is part of an eponymous nature reserve to ensure it is protected for all to enjoy its natural beauty.

Skogafoss

This waterfall was once located on the southern Icelandic coast, but this former sea cliff is now five kilometres from the shore, serving as a dramatic boundary between Iceland’s highlands and its coastal lowlands. One of the biggest waterfalls in the country, with a height of 25 metres, Skogafoss is most famous for its rainbow, visible on sunny days – a phenomenon attributed to the amount of spray the fall produces, and nothing short of a photographer’s dream.

Dettifoss

Although not as popular with visitors as Gullfoss or Skogafoss, Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Discharging 193 cubic metres per second, this waterfall is also Europe’s biggest waterfall in terms of the amount of water discharged. After it made an appearance in the 2012 science fiction movie Prometheus, many people refer to Dettifoss as the Prometheus waterfall.

Seljalandsfoss

Located between Selfoss and Skogafoss, close to the main ring road, this impressive 65 metre waterfall is well worth a visit. Not least because weather permitting, visitors have the opportunity to walk behind the cascading falls. Due to ice and slip hazard in winter, it is advisable not to walk behind the cascading falls.

Godafoss

Also known as the Waterfall of the Gods, Godafoss is located in the Myvatn district of northern-central Iceland. You’ll find this waterfall at the start of Sprengisandur Highland road – it is here that the water of the River Skjalfandafljot falls 12 metres from a width of 30 metres.

Midatlantic Ridge Almannagja Fissure, Thingvellir National Park — Midatlantic Ridge Almannagja Fissure in Thingvellir National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Centre and home to the world’s first parliament

To experience the best of Iceland’s natural attractions, be sure to visit the Golden Circle route, venture into the Highlands, or drop by the country’s national parks – Snaefellsjokul, Vatnajokull and Thingvellir – UNESCO World Heritage Centre and home to the world’s first parliament. A boat trip to Videy Island – where unspoiled nature and culture combine – is also highly recommended.

Let’s talk about the Icelandic Folklore

Iceland is not only rich when it comes to natural wonders, it also has an overwhelming wealth of cultural heritage, which is mainly evident in its family sagas and folktales relating to sorcerers, ghosts and mythical creatures like dragons, elves and trolls. If you want to be enlightened more about these creatures and tales, you should visit Lambi and Hafnarfjorour, where elves are said to dwell. A visit to the Icelandic Wonders Museum is also worthwhile – here you can take a class at the Icelandic Elf School! Fun fact: according to a survey back in 1998, most Icelanders believe in the existence of elves.

The Yule lads and snowy Reykjavik wonders during Christmas

Winter is said to be a magical season in Iceland, when the mountains and plains are covered in fresh snow, the lakes and waterfalls freeze over and the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights puts on a heavenly show, lighting up the skies in Reykjavik and various parts of the country.

During the Christmas season, entire cities, towns and villages are illuminated with twinkling nights and the thirteen Yule Lads (also known as Jólasveinar) – Iceland’s version of Santa Claus – wander around to spread mischief and Christmas cheer. For well-behaved children they will leave a gift, but naughty children receive a potato! In return, children leave treats for the Yule Lads such as crispy flatbread or other snacks. You can even visit the Yule Lads in their caves near Akureyri.

Although many roads are closed during the Christmas season, there are still plenty of activities available, particularly winter sports like skiing, ice skating and bobsledding. The largest ski resort in Iceland is Blafjoll, which is just several minutes away from the capital city, Reykjavik.

If you’re planning to enjoy an Icelandic Christmas (by the way ‘Gleileg jol gott og fars!’ is ‘Merry Christmas’ in the local tongue!) don’t be surprised, either, if Christmas seems unusually long. It is one of the Iceland customs to have 26 days of Christmas and not just one, but 13 Santa Clauses!

Horse tours and other exciting outdoor adventures during Christmas

Riding an Icelandic horse is a rare and amazing experience, and horseback riding provides a unique opportunity to explore Iceland’s beautiful natural landscapes. Icelandic horses, although small, are known for being hardy and easy to ride. There are many horse tours available in Reykjavik and other places in Iceland.

Apart from horseback riding, there are many other exciting outdoor activities for you to try when you visit Iceland during Christmas. You could play a round of golf under the midnight sun, cycle around Reykjavik or hike in the mountains and fjords. For water sport enthusiasts there’s rafting, swimming, sea kayaking and sport fishing. Wildlife encounters should definitely be one of your ‘must do’ activities though. Go bird-watching in Latrabjarg and catch a glimpse of the minke, blue, humpback and killer whales off the coast of Husavik.

Icelandic horses are spotted grazing in southern Iceland

Music and entertainment

Icelanders love their music and Iceland is home to an interesting music scene. Music is everywhere, from folk songs streaming from small villages and local pubs, to classical music resounding from concert halls and theaters, and rock music pulsating in the various night clubs. You should know that, Iceland even has its own metal scene, while jazz fans will love hanging around during the Reykjavik Jazz Festival.

Don’t forget to visit the Harpa Concert Hall, easily one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world. Home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, even if you don’t get to take in a performance, the Harpa Concert Hall should be high up on your itinerary of places to visit in Reykjavik.

Winter is a magical time of year to visit Iceland. The winter months aren’t as cold and harsh as you might probably imagine them to be, it’s generally less crowded and the winter weather delivers some stunningly beautiful landscapes that will take your breath away. Speaking of breath-taking, it’s also one of the best times to experience the incredible Northern Lights.

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