From the Settlement to the Present, Hot Water has been a Natural Blessing
Extensive geothermal activity is one of Iceland’s most distinctive features, with more geothermal areas than any other country. It is known to be present at over 700 sites in Iceland. For geothermal heat to reach the surface, precipitation must seep down into the ground to a level where it can be heated appreciably. The heated water must then find a crack or some other means of leaking to the surface again. In general, a certain amount of precipitation does manage to seep through the ground down into bedrock, where it is becomes steam through contact with magma. Magma is molten rock that comes up from the earth in volcanic eruptions. In Iceland, an eruption has occurred approximately every forth year since long before Iceland was settled. There have been around 230 eruptions in the past 1100 years. Like ice on a lake, the earth's crust floats on the earth's mantle, and thus has some freedom to move under certain conditions. The force behind such movements is the heat created deep in the earth by the breakdown of radioactive materials. This heat has to be conducted from the earth's core through the mantle and crust before reaching the surface.

Freedom and Flexibility
As you walk down that big city street, choking on the fumes and pollution, jostled by the crowds, the sun blocked by tall concrete and glass buildings and not a green blade of grass in sight, you grasp your airline ticket all the more firmly and dream… Stepping out of the airport at Keflavik, you fill your lungs with fresh air and your eyes with the views of the raw nature. You’re free. Now to experience Iceland, to fulfil that dream. With only 300,000 people, most of the country is pure open space and to experience it all, you have a travel passport from Sterna, the only company that will take you around the country from Reykjavik’s BSÍ bus and coach station, for you to visit at your leisure. You can get off at any point, spend the night or as long as you like before catching another coach to a new destination. The choice is yours as to where to go, how long you’ll stay and what you’ll do. Freedom and flexible travel. Unlike the majority of tours that stick to the familiar routes, Sterna will take you through the unusual countryside of the interior, where you can enjoy its spectacular colours, its hot tubs in the mountains, the pristine freshness of an unspoilt countryside.

For centuries, Iceland was almost completely isolated from the rest of Europe. The wild and harsh climate made international trade, commerce and relations all but impossible, and the heavy-handed laws imposed by the Danish and Norwegian monarchies, did not make life any easier.
Craftsmanship born of necessity
As a result of the isolation and scarcity of goods, craftsmanship of all kinds blossomed and many highly skilled artisans produced a variety of useful and decorative items. Icelanders had to rely heavily on their own ingenuity and resourcefulness for obtaining many items that were taken for granted in the rest of the world. The Skógar Folk Museum pays tribute to Iceland’s many fine craftsmen and women who each contributed in their own way to Iceland’s rich cultural history. The museum was begun in 1945 by Þórður Tómasson, who gradually built up his collection, as Icelanders near and far began to donate cherished family heirlooms to the growing museum.

The Grindavík Experience
Since the Vikings first settled this part of the Reykjanes peninsula, fishing has been in their blood. Life was tough, fishing was hard and it bred the kind of people who enjoy challenges and living life to the full. There's so much to do–yet not many know a lot about it. Grindavík is home to the famous Blue Lagoon and the town itself is just 4 km down the road. It's only about 15 min. from the airport and 40 min. from Reykjavik. From here, you can take a tour that will be an experience of a lifetime, enjoy a meal in a picturesque fish restaurant or, with so much to see and do, you might prefer a fast-food lunch and save the dinner until the evening. After a full day here, you will doubtless realise, as so many have, that you need more time to explore it all. It's a lot easier to stay than traipse back and forth from Reykjavik. Take a look at just a few of the options available to you to whet your appetite.