Day 4 – August 4, 2025 -- Akureyri

We woke up this morning docked in Akureyri, which is located in northern Iceland.  It is the country’s second-largest city with a population of about 20,000 and one of the country’s most important ports and fishing centers.  The city is best known as the gateway to Iceland’s natural wonders – thundering waterfalls, gurgling lava fields, snow-capped mountains, sweeping fjords, and robust folk culture.  It lies just 62 miles away from the Article Circle.  Today we did the Myvatn, Waterfall Hot-Springs & Volcanoes Tour, which introduced us to several of the spectacular natural wonders in this region.  The weather was perfect with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 50’s.  Our tour by Bus Travel Iceland began at 9:30 am and we headed toward our first stop – Godafoss Waterfall.  Godafoss (Waterfall of the Gods) got its name from the year 1000 CE when Iceland converted to Christianity.  According to legend, the local chieftain symbolically threw the pagan idols into the waterfall.  The waterfall is 98 feet wide and 39 feet tall and is formed by the Skjalfandafljot river that cuts through rugged lava fields and dramatic basalt formations.  There are several spots to get good panoramic views of the falls and its mist.  

Next we drove along lake Myvatn known for its geothermal activity, volcanic features, and rich birdlife.  

Several in the tour spent the rest of their tour time at the Myvatn Nature Baths while the rest of us visited the volcanic features and geothermal activity of the area.  The Lake Myvatn area is located on the intersection of the tectonic plates of America and Eurasia, which are constantly drifting apart.  Therefore, it is a very volcanically active.  

At Dimmuborgir, we took one of the hiking trails and walked among the volcanic pillars formed when lava entrapped lake water and the steam formed vent holes in lava columns.  The lava formations are quite spectacular and “support” the legends of trolls, etc. inhabiting the area. 

From Dimmuborgir we drove to an overlook near the geothermal electric plant facility to have lunch and have a panoramic view of the Myvatn area.  

Driving a little further we visited the geothermal area with hot mud pots and “smoking” fumaroles with their very strong sulfurous odor.   This reminded us of visiting Yellowstone, although not as colorful.  To the right of us the hillside was lush green, but in the geothermal area it was devoid of vegetation and an unearthly landscape.  

After picking up the other tour members who did the thermal baths, we drove to a sight along Lake Myvatn with numerous craters formed by steam eons ago.  Then we stopped at a nature resource center that had exhibits about the history of the area.  This gave us views of this area of the lake 

before starting our return travel to Akureyri and arriving at the ship by 4:30 pm.  

We relaxed in the Ensemble Lounge before dinner of roast chicken, shrimp/calamari fettuccini, and cod.  

The evening ended with entertainment in the Skyline Lounge on Deck 14.  

We stay dock overnight in Akureyri and will have tomorrow available for touring the city.