Like town itself, the Nashville airport is morphing right into a closely trafficked beast that’s drawing in world vacationers. Nevertheless it’s additionally giving Nashvillians extra alternatives to turn out to be world vacationers. Nashville’s direct flight to Reykjavik, Iceland, launched in April, opening a portal to a different world.
Your entire nation is in regards to the measurement of Kentucky, however with a a lot smaller inhabitants, estimated at round 400,000 individuals. Additionally it is one of many youngest landmasses on the earth, and continues to develop and shift because of its volcanic and geothermal exercise. Volcanoes, geysers, lava fields and waterfalls are all a part of what makes this distant island so magical. There are nonetheless glaciers to be seen there as properly, although you might wish to plan that a part of your journey forward of time if seeing a glacier is excessive in your bucket checklist. Northern lights can usually be seen from November via April.
Very like Nashville, storms can roll via at any second. In Iceland’s case, that’s due to its oceanic island local weather, because the island is surrounded by the frigid Atlantic (assume “chilly Hawaii”). As Icelanders will let you know, it’s commonplace to expertise each climate situation doable in a single day, from heat solar to snow to gusting winds.
For folk trying to get away, it’s a brilliant straightforward strategy to attain an incredible European spot identified for its unbelievable nature, vigorous tradition and rising meals scene. And it’s not simply Reykjavik; Iceland’s Keflavík Worldwide Airport is a implausible hub, providing easy connections to tons of main European cities, with the choice to show a layover right into a trip. And it goes each methods. If we’re fortunate, Nashville will welcome many curious Icelanders too. Relying on whenever you ebook your tickets, round-trip flights could be secured for, in some circumstances, as little as $400 earlier than taxes and repair charges.
Learn on for a number of the objects Nashvillians must be placing on their Icelandic bucket lists.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
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Sizzling Canine! Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Is Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur the Prince’s Sizzling Rooster of Reykjavik? Based mostly on its reputation and rising fame, the comparability stands. Since 1937 this iconic downtown stand has been serving its signature sizzling canines topped with crispy onions, uncooked onions, candy brown mustard, ketchup and remoulade to Icelanders, who reportedly eat extra sizzling canines per capita than some other inhabitants — although it bears repeating that there actually aren’t that many Icelanders. The canine itself is lamb-based with a handy guide a rough casing that’s a big a part of why they’re so craveable. Grabbing one after a late night time in Reykjavik is simply as vital as that late-night canine from Daddy’s Canine in Printers Alley, although they’re tasty at any time of the day.
Tomato Fest: Friðheimar Tomato Farm
After touring the lunar panorama of Iceland with its frigid waterfalls, charred lava fields and craggy, moss-covered expanses, strolling into the Friðheimar Tomato Farm is like getting into one other world. Although there are solely a few hours of daylight throughout sure months of the 12 months in Iceland, the farm is brimming with tomatoes cultivated in large greenhouses powered by clear and plentiful geothermal power. Tour the greenhouses and keep for lunch: Bottomless bowls of tomato soup are served with contemporary bread and as many tomato-flavored meals objects as you’ll be able to consider, from tomato beer to sorbet.
What’s That Odor: Hákarl
Whereas it’s usually frowned upon for foreigners to hate on a rustic’s beloved delicacies, Iceland’s fermented shark is divisive even inside its personal inhabitants. Anthony Bourdain as soon as referred to as the famously disgusting dish “the one worst factor I’ve ever eaten,” and there are numerous, many individuals who agree with him. A practice tracing again to the traditional Vikings who settled on Iceland’s shores in want of sustenance, hákarl is the meat of a Greenland shark that’s buried and fermented for months, then dried. It tastes strongly of ammonia with a distinctly fishy taste, and is usually consumed with a shot of Brennivín, an Icelandic aquavit that’s additionally fondly known as “black dying.” Attempt it when you dare. (We dare you.)
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Relaxation Up: Lodge Ranga
After a day of great exploration, head to Lodge Ranga to soak in sizzling tubs by the river, and heat up with sizzling chocolate. The posh resort is a perfect residence base for exploring the waterfalls and geysers of the Golden Circle — a preferred route that begins and ends in Reykjavik — and is famend for its Northern Lights viewing. It even has its personal observatory and in-house astronomer; if the lights present up whereas friends are sleeping, they will opt-in to obtain a name from the entrance desk earlier than donning parkas and heading outdoors. Assume Smoky Mountain cabin, however with volcanoes as an alternative of ridges.
Horseworld
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Experience an Icelandic Horse: Horseworld
Head into the countryside to catch a glimpse of Iceland’s prized horses. Descendents of Norse horses that made the trek throughout the North Sea within the ninth century, Icelandic horses are fiercely protected, and just like the nation’s individuals, exceptionally pleasant and even-tempered. They’re additionally exceptionally sturdy for his or her petite measurement, which can be fiercely defended by Icelanders, who might be deeply offended when you seek advice from them as “ponies.” No different horses could be imported to the nation, and horses who depart to indicate or breed can by no means return; in consequence there are not any spreadable equine ailments within the nation. They’re identified for his or her easy fifth gait, referred to as the tölt, which is akin to that of Tennessee’s state horse, the Tennessee Strolling Horse. Each breeds are wonderful for comfortably traversing rocky landscapes or Tennessee farmland.
Soak in Geothermal Swimming pools: Blue Lagoon
Iceland is thought for its wonderful use of the sustainable geothermal power powering the nation. That power can be chargeable for the milk-blue swimming pools of silica-rich water that kind the Blue Lagoon, considered one of Iceland’s most well-known points of interest. The water, heated by volcanic power hundreds of ft under the floor of the earth, is believed to have therapeutic properties, and has spawned a spa, eating places and two inns. Slap on a mud masks and seize a drink from the swim-up bar, and also you received’t miss Percy Priest’s Get together Cove one bit.
Blue Lagoon
Yee-Harpa! Harpa Live performance Corridor
The Grand Ole Opry of Iceland? Not precisely, however Harpa is the musical heart of Reykjavik, internet hosting every thing from the Reykjavik Jazz Competition to an upcoming Dolly Parton tribute in its beautiful areas. The beautiful constructing is tough to overlook, lined in gleaming glass on the sting of the water within the nation’s capital.
Go Chasing Waterfalls (and Geysers and Seashores)
In Iceland, waterfalls are frigid and pure sufficient to drink. Tennessee has no scarcity of beautiful waterfalls to discover, however Iceland’s glacial runoff makes for a number of the greatest sightseeing. Journey the Golden Circle and alongside the way in which, you’ll see Skógafoss, considered one of Iceland’s greatest (200 ft) and most photogenic falls, the place rainbows are fixed within the spray under. Close by is considered one of Iceland’s most well-known waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss. Journey even additional to come across the goth model of 30A at Reynisfjara Black Sand Seashore, the place black volcanic sand and delightful geometric basalt columns fashioned when historical lava was cooled by seawater. By no means flip your again on the ocean right here, as lethal “sneaker waves” are widespread and really harmful. Embrace your inside Tennessean and take an ATV tour of the seaside and surrounding city of Vík.
Go to a Monument to a Well-known Nashvillian
You’ve heard of Joint Base Andrews (née Andrews Air Drive Base), however do you know that it’s named after a local son? Main Normal Frank Maxwell Andrews, also called one of many founders of the fashionable Air Drive, was born and raised in Nashville. In 1943, Andrews was serving because the commander of Allied Forces within the European theater when he died in a airplane crash in Iceland, whereas on an inspection tour. That airplane was Sizzling Stuff, the primary B-24 heavy bomber to finish 25 missions, on its manner again to the States to spice up morale and promote warfare bonds. Andrews and the crew of Sizzling Stuff are commemorated with a stately stone monument on the way in which from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik, making it a straightforward cease to recollect considered one of Tennessee’s best.
