{"id":6550,"date":"2017-04-11T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2017-04-11T13:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=6550"},"modified":"2017-04-01T17:03:30","modified_gmt":"2017-04-01T21:03:30","slug":"reykjavik","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=6550","title":{"rendered":"Pretty As A Postcard"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved<\/i><\/i>.<\/p>\n

Planes are full and people are flocking to…<\/p>\n

Reykjavik!<\/em><\/h2>\n

A few years ago, my airline starting flying to Iceland. \u00a0Though our flights were heavy, it seemed like a place that only those seeking extreme adventure traveled to. \u00a0Waterfalls, rock climbing, glacier hiking, geysers, volcanoes, horseback riding, whales, geothermal spas, northern lights…you can find it all\u00a0in Iceland.<\/p>\n

Today, our planes are continually full, even in winter, and Iceland seems to be the new travel hotspot. \u00a0Everyone wants to go!<\/p>\n

The first time I ever traveled to Reykjavik, we hit the ground running. \u00a0With only twenty-four hours, we quickly changed clothes, grabbed a rental car and drove the entire Golden Circle (the popular tourist route that includes stops at the Strokkur Geyser and the Gullfoss waterfall) and visited the Blue Lagoon, the famous, geothermal spa. \u00a0On my other two visits, whale watching and Icelandic horseback riding were on the agenda.<\/p>\n

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What I especially love, however, is just walking around the town and appreciating the cleans lines of the architecture, the random sculpture scattered throughout, how tidy everything is and how friendly the\u00a0Icelandic people are.<\/p>\n

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Recently while visiting, I took the afternoon to wander around the during the clear winter day, stopping to marvel at the\u00a0lake near Town Hall. \u00a0Frozen solid, it reflected the colorful buildings that surrounded it, and I wished that I had brought my ice skates to join the locals enjoying themselves on the beautiful, sunny afternoon.<\/p>\n

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The Church of Hallgr\u00edmur, my next stop, is located near the center of the city and is an absolute must-see. \u00a0A Lutheran church, Hallgr\u00edmskirkja was completed in 1940, and is the largest church in Iceland, as well as the tallest structure in the country. \u00a0The unique building\u00a0was designed by Architect\u00a0\u00a0Gu\u00f0j\u00f3n Sam\u00faelsson and is said to have been designed to resemble the trap rocks, mountains and glaciers of the Icelandic landscape. \u00a0At the forefront of the\u00a0building is a statue of explorer Leif Eriksson which predates its construction. \u00a0A gift from the United States in 1930, it commemorated the 1000 anniversary of Iceland’s parliament at\u00a0\u00deingvellir in 930 A.D.<\/p>\n

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Having visited the church once before, I took more time to inspect the interior of the church as well as the large pipe organ, constructed by German organ builder Johannes Klais of Bonn. \u00a0The massive organ is 15 meters tall and weighs a whopping 25 tons.<\/p>\n

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The church also serves as an observation tower and I decided to brave the interminable line to ascend the elevator to the viewing deck. \u00a0With such a clear and sunny day, I was able to view the entire city as well as the harbor and surrounding mountains.<\/p>\n

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There are many restaurants and bars throughout the city center. \u00a0Many first time visitors, however, are shocked at the costs of dining out and of alcoholic beverages. \u00a0Since Reykjavik is an island, of course everything must be shipped in adding to the overall price. \u00a0On one of my previous visits, a pizza, half a salad and a beer totaled up to about $45. \u00a0There are some cheaper options out there, just ask around. \u00a0And, keep an eye open for Happy Hour specials in many of the hotels and watering holes.<\/p>\n

Whenever you decide to visit this amazing country, summer or winter, be prepared for many things to occupy your time…so many that you may have to pick and choose and save some for a later visit. \u00a0But, no matter what time of year you decide to visit, be prepared for the large number of visitors also checking out what this fascinating country has to offer!<\/p>\n

Check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe for more pictures.<\/p>\n

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Church of Hallgr\u00edmur (Hallgrimskirkja)<\/strong><\/p>\n