Accommodation
The cottage is cosy and well equipped. One double bedroom with a bunk bed as well. Sofa bed in the sitting room and an extra bed available upon request. A bathroom with shower. Kitchenette. Terrace with a hot tub.
Board
Guests prepare their own meals. Light refreshments are sold at Reykholt (5 km / 3.1 mi) and there are restaurants in village Flúðir (16 km / 10 mi), at geothermal area Geysir (24 km / 15 mi) and in village Laugarvatn (27 km / 16 mi).
Service and recreation
The nearest shops are in Reykholt (5 km / 3.1 mi) and at village Flúðir (16 km/ 10 mi). Local garden centres sell fresh vegetables. The nearest swimming pool is in Reykholt. A smaller pool is located in Úthlíð (15 km / 9.5 mi). Laugarvatn Fontana, a spa with hot tubs, saunas and a pool is in village Laugarvatn, 20 km (12.5 mi) away. Four golf courses are in the area, by Úthlíð (15 km / 9.5 mi), by Geysir (25 km / 15.5 mi), at Efra-Sel by village Flúðir (16 km / 10 mi) and in Miðdalur valley close to Laugarvatn (20 km / 12.5 mi). White river rafting and canoeing on river Hvítá (10 km / 6 mi). Various farms rent out horses. Hrosshagi is a traditional farm and guests are welcome to participate. The people at farm Efsti-Dalur (15 km / 9.3 mi) run a special tourist cowshed where guests can overlook the cattle and farm work from a separate area. The next-door café Íshlaðan sells coffee and home-made ice-cream and on the 1st floor is a restaurant that emphasises local ingredients.
Iceland’s “capital” in Skáholt
Skálholt (8 km / 5 mi) is a historical site and no less important to Iceland’s history than Þingvellir National Park. In fact, Skálholt was Iceland’s de facto capital for centuries. It was the episcopal seat from 1056 until 1796 and a true centre of higher learning for both Catholics and Protestants. Skálholt was the site of the largest church ever built in Iceland (17th century) and its size greatly surpassed that of the current cathedral that was built in 1963. Skálholt is a spectacular place to visit on a sunny day.
Geysir, Strokkur and Gullfoss
The Geysir geothermal area in Haukadalur (23 km / 14 mi) is one of the most famous attractions in Iceland and has retained that title for over two centuries. The world’s most famous geyser – Geysir (from which the English word stems) now slumbers, but close by is geyser Strokkur that confidently erupts every 10 – 15 minutes. The Geysir area is a mere 10-km-drive (6 mi) from one of the most famous and arguably most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland – Gullfoss.
Kerið crater and Þingvellir National Park
The crater Kerið in Grímsnes (26 km / 16 mi) is a rather deep crater and lake. It looks humble from afar, but once on the crater’s edge its magnificence can be appreciated. Þingvellir National Park is a true treasure and quite famous for stunning landscapes. It was Iceland’s assembly point for almost 9 centuries and the Republic of Iceland was formally founded here on June 17th, 1944. Þingvellir are famous within the field of geology, since it’s one of few places in the world where tectonic plate boundaries can be seen on dry land.
Hosts: Sigríður and Gunnar