On the program:design shopping in the heart of 101, the fashionable district, notably at Kraum, the local Colette (www.kraum.is) where you can't resist a Fuzzy sheepskin stool, a lesson in contemporary art at the Hafnarhus museum (www. .artmuseum.is) with national pop art master Erró and climb to the top of Hallgrimskirkja church for a 360° view of the city. In the evening, head to trendy bars such as KEX (www.kexhostel.is), a former biscuit factory converted into a café-concert, the Laundromat Cafe (www.thelaundromatcafe.com) or the Boston (Laugavegur 8), often frequented, apparently. he, by Björk…
Summer and winter, Icelanders go to the swimming pool – or rather, to outdoor baths in natural hot water – as one would go to a café:to swim of course, but also after work to exchange the latest gossip! Located in the middle of a lava field halfway between the airport and Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon (www.bluelagoon.com) is the most touristy. We bathe there on arrival or departure in 38°C water rich in minerals beneficial for the skin.
Warning:Incredible scenery ahead! It's not for nothing that we shoot so many films here every year. In Geysir, approaching the famous geyser, you walk along small craters gurgling in sulfur fumes, wondering if these are not trolls stirring in the basement. We're not kidding, trolls or ghosts are sometimes listed on the maps! In Gulfoss ("golden fall"), you will be amazed by the gigantic waterfalls. On the south coast, we can once again measure the incredible diversity of this volcanic island, between lava fields, glaciers, waterfalls, hot springs, plains and volcanoes, including the famous Eyjafjallajökull which seems very nice seen up close.
We enjoy mutton soup, rúgbrauð, wholemeal bread baked by geothermal energy, skyr, thick yoghurt flavored or not, and lobster soup at Saegreifinn (http://saegreifinn.is) the oldest fishing restaurant in the town. For ram testicles, whale skewers or gamy shark, other local specialties, let yourself be tempted... or not!
It is possible, even without being a great athlete. We put on the crampons at the foot of Mýrdalsjökull (information on www.mountainguides.is) and we walk by taking our feet off the ice. We breathe deeply, we only hear the sound of running water in places, we especially become aware of the extreme fragility of the glacier which decreases each year... Also to be tested in winter:skiing 1 hour from Reykjavik facing the sea, diving above the continental divide, dog sledding…
With Icelandair, the national airline, which offers interesting packages with return flights and hotel nights included. www.icelandair.fr. More info:Reykjavik Tourist Board, www.visitreykjavik.is. And www.visiticeland.com.
