All Things Iceland

A quick but fascinating Icelandic folklore tale about Naustahvilft. According to the legend, a troll was hurrying home to avoid being turned into stone by the sun that was going to rise soon. She was traveling quickly enough that she was ahead of schedule and was able to stop to rest. The area that she stopped is Ísafjörður, the fjord where the largest town in the Westfjords is located. The troll’...

This is the first response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here . Questions sent in from the listeners of the All Things Iceland Podcast 1. Can you please discuss some of the history of Ravens in Iceland. I was delighted to hear about some mischievous R...

For this episode of Folklore Friday we’re diving into the chilling tales and explosive history of Iceland’s very own Mount Hekla, often dubbed as the “Gateway to Hell”! Hekla Volcano’s Eruption Patterns & Destructive Past Our story begins in the year 1104, when Hekla made its grand entrance into the annals of volcanic history with a bang! Since the 1970s, this fi...

As of January 15th, 2024, Keflavík International Airport (KEF) has stated that they are gearing up to host a whopping 8.5 million passengers this year, making it one of their busiest years ever. Yep, you heard it right, this little volcanic island is becoming more of a hotspot than ever before! I know 8.5 million sounds like a lot, because it is, but I will put that into context during this episod...

At the famous, beautiful, and dangerous Reynisfjara black sand beach there are three sea stacks clearly visible out in the ocean. They look as though they have popped up out of nowhere but there is a story behind their existence. Legend has it that two trolls were trying to pull a ship to shore during the middle of the night. However, they lost track of time and since this was during the warmer se...

Visiting Iceland in October offers a unique and captivating experience, characterized by its transitional weather, diminished crowds, and the chance to witness the Northern Lights. Previous Episodes About Months in Iceland January in Iceland February in Iceland March in Iceland April in Iceland May in Iceland June in Iceland July in Iceland August in Iceland September in Iceland Weather and Averag...

This particular episode is about Hallgerður Hallgrímsdóttir , who did an interesting interview with VICE back in 2016 about her intimate encounters.  An important warning though is that she goes into some graphic details about her and an elf being intimate, as well as an anonymous account that she shares from someone else. It’s definitely out there. What Might Happen if You Meet An Icelandic Elf I...

In the early hours of February 8th, a volcanic eruption north of Grindavik, not far from the famed Blue Lagoon, marked the third eruption since December, igniting concerns among locals and authorities. With the eruption’s intensity waning by the evening, experts from the Icelandic Met Office suggest this latest upheaval might be fizzling out. Yet, the pattern of increasing volcanic activity...

One of Iceland’s most iconic and breathtaking landmarks is Hallgrímskirkja church. This isn’t just any church; it’s a symbol of Icelandic identity, a fusion of history, and a beautiful architectural design that speaks volumes about the island’s unique character. Later on, in my random fact of the episode, I share who this church is named after. Ask Jewells Anything Before I...

The tale about Shaggy Trout is one I learned from reading the lovely book “ Meeting with Monsters: An Illustrated Guide to the Beasts of Iceland ” by Jón Baldur Hlíðberg and Sigurður Ægisson. I’m summarizing bits of the story in this episode but it is really interesting to read about this fish and other creatures in the book The Tale of the Shaggy Trout In the shadowed streams and hidden depths of...

Iceland , a land of fire and ice, offers a myriad of awesome routes for tourists to explore attractions, but none as well known as the Golden Circle . This popular tourist route is easily accessible from Reykjavik, and it encapsulates the raw beauty and geological marvels of Iceland. In this comprehensive guide, I will take you through the classic stops of the Golden Circle – Thingvellir Nat...

In the North on Drangey Island is where this tale takes place. It’s said that a man went to hunt birds and collect eggs on the island. As soon as he stepped foot on the island, he dropped died. Guðmundur “The Good” Vs The Devil on Drangey Island Word got around about the sudden death of this man and people felt that the reason for the death was an evil spirit or a devil. Guðmundur &#82...

There are three main parts to the Winter Lights Festival – The Lights Trail, Museum Night, and Pool Night. I’ll explain each of them briefly and will provide a link where you can find out more about the 150 events going on during this festival where a number of artists participate. Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland Before I jump in, I am excited to share that I have created a form where my listen...

Today, we’re diving into some intriguing Icelandic tales from East Iceland, specifically some tales from the life of Pastor Vigfús Benediktsson. Back in the 18th century, Vigfús found himself dealing with some pretty wild supernatural encounters. Luckily for him, some of the intuitive and resourceful women in his life were able to help him out when he was in some spooky situations. Pastor Vigfús&#...

Unfortunately one of the worst case scenarios has happened in Grindavik when an eruption started this past Sunday early in the morning. Two fissures opened and one of them was right next to some houses. Everyone in Iceland and in many parts of the world who have heard about this have heavy hearts because we have been seeing the destruction of people’s homes right before our eyes and can’t do anyth...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024. The Wrath of an Elf Woman Scorned Even though this story is based in West Iceland, it starts out on the Reykjanes Peninsula in a small village. A group of men ventured to Geirfuglasker, known as Great Auk rocky island, on a g mission to capture great auks (a...

Visiting Iceland in September is an experience that combines the tail end of summer’s allure with the onset of autumn’s charm. Here’s what you can expect: Previous Episodes About Months in Iceland January in Iceland February in Iceland March in Iceland April in Iceland May in Iceland June in Iceland July in Iceland August in Iceland Weather and Average Temperature Climate : Septe...

Today is the first episode of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024. This one is extra special because tomorrow is January 6 th and it is said that many magical things happen then in Iceland. Why January 6th is the end of Christmas in Iceland On January 6th, Iceland bids a vibrant farewell to its Christmas season, a day...

It’s the end of 2023 and it has been quite year in Iceland, my personal life and for All Things Iceland. This episode is a recap that hits on all those areas, and I share what I have in store for 2024! Of course, included in my recap is an update about the most recent volcanic eruption. Like most of my episodes, I will also have a random fact and an Icelandic word of the episode to share at the ve...

The latest volcanic eruption in Iceland started on Monday, December 18 th at 10:00 PM UTC. When it started the fear was that the town of Grindavík would be in danger of being submerged in molten hot lava. Here is the latest on what is happening and if the town is in danger. Will Grindavík Be Spared in Iceland’s Latest Volcanic Eruption? The eruption started north of Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peni...

The Christmas season is in full swing in Iceland. Many of my podcast listeners and followers on social media have asked about some awesome ways to experience Christmas in Iceland. Back in 2019, I shared 16 Christmas Activities to Do While Visiting Iceland on the podcast. While that list is still helpful, I wanted to update it a bit and provide some more links to activities that you might find help...

If you plan to visit Iceland in August, this information will help you to know what to expect when traveling during this month. That includes the following: Road conditions What to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during that month Some tips on driving in that time Top activities, and events that happen annually during this month This episode is part of a series about months in Iceland....

As you stroll the streets of Reykjavik, with its vibrantly painted houses and Mount Esja as a backdrop, you’re likely to encounter many four-legged and furry locals. Yes, cats are roaming freely around the city. These furry residents are not only tolerated but adored by the city’s human inhabitants. Please know that these are not stray cats. Rather, they have homes, but their owners le...

As I mentioned in the previous episode , residents of Grindavík have been evacuated. Scientists have been anticipating a potential eruption but no lava has come up to the surface as of right now. However, that doesn‘t mean damage has not been done. The tens of thousands of earthquakes in Grindavik have resulted in major cracks in the earth opening up. There are literal holes in the streets where a...

Iceland’s iconic Blue Lagoon closed recently and here is why. Since the end of October, land has been rising and thousands of earthquakes have taken place on the Reykjanes Peninsula near the Blue Lagoon and a neighboring town called Grindavík. Even though no one is certain an eruption will happen, land rising and tens of thousands of earthquakes, some strong enough to be felt in Reykjavík, a...