All Things Iceland

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. A Plague Sent Sorcerers int Hiding When a plague ravaged Iceland in the 15 th century, eighteen sorcerers formed a desperate alliance, fleeing to the remote Vestmannaeyjar Islands (Westman Islands) to escape its deadly grip. They hoped to wait out the plague, but as it finally began to subsi...

Recently a horrific accident in an ice cave resulted in a tragedy that has rocked the Icelandic tourism industry. After international news sources picked up this incident, many potential visitors have expressed worry about whether they should ever go into an ice cave. I’m going to share what has been reported in Iceland, action being taken to prevent potential ice cave tragedies, and when it is sa...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. A Tale of How a Canyon is named after a Giantess Kolugljúfur Canyon gets its name from the legendary giantess Kola, who made her home on a ledge within the gorge. According to local folklore, Kola was quite resourceful, often catching salmon straight from the river with her bare hands for br...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. An Icelandic Saga that Mentions the Lyngbakur The Saga of Örvar-Oddur from the 13th or 14th century mentions the Lyngbakur. In part of the saga, Oddur is seeing vengeance against Ögmundur Flóki (sometimes referred to as Ögmundur Eyþjófsbani or “Eythjof’s-killer”) for the mu...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. A Tyrant Farm Owner Long ago, in the northern reaches of Iceland, there was a farmstead called Skíðastaðir, where a wealthy farmer ruled with an iron fist. His wealth was immense, and he had many laborers working tirelessly, both summer and winter. The farmer was known for his strict ways, e...

This is the fourth episode for my segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. If you would like to submit a question, please use this link . You can check out previous episodes on Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland here . If you have questions that are specifically for an upcoming trip and getting the answer is time-sensitive, feel free to book a one-...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. The Lazy Farmer’s Wife Many centuries ago, a hard working farmer that lived below the Eyjafjöll mountains in South Iceland married a young woman. To his surprise and dismay, he found out after their marriage that his new wife was kind of lazy and lacking motivation to do much. Because...

At the summit of Hólmaháls, just above the road, lies the grave mound of a Völva, or prophetess, who has been believed to protect Reyðarfjörður and Eskifjörður from sea attacks for centuries. Want to hear more Icelandic Folklore Stories? This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Click Here How the Prophetess Protects the Fjord Accor...

In the mystic landscapes of Iceland, the northern lights weave tales as ancient as the glaciers. According to some Icelandic folklore, these shimmering lights are more than just natural phenomena. This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Folklore stories of the Northern Lights in Iceland They are believed to be the restless spirits...

Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, visiting Iceland during Pride is an unforgettable experience. This guide will delve into why you should consider timing your visit to coincide with Reykjavík Pride, what events to look forward to, and what else you can enjoy in Iceland during August. Why Visit Iceland During Pride in Reykjavík? Reykjavík Pride, or “Hinsegin Dagar&...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Bárður’s Background Bárður’s mother was human, while his father was half giant (risi) and half troll. He was raised by Dofri, the mountain-dweller of Dovrefjell in Nroway. With his first wife, Flaumgerður, Dofri’s daughter (also half-human), Bárður had three tall, beautiful daugh...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Back in the year 1000 AD Þorgeir, the Law Speaker in Althingi or Icelandic Parliament, made the decision that Iceland would become a Christian nation. This was a huge decision for him to make considering that he was Pagan that believed in the Old Norse Gods. When he returned back home to the...

The last 8 years have been a whirlwind for me but I have loved the journey. This is a relatively short episode but I thought it would be nice to give some insight into my life since I moved in 2016. I am so proud of how much the podcast has grown and I share a bit of that in the episode! Thank you to everyone that has been listening, sharing, and providing feedback on the podcast and my videos on...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Who are Iceland’s Ghost Children? with what’s known as a child ghost. The tale begins when a maid at a local farm gives birth to an unwanted baby. During Iceland’s pagan era, it was common to abandon such children in the wilderness. This harsh and unusual choice was seen as logical for...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. What is a Hot Spring Bird? This is a relatively short folklore story but is one that might interest anyone who plans to visit or take a dip into a hot spring while in Iceland. There is a type of bird that is said to lurk around hot springs. Over the centuries the description has been that th...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Who Was Sæmundur the Learned? Back in the 1100s, Sæmundur Sigfusson was the pastor at the well known ancient manor of Oddi in South Iceland. What was different about Sæmundur is that he had an interesting past with the Devil. It is said that Sæmundur was considered to be wise and he honed hi...

The Icelandic horse is a breed like no other, with a history that is deeply intertwined with the island nation itself. Brought to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries, these horses have remained a pure breed for over a thousand years. The isolation of Iceland has played a significant role in maintaining the purity of the Icelandic horse. No other horses have been allowed into th...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Who is Hallbera the Icelandic Ghost? There is an old Icelandic folklore tale about a ghost named Hallbera. It is said that she resides in the Scouts Cabin. She specifically occupies one of the bunks. Hallbera is known for her mischievous nature, playing pranks on those who sleep in one of th...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. The Toddler’s Transformation One summer on a farm when everyone else where collecting hay, a woman and her child, a toddler, were in the house because she was doing chores. The child was well behaved, spoke fluently and, in general, didn’t make much of a fuss. At some point in the day, the w...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. What Makes a Nykur Different than a Normal Icelandic Horse? Nykur is a water horse that is a gray color but it can shape shift into other things, living or dead. However, it’s said that it can’t take the shape of lambswool or peeled barley. In most stories, when the Nykur shows up it is norm...

This is the fourth episode for my segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. If you want to submit a question, you can do it here . You can check out previous Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland episodes here . Answers to the Questions That Were Submitted 1. Stephanie J. asked: “What is the tipping culture in Iceland?” Tipping in Iceland i...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. A Tale from Grímsey Island I’m sharing about a man and a polar bear in Grímsey, which is the northernmost inhabited island in Iceland. It is the only part of Iceland that is the Arctic circle. I’ve not been there yet, but I have heard it is beautiful. This story takes place many years during...

At the beginning of 2025, a new travel authorization system called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will come into effect. This new requirement aims to bolster security across Europe, addressing concerns related to terrorism and the influx of migrants and refugees. Non-EU visitors who previously didn’t need a visa will now have to apply online for ETIAS, which wil...

This is part of my Folklore Friday Series , where I am sharing an Icelandic folklore story every Friday in 2024. A King’s Decree Leads To Iceland’s Land Spirits Being Discovered In the Heimskringla saga of King Olaf Tryggvason, there is a captivating tale of King Harald Bluetooth’s failed attempt to invade Iceland. According to the saga, Harald tasked a sorcerer who transformed i...

Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. This unique geographical setting has led to some fascinating geological features and dynamic landscapes. In this episode, I go over the geology a little bit, the main reason why Iceland does not split in two even though the tectonic plates are slowing moving apart, and where in the country you can...