This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland.  A Young Girl and Her Prankster Neighbor In a small Icelandic village, there was a young boy who loved to play tricks and frighten a girl who lived nearby. He’d pop up unexpectedly, trying to make her jump. But over time, she became so used to his tricks that nothing he did could...

Experiencing *Into the Glacier* in Iceland was like stepping into a different world—a frozen wonderland hidden deep within Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. It was truly mesmerizing to see the glacier from the inside, which made me feel like I was in the heart of an enormous frozen giant. Is it Safe to Visit "Into the Glacier" Anytime of Year? When it comes to those wondering about safety, the *Into the Glacier* experience is indeed safe. The ice tunnels were engineered...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland The Troll Woman & Bjarni Once upon a time, a farmer named Bjarni lived in Skaftafell. He was known for his skilled craftsmanship and resourcefulness. High in a cave above the Skaftafell Woods, there lived a troll-woman who had become a loyal friend to Bjarni. She watched over his...

Eyþór is an Icelandic antiquarian with an impressive rare book collection. For many years, he has been collecting and restoring rare books, some of which are important original Icelandic manuscripts. We sat down to chat about his collection and so much more.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkKR4qoW67A Questions I Asked Eyþór During the Interview? * When did your fascination with antique book collecting and restoration start?* How many books are in your collection?* What is your...

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland.  Sleipnir's Hoofprint: The Mythic Origins of Ásbyrgi According to Icelandic legend, the stunning horseshoe-shaped canyon of Ásbyrgi was formed by the mighty hoofprint of Sleipnir, Odin’s legendary eight-legged steed. As the Norse god rode across the sky on his powerful horse,...

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland.  Who is Búkolla the Magic Icelandic Cow? Once upon a time, there was an old man and his wife who lived in a small cottage with their son. They weren’t particularly fond of him, but they had little else in their life besides a single cow, Búkolla, who was their most prized...

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland.  How Dimmuborgir was Said to be formed? Legend has it that Dimmuborgir, with its eerie rock formations and twisting lava fields, is more than just a natural wonder. Some say it's a hidden gateway to a mysterious, parallel world – a realm where Iceland's most elusive creatures...

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland.  How an Icelandic Fisherman Caught a Merman Many years ago, there was a farmer living in Vogar, famous for being the best fisherman around. No one could match his skill, and his farm flourished because of it. One day, while he was out on the water, something strange happened. He...

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. To hear other stories, I have shared so far, check them out on my website All Things Iceland.  How Icelandic Necropants are Created Imagine making a pact with your best friend—if one of you dies, the other gets to use the body for something truly bizarre: making a pair of magical pants. These aren’t just any pants though. They’re called Necropants, and they're made from...

This is episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a Folklore story every Friday in 2024. How is a Tilberi Creature in Iceland formed? In the heart of Icelandic folklore, there exists a strange and eerie creature known as the *tilberi* in the north and the *snakkur* in the south and west.This mystical being is said to be the creation of witches, conjured specifically to steal milk from the farms of others. Only women have the knowledge and ability to summon...

Learn about cycling culture, different routes, races, and more from Búi Aðalsteinsson, an Icelandic cycling enthusiast and podcast host. About Búi Aðalsteinsson Búi Aðalsteinsson is a designer and has run the design studio Grallaragerðin since 2016, alongside various other jobs, he currently works at the Department of Service and Innovation at the City of Reykjavík.Búi’s work emphasizes community and environmental aspects. His experience includes developing creative projects within...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Why Trolls Tried to Make the Westfjords of Iceland an Island Centuries ago, in the wild and rugged land of Iceland, three mischievous trolls hatched a plan to reshape the landscape forever. Their goal? To sever the Westfjords from the rest of the island by digging a massive channel between Húnaflói Bay and Breiðafjörður Bay.These trolls loved a good challenge, so they added a...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. Where is there treasure behind Skógafoss waterfall? In Icelandic Legends and Fairy Tales, 1862-64, Jón Árnason (1819–1888) added more details to the story of Þrasi Þórólfsson in Skógar. It is said that Þrasi buried a chest full of gold and treasures beneath the Skógafoss waterfall, and in olden times, part of this chest was visible.An old rhyme...

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 15th 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 subside, they grew curious. Did anyone still live on the mainland?They chose one among...

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 safest to go on an ice cave tour.Before I dive in though, I would like to extend my deepest...

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 breakfast.On occasion, she would cook her catch in the Koluketill Kettle, a nearby...

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 murder of his blood-brother Þórður.To make it safely to Ögmundr Flóki’s location, Oddur was guided by his...

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, especially during the haymaking season. He demanded that the women servants cook meals...

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-hour private video trip planning call with me. 1. Anne C. said: "Have you been to Faroe...

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 they lived on a farm and there were many chores to be done, it bothered the farmer that his...

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 According to legend, the prophetess...

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 of the deceased, particularly those who have yet to find their final resting place. As...

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" in Icelandic, is a week-long festival held every August that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community....