Gullfoss - magnificent waterfall
Gullfoss (The Golden waterfall) is Iceland’s most famous waterfall, and one of the natural wonders of the world. It is in the mighty glacial river Hvítá (White river), just a few kilometers from another natural wonder, the world-famous Geysir. The enormous white glacial cascade drops 32 meters into a narrow canyon, which is 70 meters deep, and 2,5 kilometers long. It is a spectacular two-tiered cataract which hangs in the air like fine drizzle and forms a rainbow in the sunlight. In winter it has an unusual appearance when it becomes petrified in ice.

Geysir - the geothermal area where hot water spouts up from the ground
The hot springs in the Geysir area are of different types. Geysir and the hot springs to the west and south are normal hot springs, i.e. they emit hot water ascending through narrow channels from deep sources in the crust. The temperature of the hot springs is up to 100 degrees and some are constantly boiling – if the temperature at depth rises above boiling the hot springs erupt which means that they are geysers. The word geyser is derived from the name of the famous Geysir. At about 23 m depth in the Geysir pipe the water is at 120 degrees in temperature.

It is in equilibrium with the pressure of the water above in the pipe, i.e. the weight of the water above keeps the boiling water down. At a depth of around 16 m, the temperature of the water sometimes rises above boiling, seen as increased turbulence at the surface. This turbulence (boiling) can increase to the point where the water above in the pipe is lifted slightly, and a chain reaction starts – the pressure decreases making further boiling possible and the water flashes into steam, resulting in an eruption in Geysir. The boiling now extends down into the pipe, throwing more water into the air. When all the water in the pipe has been thrown out the water coming from depth changes immediately into steam and a steam eruption follows the water eruption, with accompanying noise. The water-phase lasts for a few minutes and, where the steam-phase dies out, the water has drained the channels deep into the earth and it will take 8-10 hours for Geysir to regain its water.

Þingvellir - the only place in the world were you can easily see the tectonic plates move apart from each other You can stand on the American tectonic plate and look over at the European tectonic plate. This is the only place in the world where it is easy to see it above sea level.
Þingvellir, 50km (31 miles) to the east of Reykjavík, is the national shrine of Iceland, its most historic site, and one of its most beautiful places. The oldest existing parliament in the world called the Alþing first met here in AD930. The Alþing met every year to enact laws, including the law passed in AD1000 to introduce Christianity into the island. It has always been the focal point for the country, and whenever a major event is to be celebrated, thousands of people come here. At the celebration of the 1,100th anniversary of the first settlement in 1974, more than 60,000 people packed into Þingvellir.

Nearby Lögberg is the cliff overlooking the place where the Alþing (assembly) met, and speakers stood to address the gatherings from this point. Nearby is Drekkingarhylur (The Drowning Pool), where mothers of illegitimate children were drowned. It is sited in the river Öxará in Almannagjá, a lava gorge, which with the Öxarárfoss waterfall, is an impressive sight.

Peningagjá (The Money Chasm) is a deep fissure filled with crystal clear spring water, people throw coins into it from the bridge that lies across. The coins give off strange reflections as they drop through the water, it is said that if you can follow the coin all the way down until it comes to rest on the bottom, your wish will come true.

There is an old church at Þingvellir, and the pastor is also warden of the national park, which covers the surrounding area. Beside the church is the national burial ground.
Þingvallavatn is the largest lake in Iceland, 83sq km (32sq miles) and over 100m (328ft) deep.