Take your time - A slow adventure in Iceland

Take your time walking on Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe and listen to stories about the natural history of the area. Sip hot chocolate made from thousand-year-old ice in the wilderness of Vatnajökull Glacier. Experience the culture and the history of Southeast Iceland through the family history of the local guides from the Vatnajökull Region. Experience nature while enjoying a traditional Icelandic soup cooked over an open fireplace. Immerse yourself in the Vatnajökull Region and experience all its beauty and awe through Slow Adventure journeys.

Slow Adventure is a form of responsible tourism with its primary emphasis on the great outdoors, local food and the native culture, portrayed through storytelling and local knowledge. It is about taking your time in a particular place, reconnecting with nature and creating memories through meaningful experiences.

You can find Slow Adventure experiences in seven different countries at the moment, one of them being Iceland. To learn more about Slow Adventure products visit www.slowadventure.org.

A BETTER CONNECTION

The Vatnajökull Region is the first and as yet only area in Iceland to offer Slow Adventure experiences. On the Visit Vatnajökull website, you will find opportunities for glacier walking and ice cave exploring, kayaking over glacier lagoons, culture and food walking tours, and a tour to Hornafjörður hidden nature gems.

These experiences are offered to you by family-run companies, employing local guides with deep, personal knowledge of the nature and culture of the area. The stories told are based on actual experiences, some from themselves and others that have been passed down through family history. Everything from the way the tours are planned to the way the guides deliver their stories enables their guests to feel more connected to the areas where your adventures take place.

If you feel like disconnecting from your day to day routine and seek the feeling of tranquility that comes with being in nature and its wild spaces, if you want to engage with and understand a place’s history, culture and people, and if you enjoy eating delicious local food—Slow Adventure may be just right for you!

Visit Vatnajökull offers a free booking service in cooperation with local tourism-related companies in the area. Their goal is to offer top-quality service to travelers, to make your stay enjoyable and memorable.

by Arndís Lára Kolbrúnardóttir Photos: Courtesy of Visit Vatnajokull