Rick Steves' Europe
Travel Bites 903: Iceland’s Golden Circle
Clip | 6m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
Iceland is all about nature and for the best day trip out of Reykjavik, it’s “The Golden Circle.”
Iceland is all about nature and for the best day trip out of Reykjavik, it’s “The Golden Circle.” On this 150-mile loop you'll see the original geyser, a thunderous waterfall, and the great rift where Europe and North America meet—and the country was born.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Distributed nationally by American Public Television
Rick Steves' Europe
Travel Bites 903: Iceland’s Golden Circle
Clip | 6m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
Iceland is all about nature and for the best day trip out of Reykjavik, it’s “The Golden Circle.” On this 150-mile loop you'll see the original geyser, a thunderous waterfall, and the great rift where Europe and North America meet—and the country was born.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Where to Watch Rick Steves' Europe
Rick Steves' Europe is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS app.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[upbeat music] Iceland's quintessential day trip from Reykjavik is the Golden Circle route.
[car whirring] It's a great way to venture through Iceland's natural wonders at its best.
Today, the weather's great.
And we're setting off on this classic 150-mile loop.
Within minutes, we're immersed in Iceland's iconic wide open spaces and enjoying the dramatic scenery of this island's natural wonders.
Today, we'll see gorges, waterfalls, geysers, and more, with epic views all along the way.
By the way, most people do this as a day trip on a tour bus.
But we're driving.
Our first stop is Thingvellir.
This national park is important to Icelanders for two reasons.
First, at this gorge, you can see the rift that marks that slow separation of tectonic plates.
Walking along this fissure in the Earth's crust, travelers sense this meeting of two continents-- America on the left, Europe on the right.
And second, Thingvellir, that clear, which means "assembly plains," was the site of the original Althing, an annual gathering of early settlers.
This is where the nation of Iceland was born.
1,000 years ago, chieftains from isolated farms all over the island traveled great distances to meet right here every summer and make important decisions.
In an age when almost no one could read or write, each meeting began by reciting the memorized highlights from last year's gathering.
History aside, Thingvellir is inviting for a nature walk.
In this evocative spot, waterfalls tumble and the river flows as geology does its slow motion dance.
[inquisitive music] Just up the road is a geological site actually called Geysir.
This geothermal field, colorful and steamy with scalding water, is home to the original geyser, which means "gusher" in Icelandic.
The site is otherworldly as pools bubble and steam fills the air, all with a whiff of sulfur.
But the big show is the central geyser.
Tourists line up, cameras poised with antici-- --pation, ready to capture the moment.
They wait and wait and wait.
Sometimes they wait so long the weather actually improves.
And then, suddenly, with a gurgling belch, the geyser explodes, rocketing skyward and thrilling the crowd.
[laughter and excited chatter] As you drive the Golden Circle, remember to slow down and enjoy the scenery.
And it's not just about the famous natural sights.
Along the way, you'll see slices of Iceland's unique agriculture.
With its efficient greenhouses, even with the lack of good topsoil and its difficult weather, Iceland grows plenty of tasty vegetables.
The climate is harsh for conventional farming, but its expertise in greenhouse technology and in putting geothermal energy to good use yields an abundant harvest.
For lunch, we're stopping at a working farm.
It's clear that frugal farmers here are tapping into the tourist boom.
This family now serves hungry sightseers.
The soup bar is a budget standby.
It's all-you-can-slurp with fresh baked bread, and a glass of water, and a cup of coffee.
You can finish with a farm fresh dessert with a special twist-- the cows actually watch the diners enjoying ice cream made from their very own milk.
For generations, this family has raised horses.
Horse lovers know that Iceland's local breed is special.
Small and sturdy, these were first brought over by Vikings in the settlement age 1,000 years ago, chosen because they could fit inside the hold of a ship-- yet they were strong enough to work hard once they arrived.
Throughout the country, you'll see these windblown beauties.
A long, established ban on importing other breeds means that today's Icelandic horses are purebred and unique.
They also have a distinctive gait that thrills equestrians.
[slow instrumental music] [waterfall crashing] The final stop on our Golden Circle loop is one of the most impressive waterfalls in a country famed for waterfalls.
Gullfoss, the golden falls, the churning glacial river plummets into a narrow gorge.
Up close, the caldron comes with a deafening roar.
And even from high above, visitors feel the spray-- wonderstruck.
Gullfoss is one of those places Iceland specializes in, where you feel the raw power of nature.
It's the perfect climax to a Golden Circle day.
[epic music] This remote island, with its mighty nature, tiny population, and gritty love of life, brings out the explorer in all of us.
And I'm inspired by both its wild beauty and its people.
I hope you've enjoyed our look at Iceland, its capital city, and its Golden Circle.
Until next time, I'm Rick Steves.
Keep on traveling.
For more information, visit RickSteves.com.
NewTravel Bites 971: Passeggiata and Rome After Dark
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 59s | Join Romans for the beloved evening passeggiata. (3m 59s)
NewTravel Bites 970: Jewish Rome and Monti
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 6s | Rome’s ancient Jewish community shares its extraordinary story of endurance and resilience. (5m 6s)
NewTravel Bites 969: Rome's Colorful Trastevere Neighborhood
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 23s | Across the river, Trastevere invites travelers into intimate lanes. (4m 23s)
NewTravel Bites 967: St. Peter’s and Vatican City
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 45s | Cross into the world’s smallest country to explore magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica. (4m 45s)
NewTravel Bites 966: Borghese Gallery’s Baroque Masters
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 2s | Rome’s fabulously wealthy patrons transformed collecting and commissioning art into dazzling display (3m 2s)
NewTravel Bites 965: Art in Rome’s Churches
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 45s | Step into Rome’s often unassuming churches to discover masterpieces in their original settings. (2m 45s)
NewTravel Bites 964: Rome’s Back Street Riches and Piazzas
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 4s | Rome’s public spaces transform an ordinary morning stroll into a memorable sightseeing adventure. (4m 4s)
NewTravel Bites 963: Testaccio: A Roman Food Tour
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 40s | In earthy Testaccio, a lively food tour through a neighborhood market provides a delicious taste. (5m 40s)
NewTravel Bites 962: Catacombs and Early Christianity
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 29s | A bike ride along the ancient Appian Way leads underground into Rome’s catacombs. (5m 29s)
NewTravel Bites 961: Pantheon: Rome’s Perfect Temple
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 33s | The best-preserved temple of ancient Rome showcases engineering genius. (1m 33s)
NewTravel Bites 960: Imperial Rome in Art
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 18s | Trajan’s Forum, the Circus Maximus, and Rome’s National Museum reveal the empire at its peak. (3m 18s)
NewTravel Bites 959: Colosseum and Caracalla Baths
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 28s | Rome’s colossal engineering comes alive at the iconic Colosseum. (3m 28s)
NewTravel Bites 958: Eating Like a Roman
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 23s | A convivial Roman meal celebrates seasonal ingredients and regional specialties. (2m 23s)
NewTravel Bites 957: Capitoline Hill’s Ancient Treasures
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m | Rome’s historic Capitoline Hill brings ancient Rome vividly to life. (3m)
NewTravel Bites 956: Its Birth Story
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 4s | Tracing the story of Rome in a nutshell. (4m 4s)
NewTravel Bites 955: Paris: A floodlit tour
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 10s | The fabled “City of Light” is also the city of flood light. (2m 10s)
NewTravel Bites 954: Paris’ Other Great Museums
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 35s | After Versailles, the Louvre, and the Orsay, Paris’ less famous museums are also worth a visit. (5m 35s)
NewTravel Bites 953: Versailles, Europe’s Palace of Palaces
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 40s | This ultimate royal palace is Louis XIV’s lavish explosion of baroque bling. (3m 40s)
NewTravel Bites 952: The Orsay Gallery
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 8s | The paintings of the Orsay take you from 1848 to 1914. (3m 8s)
NewTravel Bites 951: Paris's Louvre Museum
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 38s | The Louvre—with masterpieces from Ancient Greek to Renaissance and Romantic—is a must to visit. (5m 38s)
NewTravel Bites 950: Paris: Boulevards, Les Invalides, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 38s | Grand boulevards like the Champs-Élysées connect great sights with edible memories. (5m 38s)
NewTravel Bites 949: Paris: Haussmann buildings and grand boulevards
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 37s | The elegance of Paris is no accident. Broad boulevards, grand monuments, people-friendly greenbelts. (1m 37s)
NewTravel Bites 948: Eating French Cliches at a Parisian Bistro
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 55s | Grab a seat for lunch to enjoy a kir, French onion soup, escargot, croque madam, steak tartare. (3m 55s)
NewTravel Bites 947: Paris’ Marais neighborhood
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 6s | The Marais is a hub of Parisian history and culture—with its Jewish Quarter, and Bastille prison,. (4m 6s)
NewTravel Bites 946: Shopping for Dinner on Paris’ Rue Cler
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 6s | Paris’ most inviting market street is Rue Cler. (4m 6s)
NewTravel Bites 945: Two Grand Parisian Churches: Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 28s | Paris’ two most popular churches are the beloved Notre-Dame and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle. (2m 28s)
NewTravel Bites 944: The Eiffel Tower
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 15s | Paris’ Eiffel Tower, a muscular symbol of France’s Industrial Age, has been entertaining since 1889. (2m 15s)
NewTravel Bites 943: Paris’ River Seine
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 35s | The Seine River defines Paris’ Right and Left Bank. (4m 35s)
NewTravel Bites 942: The Regeneration of London’s Industrial Heritage
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 6m 23s | London’s once abandoned industrial corners have morphed into popular people and culture zones. (6m 23s)
NewTravel Bites 941: The British Library
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m | London hosts the national archive with 12 million books and one Treasures Room. (2m)
NewTravel Bites 940: A Proper Afternoon Tea
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 6s | Afternoon tea is a great British tradition and London does it with style. (2m 6s)
NewTravel Bites 939: London’s East End Food Tour
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 40s | London’s happening East End survives and thrives just beyond a tsunami of skyscrapers. (4m 40s)
NewTravel Bites 938: London’s Victoria and Albert Museum
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 34s | “Albertopolis” is the corner of London built by and celebrating the vision of Prince Albert. (4m 34s)
NewTravel Bites 937: The Tower of London
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m | The Tower of London entertains and inspires. (2m)
NewTravel Bites 936: St Paul's Cathedral, London’s Pride
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 37s | St. Paul’s Cathedral is architect Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, the greatest dome in Britain. (2m 37s)
NewTravel Bites 935: The City of London
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 34s | London’s historic core is called “The City.” (3m 34s)
NewTravel Bites 934: Britain’s National Portrait Gallery
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 35s | The National Portrait Gallery is the perfect place. (2m 35s)
NewTravel Bites 933: London’s Westminster and Whitehall, Home of Britain’s Government
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 8m 40s | The core of royal London. (8m 40s)
NewTravel Bites 932: Istanbul's Grand Main Drag, Istiklal Caddesi
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 38s | The best way to feel the pulse of urban Istanbul is to explore its teeming main boulevard. (4m 38s)
NewTravel Bites 931: Whirling Dervishes
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 24s | Mystic Sufi monks whirl themselves into a meditative trance as they embrace the poet Rumi’s wisdom. (2m 24s)
NewTravel Bites 930: Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 27s | Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar remains enchanting, perplexing visitors with its maze-like network of lanes. (3m 27s)
NewTravel Bites 929: Istanbul, the Great Port on the Bosphorus
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 53s | Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Strait that separates Europe and Asia. (5m 53s)
NewTravel Bites 928: Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 14s | Here we find the storybook image of the Ottomans—sultans, eunuchs, harems. (5m 14s)
NewTravel Bites 927: Hagia Sophia, the Great Church of Constantinople
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 6s | This magnificent church-turned-mosque offers the visitor an opportunity to be inspired. (3m 6s)
NewTravel Bites 926: Islamic Art, Ramadan, and the Blue
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 57s | Istanbul offers a chance to better understand Islam. (4m 57s)
NewTravel Bites 925: A Turkish Bath in Ottoman Splendor
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 9s | The splendor of Istanbul’s Ottoman Empire is best experienced in a hammam. (3m 9s)
NewTravel Bites 924: Istanbul when it was Constantinople
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 36s | For thousands of years, this place, where East meets West, has been a crossroads of civilizations. (4m 36s)
NewTravel Bites 923: A Leisurely Day on a Burgundian Canal
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 39s | A crack-of-dawn trip to the bakery before breakfast on our barge. (5m 39s)
NewTravel Bites 922: Burgundy: Wine, Vineyard, and Chateau
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 3s | France’s famed Côte d’Or, or “Golden Slopes,” is all about fine wine. (3m 3s)
NewTravel Bites 921: Barging: A Barge Cruise in Burgundy
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 6m 3s | France’s Burgundy, with its inviting canals and iconic vineyards. (6m 3s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for PBS provided by:
Distributed nationally by American Public Television