by Jewells Chambers
Discover Iceland’s language, history, culture, & nature
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/7/2018
Email Addresses
1 available
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April 8, 2025
I’m taking you on a journey back in time to uncover the story behind how Iceland got its name. This tale involves three adventurous Norsemen who each left their mark on this rugged island, but only one name endured through history. <br /> The First Two Vikings That Tried to Name The Landmass <br /> To hear the whole story about the first two Vikings that named this country, I have included that in <a href="https://all-things-iceland.teachable.com/p/live" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Savvy Traveler’s Guide to Iceland. </a>I created The Savvy Traveler’s Guide to Iceland, a comprehensive 8-module video guide that walks you through everything you need to know before visiting. I even have a whole module dedicated to Icelandic History in a Nutshell, where I talk about how Iceland was formed, settlement, the transition from paganism to Christianity, and tons more.Not only that, but when you get the guide, you’ll have lifetime access, bonus itineraries to make planning easier, and access to my free and private Facebook group, where I share specially curated Iceland travel posts and do a live Q&A each month!If you want to feel completely confident and stress-free about your trip, you can check out The Savvy Traveler’s Guide to Iceland <br /> <br /> The Viking That Named Iceland <br /> In 868 AD, a Viking named Flóki Vilgerðarson set sail from Norway with the full intention of settling in Iceland. He wasn’t just any Viking—he was known as Hrafna-Flóki or “Raven Flóki.” He got this nickname because he brought three ravens with him to help navigate the open seas.Once he reached the Faroe Islands, Flóki released his ravens one by one. The first flew back toward the Faroes, the second circled and returned to the boat, and the third flew northwest and never came back. Flóki, believing this meant land was nearby, followed the third raven—and sure enough, he reached Iceland.Flóki and his companions settled in Vatnsfjörður in the Westfjords. The summer was warm and full of fish, so they focused all their efforts on fishing instead of preparing for the harsh winter ahead. When the cold finally set in, disaster struck. Without enough hay, all their livestock perished. By spring, they had no choice but to leave.Before departing, Flóki climbed a mountain and looked out over the fjords. He saw thick ice covering the waters and, in his frustration, named the land Ísland—Iceland. Unlike the previous names, this one stuck, and the island has been called Iceland ever since. <br /> A Viking’s Regret & A Land of Opportunity <br /> What’s fascinating is that when Flóki returned to Norway, he had nothing good to say about Iceland. He believed it was a harsh, uninhabitable land. However, one of his crew members, Thorólf, disagreed.He spread rumors that Iceland was so abundant that butter dripped from every blade of grass! This contrasting view sparked curiosity, and soon, more settlers followed, leading to the beginning of permanent Norse settlement in Iceland. <br /> Random Fact of the Episode <br /> Beyond the Viking Names: Ultima Thule & Nordic Identity Before Iceland had an official name, ancient Roman and Greek texts referred to mysterious lands in the far north as Ultima Thule, meaning “the farthest place beyond the known world.”In the Middle Ages, some maps labeled Iceland as Thule and Greenland as Ultima Thule. Interestingly, by the 19th century, people started associating Thule with Norway instead.While Iceland’s name may have been given by a frustrated Viking, the settlers who followed developed a strong sense of identity as Íslendingar—people of Iceland. Despite their ties to the greater Nordic world, they wanted to maintain their distinct culture, which still thrives today. <br /> Icelandic Word of the Episode <br /> Áfram Ísland – Let’s go Iceland! <br /> Share This With A Friend <br /> Facebook <br />
March 28, 2025
I’m diving into an important yet often overlooked aspect of driving in Iceland—the unique rules of two-lane roundabouts. Even if you are from Europe, there is a good chance that Iceland does two-lane roundabouts a little different than what you expect. <br /> How to Save Money on Your Rental Car in Iceland <br /> Before we get into that, I want to give a shout-out to our amazing sponsors, Go Car Rental Iceland and Go Campers. If you’re planning a trip and need a reliable rental car from a company with great customer service, use my code Iceland10 to save 10% with Go Car Rental Iceland.And if you’re looking for the ultimate camper van experience, Go Campers has you covered! Use my code Iceland7 to save 7% and get two free duvets with your camper rental. <br /> Why Are Iceland’s Two-Lane Roundabouts Unique? <br /> Roundabouts exist in many countries, but Iceland’s two-lane roundabouts come with specific rules that often catch foreign drivers off guard. If you’ve ever rented a car in Iceland or plan to, knowing these rules will save you a lot of confusion—and possibly a fender bender!The key thing to know about Iceland’s two-lane roundabouts is that the inner lane (the one closest to the center) has the right of way. This is different from many other countries where the outer lane might have priority. Here’s how it works:* When entering a two-lane roundabout, you should choose your lane before entering.* If you plan to take the first exit, you should be in the outer lane (right lane).* If you plan to go straight or take any further exits, you should be in the inner lane (left lane).* Once inside the roundabout, changing lanes is not allowed. This means if you entered in the inner lane, you must continue in that lane until you exit.* If you’re in the outer lane and another driver is in the inner lane, you must yield to the inner lane driver if they need to exit. This is where most accidents happen because foreign drivers don’t expect this rule.* When exiting, use your turn signal to indicate your intention, just like you would in any other roundabout. <br /> Two-Lane Roundabout Example in Iceland <br /> The first image shows two cars entering a two-lane roundabout in Iceland. The orange car is in the inside lane (left) and the pink car is in the outer land (right). <br /> <br /> Below shows the the exits that the pink car (outer lane) can take. <br /> <br /> And here are the exits that the orange car (inner lane) can take. <br /> <br /> This example is showing if the orange car is entering the two-lane roundabout in the inner lane on the bottom and the pink car is coming from the right in t he outerlane. <br /> <br /> As a reminder, the pink car can either go to the first or second exit. In this example, it will be going to the second exit. <br /> <br /> Since the pink car and the orange car are in close proximity to each other, the pink car is the one that gives the right of way, since the orange car is in the inner lane. <br /> <br /> The pink car (outer lane) must stop and let the orange car (inner lane) exit before continuing on to its second exit. <br /> <br /> Why These Rules Matter? <br /> Iceland’s road system is designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly, and roundabouts play a big role in that. However, every year, rental car companies report minor accidents in roundabouts because of misunderstandings about these rules. The last thing you want is to start your Iceland adventure with an accident or a costly insurance claim! <br /> <br /> The Savvy Traveler's Guide to Iceland <br /> Whether it's your first time visiting Iceland or you have been several times before, this guide will help you explore Iceland like a local.<br />
February 25, 2025
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Iceland but felt overwhelmed with all the planning, or you’re just not sure how to make the most of your time here, then you’re in luck because I have the perfect solution.<a href="https://all-things-iceland.teachable.com/p/live" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Savvy Traveler’s Guide to Iceland </a>is officially live! And in today’s episode, I’m going to break down exactly how this brand-new video guide can help you experience Iceland like a local, save time and money, and remove the guesswork from your trip.Plus, if you act fast, there are exclusive bonuses available until March 1st—One of those bonuses in particular can potentially save you hundreds of dollars. So let’s get into it!" <br /> The Planning Struggle & Why This Guide Exists <br /> I often hear from my followers on social media and from the hundreds of people that I have personally helped plan a trip to Iceland via my private consultations, that planning a trip to Iceland can be overwhelming.There’s so much information out there, and it’s hard to know what’s actually useful. Should you rent a car or book tours? What’s the best time to visit? How do you budget for food, fuel, and attractions? And then there’s the weather—unpredictable, wild, and capable of changing in an instant.I created <a href="https://all-things-iceland.teachable.com/p/live" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Savvy Traveler’s Guide to Iceland</a> because I’ve seen firsthand how travelers struggle with these exact questions. I have been living in and traveling around Iceland for 8.5 years, and I’ve taken my experience and knowledge and distilled it into this guide so you can skip the overwhelm and enjoy creating a trip of a lifetime.Over the years, I’ve shared tons of tips on this podcast, on my website, and through my social media, but there is still so much that I haven’t shared. Plus, I wanted to take my ability to help travelers to the next level and create a single, comprehensive resource that answers all these questions—and more." <br /> <br /> What’s Inside The Savvy Traveler’s Guide to Iceland? <br /> It’s an easy-to-follow, self-paced video course broken down into eight in-depth modules that cover everything you need to know to plan your Iceland adventure. Let me walk you through them:* Icelandic History in a Nutshell – A quick yet fascinating overview of Iceland’s history, from Viking settlement to modern times.* The Spectacular Regions of Iceland – A breakdown of Iceland’s diverse landscapes and what makes each region special.* When to Visit Iceland – A guide to Iceland’s seasons, weather patterns, and how to choose the best time for your trip.* Getting Organized – Everything you need to know about planning your itinerary, booking accommodations, and securing activities.* Budgeting, Managing Expectations & Icelandic Phrases – Tips on how to budget wisely, avoid surprises, and learn useful Icelandic phrases for your trip.* Safety & Emergency Services – Essential information on staying safe while traveling in Iceland, including emergency contacts and weather precautions.* Getting Around Iceland – A deep dive into transportation options, from renting a car to taking buses and domestic flights.* Top Tips for Eating & Shopping in Iceland – How to navigate Iceland’s food scene and shop smart while traveling.Each module is packed with practical tips, real-world insights, and things I’ve learned from living in Iceland and interacting with thousands of travelers over the years.Included with those 8 modules is a private Facebook Group with likeminded travelers where I will post curated content and doing monthly group Q&A’s. There are also very detailed sample itineraries for 5-days, 7-days and 10-days, so you don’t have to start from scratch when it comes to making a travel plan. You can add or subtract from these itineraries in any way that suits you. <br />
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