The Legend of the Fall of the Gods

In the year 1000, the Althing assembly had a difficult choice: should Iceland embrace Christianity or stick with polytheism? As per the 12th century history Íslendingabók, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, political leader and pagan priest, made the final decision and avoided civil war among the sharply divided assembly. He chose Christianity under the condition that pagans could practice in private. Ljósvetningagoði converted immediately. To demonstrate his commitment to Christianity, he tossed all the idols of the Norse gods into the waterfall, hence the name, Goðafoss, or "fall of the gods."

Interesting to note: the Althing assembly is among the world’s oldest parliamentary assemblies and was founded at Thingvellir in southwestern Iceland in 930. It met until 1798 and was abolished by the Danes in 1800. It reconvened in 1845 in Reykjavík and stayed there, save a special session in Thingvellir on June 17, 1944, when the Icelandic republic was established.

Tales of the Arctic

Beautiful Waterfalls & Mythical Creatures

Located in North Iceland between Akureyri and Lake Myvatn, Goðafoss Waterfall is one of the country’s most beautiful, with a fairy-tale-esque feel. Water falls from a semicircular arc about 37 feet into a swirling pool of blues and greens against a backdrop of black volcanic rock. You’ll have a chance to see it when you circumnavigate!

Iceland is home to lots of mythological creatures that bridge the pagan world to the Christian one and serve as warnings both to mischievous children and their adult counterparts. There are elves, or Huldufólk, but there are also Nykur, terrifying horse-like creatures, a Yule Cat, endless sea monsters who terrorize Arctic waters, Yule Lads, and of course, the real-life lava fields of Dimmuborgir, said to house Iceland’s devilish trolls and a famous half-ogre named Grýla.

Iceland Cruises

Fire & Ice Facts

You can see the Northern Lights in Iceland from September through March. The colors spark when solar particles interact with the atmosphere in the Earth’s magnetic field.

The country has over 100 volcanoes and 11% of it is covered in glaciers! It's home to the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull.

Explore Iceland

Learn more about expeditions to Iceland! Mythical creatures and landscapes, inviting communities, and countless tales await!

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Circumnavigating Iceland – The Land of Elves, Sagas, and Volcanoes (Itinerary 1)

This 9-day circumnavigation begins in cosmopolitan Reykjavík and is a nature-lover’s dream. Check out the colonies of Atlantic Puffins, watch humpback and beluga whales, and learn about the volcanic and mythological history of this captivating country. Look for elves. Chances are good they spotted you first!

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Ring of Fire and Ice – Summer Circumnavigation of Iceland

Start your 11- day Viking journey in Reykjavík and get ready to spot puffins, Arctic birds, and whales. In the coastal villages, be sure to drop into the local shops and pubs. We can almost guarantee you'll see elves, or evidence of them!

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Explore Other Arctic Tales

Shift your latitude and journey north. Write your own Tale of the Arctic. There's nothing quite like the blue hues of ice, the hum of glaciers, and the thrill of a story. Check out these these stories from other awe-inspiring destinations.