Isn’t it funny how we don’t really appreciate the things around us until we hear how wonderful they are from someone else? I am not sure why this is but I know this is something I am guilty of. Anyone else guilty of this???
For example the place we live, I know I live in a beautiful city but the thought doesn’t often cross my mind when I am out walking around downtown. But then I read about all of these tourist who adore Reykjavik and its charming colorful houses and I think, “yeah this city is pretty wonderful!”
Now the Viking and I are pretty good about exploring around Iceland and appreciating the beautiful nature, but when it comes to our own city we don’t explore and appreciate it enough. Sometimes you just need to play tourist in your own city and see your surroundings with a different perspective to fully appreciate it, and that is exactly what the Viking and I did this past weekend.
Saturday morning H and I joined CityWalk Reykjavik for a two hour tour around downtown. This tour is something I have wanted to check out for awhile now but weekend adventures to waterfalls have taken priority lately.
When we decided on a low key weekend close to home I knew I had to face the cold and finally check out the tour. It may of been freezing outside but I am so glad I layered up and joined CityWalk Reykjavik, we had a great time on the tour!
Our guide, and CityWalk Reykjavik’s founder, Marteinn, kept us entertained for the entire two hour tour. The tour covered information ranging from the history of Iceland, the evolution of Reykjavik as a town and Icelandic culture.
Even though I have been living in Reykjavik for over two years I learned a ton of new information, especial about the evolution of Reykjavik! I appreciate this beautiful city even more after learning about how it came to be.
Taking in our hometown with a group of visitors who were in awe at everything they saw made me see Reykjavik through a completely different perspective.
I found everything charming!
The colorful houses, the “elf rocks” around town, even the icy sidewalks, I was falling in love with the city all over again. And when you are in the middle of winter appreciating the beauty in your city is oh so important for overall morale!
My favorite part of our two hour tour, when we got to hang out in one of my favorite areas of Reykjavik! Aðalstræti, main street, is the oldest street in Reykjavik and I adore all of the houses in this area. Even if you don’t join the CityWalk tour (which you really should it is awesome!) you have to walk around this area.
How charming all those houses?!
Marteinn filled us in on so many facts about this area, I don’t think I knew any of them, which has me thinking that my Viking has not done a good job sharing his city with me… :)
The picture above is of the Reykjavik coat of arms and can be see all over the city. The two pillars represent the story about the discovery of Reykjavik. The story goes that Ingolfr Árnarson, the first permanent settler of Iceland threw two pillars in the sea and said wherever the pillars would drift ashore would be where he built his home.
Any guess of where he found his pillars???
If you guessed Reykjavik than you are basically a genius, and now you can impress all of your friends with this fun fact when exploring Reykjavik.
Aside from taking in the colorful houses and the fun facts I learned, one thing I absolutely loved about our time on the tour, hearing the different things people from all over the world have heard about Iceland. I don’t know why I found this so interesting but I really enjoyed learning about the different facts and stories visitors from all over the world have heard about Iceland. It was especially fun hearing how they were experiencing the country I adore so much, it makes me so happy to hear others who love this country as well.
We have to take a minute to talk about the picture of gloves above. A group of ladies knits these gloves, and they have a pair of gloves for all occasions. From a beer glove that lets you tuck your beer into the end of your glove to a couples glove so you and your sweetie can hold hands inside the same glove, there really was a glove for everyone. I think I need to add the beer glove to my wishlist!
If you are visiting Reykjavik and want to learn some fun facts while checking out what I think are some of the prettiest spots in the city I definitely recommend joining CityWalk Reykjavik for one of their tours! This post is in no way sponsored I just enjoyed the tour that much that I want to share it with you all. And if you often find tours boring I can say from experience that the guides keep you entertained and will have you laughing multiple times during the tour!
One more thing crossed off my Iceland bucket list, now what should I add next to explore in Reykjavik?!
Question of the Day?
DO you enjoy taking city tours when you are traveling? Anything in Reykjavik you loved that I should check out?
