20 Items Tagged

Iceland

Around the world, people ward off evil Christmas creatures, from witches to kid-eating cats.

Christmas Monsters: Our Favorite Reads

These creatures of lore are definitely on the naughty list.

Roxanne Hoorn December 20, 2024

The Yule Cat (or Jólakötturinn) serves as a warning for children to not misbehave, much like the threat of coal for naughty children on Christmas.

Beware the Yule Cat, Iceland’s Child-Eating Christmas Monster

But if you’re wearing new clothes, you have nothing to fear from Jólakötturinn.

Suzie Dundas December 22, 2023

In this 1873 watercolor, artist Frank Dicksee shows Viking raiders heading for land.

The Muddled Origins of the Word ‘Viking’

The now common term wasn't used to describe medieval Scandinavians until the 19th century.

Martyn Whittock November 16, 2023

The Westman Islands are a puffin paradise.

Podcast: Puffin Patrol

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

The Podcast Team May 10, 2021

The gang's all here.

For Sale: A 16th-Century Map of Iceland, Roamed by Fantastic Beasts

Meet the menagerie.

Jessica Leigh Hester December 10, 2018

A cultural gem in the otherwise empty town of Ríf in West Iceland.

The Freezer

A world-class theater sits hidden in this remote town in West Iceland.

Harðfiskur

The pungent, wind-dried white fish is a traditional Icelandic food.

This Meteorologist Keeps Standing in Front of East Iceland and People Are Upset

Weather is important.

Erik Shilling December 21, 2016

All caskets and urns must be buried in official churchyards unless the family is granted permission to do otherwise.

Heading to Iceland? Just Make Sure You Don't Die There

Due to local post-mortem practices, it'd be a bit of an inconvenience.

Mariana Zapata December 16, 2016

Reykjavik Turned Off Its Street Lights to Watch the Northern Lights

It's nice this time of year.

Erik Shilling September 29, 2016

Watch an Impromptu Medieval Icelandic Hymn Sung in a Modern Train Station

The acoustics of the German transit hub perfectly suit the centuries-old song.

Molly McBride Jacobson September 28, 2016

Angry Elves Force Iceland Road Workers To Dig Up A Sacred Rock

Do not mess with Iceland's elves.

Eric Grundhauser August 31, 2016

One of Iceland's Biggest Volcanoes Might Be Close to Erupting

The country is home to dozens.

Erik Shilling August 30, 2016

A Volcano in Iceland May be Close to Erupting

Hekla could blow at any minute.

Erik Shilling June 20, 2016

The Incredible, Rapid Rise of Iceland's Pirate Party

The party can thank the Panama Papers leak for recent triumphs.

Erik Shilling April 7, 2016

A Banana Grows in Iceland

Only 177 miles from the Arctic Circle lies Northern Europe's largest banana plantation.

Kasper Friis March 8, 2016

at iceland's christmas house

Iceland's Yule Lads Are Like 13 Demented Santas and They Are Amazing

Before they were mischievous but friendly characters who came to lick your spoons, they were terrors.

Jaya Saxena December 9, 2015

Into The Glacier

Húsafell, Iceland

Into The Glacier

Travel deep inside of Europe's second largest glacier in the world's largest man-made ice cave.