Thingvellir, Iceland

"Come quickly inside and get out of the cold" said the blonde haired lady in the tourist shop. It was late March, and we found ourselves in Thingvellir National Park (https://www.thingvellir.is/en/) in South Western Iceland.
This trip was a true family affair. My parents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and instead of hosting a big party in Ireland or Belgium, they chose something far more meaningful — a journey to Iceland with all of us. My adventurous side definitely comes from them; they’ve always preferred travelling to lesser‑known places, meeting locals, and experiencing authentic food and traditions.
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And so there we were, the whole gang together, standing in the heart of this breathtaking national park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004 — ready to begin an unforgettable family adventure.

It looked as though Þingvellir was preparing to slip back under a fresh layer of snow, the dark, brooding sky standing in stark contrast to the already snow‑covered mountains. A spine‑chilling wind swept across the landscape, forcing us to wrap up even tighter as we prepared to walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

This remarkable area is also home to Iceland’s largest natural lake, a place that draws adventurous divers from around the world who relish the rare opportunity to descend into the crystal‑clear waters between two continental plates.

Walking along the path, we stopped to admire the waterfalls, while the kids made the most of the patches of snow that still lingered in the sheltered areas. Þingvellir is closely linked to the Althing, the Icelandic parliament, which was founded here in 930 AD, making it one of the oldest parliamentary sites in the world.
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Þingvellir is also one of the three major attractions on the Golden Circle, and it’s well worth arriving early to avoid the many busloads of tourists that fill the park later in the day.
During our visit, several paths were still closed due to heavy snow blocking the way. We’ve already made plans to return in summer, when the trails are fully open and we can explore this remarkable landscape in greater depth.