Eskifjörður, Iceland, 29.04.2024 – As the clock strikes midnight atop Mt. Snæfell, one of the loftiest peaks in Iceland, a breathtaking spectacle unfolds. The radiant orb sun paints the landscape in a warm, golden hue, as if time has paused to admire the view. This awe-inspiring scene is a testament to the grandeur of the surroundings, a sight that will leave you spellbound.
The experience, beyond any expectations, is a personal journey—the Vatnajökull glacier and the Icelandic highlands sights that are truly unforgettable. ‘I can hardly believe I’m part of this moment. I wish I could stay awake forever,’ reflects Diana Mjoll Sveinsdottir from Tanni Travel. The Icelandic summer night, a captivating symphony of nature, demands nothing but surrender to its beauty. Diana, her heart filled with pride, gazes over the land, a testament to the transformative power of nature.
Most of the group she is traveling with is on their first night hike and summiting Mt. Snæfell for the first time. A light fatigue has settled in, and it’s evident that the body is preparing for rest. However, no one wants to sleep, and it’s already 5:20 am. There’s incredible magic in the air; people want to wrap themselves in a snow blanket, look up at the sky, and daydream.
“The magic of the night is the energy we receive instead of sleep,” says Diana. Ahead lies the descent from the mountain, which will take much less time than the ascent. “Most of us become children and slide down the slope.”
If a midnight sun rising above 1800 meters isn’t reward enough, then soaking in the hot natural pool in Laugarfell is. The water, around 40°C, springs from the earth, and one can let the fatigue melt away, gaze at the mountain just summited, and forget about the need for sleep.
“It’s a privilege to be part of such a group,” Diana shares, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Inexplicably, time seems to stand still, and the hours spent walking fill us with a boundless energy that lingers for weeks and memories that last a lifetime.”
Diana started traveling around the country at a young age, enjoying the privileges of experiencing and facing challenges. “It had such a profound impact on me that when I became an adult, I decided to accompany my father in showing our country to travelers. He started doing this in the 1970s, and after I was born, he went far with me.”
Iceland is beautiful all year round, whether it’s early dawn or not at all. The adventurous nature surrounds you wherever you turn. Diana continues to do what her father started more than 50 years ago, but now, as a couple, they are introducing travellers to their country in a responsible and adventurous manner.
Contact Information:
Tanni Travel,
Díana Mjöll Sveinsdóttir,
Strandgata 14, 735 Eskifjörður.
s. 476-1399
tannitravel@tannitravel.is
www.tannitravel.is
This story is a part of the 100 Stories from Iceland.
