Portal North. ISSUE 2 - Magazine - Page 12
ICELAND
Whilst Eastern Greenland boasts some of the top hot
(well, cool) spots to see the solar eclipse, for most of
us, these won’t be easily accessible. That said, there
are some luxury cruises heading that way if you want
to splash out and make your way to Scoresbysund – the
planet’s largest fjord – or Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the
most isolated Inuit settlements in the world.
Further south, Iceland makes for a simpler choice, with
easy access and low-cost 昀氀ights to Reykjavik, where
mild August temperatures of around 13C make it an ideal
coolcation.
You’ll 昀椀nd a host of solar eclipse day trips on offer to
explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and take in this oncein-a-lifetime event. Tours typically include sites like
Mount Kirkjufell and the striking Djúpalónnsandur black
sand beach.
Breiðafjörður Bay, around a three-hour drive from the
capital, is set to experience the longest period of total
darkness (totality) at two minutes and 18 seconds. If
you’re looking to stay locally, the traditional 昀椀shing
village of Stykkishólmur has plenty accommodation
on offer.
Iceland Eclipse will also take place in this area, a
昀椀ve-day festival which begins on 11 August. Critically
acclaimed music acts such as Maribou State, Quantic,
Imogen Heap and Hjaltalin join artists and 昀椀lmmakers
like Darren Aronofsky, NASA scientists, astronomers,
astronauts and meditation guides for a celebration of all
things cosmic. Tickets start at £600.
The programme also includes the Portal Residency, a
month-long preamble starting on 19 July.
Getting there: Fly to Reykjavik, then drive, private transfer
or book a day trip to Breiðafjörður Bay.
Iceland Eclipse festival site
SPAIN
Northern Spain will be one of the busiest regions for eclipse
chasers, and it’s easy to see why. Known for clear blue
skies throughout summer, conditions should be perfect for
watching the phenomenon, and a number of popular towns
and cities lie beneath the path of totality – as do the Balearic
Islands of Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
Take your pick of the mainland big hitters like A Coruña,
Valencia, Zaragoza and Bilbao. If you want to swerve the
crowds, head for what should be the much quieter city of
Palencia in Castilla y León.
Built on an ancient Roman settlement, what it lacks in
coastal romance it more than makes up for in beautiful
historic architecture and picturesque views from the
top of Carre del Otero. Don’t miss the tiny museum dedicated
to legendary sculptor Victorio Macho at the foot of the hill.
Another option for intrepid explorers is to head to Bardenas
Reales, where lunar landscapes abound, about a three-hour
drive east of Palencia.
A wilderness stretching over 420 sq km of badlands in
southeast Navarre, you’re within striking distance of towns
like Burgos, Pamplona and San Sebastian but the semidesert’s giant sandstone formations, raised plateaus,
canyons and cabezos (hills) make it feel like you’ve landed
on the Moon. Just don’t forget to look up or you’ll miss the
main event.
Navarre, Spain
12 PORTAL NORTH ISSUE 2
Getting there: Fly to Bilbao or Santander, then take a train or
drive to Palencia.
