Ísafjördur, Iceland

Hello again, Ísafjörður! Our last stop in Iceland is also where our Iceland adventure began just a week ago.

Today we learned more about one of the biggest challenges of living in this rugged landscape: avalanches. While the town of Ísafjörður itself escaped direct casualties during the devastating avalanches of 1995, the nearby villages of Súðavík and Flateyri were hit hard, forever changing avalanche safety in Iceland.

On January 16, 1995, a massive avalanche struck Súðavík, burying homes and claiming 14 lives, including eight children. In the aftermath, much of the town was relocated, and the remaining homes in the avalanche zone cannot be occupied during the winter. Today, a memorial stands as a reminder of the lives that were lost.

Nearby is the aptly nicknamed "Stolen Church." Originally built in a now abandoned village, the small church was carefully dismantled, transported across the fjord piece by piece, and rebuilt in its current location—earning its unusual nickname.

And just like that, our final day in Iceland comes to an end. It's a country of breathtaking landscapes, fascinating history, and some of the warmest, most welcoming people we've met. What a wonderful place to visit.Read more