I am always impressed with people who take a plunge and make their dreams come true. My friend and former colleague recently did just this. Her name is Þorbjörg Friðriksdóttir. Þorbjörg, or Tobba as her friends call her, has bought a guesthouse in Hveragerði called Reykjadalur Guesthouse which is located in the lovely town of Hveragerði.
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About Hveragerdi town
Hveragerdi is the first town you come to after you leave Reykjavik on the way to the south coast. But Reykjadalur Guesthouse is not only a stepping stone on the way to the south coast. As its name suggests, it is close to the famous valley of Reykjadalur. It has a great hiking trail, and people love to bathe in the geothermal water in the river that runs through the valley. Tobba and her family are all working together to run this charming guesthouse in the beautiful town of Hveragerði.
Hey Tobba, and thank you for taking the time for an interview. Can you give my readers a little background information about yourself?
I am a 54 years old “girl,” who was born and raised on a farm in Skagafjörður, in the northern part of Iceland, and then moved to Reykjavík, where I have spent most of my adult life. I am a mother of 4 young people and a grandmother to a 3 years old boy. My education and work experience prepared me well for working in the travel industry. I graduated with a B.Sc. in Tourism Management and Project Management from the University of Iceland. Since then, I have worked in the travel industry. My main focus has been on incentive travel and organizing conferences. I have also been involved in planning all kinds of tours and activities in Iceland as I have a vast knowledge of the country.
Now you run a charming guesthouse in Hveragerði. What made you take that decision?
Actually, it is quite the story – I will give you the short version. In July 2018, I had a severe accident when I fell off a horse. The accident inspired me to rearrange my life. I thought about how I wanted to spend my future. I found out that I wanted to live in a quiet, small-town while running my own business.
What can those who stay at Reykjadalur Guesthouse in Hveragerði expect?
In Reykjadalur Guesthouse, you can expect feeling warm and cozy. All rooms have modern facilities and state of the art heating systems. Every room is equipped with a private bathroom and a shower. Our ambition is to provide a clean atmosphere, which our guests also frequently mention after their stay. The rooms are perfectly sized and better than what you would usually get in a guesthouse or a hostel. Communication means a great deal to us. We do our absolute best to answer every request we get as quickly as we can. During your stay at Reykjadalur Guesthouse, you can feel completely free, as we have a smooth check-in and check-out system. Around the guesthouse, there are lovely restaurants within walking distance where our guests can enjoy their time while experiencing the beauty of South Iceland.
What are the main attractions for travelers in Hveragerði?
My daughters say it is the town of ice cream and flowers. That is true, but Hveragerði has so much more to offer, such as the famous Reykjadalur steam valley, fantastic restaurants, and cute little shops. Hveragerði also has an art museum, a swimming pool, and a geothermal park. We are also only a short drive away from many of the most popular attractions in Iceland. Hveragerði has been proven to be an excellent base for tourists who wish to relax and be close to nature.
You have a lot of experience in the Icelandic travel industry, what are your favorite things to do and see in Iceland?
My favorite experience is, without a doubt, hiking in the fantastic Reykjadalur steam valley and taking a bath in the natural warm river there while enjoying the sights of nature. In the evening, you might even see the northern lights. For me, there is no better way to spend time ?
What advice would you give to those who are coming to Iceland for the first time?
Get out and explore the country. Iceland is incredibly beautiful, and a lot of people are coming to Iceland and only spending time in Reykjavik.
