Iceland’s natural and cultural history is unlike any other. The Great Tours: Iceland allows armchair travelers and trip planners alike to better appreciate its many wonders. Designed by behavioral ecologist Professor Jennifer Verdolin, these 24 visually stunning lectures take you from Iceland’s bustling cities to its remote towns, from the tops of its glaciers to the depths of its geothermal pools.
The Great Tours: Iceland
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with a journey to an unforgettable land of fire and ice—and so much more.
Rated 4 out of
5
by
buddyb from
A fine effort
After four decades in higher education, I have some idea of the extraordinary effort required to put together a 24-lesson program like this. So I am very grateful to Professor Verdolin for this course, in which she shares with us her great enthusiasm for Iceland and its people.
One suggestion for improvement has to do with visual support, ie the use of maps and pictures. Much of the camera's focus is on the Professor as she talks, and that's fine: She speaks and gestures in a clear and vigorous manner. But it would have been more helpful (to me) to have more and better maps as she guided us around the country. Too often, in the later lessons especially, it was impossible for me to place what she was talking about in any sort of geographical context. Close-up maps did little to clarify what part of the country we were covering.
Similar with pictures: Many of the photos and clips were great, but so overused. That one flinching puffin clip must make 8 or 10 separate appearances, as do the repetitive murals on buildings. The pictures/clips themselves are terrific, but just way overexposed. Bring in more variety?
Overall, a fine course, and many thanks to Professor Verdolin and the Wondrium team. I'm off to Iceland in a few months, and I will be much better prepared due to your efforts.
Date published: 2023-11-27
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Lasater from
Reading a Teleprompter
This is the 2nd course in a row that I have ordered from The Great Courses where the professor doesn't teach, but rather stands there and reads a teleprompter. I don't recall any course that I ever took in college where the instructor stood there and read his lecture. Very disappointing. I will give it a great deal of thought before I ever order any more courses from The Great Courses. They used to be good. How do these courses get approved? For me it's a mystery.
Date published: 2023-11-24
Rated 5 out of
5
by
stillkicking from
Not an ordinary "tour"
I have watched some other "tour" videos where all you do is view the sights. I appreciated that this also covered history, natural resources, bird, fish, mammals, literature, art, folklore, etc. I will never have the chance to go to Iceland, but if I did, these are the things I would like to learn about and see.
Date published: 2023-06-06
Rated 3 out of
5
by
JongoParadox from
Not "Great Tour"
Good Course, but not a Tour like your other Great Tours. This course is mislabeled. Many of your other Great Tours courses are excellent, especially Medieval Cities & France Through the Ages.
Date published: 2023-06-02
Rated 4 out of
5
by
MartyVA from
Good overview
I am traveling to Iceland this summer and was looking for a good review course about a place I knew little of beyond the glaciers and waterfalls. On the plus side, the presenter covered a number of topics. I felt like I learned much about the country and it was definitely worth the time spent on 24 sessions. On the negative side, I found the endless recitation of Icelandic names of people and places unnecessary and distracting. While I learned much, I had hoped for more detail - it was pretty dry. I felt like the course was based on research not personal knowledge.
Date published: 2023-05-16
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Polkasocks from
Very dry & difficult to get through
We wanted to like this course as we are going to Iceland in the fall. It was very dry. There aren’t many visuals, and no interviews, videos or supplementary information that would help. We were bored to tears and skipped through much of the video. You can find much better info on YouTube that is significantly more entertaining.
Date published: 2023-05-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Larsandy from
Excellent overview
I enjoyed all the lectures. They were varied and captured the unique history and culture of Iceland. A great primer for anyone planning a visit. I plan to watch them at least one more time. It is important to choose the video portion version, The pictures are powerful.
Date published: 2023-05-01
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Ddaley5000 from
Great Tour of Iceland
Up to this point, I have watched numerous Wondrium courses over the last few years. While I have learned a lot and enjoyed many of them, I think I liked this course best. The instructor, Jennifer Verdolin, displayed much energy and enthusiasm. Her commitment to making the course thorough and interesting for students was apparent. Much like her appreciation for the sheep who plotted the easiest route through one of the parks (Thank you sheep.), I would like to thank Jennifer for doing much the same for the entire country of Iceland. Thank you Jennifer.
Date published: 2023-03-26
Overview
About
Jennifer Verdolin is an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona and an animal behavior scientist, author, speaker, and conservationist. She earned a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from Stony Brook University. Her writing and research on animal and human behavior have appeared in The Washington Post, Scientific American, and National Geographic. She is also the author of the popular nonfiction books Wild Connection and Raised by Animals, and she has contributed to multiple podcasts, radio shows, and wildlife documentaries.
Trailer
01: Exploring Iceland
Begin your adventure into a fascinating world of fire and ice with an introduction to what makes Iceland such an unparalleled place to visit and explore. Discover how Iceland’s people have existed throughout its history and learn how they were inspired to explore the land in many ways, including through beautiful poetry and epic sagas.
26 min
02: Volcanic Iceland Rises from the Sea
Iceland was born from volcanoes erupting in the ocean roughly 25 million years ago—and its story continues to be shaped by them. Explore how the various types of volcanoes, active volcanic zones, history of eruptions, and the continued expansion of the mid-Atlantic ridge make Iceland a geologically active region like few others on our planet.
26 min
03: Frozen in Time: Iceland’s Glaciers
Beyond capturing the hearts and minds of photographers, geologists, and mountaineers, Iceland’s glaciers are deeply rooted in the country’s culture and history. First, look backward in time to learn how Iceland came to have so much, well, ice. Then, plunge into a world of ice tunnels, ice caves, and other extreme features.
25 min
04: Iceland, a Land of Water
The waters hugging Iceland’s coasts play an important role in the country’s culture and economy. Investigate some of the many lakes, rivers, lagoons, waterfalls, hot springs, and geysers to be found. Among them are the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon; Gullfoss, the most visited waterfall in the country; and the thriving business of the Blue Lagoon.
24 min
05: How Iceland Was Settled
Travel back in time to the cultural birth of Iceland, which began with the arrival of the first humans. Where did these people come from? What ancient documents help scholars understand early Icelandic settlements, and how do modern tools corroborate these sources? And another thing: What happened to all the Icelandic sheepdogs?
23 min
06: How Settlers Modified Iceland
Iceland represents a great example of how, when humans arrive at a new place where none presumably lived before, their footprint is large—and often destructive. Follow along as early Nordic settlers grow grains and cereals, then turn to sheep farming. Also, explore the impact of early settlers on the extinction of the Icelandic walrus.
23 min
07: Iceland’s Independence
Survey pivotal moments in Iceland’s journey to becoming an independent country. See how the transformation from paganism to Christianity set the stage for the end of the Iceland Republic for centuries to come, the rise of Reykjavík as an urban center in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Iceland’s official return to sovereignty in 1944.
20 min
08: The Plants of Iceland
Don’t be deceived by all that fire and ice. There’s a diversity of plant life to be found in Iceland: trees and woody shrubs, moss and lichen, flowering plants and fungi. In addition to exploring the island’s flora, consider the ever-changing relationship between humans and the environment, as seen in the Icelandic Sagas.
21 min
09: Iceland’s Freshwater, Sea, and Land Birds
Iceland’s volcanoes, craters, lakes, marshes, and coastal areas provide habitats for a breathtaking number of birds. Spend some time getting to know birds like razorbills, which live primarily out on the open ocean; the gyrfalcon, which can be found on the highest honor Iceland bestows to individuals; and the beloved and iconic Atlantic puffin.
26 min
10: Iceland’s Fish, Sharks, and Crustaceans
Fishing as a livelihood shaped Iceland’s population for centuries. Dive below the surface for a fascinating look at Atlantic cod and the “Cod Wars” they sparked; at Greenland sharks, which reach maturity at around 150 years of age; at Atlantic salmon; at the three-spined stickleback; at crustaceans like the Norway lobster; and much more.
26 min
11: Iceland’s Marine and Land Mammals
Enjoy meeting Iceland’s various mammals on land and sea. Rub snouts with Arctic foxes, remnants of the last Ice Age and the island’s top predators. Get a glimpse of harbor seals on the golden beaches of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Travel to Husavik, and other excellent spots, to sight humpback whales, orcas, and white-beaked dolphins.
21 min
12: Iceland’s Non-Native Plants and Animals
Just like other places, Iceland is susceptible to the presence of non-native—and often invasive—species of plants and animals that now call the country home. Consider animals like the American mink, first brought to Iceland for fur farming, and plans such as Nootka lupine, a perennial herb that grows in seemingly inhospitable lava fields.
24 min
13: Culinary Adventures in Iceland
The Icelandic people’s relationship to food is tightly linked to their relationship with the land and sea. Iceland’s unique food culture includes the sour, cheese-like milk known as “skyr”; the ubiquity of rye bread in Icelandic cuisine; and, of course, the infamous fermented shark that’s considered a national dish.
27 min
14: Noir and Beyond: Iceland’s Literature
Whatever your flavor of literature (folkloric sagas, crime novels, poetry, literary fiction), Iceland has something for every type of reader. Discover how a combination of historical pride and rich storytelling skills make Icelandic literature, both past and present, so revered around the world.
19 min
15: The Art and Music of Iceland
Start understanding Iceland’s contemporary art and music by looking into its history of stone and wood carvings and oral poetry. Then, explore the prevalence of animals and landscapes in paintings, the country’s vibrant street art and mural scene, the ways Icelandic folk music blends poetry and melody, and more.
24 min
16: Iceland’s National Parks and Reserves
Sculpted by fire and ice, Iceland’s parks and reserved are breathtaking to behold. Sites you’ll explore in this survey include Iceland’s three national parks and its nature reserves—both of which offer explorers unparalleled looks at lava fields, sea cliffs, black sand beaches, and other geological marvels.
21 min
17: Restoring and Reforesting Iceland
Before it was settled, around 65% of Iceland had vegetation. Now, only 0.5% of the country is forested. So, what happened to the forests? Get a closer look at the dangers of steep-slope erosion, as well as some of the natural difficulties currently challenging Iceland’s century-long effort to reforest the country.
23 min
18: Long-Term Sustainability in Iceland
Given its deep connection to nature, Iceland has often been at the forefront of conservation and sustainability—despite its early destructive history. Consider vital efforts of soil conservation and carbon neutrality, the powerful use of storytelling as a conservation tool, and ongoing debates over Iceland’s whaling culture.
22 min
19: The Capital and Beyond in Southwest Iceland
Stroll through the streets of Reykjavík, which started out as a small fishing village and later transformed into the hub of Iceland and home to most of its citizens. You’ll visit a museum with a biological collection like no other, an overlooked nature preserve in the southern peninsula, and the most photographed church in the world.
26 min
20: Iceland’s Majestic Fjords
Mighty glaciers have carved the landscape of western and eastern Iceland into beautiful, scarred fjords. First, visit Westfjords, where you’ll find the oldest site in Iceland and one of the largest bird cliffs in Europe. Then, continue to Eastfjords: home to an artsy community in the heart of reindeer country and 286 square miles of forest.
24 min
21: Spectacular Sights of Northern Iceland
Venture on to Iceland’s north-central region for a look at some of the many can’t-miss sights. Among these are three spots for great seal viewing, a canyon that’s one of the 10 most dangerous spots in the country, the spectacular Goðafoss waterfall, and a magical yuletide wonderland that’s perfect for Christmastime visits.
23 min
22: Eastern and Southern Iceland’s Striking Sites
Continue your whirlwind tour of Iceland with stops along the eastern and southeastern parts of the island. This stage of your journey includes a fascinating art installation of egg sculptures, the largest ice cap in Europe, a dangerous beach with unpredictable waves, and the only waterfall where you’re virtually guaranteed to see a rainbow.
22 min
23: Overlooked Treasures of Iceland
Whether you’re on a mountain bike or hiking by foot, there are many spots in Iceland that offer visitors more remote, rugged experiences. Visit the Highlands, the focal point for wilderness tourism in Iceland; a nature reserve that serves as a reminder of the difficulty of Arctic living; the endpoint of the country’s Northern Rift Zone; and more.
22 min
24: The Future of Iceland
Iceland currently has a reputation as one of the coolest places on the planet to visit—and the growth in tourism has created some opportunities and challenges that you’ll consider here. While we can’t know what the future holds, if we look at Iceland’s past, we can say that Iceland has always been resilient, adaptable, innovative, and remarkable.
27 min
