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Akureyri: A Little Town in Iceland and Its Weather

Akureyri is the largest town in Iceland outsid... 

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The title of “little town” is relative, especially in Iceland, where Akureyri, which serves as the northern capital of the country, is the second largest city in Iceland, with 17,000 residents. It’s also one of the most enchanting places on earth. Nestled (there is no other word for it) at the base of a fjord on the mountainous north coast, Akureyri is home to some fantastic skiing runs and other snow sports, for a very good reason: Icelandic weather.

Akureyri is only 240 miles from the nation’s capital, Reykjavik. However, in Iceland, distance is measured by weather, not kilometres. 240 miles can turn into an 8-hour drive when taken in November. If there is anything in this world that is unpredictable, it is what the weather is going to do in Iceland.  In June, the sun is out 177 hours in the month, in November, there are 12 hours of sunlight in the month. December is pitch black. Snow storms can whirl up out of nowhere and dump 36 inches of snow in one night.  It is a cold, beautiful land, and the weather can make it dangerous or enjoyable. Locals check the weather religiously.

Summer months in Akureyri allow for horseback riding, a national pastime, since much of the country is still rural, and summer drives to view the scenis countryside. Be careful driving in winter though; foreigners will be unfamiliar with what Icelandic winter does to roads, and, given that a majority of the roads in the country are unpaved in parts, city cars will have some spotty runs.

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Checking The Weather Before You Go On Vacation

Stratocumulus perlucidus clouds.

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Weather plays a big influence on our activities. This is especially true if a vacation is planned. Unfortunately, it is the one thing many people forget to look at when planning their vacation.

The weather conditions can dictate what to pack, what outfits to wear, and whether or not to reschedule outdoor activities. It can also make the difference on deciding to go or changing the dates on airline tickets for a more suitable time.

Bad weather can easily interfere with any pending vacation plans. A bout of storms can delay or cancel flights, make it impossible to drive, or completely shut down any type of activities. In short, a change in weather can completely destroy a vacation.

Technology has made checking the weather in different areas easy. For phones, you can download a weather application. After that, you simply type in the area code or find the city and add it to the weather application. Once done, you can check the weather report at any time. For computers, a simple search can give you all the details. If there is any doubt about travel plans due to weather, you should contact the airport for flight cancellations.

Checking the weather report before you go on vacation is a step that should not be forgotten in the hustle of vacation planning. It is one step you need to add to your list of things to do before you go on vacation. Bad weather can turn a fun vacation into a disaster.

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Japanese National Parks

Cherry Blossom "Tunnel" along the Mi...

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If you’re a nature lover, there’s no shortage of beautiful scenery throughout each island of Japan, most of which makes for some great photography. If you’re not entirely sold on just photos of the sukura trees, cherry blossoms, and the hundreds of Buddhist temples, then why not head out to a national park or two?

Japan has 28 national parks in all, which are a very important part of the vast ecosystem throughout the country. The parks are instrumental in protecting other parts of this system, such as the wildlife, wetlands, and the seashores on each island. The parks all offer hiking trails and stunning scenery.

If you’re wondering in which season to visit the national parks, there is no right or wrong answer. Why? Because the parks offer something unique in each of the seasons! For a breakdown of what each season brings to Japan’s national parks, take a look at the following list.

  • Spring: In Japan, springtime marks the blooming of the sakura trees and cherry blossoms. The blossoms are iconic of the country and are a big attraction for tourists and the Japanese themselves. You can find the trees just about anywhere, so if you’ll be in Japan in the spring, be sure to bring a camera!
  • Winter: Japan has many species of migratory birds. In the wintertime, the numerous national parks are a temporary home for them. If you’re lucky, you might catch a good view or two.
  • Summer: Warmer weather brings about the mass blooming of wildflowers. The weather also allows for mountain and trail hiking, providing plenty of photo opportunities, especially of the multiple kinds of foliage and flowers.
  • Autumn: This is one of the best times to visit Japan, second only to springtime. Head to locations like Towada Lake and Oku-nikko for some bright and beautiful autumn foliage colors.
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Visiting Japan in the Spring

The decision to visit Japan might be an easy one, but deciding on when to go can be a lot more difficult. Japan has a lot to offer in every season, but if you’re hoping for some great scenery, a trip in spring might be just what you’re looking for. As the winter season rolls out toward the end of March, the sakura trees wake up and bloom, bursting with hundreds or gorgeous and fragrant cherry blossoms. Full blossoming can vary, depending on where you are vacationing in japan.

The cherry blossom has become an icon of and around Japan, drawing many tourists, photographers, and Japanese residents every spring. The beautiful cherry blossoms are the first sign of spring and shortly after they begin blooming, hanami, the first celebration of spring time, is focused on. Hanami brings out Japanese natives, as well as tourists, to picnic among the sakura trees with plenty of sushi and sake.

If you’re really interested in seeing the cherry blossoms, there are some locations that prove to be better viewing spots than others. Kyoto, even though it is a fairly small city, is full of sakura trees. This is your best bet for an up close and personal view of the blossoms. In Matsuyama, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms, as well as the oshiro matsuri, a castle festival. Tokyo is another great spots for up close and personal views of the sakura trees, especially if you’re interested in taking pictures. Like Kyoto, many of the public parks are full of the trees.

While it is best avoid vacationing in Japan during Golden Week—the public vacation time—you should try to visit Japan as early in spring as possible, as this is when you will have the best weather. If you can’t make it in the spring time, think about going in the fall instead.

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