Spring Budget Getaway
The Iceland Budget Getaway is now on sale for travel through May 2009. This great package includes roundtrip airfare from either Boston or New York-JFK, two nights in Reykjavik at either the FossHotel Lind or FossHotel Baron, and Scandinavian breakfast each morning after arrival day. The package runs through May, and additional nights range $55 to $115. From $479* per person based on double occupany.
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Laugavegur Classic Trek
You know about the Inca Trail, the Road to Santiago and the Appalachian Trail. But have you heard about Iceland’s classic hike? The Laugavegur (”Hot Spring River” Way) is a trek between two scenic national parks through mountains, lava fields, glacial landscapes and geothermal areas. Now a week-long guided trek is $500 off. You’ll stay in mountain huts and your luggage will be transferred for you, so all you have to concentrate on is enjoying the scenery and one of the world’s most scenic hiking routes.
The most known of all treks in Iceland, this paths takes you from the famous valley of Landmannalaugar in the highland interior and south to Thorsmork valley, north of the great Eyjafjallajokull glacier. On the way your group will walk over the third biggest geothermal zone in the world, pass yellow rhyolite mountains, black deserts, great canyons and green valleys. From $2,429* per person based on double occupany.
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Nature’s Power
Explore the winding roads of Southern and Western Iceland – two regions that showcase the volcanic energy and wind-tangled coastal scenery of Iceland. Or rent a 4WD and discover the hidden beauties of the highland interior. A new lower price for 2009 saves you $245 on this six-night tour.
Highlights of just the first day include a drive through Whale Fjord via a sea tunnel or the more scenic coastal road to historic Borgarfjordur village. Pass Eldborg crater on the way to Snaefellsnes and its crown jewel, the sparkling glacial ice cap covering the volcano where Jules Verne began his masterpiece “Journey to the Center of the Earth”. The vacation just gets better from there, and at your own pace. From $1,749* per person based on double occupany.
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*Prices quoted are exclusive of applicable taxes and official charges by destination of approximately $100-$270, per person including the Sept. 11th Security Fee.
“For anyone interested in sampling some intelligently cosmopolitan treatments of exotic ingredients, the time is now.”
In February, Travel+Leisure writer Jeanine Barone decided to warm up by visiting some of Earth’s hot places and list the best volcano vacations around the globe. Out of thousands of active areas, Iceland’s Myvatn/Krafla made the list.
Few cruise destinations offer such a range of adventurous side trips than this island nation in the North Atlantic. In 2008, the country experienced near record cruise calls as thousands of adventurous cruise ship passengers were attracted to Iceland’s spectacular fjords, mountain vistas, waterfalls, glacier hiking and Jeep touring, and horseback riding.
If it’s one thing the folks at REI do well, it’s have a good time outdoors, especially in Iceland. The company offers various nine-day Fire & Ice adventure trips in June, July and August that feature lots of hiking and camping. They fill up fast, so grab your calendar and make this the summer Iceland moves to the top of your bucket list. Another nice touch: each year REI donates millions of dollars to support conservation efforts in the U.S., and sends scores of volunteers to build trails, clean up beaches, and teach outdoor ethics to kids. In fact, all their adventure trips are carbon neutral.
Iceland’s premier art festival since 1970 brings together the best in local and international theater, dance, music and visual art. The festival program offers a variety of selected exhibitions, concerts, dance, theater and opera performances. Along with its focus on Icelandic culture past and present, the festival hosts many outstanding international artists and performers.
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon was named the tenth best spa in the world by the readers of Conde Nast Traveller, the U.K. version of the top-flight American magazine. (Which is spelled “Traveler,” lest anyone get confused.) The readers were asked to choose the world’s best spas and rate their choices according to various criteria such as ambience/decor, body treatments, cuisine and service. The Blue Lagoon received a score of 94.44 – the highest possible score is 100. The Blue Lagoon was ranked alongside spas in Spain, Oman and the U.S., but we’re betting ours is the only spa doing it with clean, geothermal power. Read all about it here.
Visits to Iceland in 2008 set a record, on top of 8% yearly growth in the last 10 years or so. More and more tourists are attracted to the services of Reykjavík’s Official Tourist Information Centre which assisted 30% more guests during September, October and November 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. But December was the big record-breaker, with a 43% increase compared to the same month in 2007.