Visit Iceland

“Can you give this young man a spoonful of mussel ice cream?” Mr. (Siggi) Hall asked.

“You will always be eating Icelandic butter on Icelandic bread and mussels ice cream.”

– Marshall Heyman, The Wall Street Journal, Nov. 2. Read the whole article here.

“Climbing the highest peak in Iceland is the ultimate fitness adventure. Burn 550 calories per hour as you reach for the top in this winter workout.”

– Stefani Jackenthal, Oxygen Magazine, December 2010

“The 10 million people stranded by ash from Eyjafjallajokull last spring may still be cursing the volcano’s name, if they can pronounce it. But in Iceland, Eyjafjallajokull is being hailed as the volcano that is raising tourism to new heights.”

– Christine Negroni, New York Times, Oct. 3 http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/after-the-volcanic-cloud-a-bright-spot-in-iceland/

“What to do: Iceland is a treat for the eye, from its springy green turf to its brilliant blue sky and black volcanic rock. There are a few reminders around of the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano earlier this year—T-shirts bearing the slogan “We may not have cash, but we’ve got ash!”

Where to Eat: Iceland has some of the most inventive food among the Nordic countries and boasts some of the freshest fish anywhere. The newest and most acclaimed restaurant in Reykjavik is Dill, located in the Nordic House, a short walk from the city center. Chef Gunnar Karl Gislason and his team get their fish, herbs and vegetables entirely from Icelandic sources.”

– Paul Glader, The Wall Street Journal, Nov. 18. Read the whole article here.

“Just like in Donald Rumsfeld’s world, there are known unknowns and unknown unknowns when looking to view the aurora borealis in Iceland. Here are some of the known knowns: optimal viewing time is between September and March; cold, crisp, clear nights are the best; and it’s also nice if the weather is calm, as you’ll want to stand outside and gaze. In Iceland it only takes 20 minutes to drive from the capital to a place to see the northern lights. In other countries you need to go to more remote areas.

“Many people head to Thingvellir national park. There’s no hotel there but it’s close to Reykjavík: you can leave after dinner and be back before midnight. Head to Almannagjá, the spot in the park where they founded the parliament over 1,000 years ago. It’s a small canyon with huge cliffs and nothing to block your view of the lights.”

– Leon Golub, The Guardian, Nov. 13. Read the whole article here.

“In this otherworldly landscape, daylight is a four-hour affair and the liquid-green aurora borealis illuminates the nighttime sky. The ubiquitous statues of the 12 Yule Lads (the Icelandic version of Santa Claus) peer out from every corner shop and kitchen window. For covetable views of the Hallgrímskirkja cathedral, check in to the Hótel Leifur Eiríksson. A five-minute walk away, you’ll find the Hand Knitting Association of Iceland, whose mittens, made with native wool, are ideal stocking stuffers.”

– Jennifer Coogan, Travel+Leisure, November, 2010. Read the whole article here.