1.6.2011
1.6.2011
Grímsvötn Eruption is Over according to the Iceland The
Official Gateway to Iceland
"The Department of Civil Protection has abated emergency levels to normal. Volcanologist Steinunn Jakobsdóttir at the University of Iceland, told AFP News, that no volcanic activity has been detected since early Saturday morning." To read the full report click
here.
27.5.2011
Follow this
link and you will find the latest news about the volcanic eruption in Grimsvotn.
According to the
www.iceland.is/ website:
Reykjavik - May 27 - 08:00 am
"Clean-up operations following the eruption in Grímsvötn are well
under way. Most of the ejected ash fell in a small area South and
Southeast of the volcano, but locals expect to be able to resume life
as usual in a matter of days." To read the full report click here
Reykjavík tourists are inspired by Iceland - click here to watch the video of guests in Reykjavík, after the eruption.
25.5.2011
According to the The Official Gateway to Iceland:
"Volcanic activity in Grímsvötn has decreased rapidly throughout the night. According to the Department of Civil Protection, the volcano has visibly only emitted steam since about 02:30 rising about 100-200 meters out of the volcano. Scientists have not officially declared the eruption over, and continue to monitor the situation closely, but as of last night, there is little to indicate that the activity will resume. "
The impact of the eruption in Iceland is largely limited to a small area surrounding the volcano. Elsewhere, daily life has continued as usual.
For more update please continue to monitor www.iceland.is
23.5.2011
Grimsvotn Volcanic Eruption
Eruption report - update
Reykjavík - 23 May 2011, 10 am
ALL ICELAND is an owner managed company. If there will be any disruptions to your trip while in Iceland we will rearrange the trip for you at no extra cost for your convenience. We have been working all weekend to rearrange the itineraries for our clients already in Iceland.
If your flight will be cancelled and will not leave within 24 hours of scheduled time we will pay you the cost of the trip paid to us or rearrange the trip for you. We will give you a phone number and you can call us 24/7.
All Iceland terms and conditions.
22.5.2011
The Official Gateway to Iceland:
Volcano Report
Here you will find information on the volcanic eruption in Grimsvotn – and on how to enjoy your visit to Iceland, safe and secure!
17.5.2011
Vatnajökull Glacier is Europe’s largest icecap. In 2008
the huge glacier became part of a vast national park which encompasses
the areas around it with numerous natural wonders which consist of
volcanic and geothermal zones, breathtaking glacial rivers with giant
waterfalls, majestic mountains, lava fields and glacial lagoons.
Published in the No. 2 2011 April-May issue of Atlantica. By John Boyce, photos by Páll Stefánsson. more
17.5.2011
Of the almost ISK 42 million (USD 369,000, EUR 256,000)
which the Icelandic government has allocated to the Environment Agency
of Iceland to improve the condition of preserved areas that are at a
risk of damage, most funds will go towards the two main attractions of
the Golden Circle tour, Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area, and to Hveravellir, a frequented geothermal area on the Kjölur route in the highlands. More
10.5.2011
1. It’s closer than you think.
2. The horses in Iceland are something special.
Read more
10.5.2011
No matter where you are in Iceland's capital city, chances are you'll be
able to spot the towering steeple of this most unusual concrete
structure. At 244 feet tall, the Church of Hallgrímur—or
Hallgrímskirkja, as locals call it—is the tallest building in Reykjavík
and the largest church in all of Iceland. Viewed head on, Hallgrímur
resembles a jagged arrowhead or spaceship, erupting from the ground. The
design is meant to conjure the rugged mountains, volcanic basalt, and
glacial landscapes of Iceland's supernatural scenery. Hallgrímur was
under construction for over 30 years and finally completed in 1974,
inspiring much controversy along the way thanks to its radical form. And
while the architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, did not live to see the
church's completion, he'd surely be honored by its presence on nearly
every Reykjavík postcard. For a small fee, you can ride an elevator up
into the steeple for fabulous views across the capital and out to the
Atlantic (rides are 500 Icelandic króna—or about $4.40—per person). The
minimalist interior is in keeping with the church's Lutheran heritage,
save for one bold element: an enormous organ with some 5,000 pipes that
tower up to 50 feet high.
Read More
13.1.2011
Iceland is number four at the list of places were to go in 2011, The New York Times reported this week.
"Iceland’s economic crash has had an upside, at least for tourists. After
the devaluation of the krona that followed the country’s 2008 financial
crisis, the breathtakingly beautiful island is a lot more affordable" ... The New York Times 7.01.2011
31.12.2010
Happy New Year Wishes from everyone here at All Iceland. Special thanks
to all our customers that visited Iceland in 2010 and to our customer
that are visiting Iceland in 2011.
29.12.2010
Special offer: Northern Lights Holiday to Iceland
Visit our stand AA10 at the
Destination Exhibition 3-6 February 2011 and get a special price for your Northern Lights Holiday to Iceland.
Limited Availability - terms and conditions apply.
Contact us for more information.
13.12.2010
The first of the 13 Icelandic Yule Lad brothers, Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod) arrived yesterday.
Click here to read the article from the National Museum about the 13 Icelandic Yule Lad brothers.
8.12.2010
Locals in capital of Iceland Reykjavík, describe their favorite things during Christmas in Reykjavík Iceland. Click
here to watch the video.
3.12.2010
Reykjavik Iceland is number one at the CNN top 10 places to spend your 2010 Christmas.
"Why: For a real treat for the tots, take them to Iceland, where local folklore has not one but 13 Santas bearing goodie bags at Christmas parties. The 13 Santas (or jólasveinar, meaning Yule Lads), each with Brothers Grimm-like characteristics such as "the spoon licker" and "the door slammer," come into town one day at a time starting December 12." Read the full report
here
You can still book a holiday to Iceland over the Christmas and the New Year with All Iceland - click
here to see the options.
25.11.2010
This Sunday the 28th of November will be the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Reykavik.
"Every year since 1952, the City of Oslo, Norway has presented Reykjavik City
with a huge, beautiful Christmas tree for the festive period" isit Reykjavik reported today.
Click here to read more about this event.
10.11.2010
The Christmas Village opens on the 27 November and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1.00-6.00pm until Christmas. Hafnarfjordur is in short distance from Reykjavik, just 15 minutes drive by car. For further information about the Christmas Village click
here.
1.11.2010
The Lava is Still Glowing at Fimmvörduháls, Iceland Review oneline reported today.
"Even though it has been almost six months since the
eruption at Fimmvörduháls stopped the lave is still warm and still
gowing in some palces". Click
here to read the report.
22.10.2010
"Icelandic director’s American dream continues"
Icnews reported to day: "Inhale, the new film directed by Iceland’s Baltasar Kormakur,
will be premiered in the USA this weekend. The director’s American dream
continues, as he has also signed a deal with Universal for a remake of
his popular film Reykjavik Rotterdam." More in Icenews
19.10.2010
Icelandic Fitness & Health Expo Reykjavik 19-21 November 2010. See the
schedule here. If you like to take part in this fantastic event All Iceland can organise the trip for you, just send us request at info@alliceland.co.uk.
13.10.2010
“Gamlarsdagur” Celebrate with Icelandic people the last day of the year and welcome the New Year 2011.
Icelandic people attend community bonfires “Brenna” in their home towns and these take place in all the towns around the capital from 8-10 pm, each one ending with a firework display. At midnight the fireworks start, families gather outside their houses with the children and every household has their own "little" firework display, giving you a truly spectacular display at midnight. All Iceland offers trip from 29 December - 1 January 2011 to Celebrate the New Year -
click here for more information.
13.10.2010
Iceland Airwaves 2010 is offically on.
“The hippest long weekend on the annual music-festival calendar” - David Fricke - Rolling Stone. The Artists of this year festival include Everything Everything, Alex Metric, Tunng, Tune-yards. There
are many more interesting International and Local artists, among them ROBYN. Click
here for more information about the event.
8.10.2010
All Iceland offers a fantastic weekends holidays this winter where you will explore Reykjavik City and
take a day tours like Super Jeep adventure, Golden Circle & Glacier Ride, Snowmobile Tour, Glacier Hiking & Ice Climbing, Northern Lights adventure and Super Jeep adventure tour to see the aftermath of a volcanic eruption. To find out more click
here
5.10.2010
The Westfjords region of Iceland was presented with the EDEN tourism
prize at a ceremony in Brussels this week. EDEN stands for “European
Destination of Excellence”.
The Westfjords is the first Icelandic destination to receive the EDEN
award, which emphasises sustainable tourism. This year’s theme was
tourism connected to water and the sea.
It was the people behind WaterTrail.is who entered the region in the
competition and they expect a huge boost from the result. A marketing
campaign is already being planned.
By promoting sustainable tourism practices in less well-known parts
of Europe, EDEN hopes to make European tourism more varied and
rewarding; but also to reduce tourism’s impact on the most popular
destinations by spreading the burden. more in Ice News
30.9.2010
Hédinsfjardargöng, a tunnel connecting the neighboring towns Ólafsfjördur and Siglufjördur of
Fjallabyggd municipality in north Iceland, formally opens on Saturday.
It will be a revolution in transport on Tröllaskagi peninsula.
Between the two tunnels in Hédinsfjördur there is a pit
stop where travelers can park their cars and enjoy the view. A natural
paradise has now become accessible to the general public. “It is such a
beautiful fjord, there is a lake and a river rich in trout and the berry
land is incredible,” said Bjarni Thorgeirsson, landowner in
Hédinsfjördur. More in Iceland Review
27.9.2010
Situated in Jökulsá á Fjöllum in nothern Iceland, not far
upstream from Dettifoss, is another beautiful waterfall called Selfoss.
The Jökulsá á Fjöllum River is fed by the Vatnajokull Glacier, Selfoss
is not as spectacular as Dettifoss but is noted for its horseshoe shape
and power.
Just 12 meters high, Selfoss spreads out well over 100
meters or more depending on the season. In the summer when glacial melt
is high the flow over Selfoss can spread out for quite a distance.
27.9.2010
The exhibition “The Isle of Human” by Danish photographer
Johan Rosenmunthe opened this week in the Reykjavík Museum of
Photography. His processed photographs, which feature animals in
cityscapes, raise awareness of how humans are taking over animals’
natural habitats. “The Isle of Human” is also on the program of the Nordic
Culture Festival which will be held in Reykjavík October 29 to November
7. The exhibition runs through November 16. More in Iceland Review
27.9.2010
Earlier this month, Sally Magnusson of the BBC, from Songs of Praise, Reporting Scotland and Panorama, publicly announced her support for The Nauteyri Project, an eco-tourism project in Iceland’s West Fjords.
"In the unique landscape of the West Fjords, such an
unspoiled and gorgeous area of Iceland, The Nauteyri Project is a
wonderful idea,” Magnusson said, according to a press release. “It is
well worth supporting," she added.More in Iceland Review
23.9.2010
The frozen yoghurt store Yoyo, a family-run business, opened three weeks ago on Nýbýlavegur 18 in Kópavogur, a neighboring town of Reykjavík. Co-owner Ásgeir Ingi Einarsson said the store has been given a very warm welcome. More in Iceland Review
23.9.2010
The family at Akurnes, a farm in Hornafjördur in southeast Iceland, is using the latest technology to renew ancient farming methods of fráfaerur (separating ewes and lambs in spring to milk the ewes) and then producing cheese from the ewe milk. The cheese was well received by consumers and quickly sold out. It was available in the local store in Höfn and the specialty store Búrid in Reykjavík. The production takes at least two months and the next cheeses are expected before Christmas. More in Iceland Review
14.9.2010
Chinese authorities intend to make a concerted effort to increase
imports from Iceland within the framework of the currency swap agreement
the two countries’ central banks signed this summer. This promise came
during a meeting between Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson and
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao today.
more in IceNews
13.9.2010
The 67-year-old president emphased in Expo
2010 that there are five areas of cooperation worthy of further exploration
between Iceland and China: One is represented by clean geothermal energy
cooperation; Second, import and export trade as represented by fisheries;
Third, seismic monitoring and the after-earthquake, rescue techniques and equipment exchange; forth, the
ice monitoring relationship with global climate change research among Iceland
and China; Fifth, a series of cooperation. focus on the future of
new trade routes across the Arctic Ocea.
"Of course,
tourism is another worthy area of cooperation. Compared to China, sparsely
populated but rich Icelandic landscape type is presented in a completely
different world. Next year is the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Iceland and China, and we look forward to
welcome more Chinese tourists." Grimsson invited more
Chinese to visit Iceland.
In the same time, the president suggested
that the development of geothermal power would give China's tourism industry a new
dimension of health-treatment spas, and so on. Global Times
这位67岁的总统强调，在五大领域的合作值得冰中两国深入探索：一是以地热为代表的清洁能源 的合作；二是以渔业为代表的进出口贸易；三是有关地震监控与震后营救技术和设备的交流；四是对两国代表性冰川的监测及其与全球气候变化关系的研究；五是着 眼于今后穿越北冰洋的新贸易航线可以开展的一系列合作。
“上述领域的深入合作，不仅对冰中两国，对全球都将产生深远影响。”格里姆松说。
“当然还有旅游业。相比中国，人烟稀少而地貌类型丰富的冰岛呈现的是一个完全不同的世界。明年是冰中两国建交40周年，我们盼望着迎来更多的中国旅游者。”格里姆松发出邀请。新华网
13.9.2010
Iceland celebrated its National Pavilion Day on Sep 11 at the Expo Centre.Iceland put its friendship with China as one of its top priorities,
said Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland. He also hoped that
Expo 2010 will be a complete success.In recent years, more and more Chinese tourists visited Iceland and
had realized the beauty of Iceland’s natural sceneries such as
volcanoes, glaciers, lakes, rivers and varieties of landscapes, he said.The Icelandic people are warm-hearted and hospitable and he hoped
that the exhibit of Iceland at Expo 2010 will attract more Chinese
people to visit Iceland, he said.
The Iceland Pavilion has attracted millions of visitors and its
design was inspired by water and energy, he continued. The country's
natural environment greatly affected its culture and innovations such as
creations in art, music and painting, he said. Han Changfu, China's Minister of Agriculture, said that the
cooperation between China and Iceland is expanding smoothly and he hoped
that the Expo 2010 will add new momentum to improve mutual
understanding and mutual benefits between the two countries.Visitors will learn Iceland's history, its clean modern life as well
as have a taste of the glamour of this country with ice and fire, Han
added.Icelandic renowned pianist Tinna Thorsteinsdottir also staged her performance during the ceremony.
Themed “Pure Energy — Healthy Living,” the pavilion is decorated as
an “Ice Cube” made of backlit printed fabric on the exterior. Visitors
will be able to drink pure natural spring water. Projections show
beautiful landscape and urban life in Iceland, as well as abundant
alternate geothermal energy in the volcanic island. Problems of global
warming causing melting glaciers are explored. Eight projectors inside
and outside of the pavilion create a 360-degree audiovisual effect
showing the peoples and landscapes.Expo 2010
13.9.2010
World-renowned linguist, writer and political analyst
Noam Chomsky will participate in RIFF, Reykjavík International Film
Festival, ruv.is reports. He will hold a live address at Háskólabíó Theater from Cambridge. Noam Chomsky is 82 years old. His lecture is entitled Hopes and Expectations.
He will for example discuss the lessons Icelanders can learn from the
economic collapse in the West, as well as the future in energy matters.More in Iceland Review
13.9.2010
A strange natural phenomenon was recently seen in
Iceland. Two rainbows were seen at the same time. Hróbjartur
Thorsteinsson explains this on the web of the Icelandic Met Office. It is uncommon to see a full circled rainbow, because a
lot of raindrops have to be below the horizon. However, it is possible
from a great height, from high skyscrapers, airplanes or steep mountain
slopes. Often a second rainbow with a radius of 50¨ is also visible with
reversed colors. Such outer rainbows are explained by more than one
reflection in raindrops.More in Iceland Review
8.9.2010
According to a schedule issued by the Icelandic Road
Administration yesterday, Herjólfur, the Westman
Islands ferry, will sail between the islands and the new harbor
Landeyjahöfn three times a day during high tide in the coming
days—spring tide is coming up. However, the first ferry ride this
morning was canceled due to bad weather. More in Iceland Review
7.9.2010
A walrus recently swam ashore at a beach in Flateyjardalur
valley in the northeast, which is a rather uncommon sight in
Iceland.
Vignir Sigurólason, the district veterinarian in
Thingeyjarsveit, told Morgunbladid that the animal is probably
fully grown but he couldn’t tell whether it was male or female.
According to the website
of the Icelandic Seal Center, a walrus was last spotted in Iceland
in Ófeigsfjördur
fjord in the Strandir region in the West Fjords in August 2008.
Before that a walrus was last seen at Hrafnbjörg in Arnarfjördur
fjord on the other side of the West Fjords peninsula in 2005. Iceland Review
6.9.2010
Mountain biking is a growing sport in Iceland and
yesterday Iceland’s first specialized mountain bike track opened in
Kjarnaskógur forest outside Akureyri in north Iceland. The work on the track began in the summer of 2008 with
the establishment of 3-kilometer long tracks. They immediately became
popular both among bikers and hikers but as these two types of
recreation don’t always go together, a more specialized track was
needed, a press release states.The new track is 12-kilometers long and goes in a circle.
It is the longest custom-made track for mountain bikes in the country.
The track is considered a boost for the biking culture in Iceland and
bikers are expected to arrive from all around the country to try out the
new track. Iceland Review
6.9.2010
The seventh annual Reykjavík International Film Festival
(RIFF) takes place between September 23 and October 3 this year, during
which approximately 100 films will be screened. The festival is known to
attract thousands of visitors. Since its inception in September 2004, the festival has
grown in national and international stature. Last year the event drew
20,000 people to its screenings. It has also drawn some impressive names
from the world of cinema as guests of honor, as stated in an article in
the latest issue of Atlantica. More in Iceland Review
2.9.2010
The average temperature of the three summer months, June, July and August, in Reykjavík this
year was 12.2°C (54°F), which makes this the warmest summer in the
capital since temperatures were first recorded in 1871, according to
meteorologist Trausti Jónsson.Record heat was also measured in Stykkishólmur in the west and the Westman Islands south of Iceland this summer with average temperatures of 11.5°C (52.7°F) and 10.9°C (51.6°F), respectively. more in Iceland Review
1.9.2010
The upcoming concert event in Iceland, Iceland Airwaves, is set to
attract thousands of music lovers to the northernmost music capital in
the world, Reykjavik; and with most of the line-up already announced,
this years’ Airwaves will be as spectacular as ever.
Iceland Airwaves, held between October 13 – 17, has announced that
international acts Robyn, Rolo Tomassi, Mount Kimbie, The Antlers will
be performing, as well as Icelandic favourites, Agent Fresco, Seabear,
Reykjavik!, Minus and Sudden Weather Change. Over five days, visitors
will be amazed by the party atmosphere of downtown Reykjavik and
encouraged to join in.
more in IceNews
1.9.2010
Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk accepted the respected
Polar Music Prize from King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf in Stockholm
yesterday. In Sweden the award is known as the “Nobel Prize for Music”. "The Polar Music Prize 2010 is being awarded to
Icelandic artist Björk. With her deeply personal music and lyrics, her
precise arrangements and her unique voice, Björk has already made an
indelible mark on pop music and modern culture at large, despite her
relative youth. No other artist moves so freely between avant-garde and
pop. With her albums and videos, Björk has taken avant-garde to the top
of the charts. She has also always embraced technological advances,
combining computers with ancient sounds. Björk has introduced an arctic
temperament to popular music and shown how passionate and explosive it
can be. Björk is an untameable force of nature, an artist who marches to
nobody’s tune but her own." More in Iceland Review
31.8.2010
The Iceland Airwaves music festival, which will take place October 13-17 in Reykjavík,
is traveling to the US in September to showcase three of the country’s
homegrown artists on various student campuses in three weekends.Master chef Hilmar Jónsson will accompany the musicians
and serve Icelandic seafood delicacies at cafeterias near the locations
of each concert. Cod, arctic char and shrimp tacos are among dishes on
the menu, icelandicmusic.is reports. More in Iceland Review
31.8.2010
The contemporary music festival Sacrum Profanum, which
opens in Krakow in Poland next month, will have a Nordic theme this year
with Icelandic musicians Jónsi of Sigur Rós and the band múm as
headlining acts. The band will be accompanied by the Sinfonietta Cracovia,
the Polish Radio Choir and fellow Icelandic artists, including amiina,
Mugison, Benni Hemm Hemm and Högni Egilsson of Hjaltalín. Iceland Review
31.8.2010
Musician, artist and pacifist Yoko Ono will perform in
concert with the Plastic Ono Band in Iceland and organize various other
events to encourage world peace in relation to what would have been late
husband John Lennon’s 70th birthday on October 9. Ono will light the Imagine Peace Tower on Videy island outside Reykjavík at 8 pm on that day—as she has done in past years—and invite the world to join her in a live broadcast on imaginepeace.com, Morgunbladid reports.Iceland Review
31.8.2010
The world’s biggest sailing ship is currently on its way to Iceland,
according to Russian news website, Ria Novosti. The ship is called Sedov
and is a three-masted barque. Sedov left Amsterdam yesterday after a four day stopover as part of its summer-long tour of European ports.The ship has been causing a stir everywhere it goes – including in
Scandinavia, where several concerts were held on board. 103 students
from the Russian seafarers’ school are on board the ship.
IceNews
25.8.2010
Among the All Iceland group travelling for the
Reykjavik marathon August 21 2010, were overachievers.
Runners that are not letting physical disability
preventing them from participating in the Reykjavik marathon in August.
Those runners use prosthetics from Icelandic company Ossur who chose
All Iceland to organise the running trip to Iceland for these superb athletes.
Mr. Richard Whitehead, who ran a 42 kilometre marathon in two
hours and 45 minutes – breaking the world marathon record in the category of
below the knee amputees. He has run in 19 marathons
25.8.2010
Travelers to Iceland can now cruise a river at 75
kilometers per hour on riverjets, specially equipped speedboats, for the
first time. This service is being offered by the company Iceland Riverjet on Hvítá river in west Iceland. The company is run by two Norwegians, Ingrid Tho and her
partner Cato Bergnord, who scouted Hvítá as a favorable location for
river jetting when they came to Iceland as tourists and did a tour of
the Golden Circle, Morgunbladid reports. Iceland Review
25.8.2010
A lot has happened since we last brought you news from camp Airwaves.
The team has been hard at work booking and announcing dozens of local
and international acts, while re-organising the festival to include a
ton of new venues in town and no doubt coming up with all kinds of
surprises for us. While they have a lot of work on the horizon, the team is taking a
little break this weekend to throw a teaser concert up in Iceland’s
northern capital. On Saturday, August 28 they will host an official
warm-up party at Græni Hatturinn, featuring the likes of Bloodgroup,
Endless Dark, Sjálfsprottin Spévísi and Buxnaskjónar. The show starts
and 23:00 and is free to attend, so if you are up north, go get yourself
in the mood.
Reykkyavik Grapevine
24.8.2010
The exhibition “Trace” by Icelandic visual artist Elín Hansdóttir, which is currently on display at the i8 Gallery in Reykjavík, was recently named one of the top five art exhibitions to see around the world by the art website artinfo.com. “Trace” is inspired by the work of American choreographer
Loïe Fuller who, in her “Serpentine Dance”, conjured up the tracing of
the kinetic energy which the body instigates. The last day of the
exhibition is today, during Reykjavík Culture Night. Iceland Review
24.8.2010
Trúbatrix, a league of Icelandic female musicians, have
returned to Iceland after a successful tour in the UK last spring and
have now launched a tour around their home country in cooperation with
the Kraum music fund. During the tour, new up-and-coming musicians will be
introduced. Trúbatrix advertised for new performers earlier this summer
and received a flood of applications. At least ten new performers will
join them on their tour, a press release states.On August 24, they will perform at Merkigil in Eyrarbakki and on August 24 and 25 at Gamla Kaupfélagid in Akranes. The tour ends with a concert at Pakkhúsid in Höfn on August 26. Admission is free for all concerts. Iceland Review
24.8.2010
The summit of South Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull glacier is now covered in
snow again following the recent volcanic eruption. The mountain has
been grey with thick ash since the eruption this spring in the top
crater between 14th April and 7th June.After a particularly warm summer, the air over Iceland cooled down
quickly just before the weekend as a northerly breeze took control. This
allowed the temperature atop the country’s highest mountains to drop
below freezing for the first time since the spring.
IceNews
24.8.2010
An international conference on the effects of the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull glacier in Iceland last spring, held by the Keilir Aviation Academy September 15-16 in Keflavík, has garnered worldwide attention. The eruption in Eyjafjallajökull caused more extensive
disruption to air traffic in peace times than any other event in recent
decades and it cost airlines ISK 200 billion (USD 1.7 billion, EUR 1.3
billion). Most airports in Europe had to be shut down temporarily and
almost all continents were impacted. Iceland Review
24.8.2010
TIME magazine considers Iceland's prime minister, Jóhanna
Sigurðardóttir, to be one of the world's greatest female leaders, just
behind the prime minister of Australia.
Jóhanna was previously
in 74th place in Forbe's magazine's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the
World. Most of the women featured were, not surprisingly for Forbe's,
captains of industry, with Angela Merkel being the sole politician to
make it into the top ten.
Reykjavik Grapevine
23.8.2010
The 2010 Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon took place today. Thank you
10.444 runners that registered this year, 9.427 Icelandic runners and
1.017 from other countries.
Bjorn Margeirsson, ISL, and Rannveig Oddsdottir, ISL, where the
fastest marathon runners this year. Oliver Steininger from Germany and
Iris Anna Skuladottir, ISL, finished first in the half marathon. In the
10k race Josep Magnusson, ISL, and Arndis Yr Hafthorsdottir, ISL, where
the fastest runners.
Click here for results from the 2010 Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon and here for photos from the event. marathon is.
23.8.2010
Fjallabyggd (“Mountain Settlement”) is a skier’s dream.
Its slopes are perfect for slaloming and there are also tracks for
telemark skiing. Winter sport enthusiasts can also go ice skating, rent
snowmobiles and try ice fishing. Fjallabyggd (pop. 2,200) is a municipality in northeast Iceland uniting the towns Ólafsfjördur and Siglufjördur. The distance between the towns will drop to 15 kilometers from up to 234 kilometers with the opening of a new tunnel in 2009. Iceland Review
19.8.2010
The organizers of the Reykjavík Culture Night, which
takes place next Saturday, August 21, announced the festival’s program
in an old bus on Tuesday to remind people to leave their cars at home.
Instead, they can ride the city’s buses for free.Drivers who park their cars illegally in the city center can for the first time expect to be fined on Culture Night. The theme of this year’s festival is “The Streets Are Singing”—Reykjavík residents are encouraged to fill the city center with song and music.Iceland Review
18.8.2010
4.00 am alarm call (ouch), empty roads, solitude,
glacier, lagoons, mountains, fjords, sandwich, coffee, crashing north
Atlantic, more glacier, wind, rivers, single track bridges, sheep, more
sheep, not a person in sight, farmland, fishing village, silence, still
north Atlantic, ducks, swans, summer house, museums, French chocolate
cake, rhubarb pie, swimming pool, soothing hotpot, lunar landscape,
silence, snow-capped peaks, driving, clicking of the camera, sun
splitting skies, can’t see a thing enveloping mist, stillness, arctic
winds, more farms, sheep on the road, another fjord, still driving...Iceland Review
17.8.2010
Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide and digital media publisher in
the world, has this year been encouraging travellers to visit
Iceland, naming it as a top travel destination for 2010.
The
most recent recommendation appeared in an issue of Lonely Planet’s
monthly magazine, proclaiming Iceland as one of its ‘Perfect Trips for
2010’ as ‘there really has never been a better time’ to go.
IceNews
17.8.2010
Icelandair is pleased to announce it offers the most weekly flights to
and from the UK, with up to 22 per week; the airline is also amongst the
most punctual in the world, with 89.6 percent of flights on time.
IceNews
16.8.2010
The Reykjavík Culture Night is coming up on August 21; Mayor of Reykjavík Jón Gnarr will open the festival formally at 1 pm in a tent outside the office of the Icelandic Tourist Board on Geirsgata 9, which is participating in the festivities for the first time. Daily News
16.8.2010
Ormsteiti, a ten-day festival in Fljótsdalshérad municipality in east Iceland, began yesterday. The program includes a golf tournament, song competition for children and adults, outdoor markets and a soup and bread making competition. Daily News
13.8.2010
Reykjavik Marathon is held after 8 days. The registration is in full swing and the organiser Reykjavik Sports Union of Iceland (IBR) reported that the pre-registration is in full swing and about 2500 runners have registered so far which is 5% more than same time last year. Last year event 11.500 participants took part in all the five distances.
New distance for the first time this year is the
relay race (42.2 km), when 2-4 in team can run the full marathon. The course is the same as for the individual marathon, with the same start and finish points.
10.8.2010
The Northern Lights are unquestionably one of the most breathtaking natural spectacles in the world. The natural light displays of the Aurora Borealis occur most frequently in the Arctic Circle, centred within a 2500 km radius of the geomagnetic pole.
As Iceland is on the cusp of the circle, the Island in the North Atlantic provides the perfect viewing location for the Aurora Borealis; for which proves to been a magical experience. IceNews
10.8.2010
Mayor of Reykjavík Jón Gnarr led the Gay Pride parade on Saturday wearing a flowery dress and a wig, waving to the crowd from the back of a truck. There were 35 floats in the parade this year which progressed down Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s main shopping street, Morgunbladid reports. Iceland Review
6.8.2010
This is one of the many stories film maker Kári Schram tells me when I meet him in Bíldudalur, the fishing village in Arnarfjördur. In 1997 he made a documentary film about eerie sightings in the fjord and local encounters with sea monsters through the ages. The film was done in collaboration with Iceland’s only monster expert, radio newsman Thorvaldur Fridriksson, who has collected tales extraordinaire all over the country, specializing in monster legends. Iceland Review
6.8.2010
Super Mama Djombo, the best known band in Guinea-Bissau, is currently in Iceland and will perform in a concert tonight in Reykjavík and tomorrow in Akureyri.
According to a press release, the legendary Super Mama Djombo dominated the music scene of their home country, Guinea-Bissau, in West-Africa in the 1970s.
Their lyrics reflected not only post-independence optimism but also the joy and worry of common people—and the new rulers, or camaradas, were not spared criticism.
Alongside these lyrics, Super Mama Djombo added the rhythms of gumbé, a fusion of Guinean Creole and traditional music with diverse ethnic origins. Iceland Review
3.8.2010
Reykjavik International Film Festival is coming up soon and is held for the 7th time now in September – October. The organiser of the event says: "We promise you an unforgettable experience in a place like no other." More information about the event visit the International Film Festival website.
2.8.2010
First Monday of August is a public holiday in Iceland, tradesmen's day. That weekend is now most travel and festival weekend of the year all around the country. The most popular event this weekend is held on Vestman Island with more than 15000 guests.
"Tens of thousands of people are away from home visiting other areas of Iceland this weekend" IceNews reports.
29.7.2010
Iceland Review reported news about the ash fall in Iceland durning the volcanic eruption in
Eyjafjallajokull last spring. The estimated ash fall was around 140 million cubic meters and that is excluded the ash that fell into the ocean and in other countries.
"There hasn’t been an eruption in Iceland that resulted in a similar extent of ash fall since the Hekla eruption in 1947 or even the Katla eruption of 1918" Iceland Review reports. To read the whole report click here.
28.7.2010
Dettifoss Trail Run is located in Europe’s largest National Park – named after the great glacier Vatnajokull was held last Saturday 24 July. The weather was lovely 18 °C and fantastic atmosphere between the runners and the race organizer.
Look at the Dettifoss race website to find the see the
pictures from the event and at
Hlaup.is to find out the race result. The event for next year haven’t been confirmed yet, but it will be held in July or beginning of August. All Iceland will offer
trip to the event 2011 and we will keep you informed.
23.7.2010
The
Dettifoss Trail Run is tomorrow. The run takes you through magnificent landscape with view over the Jökulsá (glacier river) canyon, including Ásbyrgi canyon. It is safe to say that when it comes to the scenery, this trail run is one of a kind. The roughest part of the run is between Dettifoss waterfall and Hólmatungur area where the surface is sand, rock and rough gravel. The
participants for this year run are around 350 and have never been as many since the race started.
22.7.2010
New Harbor "Landeyjarhofn" and Sailing Route in Iceland with "Herjoldur" ferry was formally opened yesterday.
Iceland Review reported yesterday:
"The new harbor and sailing route shortens the ferry ride to the Westman Islands from three hours to half an hour". This amazing Island has now never been easier to visit.
21.7.2010
Laugarvegur Ultra Run 55 km was held last Saturday. Around 300 hundred runners took part in the race this year race. The winner of the 2010 Laugarvegur Ultra Run was Thorlakur Jonsson and Helen Olafsdottir. Look at the Laugarvegur Ultra Marathon website to see the
results and
pictures from the race.
21.7.2010
Reykjavik city hold a ‘swimming vigil’ at the city’s biggest swimming pool, keeping it open non-stop for nearly a week.
"The massively popular Laugardalslaug swimming pool will be open from
06.30 on 21st July until 22.30 on 26th July without break. The cross-political Better Reykjavik committee came up with the idea
of night swimming, and the proposal was enthusiastically accepted by the
city council". Read more about the ‘swimming vigil ‘at Visit Reykjavik website.
16.7.2010
Innipúkinn is an annual Music Festival in Reykjavik. First Monday in August is bank holiday in Iceland. That weekend is held an event festival all around Iceland and thousands of Icelanders takes part and eynoing that adventre.
15.7.2010
Picture by Geir Ragnarsson
Visit Reykjavik reported yesterday on Facebook news about the Pride Festival in Reykjavik after 3 weeks:
"Reykjavik likes to party, Iceland has always been an open and accepting society, and the 2009 Reykjavik Gay Pride Parade was such a booming success, we’re doing it again. Nearly 80,000 revelers took to the streets last year, and this Aug. 5 – 8 celebrants can let their flags fly all over town. A record 37 parade floats made their way through Reykjavik last year sounds like a challenge to us."
14.7.2010
Snorri Gudjónsson described to Morgunbladid news the hiking trip he made with his friends and family on Sunday. He said;
“We walked on brand-new lava and on top of it was ash
from another volcanic eruption—it was unbelievable,” Gudjónsson said".
14.7.2010
All Iceland offer trip
"Iceland
with an Icelandic touch" in the South and South East of Iceland in
July and August. This trip will cover the most spectacular sights in the
South of Iceland and be very interesting without having to drive too
much. The accommodation is mostly bed and breakfast, sometimes without
private facilities, but always friendly, homely and clean. You will see
Iceland more like an Icelander than a tourist.
13.7.2010
Good news for people who are interesting of hiking in Iceland.
"After the ‘tourist-friendly’ Fimmvorduhals volcano which erupted just
before Eyjafjallajokull this winter, one of Iceland’s most popular
hiking routes has been inaccessible. But now a brand new Fimmvorduhals
trail has been opened", according to the Icenews today.
8.7.2010
Running the Reykjavik Marathon is becoming a popular event for the experienced runner, but all the family can take part in this event. When you are running in Iceland in August, the temperature is perfect – never too cold and never too hot. The half Marathon starts at the same time as the Marathon. You can still register for this year race. All Iceland offer Marathon Trip from only £295.
Click here for more information about the trip.
5.7.2010
Dettifoss Trail Run is still open for registration. Dettifoss Trail Run is located in Europe’s largest National Park – named after the great glacier Vatnajökull. All Iceland offer trip from only £745 to take part in this fantastic event. Click
here for more information about the trip and look at the Dettifoss Trail Run
website for more information about the event.
30.6.2010
Thirty years ago, Iceland took another world-changing step when Vigdis Finnbogadottir became the world’s first democratically elected head of state. Vigdis remained president for 16 years until 1996. 16 years (four terms) is the longest presidency possible in Iceland and Finnbogadottir remains an extremely popular and in-demand public figure to this day.
28.6.2010
Top Gear went to in Iceland in April. James attempts to drive a Toyota Hilux up an active volcano in Iceland. Look at the amazing video from
Top Gear episode from last night.
25.6.2010
