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. For more information, log on here.
Posts Tagged ‘Reykjavik’
PRIDE IN REYKJAVIK
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010RUN TO ICELAND
Monday, June 21st, 2010
It’s marathon time in Iceland. Every year, marathons in Iceland benefit from fresh air and scenery that’ll take your breath away, including: Mývatn Midnight Sun Marathon (north Iceland, June 21), Landmannalaugar Ultra Marathon (55 km of uninhabited landscapes between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk nature reserves, South Highlands – July 15-19); and Reykjavík International Marathon (several distances around the city, August 18). See www.reykjavikmarathon.is if you’re as crazy about running as we are.
AGAIN WITH THE FIRE AND ICE?
Monday, April 12th, 2010
We know we say this a lot, but “fire and ice,” in this case, is the literal truth. Every summer in mid-August there is a huge fireworks display at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Candles light up the icebergs that float in the lagoon, and the sky above explodes in fiery arrays of color. This amazing combination is a unique photo op. A week spent on a Super-Jeep tour and photographing some less accessible places in the Icelandic Highlands concludes with another fireworks display – this time for Reykjavik‘s Cultural Night on Aug. 21, 2010, which coincides with the Reykjavik Marathon. Shutterbugs and fireflies alike will delight in the action. For more information and the specific date for the glacier lagoon fireworks display, check: http://www.natureexplorer.is/photography/fire-ice-photo-tour/
For information on the Reykjavik Marathon, click here.
ÆGIR WOULD BE PLEASED
The Festival of the Sea, June 6 and 7
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
In ancient Norse mythology, Ægir was the god of the ocean. He might also be the god of smooshing an “a” into an “e”, but’s another story. When he wasn’t messing with the alphabet, he brewed ale for Thor in a huge pot, and was known for throwing a heck (there’s that word again) of a party. We think he’d like Sjomannadagur, or Seaman’s Day.
Born out of the old Icelandic tradition of Seamen’s Day, the updated Festival of the Sea is a celebration that honors the many Icelanders who make a living from the ocean. Some of the most popular events include fishing, swimming, sailing and rowing competitions, which are hotly contested by a mix of locals and visitors. Many other events take place on terra firma with cultural displays, parades, arts and crafts activities, foods fairs and live musical performances where visitors can enjoy the odd sea shanty and mariner’s tale.
The harbors in Reykjavik and smaller towns will be filled with crowds and activities, and restaurants feature great deals on seafood. To plan a trip, log onto Icelandair.com.
ARTCITY
Reykjavik Arts Festival, May 12 – June 5
Monday, April 5th, 2010
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. For more information log onto www.artfest.is
HOTEL BORG CELEBRATES 80 YEARS
Friday, February 12th, 2010
The Hotel Borg, possibly Iceland’s most eminent hotel, celebrates its 80th birthday this year. The Borg has been recently renovated to retain and polish the beautiful 1930’s architecture for which it is so famous, and from which it derives its motto: Character With Style.
Located in the heart of the city on Parliament Square, the Borg is bright, cheerful, and luxuriously appointed, with loads of Art Deco style, updated with modern amenities. The hotel’s “rock star” caché began early on with stays by Winston Churchill and Tyrone Power, and has been the hotel of choice for Mick Jagger and Kevin Costner, to name a few. Conde Nast Traveler named the hotel’s restaurant, Silfur, one of the world’s Hot Tables in 2007, and the World Association of Chef Societies named Jóhannes Steinn Jóhannesson, the chef at Silfur, Iceland Chef of the Year in 2008. Click here for more info about the amazing Hotel Borg.
ATTEND THE NEW DESIGNMARCH + FASHION FESTIVAL March 18-21, 2010
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
DesignMarch is a four-day feast featuring a wealth of events, interesting lectures and fascinating exhibitions reflecting the diversity in Icelandic design. Many of Iceland’s most prominent fashion designers have established the Reykjavík Fashion Festival, which will take place for the first time in Iceland’s capital March 19-20, in cooperation with individuals from the music scene. For details log onto: www.icelanddesign.is / www.rff.is
INTRODUCING HARPA
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
The new Icelandic National Concert and Conference Centre, scheduled to open in Reykjavík Harbor in spring 2011, will now be called “Harpa.” More than 4,000 suggested names were received from the public and 54 entrants suggested the name Harpa.
Harpa means harp in Icelandic, referring to the future purpose of the building to house music events of all kinds. It is also a popular girls’ name and the name of one of the months according to the old Icelandic calendar, which runs from late April to late May in the modern calendar.
Harpa will house a centre for music, culture and tourism, including the new home of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Top rate conference facilities will be located there as well. The Centre will be 258,000 sq. ft. in size and 141 ft. tall. The largest concert hall will accommodate up to 1,800 people and the largest conference hall up to 750 people. In addition, there will be various types of music halls, meeting rooms and a spacious exhibition area. For more information: here.
HARBORSIDE BARGAINS
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
London may have its Portobello Road Market, but Reykjavik has its Kolaportio Flea Market - the opportunity to rummage through an amusing hodgepodge of goods. You can buy vintage record albums, wool mittens, and used books in this shaggy Wal-Mart of sorts. Stalls are crammed with crafts and clothes, although you’ll have to really hunt for treasures. Bring an adventurous appetite–there’s a fish market in back where you can snack on pickled salmon, fumar eggs, and shark. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Look for the hangar-style building right on the harbor at Tryggvagotu 19.
WHERE DO EVENT PROFESSIONALS LIKE TO STAY? ONE GUESS
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Business travelers know a thing or two about the best places to meet in the world. Recently SITE, a global network of meeting, travel and event professionals – 2,000 from 87 countries – has awarded its prestigious Crystal Award to the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica. The Crystal Awards Recognition Program is a way to honor top professionals who deliver programs that connect motivational experiences to solid business results. This recognition serves as a benchmark for international events and is regarded as one of the highest honors in the travel industry. Got a meeting to plan? We’ve got the place. In fact, we have a whole country.
