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.
Posts Tagged ‘Reykjavik’
HARBORSIDE BARGAINS
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010WHERE 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.
NEW YEAR’S EVE IN ICELAND IS FOR PARTY PEOPLE
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
One of the oldest holidays in the human calendar, the dawning of a new year has always been a raucous occasion, especially in Iceland. Bring your drinking hat, your dancing shoes, and your fireproof underwear for this one.
New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik always begins with a hearty dinner followed by bonfire parties and the singing of traditional Icelandic folk songs. Keep an eye out for the elves and trolls who are said to join the human inhabitants in their revelry. Then at the stroke of midnight, enjoy a show the likes of which you have never before seen. It may not be as organized as the 4th of July fireworks in New York harbor, but it is certainly no less thunderous and impressive as it’s thrown against the backdrop of the Aurora Borealis.
Feast your senses on the sights and sounds, and then join the masses as they head into the city center for some serious clubbing. It’s the dawn of a new decade. New Year’s in Reykjavik will ensure that your 2010 will be one to remember.
CRAVE A BIG MAC ON VACATION? DON’T COME LOOKING AT US
Friday, November 6th, 2009
Iceland is set to lose all three of its McDonald’s locations, all in Reykjavik. Frankly, it always puzzled us why people would want a Big Mac anyway, what with world class gourmet restaurants on every block, the freshest seafood on the planet, and the water – don’t get us started on how crisp, clean and pure the water is.
The cratering of the Icelandic economy, paired with the expense of importing nearly every single ingredient on the menu – packaging, meat, vegetables, cheese – forced brothers Jon and Magnus Ogmundsson to close their franchises, despite a big run on Big Macs during the closing days. Don’t ask us why, but the media is fascinated with Iceland – this story made worldwide news.
Iceland already had the third priciest Big Mac on the planet, behind Norway and Sweden, and the need for a further price hike effectively swung a wrecking ball into the Golden Arches. They plan to re-open the locations under a new name – how’s this guys: McEinar’s? or McThor? They’ll use local ingredients, so keep an eye out for an Egg McPuffin on your next trip.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE DOME
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
Tour guides are often asked about the building with the dome roof that sits on top of Öskjuhlíd hill overlooking Reykjavík Airport. It’s a must-see during any visit to the capital city. It’s called Perlan in the mother tongue, or the Pearl, and was built in 1991 as a monument to Iceland’s ever-flowing geothermal waters. Indoors and outdoors, there are art exhibits, musical performances, and fountains that spurt water like geysers. Above six vast water tanks, a viewing platform offers telescopes and multilingual-recorded commentaries, plus a coffee bar and an ice-cream parlor.
The crowning glory is a revolving restaurant under the glass dome where a famous Christmas buffet is served from November 19 through December 30. It’s all you can eat – free range lamb, the freshest cod you ever tasted, delicious reindeer pate, all kinds of amazing, richly decadent desserts (bring your elastic waistband pants), the works – for about $63 per person (less midweek; lower children rates available). The restaurant rotates slowly, providing every seat with a view of the entire capital city.
On the Pearl’s fourth floor, within the Gourmet Shop, lies the Christmas Shop. There you can find all kinds of Christmas related items: statues of the Icelandic Yule Lads based on Brian Pilkington’s drawings, Christmas tree decorations, handcrafted Icelandic Christmas artwork and lots more. For the child in us all. (Take a 360 degree tour right from your desktop at: www.perlan.is)
BOSTON GLOBE RANKS ICELAND A TOP 10 FALL DESTINATION
Monday, September 28th, 2009
Iceland loves Boston, one of its main gateway cities to Reykjavik, and apparently, Boston loves us in return. The Boston Globe, in its Sept. 1 issue, ranks the country as one of its top 10 destinations this fall. The story reads, in part, “Of all the bewitching natural phenomena here, the northern lights, or aurora borealis, are among the most spectacular. Iceland is one of the world’s best locales to see this display and September marks the beginning of prime viewing, which continues through March.
“Haukur Parelius of Nature Explorers tours in Reykjavík says, ‘What’s needed is a clear sky and darkness. Tour operators don’t have a secret place to go to or any tricks to ‘turn them on,’ but of course we have a few places outside the city which are dark and away from light pollution.’” Icelandair offers the only direct flight from Boston, www.icelandair.us/offers-and-bookings . Read the entire story here.
WELCOME REYKJAVIK CARD OPENS DOORS
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Visit Reykjavík introduces an even better way to enjoy the best the city has to offer. Available for 24-, 48- or 72-hours and offering great value for the money, the new and improved Reykjavík Welcome Card now offers more discounts at restaurants, shops and tours, in addition to free admission to the following attractions and services:
All Reykjavík thermal pools
Bus transport in the Reykjavík Capital Area
National Museum of Iceland
The Settlement Exhibition Reykjavík 871 +/- 2
Reykjavík City Museum - Arbaer Museum
The Culture House
Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo
Reykjavík Maritime Museum
Ferry to Videy Island
Free internet access at the Centre
For more information on the Reykjavík Welcome Card click here.
EXPERIENCE THE ICELAND AIR FORCE – ICELAND AIRWAVES RETURNS OCT. 14-18
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
What started as a showcase for local DJ’s has evolved into a musical force to be reckoned with. Iceland Airwaves is a full-blown, international music festival that showcases the hottest new bands from Iceland and the rest of the world. The festival attracts thousands of people each year to sample the freshest sounds from Iceland and abroad. The festival will maintain the same format as previous years with approximately 150 artists performing in various venues around downtown Reykjavik.
As before, Icelandair will extensively market the festival internationally and sell package tours to the event (see below). The interest of the international music media in the festival has been steadily increasing, and this year many new faces are expected to join an already established group of regulars. Dates are Oct. 14-18. (For more information: www.icelandairwaves.com).
TRAVEL DEALS OF THE MONTH
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
Iceland Airwaves 2009
Every October, Reykjavik rocks loudest of all. Hear the hottest bands from Iceland, Europe, the Americas and beyond in the coolest setting on Earth. The intimate venues are all in the downtown area, so you can hop from one performance to the next. Many bands are already confirmed for the show, and include: Gus Gus, Alaska In Winter, Mammút, The Cocknbullkid, The Golden Filter, Metronomy, and more. For more information on the event and scheduled performers visiticelandairwaves.com.
Festival Dates: October 14-18, 2009 From $749* per person based on double occupancy.
Click here for more info.
There’s Still Time For Summer Saver Fares
Save on airfare to Iceland and Europe late this summer with these awesome summer fares. Be sure to check out Iceland Stopovers – the chance to stopover in Iceland, our stunningly beautiful home, en route to or from other destinations in Europe… at no additional airfare! Here are some sample fares:
Travel from Seattle to Reykjavik from $569*, or London from $629*, August 22 - September 12, 2009
Travel from Boston to Copenhagen from $479*, London from $499*, or Oslo from $479* August 16 - September 11, 2009.
Travel from New York-JFK to Copenhagen from $479* August 16 - September 11, 2009.
More deals, including fares to other cities, are available. Click here for more info.
Fall Budget Getaway
Take advantage of the great exchange rate and hop on up to the top of the world this fall, a great time to experience all that Iceland has to offer. Enjoy shopping for quality Icelandic products, early Christmas shopping, delicious gourmet Icelandic cuisine (including Icelandic game, popular during November), invigorating outdoor adventure, highland wilderness beauty, soothing spas and more. Your accommodation is at the friendly Fosshotel Lind or Fosshotel Baron. Both are situated in the historic city center and offer three star amenities. They make an ideal base for exploring Southern Iceland. Please note all nights must be booked at the same hotel. From $499* per person based on double occupancy.
Click here for more info.
Tags: Airwaves , Reykjavik , stopover , budget
*Prices quoted are exclusive of applicable taxes and official charges by destination of approximately $100-$270, per person including the Sept. 11th Security Fee.
TRAVEL DEALS OF THE MONTH
Monday, July 27th, 2009
Stay in Reykjavik or the Entire Country for Less at FossHotel
One of Iceland’s leading hotel chains, and among the friendliest, is FossHotel. Now you can stay three nights in the capital city, or tour for seven nights around the countryside for less.
The Foss Sudurgata in Reykjavik, featuring large rooms with shower/wc, balcony or terrace with ocean or view of the Pearl Restaurant is $270 for two for three nights in July and August.
Or stay nearby at the FossHotel Baron or Fosshotel Lind in rooms with shower/wc conveniently located in the center of town.? The cost is $360 for two people for three nights in July and August; it’s $255 for two in September.
Three nights not enough? You can get in touch with Iceland‘s most popular attractions on your own with a seven night hotel package around Iceland that includes breakfast.
Participating FossHotels are located in Dalvik, North Iceland; FossHotel Husavik or Laugar; FossHotel Vatnajökull; FossHotel Skaftafell; FossHotel Mosfell in Hella, South Iceland; and in Reykjavik. Cost is $840 for two in July, $770 in August, and $595 for two after September 9.
To learn more about these packages, click here:http://www.fosshotel.is/en/rates_offers/reykjavik_hotels_special_offers.php
For a free brochure on Iceland and Foss Hotels, click here:http://www.fosshotel.is/en/about/fosshotel_brochure.php
Iceland Summer Saver
Save up to $450 on this super summer package compared to regular package prices. This package includes airfare and two nights at the FossHotels Baron, Lind, or Sudargata from just $795* per person based on double occupancy. The Baron and Lind are both centrally located in Reykjavik close to shopping and entertainment, and the Sudargata is in the West End on the campus of the University of Iceland. The package also includes Scandinavian buffet breakfast daily except arrival day, fuel surcharge and booking fee. Click here for more info.
South Iceland Driving Sampler
Icelandair’s new mini driving holidays are a way to enjoy a quick, memorable trip to Iceland. The south of Iceland is an ideal destination to get acquainted with what makes the country so special. Here’s your chance to discover geysers, Viking history sites, waterfalls and beautiful black sand beaches. Each day set your own pace and discover all that South Iceland offers. This package is a budget version of Saga Sites, with savings of up to $400 per person. Departures now until Oct. 27, 2009. From $955* per person based on double occupancy.
Click here for more info.
West Iceland Driving Sampler
This driving package is priced to give you a great holiday at a low price. West Iceland is known as “Iceland in a Nutshell” for its varied landscapes and wildlife. It’s great for a short holiday to get a sense of what makes Iceland so unique. This region makes up the famous Snaefellsnes National Park. From powerful hot springs to crashing waves to Viking Saga history, you’ll discover the wonders of Iceland’s wild west. Departures now until Oct. 27, 2009. From $1,089* per person based on double occupancy.
Click here for more info.
*Prices quoted are exclusive of applicable taxes and official charges by destination of approximately $100-$270, per person including the Sept. 11th Security Fee.
