Jetsettersblog

To the east of Iceland, in the North Atlantic Gulf Stream, lies a remote cluster of Nordic islands known as the Faroes, virtually unknown to North Americans. This archipelago has towering volcanic mountains, waterfalls that cascade from cliffs directly into the sea, paintbox houses, and only 50,000 inhabitants.

Both Iceland and the Faroes were settled over 1,000 years ago by the Vikings. This summer, there’s a new tour program that offers a full week in the islands of the Viking settlers — four days in the Faroe Islands and three days in Iceland, with enough time for a side trip to Greenland.

The program is from the Great Canadian Travel Company, North America’s foremost experts in travel to some of the world’s least-traveled regions. With departures every Monday from June through August, the weeklong “Iceland with the Faroe Islands” tour is priced at $2,189 per person. Included are roundtrip airfare between Iceland and the Faroes, four night accommodation in the Faroes and three nights in Iceland, car rental in the Faroe Islands and a full day tour in Iceland.

The Faroe Islands are a self-governing region of Denmark, with its own parliament and flag. Faroese is the national language and is rooted in Old Norse. The climate is surprisingly moderate, with average high summer temperatures in the 70 degree range. For more information, call 800-661-3830.

(formerly Icelandair Hotel Loftleidir) The Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura guarantees early check in to travelers arriving on overnight flights from North America. Check in guaranteed by 10am! (only guaranteed for passengers on Icelandair Fly and Hotel packagesl normal check-in is 2pm)

Four-star Reykjavik accommodation show casing the best of Icelandic nature. Newly-renovated Reykjavik Natura is close to the city center, in the quiet Oskjuhlid wooded area near the sea. The name of our hotel is inspired by the outstanding natural beauty that is on our doorstep. We are ISO 14001 certified as a green hotel.

The Natura is located next to Reykjavik landmark “the Pearl” and its surrounding woods and pleasant walking/cycling paths, and just a short walk from Nautholsvik thermal beach, where you can take a dip in a warmed lagoon of the North Atlantic, try some sea kayaking, or simply soak in a relaxing thermal hot tub (activities operate May – Aug). Our hotel also overlooks the nearby mountains and sea, as well as the city’s small domestic airport; spotting propeller planes as they come in to land is very popular with our younger guests! The hotel is close (yet just far enough, many say!) to the excitement of Reykjavik’s historical city center. It takes less than 30 minutes by foot to reach this area; hotel offers a free shuttle bus several times a day. You can also take a free bus to the Kringlan Shopping Center to stock up on souvenirs.

Well-known for its welcoming and attentive staff, the newly renovated, elegant “green” hotel offers a comfortable restaurant, cocktail lounge, beauty salon, the elegant Soley Nature Spa, and a tour desk. Its 220 guest rooms feature private bath/shower with hair dryer, telephone, radio, and satellite TV. This hotel offers new Satt restaurant, a stylish cocktail lounge, gift shop, free storytelling nights (Thursdays), complimentary Icelandic themed movies in the hotel cinema, and a tour desk. During the summer bicycle rental is available and ideal for exploring the city’s many scenic bike paths.

Hilton Reykjavik Nordica Hotel ****
The Hilton Reykjavik Nordica now guarantees early check in to travelers arriving on overnight flights from North America if booked through Icelandair. Check in guaranteed by 10 am! (only guaranteed for passengers on Icelandair Fly and Hotel packages; normal check-in is 2pm)

The contemporary Hilton Reykjavik Nordica hotel sits in the financial district of the capital and is only 5- 10 minutes’ walk from Laugar Spa, the outdoor park, Laugardalur the Botanical Gardens and the biggest geothermal swimming pool in Iceland. This hotel features elegant Scandinavian design with a fireplace and cocktail lounge in the modern lobby, a stylish and award-winning restaurant, superb business and conference facilities and state-of-the-art spa and fitness center. With 252 rooms and suites, it is one of Iceland’s largest hotels, with private bath/shower, hair dryer, telephone, radio, satellite TV and minibar. Free shuttle service is provided to the nearby city center.

The VOX Restaurant is the perfect meeting place for any occasion, whether it’s to enjoy and extravagant meal at VOX Restaurant or a light meal at the VOX Bistro. VOX Restaurant is known for its spectacular lunch buffet and now, for the first time in Iceland, for its amazing High Tea, served at VOX Bar

The elegant NordicaSpa has soothing mineral salt hot tubs, aroma therapy steam rooms, and a Finnish sauna.

The spa offers the famous La Stone volcanic treatment. The hotel also has a superb Panorama Lounge offering the comforts and services sought by the discerning traveler.

Marina By the Sea
From $727* per person
Day 1: Evening departure from North America

Day 2: Early morning arrival in Iceland. On own transfer to Marina hotel in Reykjavik. Your hotel is located near many museums, galleries and restaurants, so enjoy the opportunity to explore Reykjavik at your own pace. We also suggest a visit to the Sundholl Swimming pool. This geothermal public pool is a great way to refresh and shake off jet lag.

Day 3: Breakfast at hotel. Walk from hotel over to the nearby harbor pier for your morning whale watching tour. The boat heads into scenic Faxafloi bay in search of whales. Helpful marine biology guides are on hand to explain the type of whales you might see and to assist in watching for them. Tour is about three hours, during which you might glimpse minke whales, dolphins, seabirds and more.

Day 4: Breakfast at hotel. Morning open for own activities. On own transfer to airport for late afternoon departure to North America.

Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina ****
Located in the up and coming harbor district of Reykjavik, just a stone’s throw from the capital’s attractions, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina invites you to experience affordable luxury and friendly service at its 108-room, three-storey hotel. Opening on April 19th 2012, the hotel is housed next to the sea in a completely renovated building that is a landmark among local residents. With an emphasis on blending the dynamic, creative atmosphere of this rapidly developing district with the country’s strong maritime tradition, which originates here in the old harbor, the hotel offers everyone the opportunity to see the capital at its most creative.

The hotel boasts of colorful and quirky design both inside and outside. You can always have a 24-hour selection of fresh food at Slipp Canteen. The lobby boasts of a cozy seating area, gift shop, tour booking service and a fun space to mingle or surf the internet and fireplace you can cuddle up to with your favorite book. Have a hearty breakfast at Slipp Café and a friendly drink at the Slipp Bar where you can experience Reykjavik like a local while enjoying exciting events. Watch Icelandic films at the Slipp Screen and keep up your cardio at Slipp Gym. To sum up, you will be staying in a fun, funky and happening area in a vibrant neighborhood and we look forward to make your visit to the world’s northernmost capital an unforgettable one.

Prepare yourself for an amazing expedition through snow, glaciers, rivers, mountains, black sandy beaches and many more incredible landscapes.

Welcome to the land where the winter darkness might light up with the spectacular Northern Lights!

LANGUAGE: English/French speaking driver-guide.

What is a Super Jeep / Super truck?
A Super Jeep/Super Truck is originally a standard truck/SUV or van that is modified according to strict regulations in Iceland. It is basically an especially equipped 4×4 vehicle with very large tires (tall 36-46 inch or 95-120 cm) that is designed appositavely to face Icelandic demanding terrains and unpredictable weather both in winter and summer.

In the map are highlighted in red and green the areas that could be explored. However the exact itinerary may vary from day to day without any notice according to weather and road conditions.

Now available with international flights
This tour is now available with international flights on selected dates:

from BOSTON and NEW YORK

•from 15. to 19. March 2012
•from 05. to 09. April 2012

from COPENHAGEN, LONDON and PARIS

•from 17. to 20. February 2012
•from 16. to 19. March 2012
•from 06. to 09. April 2012

The Great Canadian Travel Company this summer is offering 12 departures of a nine-night “Classic Greenland Coastal Voyage.” The voyage is priced at $3,659 per person, double occupancy.

The cruise is on the 249-passenger Sarfaq Ittuk. The ship stops at places such as Aasiat, Manitsoq and Sisimiut.

The trip includes roundtrip airfare between Iceland and Greenland, three nights’ accommodation with breakfast in Reykjavik and Ilulissat, one night’s accommodation with breakfast in Nuuk, arrival transfer and one local tour in Iceland, and accommodation on the ship in a twin berth cabin. Airfare from North America to Iceland and meals other than breakfast daily are not included.
For more information, visit www.greatcanadiantravel.com

Among the exciting new developments from easyJet Holidays for Summer 2012 are city breaks to Reykjavik in Iceland and holidays to Kefalonia as well as departures to a selection of destinations from London Southend Airport.

City-breaks with a difference in Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik, Iceland’s beautiful capital city, is the perfect destination for adventurers looking for a completely unique city break. Set against a backdrop of snow-topped mountains, Reykjavik is known for its weekend nightlife, health spas, world-class restaurants and countless museums. It is also famed for its natural wonderland of spouting geysers, gigantic glaciers, blue lagoons and hot springs – as well as benefitting from an impressive 22 hours a day of daylight during summer.

Iceland’s location means the country is also ideal for seeing the Northern Lights from Autumn to Spring, while in Summer the sun sets for just a few minutes, if at all, creating a dramatic setting for your Iceland break.
easyJet Holidays will be offering trips to Reykjavik from London Luton from March 2012 with a choice of three flights a week and a selection of three and four star hotels.

A three night break at the three star Cabin hotel on bed and breakfast basis, departing on 12 April 2012 costs £185 per person.*
Two nights at the four star Thingholt Hotel on bed and breakfast basis costs £197 per person for departures on 17 April 2012.*

Visit the picture-postcard scenery of Kefalonia

Located off the western coast of Greece, Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands and best known for its stunning beaches, picturesque mountain top views and its carved underground lake. It basks in up to 12 hours of sunshine a day and offers the perfect combination of picture postcard harbours, golden sands and historic Roman ruins for a memorable and relaxing holiday.

easyJet Holidays has introduced holidays to Kefalonia with a choice of 3 flights a week from Gatwick and accommodation ranging from small family run apartments up to five star resorts.

A seven night holiday on half-board at the five star Ionian Emerald Resort in Sami departing on 7 July 2012 from Gatwick costs £706 per person.
A seven night holiday at the three star Hotel La Cite in Lixouri departing on 12 August from Gatwick costs £420 per person.

Stay local – fly from London Southend Airport

If you live in the South-East, then for Summer 2012 you have more choice than ever with the introduction of departures from London Southend.

Holiday destinations include Jersey, Amsterdam, Alicante, Barcelona, Belfast, Faro, Ibiza, Malaga and Mallorca.

Prices start from £132 per person for seven nights at the three star Clube Brisamar in Alvor, The Algarve on self-catering basis departing on 28 September 2012.

easyJet Holidays offers a selection of beach, ski and city breaks with flexible durations from departure airports across the UK. Many holidays can be secured with low deposits from £50 per person.

To book please visit www.easyJet.com/holidays

Prices have limited availability and were correct and available on the easyJet Holidays website http://holidays.easyjet.com on the date of issue. Prices include flights and accommodation and are based on 2 sharing a standard room. They exclude transfers. Some payment methods attract a handling fee.

The arrangements for a holiday booked on the easyJet Holidays website are made by easyJet, acting as principal for flights and as disclosed agent for travel insurance, car rental and airport parking; and by Lowcostbeds acting as agent for accommodation and transfers.

Iceland’s Phallological Museum recently reopened in Reykjavík after moving from Húsavík in northeast Iceland, where the collection has been temporarily located since 2004.

The museum has approximately 280 mammal penises and penis parts and the first human specimen was added to the collection earlier this year. Highlights of the collection include fifty-five specimens belonging to sixteen different kinds of whale, one specimen taken from a polar bear, thirty-six specimens belonging to seven different kinds of seal and walrus and one hundred and fifteen specimens originating from twenty different kinds of land mammal. Further details can be seen at: www.phallus.is

Golf and the Golden Circle now available during the Midnight Sun

A new Golden Circle and Midnight Golf Tour from Icelandic Golf will take advantage of Iceland’s 24 hours of daylight in the summer months.

Guests will be taken, at midnight, to the key sights of the Golden Circle; Thingvellir National Park, Gulfoss Waterfall and the geothermal field of Geysir, followed by a round of golf at the Geysir Golf Course.

The nine-hole golf course has no artificial mounding but has been landscaped to fit with the natural volcanic forms and two local rivers. Each hole is named after the nearby geysers including Óþerrishola (the rainmaker) and Litli Geysir (the small Geysir).

The tour is available in June and July. Bookings and enquiries can be made at www.icelandicgolf.is

IsHestar launches nine new riding tours for 2012

Icelandic horse riding specialist, IsHestar, is launching nine new tours in 2012 to celebrate 30 years of operations. The company was founded in 1982 by three Icelandic families and has now introduced the Icelandic horse to over 200,000 visitors. Below is a selection of IsHestar’s new tours for 2012:

Ride on the Wild Side is a six-day ride in east Iceland following the trails taken in the 19th century when mail and provisions had to be delivered to farms and rural areas on horseback. Guests will get into the spirit of the era collecting berries and Icelandic moss as supplements to meals and catching fish in the rivers. Accommodation will be in old shepherd’s cottages and tents. The ride is suitable for strong and intermediate riders and is available from 22-30 July 2012.

The nine-day Power of Creation ride explores 220 kilometres of the volcanic Fjallaback region in south Iceland. Riders will follow tracks through black ash from Mount Hekla’s eruptions, into lava fields from the intense 1783 Skaftareldar eruption and past the Lakagigar craters. Accommodation is in simple mountain huts and the ride is suitable for intermediate riders. The tour is available from 15-23 July and 22-30 July 2012.

The Blue Lava day-tour enables guests to explore lava from the land and underwater. Groups are taken for a ride over south Iceland’s extensive lava fields followed by a snorkeling session in the Silfra Rift which marks the gap between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The tour is available everyday from 15 May to 15 September 2012 and is suitable for beginners.

Further information on the new tours can be seen at: www.ishestar.is

Northern Lights and hot springs on a Valentine’s short break

Discover the World has introduced a self-drive Valentine’s package for February 2012. The four-night trip will take couples on a romantic adventure to hot springs, fjords, volcanoes and waterfalls and offers the chance to see the mystical Northern Lights at night.

Guests will be based in the luxury Hotel Glymur, which overlooks Hvalfjörður (‘the Whale Fjord’), the boutique Hotel Budir on the western most point of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Northern Lights Inn.

From the hotels couples can visit Iceland’s largest hot spring area at Deildartunguhver, take a day trip along the Golden Circle route and explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. In the evenings, guests can look out for the Northern Lights. Hotel staff at Glymur even offer to wake guests up if the lights suddenly appear late at night. There is also the chance to take a dip in the steamy waters of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

The trip is available throughout the winter. Further details and bookings can be made at www.discover-the-world.co.uk

New self-guided walking holidays from Inn Travel

Those who like to set the pace on holiday will enjoy Inn Travel’s new self-guided walking trips in west and south Iceland. Inn Travel books accommodation and car hire for its guests and then suggests a number of walking routes on a choice of three itineraries, allowing visitors to enjoy the Icelandic landscape in their own time.

The six-night Dramatic South walk introduces guests to south Iceland’s volcanic and glacial highlights. This includes a walk to the top of the 62 metre high Skógafoss Waterfall, which spills down from the notorious Eyjafjallajökull glacier, volcanic black sand beaches and moss covered lava fields. Inn Travel also suggests a number of routes along the Reynisfjall Peninsula for the best views of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. This ranges from a steep sided canyon to a path through the Skaftafell National Park.

The six-night Iceland’s Striking West walk explores the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which was the inspiration for Jules Vernes book Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Highlights of the trip will include the glacier-topped volcano, Snæfellsjökull, Kirkjufell Mountain and Iceland’s unusual gold sand beaches. There are also fantastic opportunities for wildlife watching on the peninsula with frequent sightings of puffins, terns, seals and whales.

The two walks can be combined on Inn Travel’s 14 night Iceland’s Highlights: Snæfellsnes, Reykjavík & Eyjafjallajökull.

The trips are available at any time from May to September 2012 and accommodation is in countryside hotels, converted farmhouses or farmstays. Bookings and enquiries can be made at www.inntravel.co.uk.

A new insight into Icelandic design with Reykjavik Shopping Guide

To compliment Iceland’s growing design scene, a new, private shopping service, Reykjavik Shopping Guide, has been developed. The service provides tailored two hour shopping experiences for groups or individuals allowing them to meet the hottest Icelandic designers and visit their shops and showrooms. Packages range from fashion and jewellery design to Icelandic fine arts and it is possible to combine a number of packages.

All tours include transportation, a private guide and tax-free shopping guidance. Further details and bookings can be made at www.reykjavikshoppingguide.com

New hostel to open in the capital of the north, Akureyri

Hostel culture is continuing to expand in Iceland with the opening of the Akureyri Backpackers Hostel in northern Iceland in May 2012. This follows the opening of the vintage inspired Kex Hostel in Reykjavik in the summer of 2011.

The hostel is located in central Akureyri close to the shops, restaurants and bars and offers four, six and eight-bed dorms and private rooms. The hostel is also an ideal base for exploring the volcanic north with trips into the Lake Myvatn area, to Askja (an area in the Highlands where NASA came to train Apollo astronauts) and the Godafoss and Detifoss waterfalls. Further details can be seen at www.akureyribackpackers.com

Maritime inspired Hotel Reykjavik Marina to open in April 2012

Icelandair will be adding a new hotel to its growing portfolio with the opening of Hotel Reykjavik Marina in April 2012. The hotel is in a newly renovated harbour side building, which is seen as a landmark among locals, and has a Nordic maritime theme throughout.

The hotel’s 108 rooms either have views of the bustling harbour district or sea views over Mount Esja. Guests will have access to the hotel’s canteen, café, bar and gym. There is also a cinema room with seating for 20 people showing Icelandic films and documentaries. The room is also ideal for meetings and conferences.

Further information and bookings can be made at: http://icelandairhotels.com/hotels/reykjavikmarina

Prestigious travel blog places Reykjavik City Hostel in top ten most eco-friendly hostels in the world

Reykjavik City Hostel has been named one of the top ten most eco-friendly hostels in the world by the highly regarded travel blog, gadling.com. The hostel received the Swan Certificate, a Nordic eco classification in 2004 and was re-certified in 2010. This is due to the hostel having extensive recycling services, constantly monitoring its energy usage, offering a breakfast of local and organic product and selling fair-trade beverages at its cafe. Guests can also take part in educational programs that will offer knowledge on sustainability and green living. Further details can be seen at www.hostel.is

Two new tapas restaurants have hit the Reykjavik dining scene bringing Spanish influences together with Icelandic delicacies. Tapas Husid (http://tapashusid.is) is located in Reykjavik Old Harbour and offers dishes such as plaice fajitas, a mussel hot pot and smoked lamb carpaccio, Forrettabarinn (http://forrettabarinn.is) is also located near the harbour and positions itself as providing ‘new Nordic food’ offering dishes such as reindeer meatballs and salted cod pizza.

Easyjet and brand new Icelandic airline, WOW Air, will increase accessibility from the UK to Iceland by six flights a week in 2012.

The inaugural Easyjet flight is on 27 March 2012 and will operate three times a week from London Luton on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Flights are available to book at www.easyjet.com.

WOW Air is Iceland’s newest airline and will fly for the first time on 1 June 2012. Flights from London Stansted to Keflavik will operate three times a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Flights are available to book at www.wowair.is.

Summer holidays in north Iceland will take off with seasonal flights from Icelandair

Icelandair will connect north and south Iceland to summer visitors with flights from Keflavik International Airport to Akureyri from 7 June to 30 September 2012. The flight will be offered four times a week and will add to the internal network already offered by Air Iceland and Eagle Air. UK passengers will be able to check in luggage at London Heathrow through to Akureyri and vise versa.