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May
2008
POSTCARDS FROM
ICELAND
May 2008
Iceland forms Europe’s largest national park
From June 7, 2008, an area encompassing 13 per cent of Iceland´s
landmass, and encapsulating unparalleled geographical diversity will become
the largest protected wilderness in Europe.
Volcanoes, lava flows, vast glaciers, powerful waterfalls, canyons and
calderas, sand flats, rivers, lakes and lush vegetation are just some
of the natural wonders contained within Vatnajökull National Park’s
13,000 sq kms. The park’s boundaries will incorporate previously
unprotected land as well the existing Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur
national parks, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss and the
entire Vatnajökull glacier (Europe’s largest).
The Icelandic government is initially investing ISK1,150 million, around
£8 million, in a network of visitor centres and park rangers’
work stations due to be completed in 2012. An existing visitor centre
at Skaftafell will be joined by five new facilities including one currently
under construction at Ásbyrgi. Ranger’s stations will also
increase from four to 11.
www.visiticeland.com/uk
www.ust.is
Blue Lagoon opens new spa in Reykjavik
March 2008 saw the opening of a new city spa and health club in Reykjavík,
operated by the Blue Lagoon and Hreyfing Fitness.
The Blue Lagoon city spa, the first of its kind, offers a selection of
exclusive treatments based on the Blue Lagoon’s unique mineral,
silica and algae active ingredients. The treatments, proven to have anti-aging
benefits, were previously only available at the Blue Lagoon itself.
New spa treatments include:
• Floating deep relaxation and massage – just 50 minutes of
this treatments is believed to be the equivalent of eight hours’
sleep
• Energizing and Strengthening Silica Treatment
• Nourishing Algae Treatment
• Relaxing and Rejuvenating Clay Treatment, Massage and Lava De
Luxe treatment -based on lava dust from the Blue Lagoon‘s natural
environment
The architect-designed spa in Glæsibær, Reykjavik, has an
ambience that closely resembles the original lagoon and its surrounds.
As well as treatment rooms it is equipped with outdoor saunas and fresh
water and geothermal seawater hot tubs.
There are plans to extend the Blue Lagoon city spa concept to other European
capitals including London.
www.bluelagoon.com
New experimental restaurant Orange opens in Reykjavik
Orange, Reykjavik’s newest and quirkiest restaurant, offers an experimental
fine dining experience by combining the freshest Icelandic ingredients
with liquid nitrogen, helium and other elements to produce extraordinary
cuisine.
The funky décor, unusually named dishes and bizarre looking cocktails
are the creation of Executive Chef, former 2005 Icelandic chef of the
year, <THORN>órarinn Eggertsson and his assistants in the
‘Orange lab’.
Topping of the chef’s recommendations is the “Let’s
Go Crazy” experimental five-course tasting menu. Desserts include
“futuristic ice cream” made at your table with the help of
liquid nitrogen and ‘Super Nachos’, a sweet version of the
classic dish using strawberries and cream!
www.orange.is
Iceland setting for remake of Jules Verne’s classic Journey 3D
The soon to be released adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic novel
The Journey to The Centre of the Earth, ‘Journey 3D’ was filmed
in several locations across Iceland.
The Snæfellsjökull Glacier in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula,
West Iceland was also the setting of entrance to the trail leading into
the Earth's centre in Verne’s original book.
The new film ‘Journey 3D’, starring Hollywood star Brendan
Fraser, is due for general release in the UK on 11 July 2008.
www.journey3dmovie.com
Sea Tours launches new West Iceland wildlife cruise for summer 2008
New for summer 2008, Sea Tours based in West Iceland, has launched a four-day
wildlife cruise entitled the Breidafjordur Nature Cruise.
The itinerary is based in the Nature Reserve of Breidafjordur Bay, well
known for its many islands, deserted fjords and inlets, incredible birdlife,
historic sites, towering bird cliffs and volcanic craters. Visitors stay
on the Island of Flatey, one of only two inhabited islands in Breidafjordur
Bay where many of the houses date back to the 19th century.
Highlights include Dimonaklakkar island which offers a stunning view over
the archipelago, the Látrabjarg Cliff, a 14 km long, sheer cliff
(444 m) and its tip Bjargtangar, the westernmost part of Europe, home
to thousands of birds including the puffins, arctic turns, eider ducks,
shags, and the majestic white-tailed eagle.
The tour costs £1,150 per person and includes four days of sailing,
three nights accommodation at Hotel Flatey on a full board basis, the
services of a professional guide, entrance to Bjarnarhöfn Shark Musuem,
and bus transfer to/from Reykjavik. Single supplement at £20 per
night. Departures, May 26, June 2, September 15 and September 22 2008.
www.seatours.is
The Healing Waters of Iceland launches new spa retreat package
A new four-day midsummer retreat to Hveragerdi, South Iceland has been
launched by The Healing Waters of Iceland.
Based at the stylish Frost and Fire guesthouse, which has its own pool
and hot pots, the guided retreat includes visits to a number of Iceland’s
geothermal spas and natural attractions. Guests will be introduced to
local writers, musicians, artists and an elf-expert to learn more about
Icelandic culture. In addition to Pilates workshops, guests receive the
Healing Waters of Iceland signature massage treatment which combines Watsu
(a water based Shiatsu) and Cranialscaral (which works on the intrinsic
movements of the bones in the head) and promotes well-being.
Midsummer retreat: June 13 – 16, 2008
The retreat costs £685.00 per person includes four days / three
nights accommodation at Frost and Fire, Hveragerdi, based on two sharing,
breakfast, lunch and dinner each day (drinks not included), transfer from
Keflavik airport, Healing Waters of Iceland treatment and entry to geothermal
spas, excursions and talks. Sole occupancy supplement is £65. Travel
to and from Iceland is not included.
Telephone: 0870 0348289
www.healingwatersoficeland.com
Family friendly Hotel Edda Reykjavik to open autumn 2009
A new three-star, family friendly hotel will add another 117 rooms to
the centre of Reykjavik in autumn 2009.
The Edda Hotel Reykjavik, located at Tryggvagata near the city’s
Old harbour, will be Edda Hotel’s first property in the capital.
The chain, which is part of the Icelandair Hotels group, specialises in
inexpensive, comfortable accommodation. The new property will offer spacious
rooms perfect for families with young children and groups of travellers
both young and old.
www.hoteledda.is
Iceland Express announces new route from Gatwick
Iceland Express will launch a new route between London Gatwick and Reykjavik
from September 16, 2008.
The Gatwick flights will operate five times a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing Gatwick at 21:00 and arriving
Keflavik International Airport at 23:00. The return flights leave Keflavik
at 16:05 and arrive at Gatwick at 20:00.
This new service is in addition to the carrier’s daily winter schedule
from London Stansted to Reykjavik.
www.icelandexpress.com
Iceland Express increases healthier onboard food options
Passengers onboard all Iceland Express flights will be given increased
choice and healthier food options from June 1, 2008. The new menu selection,
provided by Icelandic food production company Avaxtabillinn, will include
pasta, salads, fruit salads, pizzas and sandwiches.
www.icelandexpress.com
Iceland Express launches new interactive website – Iceland Socks!
Iceland Express’ quirky new website, Iceland Socks, allows visitors
to deliver their very own Iceland holiday video message, presented by
a rag-tag bunch of sock puppets with questionable fashion sense.
Feed the sock puppets their lines and choose from a variety of iconic
Icelandic backgrounds from the Blue Lagoon to spouting geysers to create
a short film to email to friends and family.
Don’t sock around: Send a sock-o-gram now! www.icelandsocks.com
Learn Icelandic onboard Icelandair
Passengers travelling onboard Icelandair’s refurbished Boeing 757’s
can brush up on their Icelandic thanks to the installation of new personal
seat back entertainment systems.
Each passenger onboard will have access to an introduction to the Icelandic
language and a glossary of Icelandic phrases in preparation for their
stay.
The entertainment systems also offer a broad selection of movies, TV programmes,
music, games, e-magazines and books. Passengers can also to monitor the
progress of their flight, get information about airports, departures and
arrivals, and browse the on-board duty free selection and pre-order goods
and services at their destination.
The installation process set to be complete by Spring-Summer 2008.
www.icelandair.co.uk
Rapeseed oil powered ship trialled in Iceland
A ship engine entirely powered by rapeseed oil has been trialled in Iceland
by the Icelandic Maritime Administration (IMA) in co-operation with Icelandic
fuel company, N1.
The trial is the result of extensive research on the crop as a potential
sustainable biofuel. According to the IMA, 1,500 litres of biodiesel can
be produced from every hectare of rapeseed, which could eventually be
used to power Iceland’s entire shipping fleet as well as cars with
a diesel engine.
The research forms part of a larger project launched by the Ministry of
Transport entitled “Environmentally Friendly Energy Sources”.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
International Annual Viking Festival - 6 – 17 June
Viking Village in Hafnarfjör, hosts this annual festival celebrating
Iceland’s wild and adventurous first settlers. Enthusiasts from
around the world dress in Viking costume ready to display their battle
skills to whoever challenges them! Arts and crafts, games and a traditional
Viking feast are also on the schedule.
Independence day - 17 June
Icelanders take to the streets in the world’s biggest block party
to celebrate independence from the Danish crown in 1944. Festivities include
colourful ceremonies, parades, street theatre, sideshows and dancing in
the midnight sun.
Summer Solstice Festival - 21 June
A magical event when Icelanders gather throughout the country to celebrate
the midnight sun on the longest day of the year. Some believe that if
you roll naked in the dew on this day, all your dreams will come true!
Get-togethers often involve bonfires, a feast and merriment throughout
the night during which the sun never sets.
My´vatn Midnight Sun Marathon - 21 June
Amid the stunning scenery of Lake My´vatn in North Iceland, runners
of all abilities take part in the 13, 10 or three km races.
Arctic Open Golf Tournament, Akureyri - 26-28 June
In Akureyri, just south of the Arctic Circle, tee off at midnight in golden
sunlight and play through the night in a marvellous natural setting. Open
midnight-sun tournaments are also held in Reykjavík and the Westman
Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). Visit www.arcticopen.is and www.golf.is.
Ultra Marathon, Laugavegur – 10-14 July
From Landmannalaugar in the Highlands to Thorsmork nature reserve in the
South Highlands, this 55 km race is not for the faint hearted. The route
through beautiful scenery and challenging terrain, comprising sand, gravel,
snow and ice, the race is the ultimate endurance test.
Verslunarmannahelgi / Shopkeeper’s holiday - <THORN>jó<eth>hátí<eth>
Í Eyjum/ End of eruption, Wesfman Islands –1-3 August
On the first weekend of August, Icelanders celebrate their annual “shopkeeper's”
holiday all over the country with numerous parties and festivals. The
best known and biggest is <THORN>jó<eth>hátí<eth>,
located on the Westman Islands.
The outdoors festival programme includes music and entertainment during
this weekend of 24/7 partying and camping. The event culminates in a spectacular
fireworks display symbolising volcanic eruptions for which these islands
are famous. www.visitwestmanislands.com
Reykjavik Gay Pride - 7 - 9 August
Dress to impress at this boisterous celebration in Reykjavík. The
colourful event brings tens of thousands of people together in the city
centre every year. The event has expanded to become the second biggest
festival in Iceland, after Reykjavik Cultural Night. The Parade and open
air show down town, features local and international performers. For further
information see: www.gaypride.is
Reykjavik Cultural Night - 23 August
Cultural Night in Reykjavik is the pinnacle of the cultural calendar in
Iceland. Cultural Night offers the chance to enjoy a variety of eclectic
events and activities ranging from traditional shows and one-off exhibitions.
Galleries, shops, cafes, churches, restaurants and bars in downtown of
Reykjavik stay open until late and the event ends with a spectacular fireworks
show at midnight! The immensely popular Reykjavik Marathon takes place
on the same day.
Reykjavik Marathon - 23 August
This annual event involves thousands of participants from Iceland and
abroad. Raves include a full marathon, half marathon and a fun run (4.3
miles). www.marathon.is
Plan ahead…
Sequences 2008 - 11-17 October
First held in 2006, Sequences is an annual independent arts festival,
which celebrates cutting edge visual time-based art such as performance,
video and music. With a special emphasis of art in public and urban spaces,
the festival showcases dynamic young Icelandic and international artistic
talent and overlaps with the Iceland Airwaves festival. www.sequences.is
Iceland Airwaves – 15-19 October
This ultra cool annual festival first hit Reykjavík in 1999 and
has since attracted an impressive list of international performers. Some
170 bands, solo-artists and DJs performed at Iceland Airwaves in 2007.
Over the past few years the line-up has included some great British talent
such as Keane, Babyshambles, The Zutons, Kaiser Chiefs, Fat Boy Slim.
Icelandic musicians Mugison, Sigur Ros and Gus Gus are also festival regulars.
www.icelandairwaves.com
For
media information, please contact
Rebecca Genin at rebecca@saltmarshpr.co.uk
or
Clair Horwood at clair@saltmarshpr.co.uk
Tel: 020 7928 1600
Fax: 020 7928 1700
The Saltmarsh Partnership
The Copperfields
25d Copperfield Street
London SE1 0EN
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