Iceland completes largest transport infrastructure project in its history
Twenty years in the making, October 2 saw the opening of an 11km tunnel connecting rural towns in northern Iceland, cutting journeys by 47kms and vastly improving safe access to Iceland’s former herring capital, Siglufjördur.
Fifty kilometres north of Akureyri, the tunnels are divided into two sections: a seven-kilometre tunnel between Ólafsfjördur and Hédinsfjördur and a four-kilometer stretch between Hédinsfjördur and Siglufjördur. The largest transport project in the history of the country, the new tunnel is a vital piece of infrastructure for the continued development of a fast-growing region.
In celebration of the tunnel opening, local communities collaborated in knitting a 17km long scarf to stretch from Ólafsfjördur to Siglufjördur, typifying the uniqueness of Icelandic culture and community spirit.
Home to the domestically popular Herring Adventure Festival, Siglufjördur has long been at the mercy of the weather with icing and regular rock-slides closing the road during winter months.
A favoured destination for local tourism, this new tunnel opens up to the wider domestic and international audience, a scarcely populated area of the country with an eclectic array of activities, ranging from cross-country skiing, ocean kayaking, ice climbing and bird watching.
Akureyri, the gateway to the north and second largest city in Iceland, is serviced daily by Air Iceland from Reykjavik, with fares starting from £50 return. Tour operator Discover the World also offers year-round bespoke tours to the region.
New Icelandairhotel to open in Akureyri as the region’s popularity grows
Icelandairhotels, the hotel arm of Icelandair, has announced it is to open a new hotel in Akureyri, the second largest city in Iceland.
Set to open on June 1, 2011, the new 62-room hotel will add to Icelandairhotels’ current seven properties in the country, and will become its first own-branded hotel in the north.
Iceland’s gateway to the Arctic, Akureyri not only sits just 100kms from the Arctic Circle, but is also fast becoming a cultural hub. Combining a range of year-round music and arts festivals with extensive options for day trips and excursions, both Akureyri and the surrounding area are increasing in tourist popularity.
Flights operate daily from Reykjavik to Akueryi with Air Iceland or driving time is approximately five hours during summer months.
New high-speed adventure tours splash into Iceland’s river canyons
Visitors to Iceland can now cruise the glacial waters of the Mid-Atlantic ridge at high speed with the introduction of jetboat tours by specialist operator, Riverjet.
Travelling at speeds of up to 75kph, the fully-qualified drivers will thrill up to 11 passengers with spins, twists and turns on a high speed adventure on Riverjets’ specially equipped speedboat, the first to arrive in Iceland.
Set beneath the canyon walls of Iceland’s Mid-Atlantic ridge, the year-round tours are operating on the Hvítá River in west Iceland, located in-between Golden Circle favourites, Geysir and Gullfoss, just 90 minutes outside Reykjavik.
The two-hour package with Iceland Riverjet including a 45-minute jetboat ride, full safety briefing, equipment and transfers to and from Reykjavik, costs just 18,900 ISK (£106) per person or 10,990 ISK (£62) per child. Age and height restrictions do apply. Please see the website for further details, bookings are essential.
Arctic Adventures adds best selling summer tours to winter schedule
Icelandic tour operator, Arctic Adventures has added another excursion to its ever-growing winter schedule, with the inclusion of a kayaking tour from Reykjavik, its most popular summer tour.
Slipping through the beautiful and serene waters of Iceland’s fjords and inlets, the Fjord Serenity winter tour gives paddlers from novice to advanced the opportunity to experience the silence and tranquility of Icelandic nature.
Departing daily and running throughout the winter, the weather-dependent tours will take guests on a six-hour excursion, led by expert guides. The tour costs 14,990 ISK (£84) per person, including pick-up and drop-off from hotels, lunch, full safety instructions and equipment. Tours need to be booked in advance with a minimum of two persons. Age restrictions apply.
Follow the footsteps of Elves and Trolls with an epic journey through Iceland’s east
Nature lovers can now follow in the footsteps of Iceland’s most treasured supernatural phenomena, Elves and Trolls.
Dating back to its Celtic traditions, Icelanders have long since refused to rule out the existence of these mythical beings, preferring to hold faith in the existence of weird and wonderful species that travel the Icelandic wilderness, never succumbing to its harsh nature and climate.
Now, through specialist operator Elves & Trolls, visitors to Iceland can embrace the spirit of Icelandic culture with a spectacular eight-day tour exploring east Iceland.
The tour includes a five-day hike through the awe-inspiring east fjords, the hidden gems of Víknaslóðir and the “Deserted Inlets” in and near the Borgarfjörður Eystri. Ending the hike with a farm-stay at the Mývatn Lake and nearby lava field of Leirhnjúkur, the tour finally concludes with an afternoon relaxing in the charming city of Akureyri.
The tours include pick-up from all Reykjavik hotels and give hikers and adventurous alike a unique chance to visit an untouched part of the country, complete with spectacular panoramic views, deep fjords, mystic elf sites, lava fields, quirky fishing villages and endless surrounding farmland.
Prices for the year-round, five-day tours start from 189.900 ISK (£1,067) per person, including return flights from Reykjavik to Akueryi and four nights hostel accommodation with a private bathroom. Tours start weekly on Saturdays and are subject to a minimum of four persons, weather permitting.
Iceland completes largest transport infrastructure project in its history
Twenty years in the making, October 2 saw the opening of an 11km tunnel connecting rural towns in northern Iceland, cutting journeys by 47kms and vastly improving safe access to Iceland’s former herring capital, Siglufjördur.
Fifty kilometres north of Akureyri, the tunnels are divided into two sections: a seven-kilometre tunnel between Ólafsfjördur and Hédinsfjördur and a four-kilometer stretch between Hédinsfjördur and Siglufjördur. The largest transport project in the history of the country, the new tunnel is a vital piece of infrastructure for the continued development of a fast-growing region.
In celebration of the tunnel opening, local communities collaborated in knitting a 17km long scarf to stretch from Ólafsfjördur to Siglufjördur, typifying the uniqueness of Icelandic culture and community spirit.
Home to the domestically popular Herring Adventure Festival, Siglufjördur has long been at the mercy of the weather with icing and regular rock-slides closing the road during winter months.
A favoured destination for local tourism, this new tunnel opens up to the wider domestic and international audience, a scarcely populated area of the country with an eclectic array of activities, ranging from cross-country skiing, ocean kayaking, ice climbing and bird watching.
Akureyri, the gateway to the north and second largest city in Iceland, is serviced daily by Air Iceland from Reykjavik, with fares starting from £50 return. Tour operator Discover the World also offers year-round bespoke tours to the region.
New Icelandairhotel to open in Akureyri as the region’s popularity grows
Icelandairhotels, the hotel arm of Icelandair, has announced it is to open a new hotel in Akureyri, the second largest city in Iceland.
Set to open on June 1, 2011, the new 62-room hotel will add to Icelandairhotels’ current seven properties in the country, and will become its first own-branded hotel in the north.
Iceland’s gateway to the Arctic, Akureyri not only sits just 100kms from the Arctic Circle, but is also fast becoming a cultural hub. Combining a range of year-round music and arts festivals with extensive options for day trips and excursions, both Akureyri and the surrounding area are increasing in tourist popularity.
Flights operate daily from Reykjavik to Akueryi with Air Iceland or driving time is approximately five hours during summer months.
New high-speed adventure tours splash into Iceland’s river canyons
Visitors to Iceland can now cruise the glacial waters of the Mid-Atlantic ridge at high speed with the introduction of jetboat tours by specialist operator, Riverjet.
Travelling at speeds of up to 75kph, the fully-qualified drivers will thrill up to 11 passengers with spins, twists and turns on a high speed adventure on Riverjets’ specially equipped speedboat, the first to arrive in Iceland.
Set beneath the canyon walls of Iceland’s Mid-Atlantic ridge, the year-round tours are operating on the Hvítá River in west Iceland, located in-between Golden Circle favourites, Geysir and Gullfoss, just 90 minutes outside Reykjavik.
The two-hour package with Iceland Riverjet including a 45-minute jetboat ride, full safety briefing, equipment and transfers to and from Reykjavik, costs just 18,900 ISK (£106) per person or 10,990 ISK (£62) per child. Age and height restrictions do apply. Please see the website for further details, bookings are essential.
Arctic Adventures adds best selling summer tours to winter schedule
Tagged in Iceland