29.11.2012
Boisterous Christmas Creatures and events in every street corner
Advent and Christmas in Reykjavík has never been as exciting, eventful and decorative as it will be this year. The City of Reykjavík decided to take the Christmas preparation a step further this year by enhancing the Christmas City in collaboration with various partners throughout the Reykjavík Capital Area. The CNN Travel website selected Reykjavík as one of the three best places to spend Christmas in 2010 and 2011. It is our believe, at the Visit Reykjavík Office, that these steps will strengthen the city even further to become a great destination to visit during Advent and Christmas. The theme of the Christmas in Reykjavík is based on Icelandic folklore; the Christmas Creatures. They appeared for the first time last Advent when they were projected onto walls in several places in the city. The City of Reykjavík decided to honor Iceland storytelling by using the Christmas Creatures in the city´s Christmas decorations en encourage people to tell stories about those funny creatures from our past; on the thirteen Icelandic Yule Lads, who are both entertaining and boisterous troublemakers, their parents, Grýla and Leppalúði, who are bad tempered mountain trolls and the terrifying Yule Cat. A new Christmas Creature will also appear in December in connection with Christmas activities by the old harbor. The city is full of various events, concerts, markets, crafts and Christmas lights in December. There are also all kinds of “Christmas Parcels“ for the locals and visitors alike throughout the city which contain various events, culture and experiences. The Christmas Valley, Christmas Market, Christmas Forest, Christmas harbour and Christmas Island are all part of the wonderful Christmas Parcels around the city. More investment has been put into Christmas lighting and decorations will be visible than ever in an old fashioned style with white Christmas lights, bells and numerous Christmas trees. Visit Reykjavík has on this occasion opened a new website, which is full of information about the Christmas in Reykjavík, events and concerts in Reykjavík, the Christmas Parcels and the boisterous Christmas Creatures. The website is available both in English and Icelandic.
23.10.2012
Strange land inspires devotion
Best for: Activities, off the beaten track, value for moneyAsk any tourist during your trip to Iceland and you’ll quickly see that everyone develops an unconditional love for the little island nation, whether it’s for the mind-bending scenery, the platefuls of delicious lamb and fish dishes, or the sincere local hospitality. The currency crash – which effectively devalued the króna by 75% – also helped make a trip much more favourable to the wallet. As the global economy starts to heal, prices are climbing once more. The spoils of Iceland are no longer a secret, but they’re still yours for the taking – and in 2013 you’ll still be well ahead of the curve.
Read more (www.lonlyplanet.com)
4.10.2012
Visitors of the new Inspired by Iceland website are being encouraged to call Iceland by another name via its site and its Facebook/Twitter pages based on their previous memories of the island.
In August 2012, the online Inspired by Iceland tourism campaign asked people a simple question: What would you name Iceland if this was your first glimpse?
_ _ _ _ Land? and in just 3 weeks, hundreds of followers responded. Many of those who contributed alternative names suggested that the name Iceland was misrepresentative and that another name may better reflect the country.
The campaign has also agreed to add a special name day to its calendar to celebrate the winning submission and all those that have been proposed – “a day where we celebrate what the world loves most about Iceland”.
It was also suggested that the person who comes up with the most suitably descriptive name will themselves be rewarded with an honorary title and a piece of (Ice) land to call their own.
The naming page can be seen via http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/inspiration/posters/make-your-own-poster. Here, the most popular contributions can be viewed along with the latest videos and images from the campaign. The conversation will also be available on the campaign’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
27.8.2012
Come and visit Akureyri this year and join us for the 150th Year Anniversary.
There have been various events throughout the year but the main celebrations
will be from 24 August – 2 September.
Here you can see the summary of the program in english.
21.8.2012
The Fireworks show at Jokulsarlon will take place Saturday night 25th of August at 11 pm.
Illuminated icebergs bathed in colour from the magnificent firework show in natures most spectacular
surrounding creates an extraordinary experience for spectators. The fireworks show is an annual event
and this is the thirteenth time it is held. During this time thousands of people have come and many of them
come year after year to enjoy this uniqe event.
The show is a collaboration between the Hornafjordur search and rescue association, Jokulsarlon boat
trips and the Vatnajokull Region. Entrance fee is 1000 ISK and free for ages 12 and younger.
All proceeds go to the Hornafjorður search and rescue assocation.
The preperation for the show starts during the day when the organizers sail between the icebergs
and arrange 150 candles on them. Then the candles are lit and the fireworks show starts at 11
when fireworks are shot up from different locations in the lagoon.
The show is about 30 minutes long and some say it the most magnificent fireworks show held in Iceland.
The fireworks show
Accommodation
Facebook
13.8.2012
Annual event in Reykjavik since 1996, Reykjavik Culture Night has become an essential part of cultural life in Iceland, with thousands of people strolling the streets of the city on this exciting and eventful night. Culture Night offers the chance to enjoy a variety of activities ranging from guided tours, traditional shows and exhibitions to more unusual happenings. A number of cultural institutes such as galleries, ateliers, shops, cafes, churches, restaurants and bars in downtown of Reykjavik stay open until late. Iif you find yourself in Reykjavík during Culture Night, soak yourself in it, you're guaranteed one of the best times to be had in Iceland, as it offers a great chance for experiencing arts, culture and other activities in a uniquely Icelandic way. THE PROGRAM FOR THE DAY
6.7.2012
Launched last week, "Inside The Volcano" may sound like a ride at Alton Towers, but it is instead a very literal description of the dormant chamber of Thrihnukagigur, a volcanic peak just outside Reykjavik, which is now open to visitors. For the first time, intrepid travellers can climb over the rim and descend into the once-fiery abyss.
It has been 4,000 years since Thrihnukagigur last popped, and like all eruptions it was tremendously violent. Crucially, though, it wasn't so cataclysmic as to destroy the chamber and the entire mountain; instead the vast geological pressure was likely to have been vented through tunnels and arteries deeper in the earth, preserving a newly opened chamber and creating what cave explorer Arni Stefánsson describes as a "pristine collapse".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/jun/22/volcano-tour-iceland-interior#_
http://www.insidethevolcano.com/
2.7.2012
The pavilion features a unique 360 degree film where the walls and ceiling form a visual unity. The film reveived much acclaim at the world fair in Shanghai in 2010 and at the Frankfurt book fair in 2011. Almost three million people have already seen the film Screenings in Harpa begin on June 28th in Silfurberg hall. For the first time this summer, Icelanders, and those visiting Iceland will have the chance to experience the atmosphere of the Iceland Expo Pavilion which was designed for the World fair in Shanghai in 2010. The pavilion was then raised again for the Frankfurt book fair in 2011. Now, it‘s Iceland‘s turn.
Inside the pavilion there is a screening of an Icelandic film in 360 degrees. The film, which is fifteen minutes long, presents Iceland in all its diversity. Footage from both city and nature is projected onto the four sides and the ceiling of the pavilion, together forming a cube that surrounds its guests.
http://en.harpa.is/expo
24.6.2011
Icelandic artist Steinunn Þórarinsdóttir has created a new public art
installation, Borders, currently on display at the Dag Hammarskjöld
Plaza, in New York. The installation features twenty-six androgynous,
life-size sculptures, thirteen aluminum and thirteen cast iron, which
extend throughout the park from First to Second Avenue on East 47th
Street. Borders is the park’s largest exhibition to date and the first
exhibition to incorporate the entire park.
23.6.2011
Last year marked the 60th anniversary year of the Icelandic Horse Festival, Landsmót.
This year, Landsmót will be held in Vindheimamelar, Skagafjörður, from June 26th till July 3rd.
The history of Landsmót reaches back to 1950, when the first show was held at the historic Þingvellir.
Since 1998 Landsmót has been a biannual event. This is the 6th time Landsmót is held at Vindheimamelar
in Skagafjörður. Guests at Landsmót come from all over the world and the schedule is always exciting and
represents the very best of the best in the handling and breeding of Icelandic horses.
Only the best classified horses participate in the tournament and compete for the most prestigious titles
in the country. In the last few years the number of horses at Landsmót has been around 1000.The fellowships
of riders, singing and dancing are also some of the most important features of the festival. The biannual
festivities of Landsmót also mark the respect Icelanders have for the Icelandic horse.
For further information visit
landsmot.is
30.5.2011
The Department of Civil Protection has abated emergency
levels to normal.
28.4.2011
Church of Hallgrímur
Reykjavík, Iceland
7.4.2011
A music festival at the edge of the world,
and you’re invited! Streamed live
on inspiredbyiceland.com, 22-23 April
29.3.2011
According to Budget Traveler as reported by CNN: Located on the southwest coast of Iceland, this is one of the most unconventional-looking waterfalls around. It's two-tiered, and even though neither drop is particularly high, together they make for an incredible sight. The first fall cascades to the right, the water churning around before hitting a sheer cliff, where it turns to the left and drops again. Best time to go: Go during June, July and August, when the ice has melted and temperatures are at their warmest (ranging from 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit).
17.2.2011
For several weeks, large groups of killer whales, mink whales and dolphins have been sighted in the harbour and just off-shore in the Grundarfjord and Kolgrafarfjord on the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula (West-Iceland).
12.1.2011
Iceland leads the world in addressing pollution control and natural resource management challenges, according to the 2010 Environmental Performance Index (EPI).
10.1.2011
The New York Time - Travel section chooses Iceland the fourth most
interesting place to visit in 2011 after Chile, San Juan Islands (USA)
and Thailand.
20.12.2010
Like in previous years Visit Reykjavík has gathered information on the opening hours of various services in Reykjavík during the holidays.
7.12.2010
Christmas and Advent is a magical time in Iceland. It is when Icelanders join forces to bring light, laughter and celebration to the darkest time of the year.
2.12.2010
Polar bears are not native to Iceland but have been arriving on its north shores as their homes melt in the North Pole. This may be seen as a symbol of how climate change is affecting our world.
25.11.2010
Reykjavík Iceland is one of top 10 places to spend your 2010 Christmas according to CNN. But why?
9.11.2010
The Inspired by Iceland campaign and the Iceland Convention &
Incentive Bureau (ICIB) are presented with the ICCA Best Marketing Award
in Hyderabad, India on 27 October 2010
5.11.2010
Christmas in Iceland is in many ways similar to Christmas in the United
States or Eourope, except Icelanders celebrate 13 days of Christmas. You could also take part of the biggest party night of the whole year.
25.10.2010
Last Saturday Icelanders celebrated the official first day of winter. Iceland is a country for all seasons and winter is an exciting time to visit the land of ice and fire.
8.10.2010
Since the first edition was held in 1999 (in an airplane hangar),
Iceland Airwaves has become one of the premier annual showcases for new
music – Icelandic and otherwise – in the world. Iceland Airwaves 2010 vill be held October 13-17.
29.9.2010
Legendary artist, musician and peace advocate, YOKO ONO, will be holding several events in Reykjavík, Iceland on
October 9th to promote peace throughout the world and to celebrate what
would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday.
22.9.2010
Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF) will be held or the seventh
time this year. The dates are September the 23rd - October the 3rd.
3.6.2010
For the past two weeks there has been no activity in the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Only a small trace of smoke comes up from the crater but no ash, lava or any other material. This most likely marks the end of the eruption.
19.5.2010
Stepping out of the airport in Iceland is usually followed by a deep breath of amazingly fresh air. There have been some questions regarding air quality in Iceland following the recent eruption.
12.5.2010
The 40th Reykjavík Arts Festival kicks off today, Wednesday 12 May, and
will continue until 5 June.
23.4.2010
Photographer Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson, captured the happy atmosphere
prevailing in Reykjavík this afternoon, the day after the "First Day of
Summer" a traditional holiday marking the end of the winter season
according to the old Icelandic calendar.
16.4.2010
The Icelandic Tourist Council wishes to forewarn the public of exaggerated news reports on the eruption...
25.3.2010
The eruption in South Iceland that started Saturday seems to be stable, according to scientists. The eruption is located in Fimmvorduhals, a passage between two glaciers, Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull.
19.3.2010
Iceland is among the 10 best destinations worldwide for whale watching, according to an article in The Telegraph (UK).
