WARM UP TO ICELAND

CNNGo.com just released their list of the "Top 10 places to spend your 2010 Christmas." The competition was fierce: also listed is Boston, San Juan, Hong Kong, even New York. But the number one place to visit for the holidays? You guessed it. Writer Tiffany Lam praises the Christmas Village at Hafnarfjördur, a town not far from Reykjavik that is known in Icelandic lore as the home of elves. The Christmas Village is open every weekend from now until Christmas day. Hafnarfjördur also offers walking tours to supposed elf homesites (see related story below).

Back in Reykjavik, people start celebrating Christmas from late November by pigging out at traditional Christmas buffet dinners around town, writes CNNGo.com’s Tiffany Lam. On Christmas Eve, bells ring throughout the capital, marking the formal beginning of Christmas. There are bonfires and fireworks all over Iceland on both New Year’s Eve and the Twelfth Night, which falls on January 6, 2011. Read the entire story here:

http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/top-10-places-spend-your-christmas-810201#ixzz16g8LP9VT

Or better yet, visit yourself. Sure Iceland may be colder than San Juan, number 8 on the list. But according to Weather.com, the average January high temperature in Reykjavik is 35 degrees F., compared to January average highs of 36 degrees F. in New York, and 36 degrees F. in Boston. Claims that Iceland’s capital is too cold sends shivers down our spine.

TRAVELZOO NAMES ICELAND A "WOW DEAL DESTINATION"

Travelzoo Inc., a global Internet media company, announced five destinations its deal experts predict will offer the best travel value in 2011. The "Wow Deal Destinations" are: Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula focus), Iceland, Bermuda, Las Vegas, and California's Central Coast.

According to the announcement, "Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano really put Iceland on the map this year – and the country saw a spike in tourism in September (perhaps a result of the country's newfound notoriety). Now that the ash has settled, this affordable European destination is primed to lure adventure-seeking travelers with a favorable Icelandic krona exchange rate of $1:110 ISK, as well as cheap eats ($3 hot dog dinner), cheap activities (thermal pool dips for $3), and free natural activities (Northern Lights, which continue through February, and the growing trend of volcano tours)."

Travelzoo adds, "More scheduled flights have also helped make the destination easily accessible and affordable, with some roundtrip fares less than the cost of a cross-country flight in the U.S. Icelandair announced flights from D.C. starting in May 2011 and most recently launched a Blue Lagoon package including air, 4-star accommodations, tours and breakfast for $499 per person. This package saves travelers over 60 percent off regular prices. Iceland Express also launched three new routes: Orlando, Chicago and Boston. And Delta Airlines will launch a route from New York City in June 2011, making it the first U.S. air carrier servicing Iceland and offering connections throughout the U.S."

Read the entire story here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/travelzoo-announces-wow-deal-destinations-for-2011-111124974.html

HOLLYWOOD AND BROADWAY MAY LAUGH, BUT ICELANDERS KNOW ELVES ARE REAL

The Will Ferrell comedy film, Elf, was a big hit a few years ago. Now there’s a Broadway musical making theatergoers laugh. But for the country of Iceland, elves are no laughing matter.

Surveys show that despite their obsession with modern technology, 8% of Icelanders believe in elves and hidden people and a full 54% of the population "takes notice" and won’t deny the existence of this shadow community, which is said to number anywhere from 7,000 to 20,000 inhabitants. Even today, roads have been rerouted and building plans redesigned or abandoned to avoid disturbing rocks where elves are said to live. All around the country, strange lava formations were once explained in folktales as trolls who were turned to stone when caught outdoors in daylight. Elves may be getting their 15 minutes of fame in Hollywood and on the Great White Way, but they are nothing new to Icelanders who have told folk tales of "little people" since the time of the medieval sagas – those pithy, epic tales dating from the 12th century when a man never left his home without his sword. There’s even a Reykjavik school that teaches Elf studies.

Magnus H. Skarphedinsson, a historian and the headmaster of the Icelandic Elf School in Reykjavik, has devoted 23 years documenting eyewitness reports of contact with the hidden world. He has also helped over 5,000 students – mainly Germans, Scandinavians, Americans and Canadians – successfully complete their diploma in Elf Studies.

With a curriculum, classrooms, textbooks, diplomas, and ongoing research, Skarphedinsson teaches about the five different types of elves, hidden people, and other invisible beings that inhabit Iceland. Classes, held every Friday year-round, conclude with an afternoon elf hunt around town, for which tuition is about $55 per person for class sizes that range from 5 to 15. At the end of the course, students are given a diploma in Elf and Hidden People Research. Pointy little shoes with turned-up toes are extra.

(For more information: Magnus H. Skarphedinsson, The Icelandic Elfschool, 011 354 894 4014 cell, [email protected])

ICELAND SHEEPDOG DEBUTS AT NATIONAL DOG SHOW

Imagine our delight last month when we got to visit with Ch. Isi Kaffisukkolathi, the number two Icelandic sheepdog in the U.S. "Kaffi," as he’s known to friends, was competing in The National Dog Show, Presented by Purina" – you may have seen him on NBC during the broadcast after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, which was hosted by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia. The Icelandic sheepdog, competing at the National Dog Show for the first time, is thought to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs in the world dating back to 800 AD. Kaffi is the first male Icelandic sheepdog to earn an AKC Championship.

This lively and confident breed makes for a great herder and a playful family dog. "I love them," says Jo-Ann Secondino, an Icelandic sheepdog breeder from Fox Meadow in Union Bridge, Md. "The breed is friendly and outgoing. They’re a hardy dog in a wonderful size that’s easily trained." Jo-Ann (that’s her with Kaffi in the photo) also adds that the breed is extremely social and friendly. Learn more about Kaffi and his pals at www.fox-meadow.com.

T+L RECOMMENDS ICELAND

The well-respected Travel+Leisure magazine asked their writers for their top holiday travel picks in their November issue and Iceland was recognized, twice, as a best bet.

"This year, why settle for lukewarm eggnog and guests you didn’t really want to see anyway? Sure, crowds and unpredictable weather mean that holiday travel can be stressful, but this time of year is also a great opportunity to get away and explore a new spot," the story reads. Reykjavik is listed separately as both a favorite destination for Christmas (see "They Said It" below) and as a New Year’s Eve destination. The sidebar on NYE celebrations notes, "The fireworks displays in Iceland are on par with anything Eyjafjallajokull can muster."

GET THE BIG PICTURE

National Geographic is world renowned for the stunning beauty of the photography it contains. It's significant then, that two of the amateur images getting strong consideration for the 2010 National Geographic Photo Contest were taken in Iceland. Alan Taylor, the editor of the The Boston Globe's "Big Picture" site chose images of a mountain in the Maelifellssandur volcanic dust desert and an almost atomic-looking eruption at Fimmvorduhals as some of the best images sent in from all over the world.

The deadline for submissions was in November, and the winner will be announced early this month, gaining a $10,000 prize, and having their photo appear in the magazine. See the Iceland photos, and the rest of the submissions here: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/11/national_geographics_photograp.html

SANTA’S HELPERS TRACK REINDEER IN ICELAND

It is now possible to monitor the movements of Santa’s reindeer on the website of the East Iceland Nature Center (NA). GPS monitors have been placed on 12 females for research purposes, which transmit their location on a daily basis.

The 12 females carrying GPS monitors are all part of the so-called Snaefell herd, which roams the eastern highland off Fljótsdalur valley, and the Álftafjördur herd, which stays around the eponymous fjord and near-lying areas.

The project’s purpose is also to monitor how reindeer are influenced by human intervention, such as the presence of power plants. Landsvirkjun, the national power company, pays part of the research cost. The project concludes in 2012.

On www.na.is, visitors can click on the names of the reindeer that are being monitored and follow their movements (see "Hreindýr med GPS" in the right column and click on "Ána", for example). (For more information: http://icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily%5Fnews/?cat_id=16567&ew;_0_a_id=369194

HERD IN ICELAND

Photographers Lindsay Blatt and Paul Taggart from Brooklyn traveled to Iceland this fall to work on a short film and photographic project, documenting the historic herding of the prized Icelandic horse. Each year traditional herdsman take to the backcountry to round up thousands of horses, which have spent the summer grazing in the highlands. Throughout the three weeks of production, Lindsay and Paul shot on land and air, foot and hoof across the vast Icelandic landscape. See their amazing photos at: http://herdiniceland.com/

"Can you give this young man a spoonful of mussel ice cream?" Mr. (Siggi) Hall asked.

The young man gave an expression that suggested he wasn't interested. "Don't be afraid," Mr. Hall said. "We serve it with arctic char, but it tastes just as good alone."

Does Björk eat it? "Yes of course," Mr. Hall said. "She loves it. It is her favorite. She's a mussel ice cream fanatic."

Someone brought over a big tray of the frozen, mussel-colored concoction and dug a spoon into it. It's a bit of a blur, but somehow the spoon ended up in the reporter's mouth, and, well, it was surprisingly tasty. Mr. Hall was pleased.

"You should come to Iceland where you can be my honorary guest," he said.

"You will always be eating Icelandic butter on Icelandic bread and mussels ice cream."

– Marshall Heyman, The Wall Street Journal, Nov. 2. Read the whole article here.

"Climbing the highest peak in Iceland is the ultimate fitness adventure. Burn 550 calories per hour as you reach for the top in this winter workout."

– Stefani Jackenthal, Oxygen Magazine, December 2010

"The 10 million people stranded by ash from Eyjafjallajokull last spring may still be cursing the volcano’s name, if they can pronounce it. But in Iceland, Eyjafjallajokull is being hailed as the volcano that is raising tourism to new heights."

– Christine Negroni, New York Times, Oct. 3 http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/after-the-volcanic-cloud-a-bright-spot-in-iceland/

"What to do: Iceland is a treat for the eye, from its springy green turf to its brilliant blue sky and black volcanic rock. There are a few reminders around of the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano earlier this year—T-shirts bearing the slogan "We may not have cash, but we've got ash!"

Where to Eat: Iceland has some of the most inventive food among the Nordic countries and boasts some of the freshest fish anywhere. The newest and most acclaimed restaurant in Reykjavik is Dill, located in the Nordic House, a short walk from the city center. Chef Gunnar Karl Gislason and his team get their fish, herbs and vegetables entirely from Icelandic sources."

– Paul Glader, The Wall Street Journal, Nov. 18. Read the whole article here.

"Just like in Donald Rumsfeld's world, there are known unknowns and unknown unknowns when looking to view the aurora borealis in Iceland. Here are some of the known knowns: optimal viewing time is between September and March; cold, crisp, clear nights are the best; and it's also nice if the weather is calm, as you'll want to stand outside and gaze. In Iceland it only takes 20 minutes to drive from the capital to a place to see the northern lights. In other countries you need to go to more remote areas.

"Many people head to Thingvellir national park. There's no hotel there but it's close to Reykjavík: you can leave after dinner and be back before midnight. Head to Almannagjá, the spot in the park where they founded the parliament over 1,000 years ago. It's a small canyon with huge cliffs and nothing to block your view of the lights."

– Leon Golub, The Guardian, Nov. 13. Read the whole article here.

"In this otherworldly landscape, daylight is a four-hour affair and the liquid-green aurora borealis illuminates the nighttime sky. The ubiquitous statues of the 12 Yule Lads (the Icelandic version of Santa Claus) peer out from every corner shop and kitchen window. For covetable views of the Hallgrímskirkja cathedral, check in to the Hótel Leifur Eiríksson. A five-minute walk away, you’ll find the Hand Knitting Association of Iceland, whose mittens, made with native wool, are ideal stocking stuffers."

– Jennifer Coogan, Travel+Leisure, November, 2010. Read the whole article here.

TRAVEL DEALS OF THE MONTH

Iceland On Your Own

Take advantage of the great exchange rate and hop on up to the top of the world in 2011. It’s an ideal time to experience all Iceland has to offer. For a short time the Build Your Own offer will include a free northern lights tour on your first night in Iceland. Enjoy shopping for quality Icelandic products, delicious gourmet Icelandic cuisine, invigorating outdoor adventure, legendary nightlife, highland wilderness beauty, soothing spas and more.

Please note all nights must be booked at the same hotel. Airport transfers are not included in this From package but can be purchased as an add-on. From $499* per person based on double occupancy.

Click here for more info.

Winter Wellness Spa Getaway

It's time to slow down and get back into balance. Revive yourself with a visit to Reykjavik, with its clean and crisp air, geothermal pools and dynamic people. Relax and recharge your body and soul, and at the same time allow yourself to enjoy the spectacular nature Iceland has to offer. Stay at the four star Hotel Loftleidir, the only hotel in Reykajvik with an indoor geothermal pool and guaranteed 9:00a.m. check-in. From $499* per person based on double occupancy. Departures through April 27, 2011.

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.

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