ICELANDIC TOURIST BOARD                                                                         DATELINE FEBRUARY 2009

These have certainly been interesting times for our country. Being up here in our own little corner of the world doesn't make us immune to the economic downturn happening everywhere. Luckily, the days are getting longer and that extra bit of sunlight each day seems to brighten people's attitudes as well as the world around them and tends to give us all a little more energy.

You know what else picks us up and gives us energy? Great food. Like the kind you'll find on IcelandGourmetGuide.com, but more about that below. Speaking of energy and things that make people smile, how about Icelandair reducing its fuel surcharges effective immediately? Between this and a favorable exchange rate, a vacation in Iceland is getting more affordable all the time. We can all be happy about that. Read all about that, plus our new Facebook page and more in this month's Dateline Iceland.

EXPLORE YOUR INNER VIKING WITH NEW ICELAND BROCHURE

Some of the best photography ever to come out of Iceland is displayed in the Tourist Board's new 2009 travel brochure. From the country's iconic Iceland horse on the cover, to scenes of non-stop fun under the Midnight Sun, plus puffins, snowmobiling, waterfalls and jeep touring, you'll be spellbound, quite possibly overcome with an irresistible urge to start packing your bags. The 42-page brochure also includes information on the weather (of which we have plenty), accommodations, shopping, and a comprehensive list of outdoor activities. Order your free copy of this brochure, specially written for North American visitors, at www.icelandtouristboard.com.

HUNGRY? ICELANDGOURMETGUIDE.COM CELEBRATES GOURMET SCENE

A new Web site from the Iceland Tourist Board and Iceland Naturally celebrates the Iceland food scene. This online gastronomic guide pays homage to the top restaurants and their chefs who are renowned for turning the country's fresh, natural mountain lamb, poultry, game, fish and dairy into the best-tasting food in the world. Young experimental chefs are making waves in restaurants across the country and the aim of the Iceland Gourmet Guide is to invite visitors to come and sample it for themselves.

The Web site provides recipes to help you make the country's famous fish and meat soup, pancakes, even a Happy Marriage Cake, to serve at home. Learn why Icelandic fish, caught in the fresh unpolluted waters of the North Atlantic, has a reputation for superb quality and delicious taste. Read about the man famous for his rotten shark, chefs passionate about keeping the path from nature to plate as short as possible, and even where to find fresh reindeer in East Iceland. Yum. (For more information: www.icelandgourmetguide.com).

NEW YORK TIMES PICKS ICELAND ONE OF THE 44 PLACES TO GO IN 2009

It's a big world out there, for sure. But around the globe there are just 44 places that The New York Times recommends people visit in 2009. Just 44. Iceland is one of them, registering at number 31. An honor indeed. Even more so when you consider that we were the only recommended vacation spot to receive a full-page story on Jan. 11 in one of the Times' popular 36 Hours features on the delights of Reykjavik. Roundtrip fares are $400-$499 and the exchange rate is at record lows, meaning your dollar goes almost twice as far. Take a look click here.

BECOME A FACEBOOK FAN

It was bound to happen: now Iceland has it's own Fan Page on Facebook.

Join and enjoy our Iceland blog, Iceland Video, Iceland Photo Gallery,
fan photos and Iceland Fan Reviews. Ask or answer questions, post on the wall, and get up-to-date ideas for what to see and do on a vacation. Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Visit-Iceland/39548051023

A FLAT ISLAND

Andrew Evans is an award-winning travel writer and big fan of Iceland who we like to check in with from time to time. Here he tells us about one of his favorite islands, one of thousands around Iceland.

To know Iceland you must go to the islands�V�gur, Papey, Drangey, Gr�msey, or the Westmann Islands are just a few. Each is a fascinating destination, each is quite different from the other, and each is uniquely beautiful.

Although nobody's ever really counted them, more than 3,000 tiny islands are scattered across Brei�afjordur, or �Broad Fjord.� Of these, the largest and only regularly inhabited island is Flatey or �Flat Island.� Perhaps it is not a very original name�there are dozens of islands with the exact same name all around Iceland�however this particular Flatey is special. To read the rest of Andrew's story, click here.

THEY SAID IT

“Come on, seriously – who do you know who has gone to Iceland? Could it be that you may know someone's cousin twice removed, whose husband's friend may have seen it in a magazine, or you watched the Today Show and saw Al Roker reporting from the Blue Lagoon? Well, that is all changing. Up until recently, Iceland had been off the radar! With tourism on the rise, GO NOW before too many travelers find out about it! Winter, spring, summer or Fall – it's all amazing! What is also fantastic about Iceland is connecting with other nationalities from all over the world, which gives Iceland a true international flavor ... quite a treat in my book!”

– Stefanie Michaels, a travel and lifestyle expert and an advocate for the environment. She can be seen talking travel on TV shows across the U.S. Her Web site Adventuregirl.com offers tips for travelers, green locales around the globe. Read her entire story, “12 Things I Love About Iceland,” here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stefanie-michaels/12-things-i-love-about-ic_b_157685.html


TRAVEL DEALS OF THE MONTH

Icelandair Reduces Fuel Surcharge

Fuel costs have dropped dramatically and that's good news for travelers on Icelandair. Effective immediately, the airline is reducing fuel surcharges to all destinations from its North American gateways. Round-trip fuel surcharges to Iceland have been lowered by $58, and to the U.K., Scandinavia and Continental Europe by $98.

Icelandair offers service to Iceland from Boston, New York-JFK, Minneapolis/St. Paul (seasonal), Orlando Sanford (seasonal), Halifax (seasonal) and Toronto (seasonal). Connections through Icelandair's hub in Reykjavik are available to more than 20 popular destinations in Scandinavia, Great Britain and Continental Europe. Many Americans choose Icelandair so they can see Iceland en route or on the way home without paying extra airfare. Additional information about fares and packages is available at www.icelandair.us or by calling (877) I-FLY-ICE.

Viking Vacation in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a great travel deal in late winter which also marks "Thorrablot," when Icelanders remember their Viking heritage with feasts of traditional food. Reykjavik is a city founded by Norse Vikings, a heritage that is still very evident in the city's architecture and traditions. Enjoy a private guided historical walking tour of Old Town Reykjavik, sample traditional Viking and Icelandic country cuisine at a charming local caf�, and visit several excellent museums showcasing the Viking history of both Reykjavik and the entire nation. You will also want to enjoy the great shopping opportunities, including jewelry and handicrafts based on Viking age designs.

Stay at the Hotel Loftleidir, which offers access to an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and Sauna. The Loftleidir is also the only hotel in Iceland offering traditional Chinese foot massage. Guests of the hotel receive 10% discount off of the treatments. (How's that for bragging rights back home? You received a Chinese foot massage during a trip to Iceland � challenge your friends to beat that!). From $599* per person based on double occupancy. Departures through March. For more information, click here.

Spring Driving Tour of Iceland

Explore the winding roads of Southern and Western Iceland, two regions that showcase the volcanic energy and wind tangled coastal scenery of Iceland, on a six-night tour.

Drive through Whale Fjord via a sea tunnel or take the slightly longer, but more scenic coastal road to historic Borgarfjordur village. Pass Eldborg crater on the way to Snaefellsnes and its crown jewel, the sparkling glacial ice cap covering the volcano where Jules Verne based his masterpiece Journey to the Center of the Earth. The next day is yours to seek out the mysteries of Snaefellsnes Peninsula, including sites such as the Arnarstapi sea cliffs. Other attractions on the tour include the Reykjanes Peninsula, Lake Kleifarvatn and the city of Reykjavik.

From $1,995* per person based on double occupancy. Departures May 1 - Sept 30.
For more information, click here.

*Prices quoted are exclusive of applicable taxes and official charges by destination of approximately $100-$270, per person including the Sept. 11th Security Fee.

For information on other exciting activities in Iceland, be sure to visit:

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