ICELAND ON TOP

From USA Today to CNN to Forbes.com, our little corner of the Northern Hemisphere has been capturing top travel rankings in recent media:

USA Today: Iceland is Top 2011 Destination - Iceland is one of the destinations "set to shine in 2011." Read More

FORBES.com: Iceland is One of World's Most Unique Travel Destinations - According to a Forbes.com, Iceland is a place unlike any other on earth. Read More

CNBC: The Blue Lagoon is Among the World's Most Exotic Winter Destinations - "Amid the lunar-like arctic terrain of Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is a surreal vision of serenity." Read More

Travelzoo: Iceland is a WOW Deal Destination for 2011 - "This affordable European destination is primed to lure adventure-seeking travelers." Read More

Travel + Leisure Magazine: Rates Iceland a Best Place for Holiday Travel - "In this otherworldly landscape, the liquid-green aurora borealis illuminates the nighttime sky." Read More

CNN: Ranks Iceland a Top 9 Luxury Destination - "Visit Iceland where lavish experiences and affordability intersect." Read More

Budget Travel: The Westman Islands, One of the Best Places You've Never Heard Of - "Picture-perfect vistas of rugged sheer cliffs, with killer whales splashing offshore, plus a healthy population of puffins." Read More

VOLCANO LEADS TO ERUPTION IN TOURISTS

While the world famous Eyjafjallajokull volcano wreaked havoc for millions of travelers, it resulted in a 16 % increase in tourism from N. America to our island nation for the first 11 months of 2010, versus the same period last year.

Travel in 2011 from North America is expected to be up 20 percent over 2010, helped in part by Delta, which launches new service in spring 2011. The U.S. carrier becomes the third airline to serve the country, adding seats to those already provided by Icelandair and Iceland Express.

COOL LINKS

Head North: Northern Iceland is a land of winter adventures, boasting eight ski areas, snowmobile tours, horse trekking, Super Jeep excursions and ice skating. Check out their newly designed website for inspiration and to help plan your trip: www.northiceland.is

Inspired by Iceland Live Webcams: Take a nature break and check out these two live webcams, one overlooking the beautiful pond in downtown Reykjavik and the other at the stunning Gullfoss waterfall. Reykjavik Webcam.

"Within an hour's drive of Reykjavik is a landscape filled with hot springs, geysers, waterfalls and fields of black lava rock, all carved by the same geological forces that triggered the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano last April."

– Carol Pucci, Seattle Times, Dec. 12, 2010. Read more.

"Load up your iPod with Bjork and Sigur Ros and head on north to Iceland."

– John Giuffo, Forbes.com,Dec. 15, 2010. Read More.

"While sipping juice, I exfoliated with lava, then hydrated with algae, and felt very far away from the rest of the world, which is precisely what you're looking for when you're at a spa."

– Tatijana Shoan, Vanity Fair,Dec. 21, 2010. Read More.

TRAVEL DEALS OF THE MONTH

Boundless Journeys: Special Savings for Dateline Iceland Readers

For Dateline readers, Boundless Journeys is offering 5% savings on any new reservations for Iceland: The Land of Fire & Ice departures for summer 2011 if booked by February 28, 2011. Call 1-800-941-8010 or reserve online at www.boundlessjourneys.com.

Reykjavik Nightlife Package from $639 pp

Head to Iceland for some of Reykjavik's legendary nightlife, best experienced during the winter months. You'll enjoy some great add ons, including a "beer history" tour! Read More

Airwaves Early Bird from $425 pp

Every October, Reykjavik rocks a little louder, and now travelers can get in on special savings. Hear the hottest bands from Iceland, Europe, the Americas and beyond in the coolest setting on Earth. Read More

EVE Online Fanfest Package from $465 pp

Join EVE Online fans from around the world at a celebration on top of the world. Fanfest tickets are included in the packages. Departures March 24-26. Read More

*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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