How could such a small country be sitting there like a distant dream in the minds of so many? One minute you turn on the radio, and there’s Garrison Keillor live from Iceland. You open the New York Times Travel section and – BAM! – a huge cover story and double page centerfold on travel around the Ring Road. And next month, there’s the puffin rescue in the Westman Islands, which you’ll probably see soon thereafter on Animal Planet. People are talking about us, for sure.

Travel to Iceland doesn’t have to be a dream. You can, in fact, get there from here. For the East Coast, it’s closer than L.A. For our friends on the Left Coast, well, it’s a little longer, but at least they can fly direct from San Francisco. There are travel packages, events and special experiences awaiting you.

Act Now And Rejuvenate In July

This one is for the capricious – refresh yourself at Iceland's largest luxury hotel, the Nordica, for three nights for the price of two. Stay in a stylish room with full amenities with this air-inclusive package. The Nordica Spa is located within the hotel and features treatments ranging from massages and La Stone volcanic treatments to mineral baths and geothermal steam pools. Follow your revitalization with an ambrosial 3-course gourmet meal for just $99 pp at the award-winning Vox restaurant. The package is $999* per person based on double occupancy. Click here for more information.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Icelandair gives travelers the most flexibility with their Iceland Getaway packages. Choose what you want to do and when you want to do it from $645* per person based on double occupancy when you book for two nights or more in the land of fire and ice.
Click here for more information.

Natural Iceland

The fly and drive “Saga Sites” package takes travelers along the serene southern coast of Iceland and presents a relaxing tour of spectacular proportions: majestic sea cliffs, cascading waterfalls, caves, black lava beaches, and ocean views that stretch almost forever. The package lasts for six days and is available for departures through Sep 30, 2006. Click here for more information.

* For more details on any of these packages, or to learn about others, call 800 779 2899 or log onto www.icelandairholidays.com. Prices quoted are exclusive of applicable taxes and official charges by destination of approximately $100-$180, per person including the Sept. 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per U.S. enplanement.

USA Today Picks Iceland

The June 27 issue of USA Today made Iceland its Featured Pick for travel this summer. The paper said, “Reykjavik, Iceland’s happening capital, is the new ‘It’ spot, according to in-the-know travelers. And there’s hardly a better time to visit than during the unforgettable summer months.” The article mentioned trips to glaciers and geysers, spa vacations and “build your own dream trip” style holidays to the island nation. Click here to see for yourself.

Icelander Explodes Into Stardom on “Supernova”

Magni Asgeirsson, a singer originally from Egilsstadir in eastern Iceland, is one of the semifinalists on the new CBS music reality show “Rockstar: Supernova.” The show, created by “Survivor” producer Mark Burnett, seeks to pair a singer with an all-star lineup of rockers, including drummer Tommy Lee (formerly of Motley Crue), bassist Jason Newsted (Metallica), and guitarist Gilby Clarke (Guns n’ Roses). A pool of 15 talented front men and women were chosen to compete against one another for the coveted spot in the new band, which will be called Supernova.

Asgeirsson, 28, now living with his wife and daughter in Reykjavik, has been playing since he was 11. He is best known for his success with Icelandic pop act A Moti Sol, with whom he has recorded six albums, two of which have gone gold. He has also recorded an earlier album with the band Shape. Watch for his fiery performances Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. on CBS.

Gorby’s Back in Town

Mikhail Gorbachev, who served as leader of the Soviet Union from 1985-1991, and is world-renowned and admired for streamlining and decentralizing the oppressive system he inherited, will lecture in Reykjavik on Oct. 12, 2006. The event will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the summit meeting that Ronald Reagan and Gorbachev held there in 1986 to discuss reducing their nations’ nuclear arsenals. Gorbachev will talk about leadership in the international environment, then answer questions. The lecture will take place at Haskolabio, the capital city’s meeting and conference facility. Gorbachev was the recipient of the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner of Labor, the Badge of Honor and the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to stabilize relations with the West. (For more information and tickets: www.concert.is and www.midi.is).

Iceland Keeps Up To Date With Art News

Iceland Art News has bowed as Iceland’s first and only online art magazine. IAN will be published online six times per year and will be published annually in print in cooperation with Reykjavik Grapevine. The latest issue introduces a promising new artist in Sigurdur Gudjonsson, reviews a Homesick show and takes a look at the nominated artist for Venice Biennial 2007, Steingrimur Eyfjord. You too can keep up with Icelandic art and music by logging onto artnews.is.

How Do You Like Iceland?

The English-language Icelandic comedy “How Do You Like Iceland?,” a hit play which opened to rave reviews last year, is back again for the summer season. The play, written by Icelander Benony Aegisson, takes the audience on an informative and hilarious trip through the history of Iceland, from settlement to Bjork. The play takes the stage every Wednesday at the Idno Theater (by the city lake). Log onto www.this.is/great for more details.

“Airwaves” Is Back!

Iceland Airwaves, the four-day music festival held every year in Reykjavik, is back – and the line-up keeps growing. The festival, which will take place at venues all over the city from Oct. 18 – 22, will showcase over 130 artists, including Wolf Parade, Brazilian Girls, Singapore Sling, Apparat Organ Quartet, Kaiser Chiefs, Jenny Wilson and Mugison. The festival is a huge hit with music fans every time. Find out more by checking in with icelandairwaves.com regularly.

The Route to Fashion

Route 66 is known as America’s highway, but in Iceland, “66” takes on a whole different meaning. It’s how Icelanders stay warm and comfortable in any weather. Newest from 66 Degrees North is the Thorsmork Parka. With its exceptionally warm, high-quality 70/30 goose down lining, and waterproof rugged Sixtex fabric that allows moisture to pass through, but blocks rain and snow, you are guaranteed to stay cozy and fashionable this winter.

A fur-lined hood that is deep enough to protect you from the unpredictable weather complements the eight front pockets that can be used to store anything from gloves to your latest MP3 player. From the remote towns of Iceland to the trendy streets of New York, both men and women can find sanctuary in the Thorsmork’s superior characteristics. It’s available at Cole Sport, Hickory & Tweed, Urban Outfitters, Fred Segal and fine stores everywhere. (For more information: www.66northus.com).

New Blue Lagoon Shop Opens

Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction, recently opened a new shop at Laugarvegur 15 in downtown Reykjavík. The shop carries Blue Lagoon skin care products as well as accessories and gift sets. Skin care products are based on the lagoon's active ingredients: minerals, silica and algae.

This just in from the Little People News Bureau: During construction of an expanded spa facility near the airport, workers became aware of some unusual incidents occurring during the nights. Some of the heavy machinery broke down and it became clear that the construction was disturbing the homes of the elves in the Blue Lagoon area. Blue Lagoon staff decided to light 12 candles and make peace with the hidden people and show respect for their homes. Since then the construction, set for June 2007 completion, have gone smoothly and without further unusual incidents. Maybe they should throw in some hand cream for good measure. (For more information: www.bluelagoon.is).

They Said It

“… a pony trek is another method of visiting the lava fields. Our family had luck one day with a private guided tour. It was eerily quiet as we explored the rugged lunarlike landscape, which seemed like something out of a movie set. We never saw another vehicle or pedestrian the entire time we were on horseback. The only sounds heard were trotting horses and the wind.”

– Pamela Meyers, Marietta, Ga., writing to comment on the June 18 New York Times feature story on Iceland called, “The Ultimate Road Trip.”

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