DANCE WITH NATURE

If you look hard enough these days, you can still see evidence of the world famous, yet entirely unpronounceable volcano that dominated the news last April. Drive up a gravel road near the Seljalandfoss waterfall in South Iceland, for instance, and there at the bottom of a steep valley is a scene etched in stark black and gray. The only color: a few brave weeds poking up from the ash-covered hillside and valley floor. Every step kicks up a mini dust cloud and shoes turn gray, as you stand in awe of the natural wonder that makes this such a special place to visit.

Drive back down to the Ring Road, and the Iceland that tens of thousands travel to visit each year, the Iceland of green hillsides, golden fields, and black sand beaches along jagged-edge shorelines is still there the way it has been since the first settlers arrived in 874 A.D.

For most Icelanders, were it not for television news coverage – and jars of ash sold in gift shops – there would be little evidence of the volcano.

Iceland performs in a delicate dance with nature. Between the elements, the darkness of winter and the near total sunlight of summer, the reliance upon the sea, and the country’s renowned free-range livestock, we’ve learned never to take Mother Nature much for granted. We live as one with the forces that surround us and invite the world to experience all the excitement Iceland has to offer.

Now that Iceland is on the world's radar, we’re experiencing even stronger interest in travel to our special island. Local tour operators have created numerous "volcano tours” for the curious adventure seeker.

This summer you can witness once-in-a-lifetime sights that many would only imagine seeing on the cover of magazines. The country is alive with adventure and wild beauty. Draw inspiration from our young, active and ever changing landscape.

Inspired By Iceland Kicks Off June 3rd

A wonderful new website has been opened in Iceland for the many who are planning to visit Iceland this summer, www.inspiredbyiceland.com. It has live streaming content from four sites in Iceland, including the world famous Blue Lagoon, as well as from Reykjavík and a magnificent glacier in southern Iceland. Videos, colorful pictures, stories and music from Iceland are all on this innovative and informative interactive website. We encourage you to take a look and spread the information. It will inspire!

BECOME A BFF ON FACEBOOK

IcelandNaturally has an energetic presence online with both Facebook and Twitter that are always updated and filled with stories, images, video and great information about things to do in up here in our neck of the woods. It’s also a great way to find out about sweepstakes and Icelandic happenings in North America. So friend us, follow us and learn an Icelandic word each day.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/icelandnaturally
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WIN A TRIP WITH ICELANDNATURALLY AND BRIGGS & RILEY

IcelandNaturally and Briggs & Riley Travelware, the favored brand of discerning travelers, have teamed up to offer a spectacular Iceland sweepstakes. Win a three night/four day Icelandic vacation with hotel and airfare from your nearest Icelandair gateway. Experience exactly what we’ve been writing about all these years – the awe-inspiring landscapes, stunning skies, and breathtaking adventure of Iceland. Lucky winners will have access to amazing tours, spas, museums and shopping.

And at your side? Ruggedly refined BRX adventure gear for two. The prize package also includes a 66º North apparel package (www.66north.com), City of Reykjavik Welcome Cards, and admission for two to the famed Blue Lagoon (bluelagoon.com). To enter, log onto www.icelandnaturally.com, www.briggs-riley.com or http://www.backpackerpromo.com/briggs&riley;/rules.html.

Plans taking you to New York in June? Come see us at the Iceland Naturally and Briggs & Riley display at the Backpacker Magazine Adventures NYC event at the Central Park Bandshell on June 19.

(For more information: http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/events/output_pages/adventures_nyc.php)

Please note: By entering this Briggs & Riley sweepstakes online you agree to receive e-mail newsletters from Iceland Naturally/Iceland Tourist Board and Icelandair.

TASTE-SATIONAL ICELAND - A NEW CULINARY JOURNEY

Many people have visited Iceland for its spectacular nature, but now visitors have the opportunity to explore its delicious secrets. On this new seven-day escorted tour of southwest Iceland, visitors take in the extraordinary nature and geology of Iceland while experiencing the traditional culinary heritage of the country. Catching a fish from the pollution-free waters to be prepared and served back to you in a gourmet restaurant, baking bread underground using heat from hot springs and imbibing on a specialty cocktail served while bathing in the unique Blue Lagoon are just some of the culinary morsels on offer. For more information or to book: www.icelandtotal.com/sensational-iceland

It was only a matter of time before savvy Icelanders started to capitalize on the country’s newest abundant natural resource: volcanic ash. A small Icelandic company has collected ash from the Iceland volcano, filtered, dried and bottled it into small resealable glass containers ready to sell. The box can be opened so you can feel the texture and smell of the latest work of nature from "The Land of Fire and Ice.”

Purchase yours while supplies last (which, honestly, could be a long time from now). The glass containers of volcanic ash are available in most tourist shops in downtown Reykjavik, as well as online for $26 at Nordic Store, Iceland’s premier online store (www.nordicstore.com).

Hard to believe considering all that ash which dropped in on our friends in Western Europe, but researchers agree that Iceland is the cleanest country in the world. That’s the latest findings based upon research conducted by Yale University and Columbia University measuring the environmental performance of 163 countries based on 25 indicators such as water and air quality, habitat protection and the impact of the environment on the health of the population.

According to Forbes.com, Iceland scored 93.5 points out of a hundred on the environmental performance index. Switzerland is ranked in second place and Costa Rica in third. European countries make up more than half of the top 30 cleanest countries.

In the category of air pollution, Iceland scored 97.4 points with 100 points being the most clean, compared with 84.8 points for countries of similar GDP per capita. Other factors which account for Iceland's ranking are the number of conservation areas, the public health care system and geothermal heating.

(Read the complete story here: http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/21/environment-cleanest-countries-business-iceland-cleanest-countries.html)

Summer exhibitions at the National Gallery of Iceland feature "Untitled Film Stills” by American artist Cindy Sherman, a selection of prints by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch (of "The Scream” fame), and a permanent exhibition from the collection called "Strides.” Now through Sept. 5.

The National Gallery was founded in 1884, and has been located at its present location at Fríkirkjuvegur 7 since 1987. The museum’s main focus is 19th and 20th century Icelandic art, but international art can always be found there, as well. See the museum online at www.listasafn.is.

Yes indeed. While we might have fewer towers than Paris, and not as many roulette wheels as Las Vegas, we beat Niagara when it comes to falls. When our world famous and unpronounceable volcano was really heating up, a Colorado television station covered two honeymooners who decided to celebrate in Iceland. We caught up with the lovebirds upon their return. Barrett Lucero (see photo) of Littleton tells us:

"Our favorite part of visiting Iceland was that every day of our trip was packed with amazing and beautiful sights. Just as soon as we thought we had seen something that was so beautiful or interesting that it couldn't be topped, we would see something else just as wonderful, if not more so. This ranged from Godafoss, to Myvatn, to the Sulphur Mining Area, the eastern fjords, the southern coast, the Golden Circle - not to even mention the friendly people we met along the way.”

Barrett continues, "We heard from many, many people wondering why we would ever go to Iceland, even before Eyjafjallajokull erupted (of course, we got much more attention once we still intended to go as the eruption continued). Our response was that Iceland is a beautiful and magical place, with landscapes that can't be experienced anywhere else. I guess it is expected that newlyweds will go to a resort for their honeymoon, but Iceland was perfect for us: adventure and beauty!”

It's marathon time in Iceland. Every year, marathons in Iceland benefit from fresh air and scenery that’ll take your breath away, including: Mývatn Midnight Sun Marathon (north Iceland, June 21), Landmannalaugar Ultra Marathon (55 km of uninhabited landscapes between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk nature reserves, South Highlands – July 15-19); and Reykjavík International Marathon (several distances around the city, August 18). See www.reykjavikmarathon.is if you’re as crazy about running as we are.

The Reykholt Music Festival is an international music festival held in the birthplace of famed Icelandic saga writer Snorri Sturluson at the end of July every year. The festival has earned a deserved reputation as one of the best cultural celebrations of the summer.

This year’s festival runs from July 21-25. Some of the performers include the male choir from St. Basil’s basilica in Moscow, Icelandic soprano Thora Einarsdottir, The Reykholt Piano trio and many more.

For tickets or further information, log onto www.reykholtshatid.is.

THEY SAID IT

Every culture sees its share of trends. Even yogurt. And as yogurt hipsters know, the days of fruit-on-the-bottom and pina colada-flavored puddings are so passe.

An explosion of yogurt options has given Americans bold new choices, from goat's milk to Greek-style to soy and even coconut milk yogurts. And have you tried the Icelandic-style brands like Siggi's? It's a stick-to-your-ribs product that Errol Schweizer, senior global grocery coordinator for Whole Foods Market, describes as "sort of like Greek yogurt for Vikings."

– Michelle Locke, Associated Press, May 27, 2010
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hC36e0V3jTfkmHgzvv3rtxmSCdkQD9FVC85O0

The fact is, volcanic sites are among the most fertile places on the planet. Volcanoes helped form our planet – its water, air and soils – and their eruptions continue to nourish us, bringing up huge payloads of elements in the form of lava, rock and ash that eventually break down into plant-nutritive forms.

– Barbara Damrosch, The Washington Post, May 20
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/18/AR2010051804093.html

My journey around Iceland rolled north from Reykjavik along the west coast. I cycled around Hvalfjordur and over a small pass to the next fjord, Borgarfjordur, under clear skies with grand views over mountain and water. I wandered over a level landscape dotted with lakes under heavy skies in a chilly rain. I turned west and pushed into the wind along the south side of the Snaefells Peninsula. The cloud lifted, the sun returned. Beside me ran a rampart of thousand-foot cliffs sliced by waterfalls. Along their base were bucolic farms with white buildings and red roofs. Far ahead was the broad white cone of Snaefellsjokull, a 5,000-foot volcano. It was lofty, windswept and covered in permanent ice. It was also where Arne Saknussemm found his way to the center of the earth.

– Matthew Cull, The Vail Daily, May 29 http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100529/AE/100529577/1078&ParentProfile;=1062

TRAVEL DEALS OF THE MONTH

Early Bird Airwave Special

Every October, Reykjavik rocks. Hear the hottest bands from Iceland, Europe, the Americas and beyond in the coolest setting on Earth at Iceland Airwaves. The festival runs from October 13 – 17, but book your tickets before June 16 and get the Iceland Airwaves Festival Package for just $549* per person based on double occupancy.

The intimate venues are all in the downtown area, so attendees can hop from one performance to the next, and the package includes round trip airfare, two nights stay, breakfast daily, and a pass to Airwaves. A fly and pass package which does not include accommodations is also available for $489 per person.

Click here to find out all the details and book your trip today.

Free Whale Watching Tour

The most flexible way to see Iceland is one of our Build Your Own packages, in which travelers put the trip together from a multitude of a la carte options. It's quite simply Iceland your way.

For a limited time only, the Build Your Own Economy package will come with an afternoon whale watching tour on your arrival day – absolutely free. Plus, stay three nights or more at the Grand Hotel Reykjavik and get a free game of golf at Keilir course.

Click here for more information.

*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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