ICELANDIC TOURIST BOARD                                                                         DATELINE MARCH 2009

The news is spreading like puffin pâté – Iceland is on sale. Adventurous travelers, travel and food writers, everyone, is finding the new price of Iceland delectable. Boy, are we ever ready for spring. Thankfully we know temperatures are only going to get warmer now. Sure, our famous the weather is still a bit brisk, and seems to change every 20 minutes or so, but with the days getting longer, at least we can see more of it.

The Wall Street Journal published a brand new word in February: “utsala,” Icelandic for “sale” – a sign you’ll see in many shop windows in fashionable Reykjavik, and one that would appear often on Icelandair’s Web site this month – if it wasn’t already translated into English. Many of our best deals continue to be sharply discounted by hundreds of dollars. And speaking of sales, this month we’re offering you a sample of the Blue Lagoon in time for Mother’s Day, and have a few other great ideas why you should think about getting away for a three-day weekend or longer.

WANT TO VISIT ICELAND? YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Visits to Iceland in 2008 set a record, on top of 8% yearly growth in the last 10 years or so. More and more tourists are attracted to the services of Reykjavík’s Official Tourist Information Centre which assisted 30% more guests during September, October and November 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. But December was the big record-breaker, with a 43% increase compared to the same month in 2007.

Why the increase in visitation to the conveniently located Centre in downtown Reykjavik? Tourist officials believe it's because of the continuing international trend for tourists to travel independently and book later than before, making the need for efficient information-seeking and booking on arrival more important. Once you arrive, Tourist information staff can book your tours and activities. What’s most popular? Visiting sights such as the Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss and Geysir, plus trips to view the Northern Lights, museums, music events, restaurants, thermal pools and spas. Tourist officials say more expensive excursions such as Jeep tours are exceptionally popular now due to the favorable exchange rate, making such activities more affordable.

For more information on services offered by the Official Tourist Information Centre, including a money-saving Reykjavik Welcome Card that includes free admission to lots of attractions and public transport, log onto: www.visitreykjavik.is

BLUE LAGOON RANKED AMONG CN TRAVELLER�S TOP TEN SPAS IN THE WORLD

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon was named the tenth best spa in the world by the readers of Conde Nast Traveller, the U.K. version of the top-flight American magazine. (Which is spelled “Traveler,” lest anyone get confused.) The readers were asked to choose the world’s best spas and rate their choices according to various criteria such as ambience/decor, body treatments, cuisine and service. The Blue Lagoon received a score of 94.44 – the highest possible score is 100. The Blue Lagoon was ranked alongside spas in Spain, Oman and the U.S., but we’re betting ours is the only spa doing it with clean, geothermal power. Read all about it here.

SPECIAL BLUE LAGOON OFFER TO DATELINE READERS

Speaking of the Blue Lagoon, Mother’s Day will be here before you know it and what better gift than selected beauty care products from the folks at this world famous spa? Through special arrangement, Dateline has negotiated money-saving prices that are up to 25 percent below retail … exclusively for our readers.

The offer includes:

• Anti aging eye cream, regularly $125 is yours for $93 (over a 25 percent savings)

For more great offers, click here …

YOU GOTTA HAVE ART

Reykjavik Art Festival is May 15-30

Iceland’s premier art festival since 1970 brings together the best in local and international theater, dance, music and visual art. The festival program offers a variety of selected exhibitions, concerts, dance, theater and opera performances. Along with its focus on Icelandic culture past and present, the festival hosts many outstanding international artists and performers.

For more information: www.artfest.is

GRAB YOUR GEAR, HEAD NORTH FOR AN REI ADVENTURE

If it�s one thing the folks at REI do well, it�s have a good time outdoors, especially in Iceland. The company offers various nine-day Fire & Ice adventure trips in June, July and August that feature lots of hiking and camping. They fill up fast, so grab your calendar and make this the summer Iceland moves to the top of your bucket list. Another nice touch: each year REI donates millions of dollars to support conservation efforts in the U.S., and sends scores of volunteers to build trails, clean up beaches, and teach outdoor ethics to kids. In fact, all their adventure trips are carbon neutral.

For more information http://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/europe/iceland.html

CRUISING ICELAND IS ONLY NATURAL

Few cruise destinations offer such a range of adventurous side trips than this island nation in the North Atlantic. In 2008, the country experienced near record cruise calls as thousands of adventurous cruise ship passengers were attracted to Iceland’s spectacular fjords, mountain vistas, waterfalls, glacier hiking and Jeep touring, and horseback riding.

There’s so much to do, tourism officials report a substantial increase in overnight cruise ship stays, particularly in the Port of Reykjavik, the northernmost capital city in the world.

There are nine ports in Iceland which provide easy access to the entire country. They are the ports of Reykjavik, plus Akureyri, Djupivogur, Grundarfjordur, Hafnarfjordur, Husavik, Isafjordur, Seydisfjordur, and Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands). Calling upon these tourist destinations from the U.S. alone are cruise lines and tour operators Abercrombie & Kent, Clipper Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Silversea Cruise.

For more information: www.cruiseiceland.is

TRAVEL & LEISURE LIGHTS OUR FIRE

In February, Travel+Leisure writer Jeanine Barone decided to warm up by visiting some of Earth’s hot places and list the best volcano vacations around the globe. Out of thousands of active areas, Iceland’s Myvatn/Krafla made the list.

“The lakefront road—perfect for driving and biking—has walking-trail offshoots that lead to lava pillars, clusters of mini-craters, and an eerie primordial ‘city’ of naturally sculpted black lava. Or head to the nearby Leirhnjukur lava field, a barren hot spot of scalding springs, swirling steam plumes, and jumbles of hardened lava,” she wrote.

If this sounds up your alley, you may want to stay at the mentioned, and nearby Hotel Reykjahlid (http://www.reykjahlid.is/), on the shore of Lake Myvatn, which she called a birdwatcher’s paradise.

While you’re considering hotels in the area, also check out Hotel Reynihlid (http://www.myvatnhotel.is).

See the slideshow here.

THEY SAID IT

"For anyone interested in sampling some intelligently cosmopolitan treatments of exotic ingredients, the time is now."

– Raymond Sokolov, “Icelandic Dining After the Collapse,” The Wall Street Journal, Feb. 7 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123395793332358403.html

“If you have always wanted to go to this extraordinary destination of ice caps and volcanoes, hot springs and waterfalls, make 2009 the year. What was a scarily expensive country has suddenly become affordable – the currency has halved in value against the pound.”

– Nick Trend, London Daily Telegraph, “Ten Reasons to Travel in 2009,” Jan. 16. Read full story here.

TRAVEL DEALS OF THE MONTH

Spring Budget Getaway

The Iceland Budget Getaway is now on sale for travel through May 2009. This great package includes roundtrip airfare from either Boston or New York-JFK, two nights in Reykjavik at either the FossHotel Lind or FossHotel Baron, and Scandinavian breakfast each morning after arrival day. The package runs through May, and additional nights range $55 to $115. From $479* per person based on double occupany.
Click here for more info.

Laugavegur Classic Trek

You know about the Inca Trail, the Road to Santiago and the Appalachian Trail. But have you heard about Iceland’s classic hike? The Laugavegur ("Hot Spring River" Way) is a trek between two scenic national parks through mountains, lava fields, glacial landscapes and geothermal areas. Now a week-long guided trek is $500 off. You’ll stay in mountain huts and your luggage will be transferred for you, so all you have to concentrate on is enjoying the scenery and one of the world's most scenic hiking routes.

The most known of all treks in Iceland, this paths takes you from the famous valley of Landmannalaugar in the highland interior and south to Thorsmork valley, north of the great Eyjafjallajokull glacier. On the way your group will walk over the third biggest geothermal zone in the world, pass yellow rhyolite mountains, black deserts, great canyons and green valleys. From $2,429* per person based on double occupany.
Click here for more info.

Nature’s Power

Explore the winding roads of Southern and Western Iceland – two regions that showcase the volcanic energy and wind-tangled coastal scenery of Iceland. Or rent a 4WD and discover the hidden beauties of the highland interior. A new lower price for 2009 saves you $245 on this six-night tour.

Highlights of just the first day include a drive through Whale Fjord via a sea tunnel or the 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 began his masterpiece "Journey to the Center of the Earth". The vacation just gets better from there, and at your own pace. From $1,749* per person based on double occupany.

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.

For Dateline readers who have not yet ordered their free 2009 Visit Iceland brochure, order here.

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

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