THEY SAID IT

"Oh my gosh, it’s so interesting there … The ponies are fun. They have little ponies, Icelandic ponies ... even if you can't ride, you can ride. I did it for four hours. I had the best time."

– Martha Stewart on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, Sept. 17. She obviously confused our full-grown Icelandic horse for a pony. But we’ll cut her some slack in thanks for the plug.

“… we headed out over the hills to a small town on the south coast called Stokkseyri where there is an absolutely marvelous restaurant called Fjorubordid. I had been here before, but for dinner, and it was dark, but lunch was great and I could actually see the ocean. The restaurant in question serves lobster (really, smallish crayfish), and little else; and they do it so well. Sautéed in butter, some spices and accompanied by a cracker of a white wine, it shook jetlag away immediately.

“And with the recent devaluation of the Icelandic Kronur (almost) reasonably priced, even for a Winnipegger. I would highly recommend anyone traveling to Iceland to get here; it is only an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, situated in a perfect region for sightseeing, eating and marveling at this extraordinary country.”

– Max Johnson, blogging in the Winnipeg Free Press (Sept. 13, 2008)

“Iceland has no oil, no coal and no natural gas and relies exclusively on imported oil to power its vehicles and fishing ships. … But Icelanders are blessed with rich geothermal and hydroelectric resources, which they have harnessed to supply all of their electrical needs. And they plan to end their addiction to oil by developing hydrogen vehicles. … Iceland's transition from imported fossil fuels while maintaining a modern, growing economy is a remarkable case study in how the U.S. can break free from our own addiction to fossil fuels.”

–David Yarnold, Executive Director
Environmental Defense Fund letter
(Read his entire letter at http://edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=26780)

“Putting an art gallery on a remote edge of Europe is quite in line with the character of this island nation. Icelanders are proud of their isolation and the spirit of independence it engenders. The novel for which Halldór Laxness, the Icelandic writer, won the Nobel Prize in 1955 was called ‘Independent People."

– Brendan O’Neill, Christian Science Monitor, Sept. 29, 2008, about his visit to the John Lennon Imagine Peace Tower.

Travel Deals of the Month

There are even more ways to save on travel to Iceland. Read on ….

The Northern (High)Lights of Iceland

Experience the best sights in Iceland � including the majestic northern lights - over four days and three nights, starting at $580 per person based on double occupancy.

Stay three nights at the new Hilton Reykjavik Nordica Hotel. Use the day of your arrival to explore Reykjavik, then on day two discover three of the most outstanding attractions in southern Iceland on a full-day coach excursion around the Golden Circle. First stop is at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO Heritage site, then onwards to Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area, with spouting hot springs.

The rest of the trip includes an Evening Northern Lights hunt and a trip to bathe in the famous Blue Lagoon to soothe and refresh body and soul before your flight home. Offer valid Nov. 1, 2008 - March 30, 2009. (www.icelandair.com)

Relax in Reykjavik

Let Reykjavik revitalize you. Iceland Travel has a great offer for travelers who like to see new places at their own pace and return home rested and ready to take on the world: the Relaxing City Break. This is four days and three nights in amazing Iceland for only $185 per person.

Wow.

Enjoy three nights at the Fr�n Hotel, the Park Inn Island or the Radisson SAS Saga Hotel, and experience the Icelandic capital with the Reykjav�k Welcome Card, which gives you access to the full range of culture and entertainment the city has to offer. Shop, visit a museum or two and take a break in delightful caf�s.

Enjoy a peaceful and tranquil evening in an otherworldly setting where lava fields and thermal water come together at the Blue Lagoon on your second day. Select a day tour from an extensive variety of tours on day three, and energize before departing with a walk along the seashore in the healthy Atlantic breeze before your departure on day four.

You have the option to add additional diversions to your package, such as a trip to the aquatic haven of the luxurious Laugar Spa, a Northern Lights evening experience, either by coach or jeep, a high quality in-water treatment at the Blue Lagoon, and more.

From $185 per person based on double occupancy. Departures through Dec. 19, 2008. For more information, log onto http://www.icelandtravel.is/home/fit/detail/store32/item4562/

Iceland Getaway

If you're looking to save some money and have some flexibility on your vacation, take advantage of this offer. You put the trip together yourself with a multitude of "a la carte" options. Once you've chosen your hotel, you can then add tours, car rental, gourmet dining and more. It's quite simply, "Iceland Your Way." From $845* per person based on double occupancy. Book by Oct 10, 2008 and save up to $150 on departures Nov. 1 � Dec. 15, 2008.

Click here for more information.

Become An Arctic Explorer

When the Midnight Sun fades into fall and winter, the Myvatn region near Akureyri in the north becomes a mystical backdrop for possible Northern Lights sightings (especially from November through march). When winter's chill freezes the lake over, the locals transform it into a Winter Garden where you can try your hand at racing Go Karts, playing soccer, golf, badminton or bowling on ice. Other winter sports abound, from snowmobiling to cross-country skiing to horseback riding and motorcycle events held on the ice.

From $1,525* per person based on double occupancy. Save over $75 - $130 per person on some dates this fall.

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.

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