For a while there, Iceland was the poster child for the world’s financial meltdown. Newspapers, magazines, bloggers, cable news pundits, Tweeters – wherever you looked, the country was lambasted as an example of an economy run amuck.

“What a difference a year can make. While the Iceland economy is still struggling, the American dollar is considerably stronger than in early 2008, and travel deals abound,” says the Iceland Tourist Board’s Einar Gustavsson, director – North America.

“It may never again be this economical to visit Iceland. Now is the time to go.”

Hoping for stimulus dollars from American travelers, Icelandair just announced a new $469 per person package in November that includes airfare from New York or Boston, two nights’ lodging in three star Foss Hotels in the historic center of the capital city of Reykjavik, and huge Scandinavian-style breakfasts for two mornings. The same package in October is only $90 more. Although September travel is slightly higher, travel costs are still generally 20 to 30 percent lower than peak season rates. (Taxes and other restrictions apply. For more information: www.icelandair.com).

Iceland is moving up on personal bucket lists not just because it’s bargain priced and closer to the Northeast than Las Vegas. Few countries can match the Ohio-sized island nation when it comes to outdoor adventure activities, a rocking nightclub scene, spectacular scenery, and some of the freshest food and water on the planet. Also attracting visitors are events that heat up in the fall as the weather cools down. Some of our favorite fall activities are outlined below.

BOSTON GLOBE RANKS ICELAND A TOP 10 FALL DESTINATION

Iceland loves Boston, one of its main gateway cities to Reykjavik, and apparently, Boston loves us in return. The Boston Globe, in its Sept. 1 issue, ranks the country as one of its top 10 destinations this fall. The story reads, in part, “Of all the bewitching natural phenomena here, the northern lights, or aurora borealis, are among the most spectacular. Iceland is one of the world’s best locales to see this display and September marks the beginning of prime viewing, which continues through March.

“Haukur Parelius of Nature Explorers tours in Reykjavík says, ‘What’s needed is a clear sky and darkness. Tour operators don’t have a secret place to go to or any tricks to ‘turn them on,’ but of course we have a few places outside the city which are dark and away from light pollution.’” Icelandair offers the only direct flight from Boston, www.icelandair.us/offers-and-bookings . Read the entire story here.

Tags: Airwaves, festival, music

UPDATE: ICELAND AIRWAVES 2009

Iceland Airwaves, the international music festival taking place at venues across Reykjavik from October 14-18, has a redesigned Web site with new features such as music videos from this year’s artists, highlights from 2008, features on the venues, online ticket sales and of course valuable information about the festival.

Airwaves features artists from all around the world along with the best local talent. The festival just added eight new acts including The Field, Oh Land, Darling Don’t Dance, and When Saints Go Machine on top of the 40 already confirmed. Log onto www.icelandairwaves.is for more information or Icelandair.net for travel deals.

Tags: Airwaves, festival, music

SEATTLE ENJOYS A TASTE OF ICELAND, SEPT. 10 - 13

Seattle will host a Viking invasion and celebrate Icelandair’s new nonstop service between Seattle and Reykjavík with A Taste of Iceland! The event, which includes Icelandic music, cuisine, film and academics, comes to town from September 10 to 13. Commemorating this unique occasion and celebrating Seattle's new direct link to Iceland, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has proclaimed September 9 to 14, 2009 as Iceland Days in Seattle.

A Taste of Iceland, a multi-day cultural program, will include a variety of public events, such as a live musical performance, Icelandic culinary promotion, a film festival and a presentation about Iceland’s dedication to sustainable fisheries. A Taste of Iceland is presented by Iceland Naturally, in cooperation with Icelandic USA, Inc., Icelandair, 66° North, The Blue Lagoon, Reyka Vodka, Icelandic Glacial, KEXP, the University of Washington, Ray’s Boathouse, The Crocodile, and The Varsity movie theater. (For more information click here or log onto www.icelandnaturally.com)

Tags: film, food

From time to time we like to take a look at special tours available throughout the year. Perfect for those with just a short layover in the country, the Reykjavik Grand Excursion is a detailed and comprehensive introduction to Reykjavik's past and present. During this 2-1/2 hour tour, Reykjavik’s main attractions are highlighted on foot and by bus.

The main landmarks, such as The Pearl, Hallgrímskirkja church, the National Museum of Iceland, the harbor and the famous 101 Reykjavik neighborhood are visited.

Reykjavik's unique proximity to nature, with the salmon river Elliðaá running through it, a thermal beach at Nauthólsvík, green valleys and outdoor swimming pools, makes this city second to none in the world. The cost is 4900 kronur, or about $40. (For more information: www.re.is)

Tags:museum, tours

Iceland’s artistic future will be brought to you, naturally, by tomorrow’s leaders: the young people of Iceland. Unglist, Iceland’s art festival held exclusively by youths, returns to Reykjavik for its 17th year. Unglist, November 6 to 14, showcases paintings, photography, theater, music, design and fashion. There is no better way to see what’s on the minds and in the hearts of Iceland’s youth. Log onto unglist.is for more information.

Tags:art, festival

YOU GOTTA HAVE ART

No doubt stimulating all that great local talent is the Reykjavik Art Museum, actually a consortium of three different museums located throughout the city. The three locations all have their own flavor and their own specialties in order to make the best in Icelandic art available to culture-seekers.

Asmundarsafn, a sculpture museum, exclusively features the works of Asmundur Sveinsson, born in 1883 when Iceland was still a Danish colony. The museum is popular with families, and children love to play hide and seek amongst the statues in the open air garden.

Hafarhus, downtown by the harbor, is the most centrally located. This vibrant space is home to avante garde art produced by Iceland’s up and coming artists, as well as a collection of works by the famous pop-artist Erro.

Kjarvalsstadir’s claim to fame is a permanent exhibition of paintings by beloved Icelandic painter Johannes Kjarval. The museum also focuses on modern design and architecture.

There is sure to be something for everyone at one or all of these locations, and admission is always free. Information on all three museums is available by logging on to artmuseum.is.

Tags: art, museum

FEELING PARCHED?

Hankering for a taste of Iceland while you travel? No, it’s not a mirage …. water from Iceland is becoming a lot more available in the U.S. In fact, AirTran Airways announced that it is the first airline in North America to offer Icelandic Glacial Natural Spring Water for sale.

Icelandic Glacial is a pioneer in water with environmentally responsible consumer products including industry leading Carbon Neutral certified bottled water, great taste, exceptional Icelandic purity, fully recyclable PET bottle sizes, and award winning bottle design.

While Icelandic Glacial Water is making its North American debut on AirTran Airways, it is available on a number of airline operators across the world, including Icelandic national airline Icelandair and private business jet operator Netjets Europe.

(For more information on Icelandic Glacial, go to http://www.icelandicglacial.com).

Tags:natural, water