DATELINE ICELAND - February/March 2001

A periodic look at news and events from the home of the Vikings. Brought to you by the Icelandic Tourist Board.

> Why We Love Iceland in Winter
> Here She Is, Miss Iceland
> The Rat Pack Returns
> Getting There is Half the Fun
> Don't Tour Reykjavik Without It
> Visit the Spa City
> Blue Lagoon is Icelandic Landmark
> Eat Like a Viking During Thorrablot
> Did You Know?

Why We Love Iceland in Winter

Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream and prevailing southwestern winds, Reykjavik's temperate oceanic climate creates a surprisingly mild average February temperature of 32�F. So while the Northeast and Midwestern U.S. freezes, we're basking in the warmth of Icelandic opera, ballet and symphony orchestras. Gourmet restaurants. Some of the hottest nightlife in Europe. And several fine spas.

There are winter day trips available to waterfalls, geysers, and hot thermal pools. Enjoy snowmobile and Jeep safaris, winter horseback rides, and a trip to a mountaintop in a Super Truck to view the northern lights.

Here She Is, Miss Iceland

The people of Iceland make up part of the country's world-renowned scenery, as will be evident on March 17 during the 2001 Miss Iceland Beauty pageant. GQ Magazine calls it "the coolest competition in the world." Don't miss the opportunity to visit Europe's hottest destination and join in the fun as Iceland crowns its most beautiful woman of the year. The winner of the event, held at the Reykjavik Art Gallery, goes on to compete in the Miss World competition where she will hopefully follow in the high-heeled footsteps of her predecessors, Miss World 1986, and Miss World 1989.

Exclusive packages priced from $479 per person include roundtrip air, two nights hotel, tickets to the pageant, and passes to the post-competition VIP party. (For further information call Icelandair Holidays at 800 779 2899 or visit www.icelandair.com)

The Rat Pack Returns

With Valentine's Day upon us, one can't go too far without the ever-romantic renderings of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Now these two American icons are in Iceland - well almost - in the impersonations by the opera singer Bergthor Palsson and singer/actor Helgi Bjornsson. The show is called "Strakarnir a Borginni," and is based on the famed 1950's Rat Pack. And while it's not exactly Las Vegas, (and that's a good thing), you can enjoy them at Hotel Borg, Posthusstraeti 11, 101 Reykjavik. Contact: (+354) 551-1440.

Getting There is Half the Fun

From now through April 24, you can visit Iceland for 2-1/2 days for only $299 per person double occupancy via Icelandair. You depart the evening of Day 1, spend Day 2 and 3 sightseeing, then return the afternoon of Day 4. The rate includes roundtrip airfare from New York, Boston and Baltimore/Washington, double occupancy hotel for two nights with breakfast, and airport transfers. With a price like that, you can hardly afford to stay home. (For more information: www.icelandair.com).

Don't Tour Reykjavik Without It

Visitors to the Iceland capital won't want to leave their hotels rooms without the Reykjavik Card good for free and unlimited travel on city buses, and free admission to thermal swimming pools and municipal museums. It's available for one to three days at a cost of ISK 900 - 1500 (about$10-18). Each comes with a booklet of benefits, including a list of art and cultural museums that provide free admission to card holders. (For more information call the Icelandic Tourist Board at 212 885 9700).

Visit the Spa City

Why are Icelanders among the healthiest people in the world? It must be something in the water. Bathing and swimming outdoors in hot spring water, surrounded by clean, fresh air, strengthens the heart. The combination of hot water and cold air seems to have a very positive effect on the human body. Residents of Reykjavik, and visiting travelers, have access to seven geothermally-heated public swimming pools with an average temperature of 84�F. The hot water is an excellent stress-reliever, especially when progressing from one small pool - called a hot pot - to another one that's just a bit warmer. For more information: SPA City Reykjavik Sport and Recreation Council, (+354) 510-6600; [email protected].

Blue Lagoon is Icelandic Landmark

One of the most famous outdoor heated pools in Iceland, in fact, the most visited tourist attraction in Iceland, is just 10 miles from the Keflavik international airport. At the famous Blue Lagoon, mineral-laden water is pumped 1-1/2 miles from beneath the earth's surface at a temperature of 470�F.

After generating electricity and heat for residential hot water, run-off water rich in silica, salt and other elements, is available for bathing at a much more hospitable 104 degrees F. The Blue Lagoon is a health spa where psoriasis and eczema-sufferers come for relief, and vacationers come to bask. One favorite of stressed-out visitors are the cocktails and dinners served at floating tables. That's multi-tasking at its finest. (For more information: www.bluelagoon.is).

Eat Like a Viking During Thorrablot

When Vikings sat down for their annual midwinter feast, it wasn't exactly tea and crumpets time. Vikings celebrated February - the fourth month of winter - with plenty of dancing and singing and hearty Viking-sized meals of Slatur - sheep's blood pudding rolled in lard and sewn up in the stomach. They consumed half-boiled lamb's heads called Svid, seal flippers, rotten shark, and scarfed our personal favorite, pickled ram's testicles. While these delicacies are not part of the normal everyday diet of Icelanders, visitors and locals alike can eat like a Viking during special events in February in restaurants, homes, and community centers throughout Iceland.

Did You Know?