DATELINE ICELAND - January/February 2003

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

> Icelandair Holidays Offers Spas, Great Food, and Poodle Skirts:
    > Spa Spree Package
    > Food And Fun Festival - Feb. 27 - Mar. 03
    > Fly To The Fifties - Mar. 6 - 9
> The Yanks Are Coming
> See a Remarkable Experiment in Icelandic Architecture
> Upcoming Events Await Your Arrival:
    > “We’ll Drink to That”
    > Many Rivers Run Through
    > Celebrate the Start of Summer
> Giants Roam the Seas
> Get Some Fresh Air
> It Pays to Read Your E-mail
> Puffins Go to Hollywood

Icelandair Holidays Offers Spas, Great Food, and Poodle Skirts:

Spa Spree Package
Everyone needs some time to unwind, and Reykjavik is the perfect place to treat yourself to a relaxing spa holiday. Pamper yourself with a stress-relieving treatment at the trendy Planet City Spa, or Planet Esja Spa - both renowned for its professional staff and soothing treatments. The spacious Planet City Spa, conveniently located in Old Town, is ideal for combining spa treatments with shopping and sightseeing. The Planet Esja personal training/ fitness center is located at Hotel Nordica, a newly developed conference/spa hotel opening April 2003. www.icehotels.is/EN

Food And Fun Festival - Feb. 27 - Mar. 3
Celebrate good food and good times in the Land of Fire and Ice. This year's festival includes opportunities to dine in restaurants featuring menus prepared by celebrity chefs from Europe, Iceland and America. Chefs compete for the title of Chef of the Year at the Mystery Basket Cook-Off, ending with a magnificent Gala Dinner.

Itinerary:

Thursday, Feb. 27 - Evening departure from North America.

Friday, Feb. 28 - Early morning arrival in Iceland; transfer to Hotel Loftleidir in Reykjavik. Day open. In the evening dine at one of the featured festival restaurants. Reservations necessary.

Saturday, Mar. 1 - Breakfast. Watch the Mystery Basket Cook Off at Smaralind Mall. Savor the best of Reykjavik's restaurants at the Gala Dinner at the Perlan (“The Pearl”) Restaurant and find out who won the Cook Off.

Sunday, Mar. 2 - Breakfast. The day is open to enjoy on your own. Try the "Spirits of Western Iceland" tour (see below) or book one of our popular day tours online.

Monday, Mar 3 - Breakfast at your hotel; your morning is free. Transfer to Keflavik Airport for afternoon departure

It’s all available for $717* per person, based on double occupancy. For more information, visit www.icelandnaturally.com
To Book Contact Icelandair Holidays. Phone: 1 (800) 779 2899, email: [email protected]

Fly To The Fifties - Mar. 6 - 9
Icelandair has been flying between America and Europe since the 1950s and now it's time to celebrate. Join them for the world's most unique Beach Blanket Bash that will knock your socks off. Everyone's invited, so grab your white jacket, poodle skirt and yellow polka dot bikini.

Itinerary:

Thursday, March 6 - Evening departure from North America.

Friday, March 7 - Early morning arrival in Iceland; Fly Bus transfer to Hotel Loftleidir; Reykjavik City Sightseeing Tour; Afternoon/Evening open - wear your ‘50s clothes to select restaurants and cafes for a special discount (and some amused stares).

Saturday, March 8 - Breakfast at your hotel; afternoon transfer to the Blue Lagoon for the main event - a poolside picnic and sock hop, with dancing to your favorite tunes from the Fifties.

Sunday, March 9 - Breakfast at your hotel; morning open. Transfer to Keflavik Airport for afternoon departure. Early evening arrival in North America.

The price for this Fifties Soiree is $467* per person double occupancy (sorry, but we’re talking 2003 dollars here). For more information, visit www.icelandair.com or call Icelandair Holidays 800 779 2899.

*Prices quoted are exclusive of applicable taxes and official charges by destination of approximately $80, including the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per U.S. enplanement.

The Yanks Are Coming

The Reykjavik Municipal Archives has opened an exhibition called ‘Wartime Reykjavik,’ that sheds light on what life was like in Reykjavík during times of war. It includes photographs, military maps, and other objects explaining how the country dealt with so many Yankees in their midst. The photographs come from the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and have not previously been seen in Iceland. The U.S. government employed thousands of residents of Iceland, thus alleviating the economic depression occurring at the time. The exhibition runs through January.

See a Remarkable Experiment in Icelandic Architecture

From now through May 11th, the Asmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum will gradually be reborn. The museum’s landmark dome is influenced by Greek and Turkish architecture, which Sveinsson saw as the model for a new Icelandic building style, tailored to the distinctive features of the treeless landscape. In this respect, the dome is a remarkable experiment in Icelandic architectural history. Find out more at www.icelandculture.com.

Upcoming Events Await Your Arrival:

“We’ll Drink to That”… How about a holiday honoring beer? Visit Mar. 1 when the country honors the introduction of the brew, which has only been legal in Iceland since March 1, 1989. Throngs of revelers wonder how they ever got by without it on the anniversary every year.

Many Rivers Run Through It… Owing to the abundance of geothermal power, Iceland has little need for fossil fuel and as a result the land and water are some of the purest on the planet. Trout fisherman come from all over to try their hand at the lakes and rivers of crystal clear water around the country which produce healthy and delicious fish. June begins the salmon fishing season with spots rivaling those found anywhere in the world.
www.angling.is, www.tiffs.is, or www.sportfishing-iceland.com

Celebrate the Start of Summer… When you’re a small country, you can make your holidays and your own rules. Thus, Iceland gets a two-month jump on the rest of the world by officially celebrating summer on April 24th - a national holiday. The beginning of summer is a joyous occasion after a long, dark winter. Colorful parades and entertainment fill the streets as locals celebrate the season of the never-setting sun.

Giants Roam the Seas

May through September is whale-watching season off the coast of Iceland as these majestic creatures return to cooler waters for their summer home. The food-rich waters off of Iceland offer more chances to see whales than practically anywhere else in the world. Keiko has left for Norway, but there are plenty of his pals remaining. www.nordursigling.is

Get Some Fresh Air

June begins the marathon running season in Iceland as temperatures, and pulse rates, climb. Come and run through the volcanic scenery and breathe in the pure air of the Thorsmork nature reserves at the Highland Marathon or challenge yourself to the Myvatn Midnight Sun Marathon in the northern highlands. www.toto.is/rmar

It Pays to Read Your E-mail

You never know what those crafty Icelanders will do next …. in December we e-mailed New York-area fans of Dateline with an offer they couldn’t refuse: tickets, free tickets to Die Another Day, the 20th and most successful Bond, James Bond film. Over 50 attended a private screening to watch 007 beat the bad guys. About 30 minutes of the thrilling spy film was set in Iceland. It was Bond’s second visit: A View to a Kill was shot there in 1983.

Puffins Go Hollywood

If you were watching the hit CBS Show CSI like we were last November, you would have been amused by the reference to baby Icelandic puffins that are confused by the bright lights of Heimaey. In August, the young birds are attracted to the lights of the town and land on the streets instead of on the water. The children rescue them from danger and release them the next day at the water's edge. To increase your puffin knowledge, see www.eyjar.is/eyjar

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