REYKJAVIK REAL FOOD FESTIVAL

For those in the know, Iceland is an up and coming foodie destination boasting the freshest seafood imaginable, organic fruits and vegetables grown in geothermally heated greenhouses, and of course the exquisite Icelandic lamb praised by chefs around the world. The Reykjavik Real Food Festival is a new celebration of Iceland’s food culture and takes place for the first time in Reykjavik September 14-18th.

Experience Icelandic cuisine made from the freshest harvest straight from the farm, feast on special festival menus at restaurants throughout Reykjavik, and meet farmers at the market and experience Icelandic culture through various events and food happenings. For further information visit the official Reykjavik Real Food Festival website www.fullborgmatar.is.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE HONORARY ICELANDER!

IN members
For the past several weeks, our inbox has been flooded with photos from Iceland Naturally Facebook fans eager to win a trip to Iceland Airwaves. After receiving tons of submissions, it is time to select a winner! We have chosen the most creative finalists but are turning to you to determine who is number one.

Visit Iceland Naturally’s Facebook page to view all ten finalists and vote for who you think should win a free vacation to one of the premier music festivals in Europe.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, September 13, so be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to find out if your favorite won. You will also be the first to receive exclusive announcements and other exciting contests and promotions from Iceland Naturally.

Check out the finalists here - and get voting!

RETTIR SHEEP AND HORSE ROUND UP

Viking Horse Rettir is an Icelandic farming tradition and a fun attraction for natives and visitors alike. Participants spend several days in some of the wildest landscapes of Iceland, bringing in sheep and horses that have spent the summer roaming free in the highlands.

The animals are collected together by a long line of horsemen which can extend to more than 20 miles, and driven down to the lowlands to be claimed by their owners. Spectators arrive early to watch the show and participate. The sheep bleat loudly as people squeeze between them, grab their horns, mount them and drag them into the relevant corral.

After all the sheep have been categorized the farmers have a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. In the meantime spectators walk among the sheep, pet them, admire their colors, and children chase the sheep around and ride their backs. Rettir is a time to time to fall in love, tell stories about elves, and experience Viking culture.

HOT DEALS & NEW OFFERS

HOT Deal from Icelandair: Iceland Northern Lights & Glacier Walk

From $675 includes round-trip air, 3 nights hotel, glacier walk, Northern Lights & lobster, and luxurious spa visit. Oh my! Details at www.icelandair.us.

HOT Deal from Iceland Travel: $100 Off Per Person Self Drive Tours in September & October

Experience all the wonders of south and west Iceland, including hot spring areas, mystical glaciers and picturesque waterfalls. 6 Nights / 7 Days. www.icelandtravel.is

HOT Deal from Iceland Tours: Northern Lights Splendor from $143 Per Person

Come and enjoy Reykjavik this autumn! Experience the pure energy from the boiling thermal underground, the beautiful landscapes and fun-filled nightlife. www.icelandtours.is

ICELAND IN THE MEDIA

Newsweek Magazine – Iceland’s Culture Palace by Judith H. Dobrzynski.“To the Blue Lagoon, where tourists discover the joys of soaking in warm, mineral-laden seawater, and to the island’s strange but beautiful terrain, Harpa adds a cultural dimension to Iceland’s appeal.” Read More

Budget Travel Sept issue
The Sweet Spot Iceland “The greenish glow begins dancing over over the lava fields north of Reykjavik come fall, and this year the northern lights are expected to burn even more brightly than usual.”

Canadian Living - Journey to Iceland - A nature-lover's dream by Natalie Bahadur “Boasting volcanoes, mountains, glaciers, nearby islands, the Northern Lights and the Blue Lagoon, Mother Nature pulled out all the stops here. Iceland is a home of elf folklore and traditional charm that make the trip here interesting and unique.” Read More

Toronto Star – John Arkelian Iceland’s World of Snow and Fire “I experience such awe again at the celebrated Blue Lagoon. Its alien landscape stretches as far as the eye can see — lava rock, piled as high as a tall man and lightly sprinkled with moss and lichens.” Read More

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Visit Iceland 2011

Order your brochure or download it today for information and inspiration on intriguing Iceland.

ABC Ranks Gullfoss in World's Best Waterfalls

"This image of Iceland's massive tiered waterfall Gulfoss sums up exactly what many people expect weather-wise from Iceland. In reality, this icy white landscape only exists a couple months out of the year. During warm months, Gulfoss is a magical misty tumble of water curtains, rushing rapids and rainbows." [more...]

Wall Street Journal Recommends Icelandic Artist Steinunn Thorarinsdottir’s Borders Exhibit in NYC

"Like any farmer's market, the one that pops up Wednesdays in Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza on the east side is filled with vendors, shoppers and dog walkers. But unlike most, this market also is populated by 26 life-size androgynous sculptures spookily standing, sitting or kneeling throughout the park." [more...]

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