What’s On 6-41

Keilir

Golfing Under the Midnight Sun

There are not many places in this world that offer the spectacle of midnight golf, a joy any golf enthusiast has to try at least once in his life. The near 24 hours of sunlight in the summer months allows golfers from around the world to experience this phenomenon. Iceland has golf courses situated in the most picturesque parts of the country, surrounded by untouched wildlife.

ODDUR Far away from the noise of the city, Oddur Golf Club is one of the gems in the flora of Icelandic golf courses, surrounded by the beautiful valley area of Urriðavatnsdalir. Playing the course is a unique experience. Urriðavöllur, the main course, is one of the few 18-hole golf courses in Iceland, somewhat of a rarity within this young golfing nation. A challenging par 71, Urriðavöllur amounts to a total of 5,900m. Opened in 1997, it is recognised as one of the finest courses in the country, having been honoured with hosting multiple Icelandic championships as well as the European Ladies Team Championship in 2016. Oddur Golf Club also sports an easier-going ninehole practice course named Ljúflingur (Beloved Course), for those looking for a nice day out. Only a short 20-minute drive away from the city centre, Oddur is the perfect getaway from the city for some golf in the midnight sun.

Contact: afgreidsla@oddur.is - +354 565-9092, www.oddur.is

HLÍÐAVÖLLUR The Hlíðavöllur course is truly a feast for the eyes. The very first impression is the stunning views and great food in the modern clubhouse. The golfclub also has a quaint 9-hole course in the hills of the valley Mosfellsdalur called Bakkakot. The 18-hole Hlíðavöllur championship course offers a spectacular view of the cold beauty of the North Atlantic, overlooking Mt. Esjan as well as the pristine Snæfellsjökull glacier. It will challenge any golf course in the world in terms of dramatic landscape. Situated

Oddur

Hlíðavöllur The midnight sun

in nearby Mosfellsbær, Hlíðavöllur is an ambitious course with lush fairways and clean greens which golfers of all skill levels can enjoy. Like many courses in Iceland, Hlíðavöllur is close to breeding grounds of local birds. The birds haven’t been taught golfing etiquette yet though, so they’ll be the only thing to distract you while trying to sink that putt for a birdie.

The spectacular views are the perfect backdrop to enjoy midnight golf on this course, which was designed to flow perfectly with the natural surroundings. A rough ocean and coarse lava fields surround the course as the integrity of the site was placed above any preconceived notions of hole sequences, yardage, or par. Mosfellsbær is only a short 10-minute drive away from Reykjavík’s city centre. After the round, the modern clubhouse, featuring local favourite BLIK Bistro & Grill, offers a respite.

KEILIR Keilir Golf Course is one of the top-ranked golf courses in Iceland, increasingly drawing attention from international guests. It’s a links golf course in Hafnarfjörður, a small town that’s just a 15-minute drive from downtown Reykjavík. The design of the course follows the curves and contours of the land. When playing the Keilir Golf Course, you need to adjust your game to its challenges. Focusing on skill and accuracy will take you farther than power and distance, particularly when dealing with the lava field in the front nine! The toughest hole on the card is the 14th hole played over a small bay. Your drive must be accurate and have some distance to make it to the fairway. The course accommodates both beginners and advanced golfers. Recently, the club opened three new holes on the back nine which puts more coastline into play. Keilir is a golf course not to be missed!

How to Travel Safely in Iceland

With a subarctic climate and a tiny population, Iceland might be a tad different from other popular destinations. Desolate landscapes, mountains, waterfalls, geothermal areas, and the ocean can catch you off-guard if you’re unprepared. Keep the following six safety guidelines in mind when planning your trip to Iceland.

1. FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH ICELAND’S EMERGENCY NUMBERS The emergency number in Iceland is 112. You can dial it free of charge to reach emergency services like ambulances, rescue teams, and the police.

2. FOLLOW UPDATES ON SAFETRAVEL Icelandic weather is famously fickle and extreme weather is not uncommon. In wintertime, high wind speeds and snow frequently limit visibility. Safetravel offers up-to-date road-condition maps, weather alerts and plenty of helpful tips and information on the best and safest way to travel around the country.

3. BE EXTRA CAREFUL WHEN VISITING GEOTHERMAL AREAS The water in geothermal areas can reach a temperature of up to 100°C. Falling in or slipping may result in severe burns. Luckily, safe paths are clearly marked, so make sure to stay on them.

4. KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE OCEAN Sneaker waves – disproportionally large waves that encroach further onto shore than regular waves – are frequent occurrences at the Reynisfjara and Kirkufjara beaches in South Iceland. Sneaker waves are more powerful than people expect and accidents have proven fatal in the past. Keep a safe distance from the water and observe nearby signs.

5. STAY ON THE PATH Whether visiting a waterfall, a geothermal area, or taking a hike on a mountain, staying on the footpath is imperative. If you see a closed path, do not step over the line. It’s closed for a reason, either your safety or nature’s.

6. LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING If you’re planning on hiking, camping, or hitchhiking, let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. You can also leave your travel plan on www. safetravel.is.

NEW IN TOWN

SONO MATSELJUR SONO recently took over the restaurant of cultural centre The Nordic House, at least for the summer. SONO is a vegan and vegetarianoriented restaurant offering dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients mixed with the best spices from the Middle East. Spices, herbs, and plants are homegrown or harvested in the Westfjords and all dishes are freshly made from scratch. Located a short walk away from the downtown area, the restaurant offers a lovely view of the city.

CHIKIN Chikin is Reykjavík’s newest chicken joint and bao bar. Bao buns are surging in popularity worldwide, and Chikin is the perfect place to get your bao fix in Iceland. Using bright pink colours, they are easy to find. Hip and casual, Chikin is a fun place to grab a quick lunch or an afternoon snack to fuel your downtown adventures. Rumour has it, they like to spice things up!

MÁLS OG MENNINGAR For over half a century, Mál og Menning was a popular bookstore and a city centre landmark. The bookstore has closed its doors but the venue has reopened as Máls og Menningar, a literature-themed jazz bar. Books will continue to be an important part of the décor and one of Reykjavík’s most popular used bookstores has opened a branch downstairs. Complete with a stage and a grand piano, expect live music every night of the week.

SÆTA HÚSIÐ Sæta Húsið is the latest haven for those with a sweet tooth, serving Thai ice cream rolls with whipped cream and delicious toppings. Pick a size and flavour of ice cream as well as some delicious toppings and enjoy your sugar rush! This is Iceland, so of course there’s a liquorice option available but for the liquorice-averse, there’s plenty of other, more easily palatable flavours. FInd more information and events on www.whatson.is/ec