My Destination Reykjavik Magazine

#001 | Winter 2012 - 2013

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Another one rides the bus I took the bus to work today. It sounds mundane but for me it was a big step. Huge, in fact.

This was the third time in my life I have used public transportation within the city limits. Travelling around the country in a bus is different and doesn‘t count. In Iceland there is, or shall I say has been, a clear distinction between the city buses and the ones transporting people between towns/regions.

The city bus is called “Strætó“. Strætó is short for “strætisvagn“ which in direct translation means “street carriage“. They are big and yellow and they‘ve been around forever.

I grew up in a small village east of Reykjavík.

When I was a kid it took an hour to get to the capital by car. I had an aunt in town and sometimes I rode the bus to go stay with her. It was easy. The bus always left at the same time from the same location in my hometown and drove to the same place in Reykjavík where my aunt would pick me up (I usually had to wait a while because my aunt has never been good at telling time but waiting builds character according to her so I guess it was a good thing).

Not a good start At one occasion I went to stay with her because I had a dentist‘s appointment. The appointment was during the day, obviously, and my aunt couldn‘t leave work so she suggested that I just go by Strætó. I was twelve and this really didn‘t sound like a big deal.

Just go to a particular street corner, wait for a big yellow bus with a particular number on the front window, get on board and then get out at another particular street corner close to the dentist‘s office. Easy breezy? One would think so but something went wrong or, to be fair, I did something wrong. I ended up alone in the back of a bus which drove to the outskirts of town where all the other buses are kept. There the bus stopped for 40 mins while

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the driver ate his lunch, listened to the news and took a short nap. All this he did with me in the back, him being perfectly aware of me being in the back but not saying a word and I was scared and I missed my appointment and it was awful!

Never again There did not rise an occasion for me to use this means of transportation again until 15 years later. By that time I was living in Reykjavík and had unreasonably, temporarily and very inconveniently lost my driving licence.

After having sat at home for the first two days I started thinking that not leaving the house for a few months was probably not going work. I took a deep breath They are big and and decided to yellow and they‘ve overcome the been around forever. fear that had been festering since my childhood Strætó experience. I did everything right, taking the bus really isn’t rocket science but even so, I went all the way in planning the trip from my home to downtown Reykjavík. I knew which street corner to stand on, which bus to take, where to leave that bus to catch the one carrying me to my destination.

And as before, I failed. I failed so miserably that I was forced to call a Taxi from a suburb I had never been to before and I vowed NEVER to try and master the mysterious ways of Strætó ever again.

Since the economic crash of 2008 we have all watched the price of gas go through the roof and the cost of driving the family car along with it. At the same time there has been a big change in the image and routes of Strætó. These big yellow enemies of mine now travel all over the

country, to Selfoss, Stykkishólmur, Hólmavík, Borgarnes, Vík, Akureyri to name a few. I watch in awe as my two teenage kids go anywhere they need to without having to bug their mum.

Not so bad after all I had been working up the courage for a few months and today I took the plunge. Preparing for this turning point in my life included an intense hour of looking at www.bus.is, having the 350 ISK ready in my hand, packing a lunch in case of … you know … and letting both my brother and my boyfriend know in advance what was about to happen for them to be on the alert in case of emergency. My heart was pounding as I sat down at the bus stop. My brother had gone over the procedure of letting the driver of the arriving bus know that I wanted to get on (we went through various stances and hand gestures, no joke) so when I saw my number drive up at an “allure d’enfer” I jumped to the curb faster than a grasshopper, there was no way I was going to screw this up. And lo and behold, the yellow monster pulled over, the door opened and I looked into the eyes of the driver, who was by the way completely unaware of the breakthrough taking place before him. I got on and the trip was absolute heaven, I looked out the window in complete relaxation, feeling so grown up and proud of myself (and admittedly texted ten of my closest friends and family informing them of what I was doing). When the vehicle stopped outside the University of Iceland, where I had indeed intended to get off, I simply could not stop smiling.

The moral of the story: Strætó can take you anywhere. It’s comfy, relaxing and nice. Don’t be scared. Just do it.

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MyDestination - Reykjavik | 5

What to expect in an Icelandic swimming pool

Every country has traditions when it comes to leisure. In our part of the world said traditions tend to evolve around keeping warm. Finland has saunas, Russia has vodka, Iceland has swimming pools.

The hot tubs It all started with the hot tubs. They have literally been part of Iceland since the settlement. The most famous one is Snorri Sturluson‘s pool, Snorralaug in Reykholt, but Snorri is presumed to have lived there from 1178 – 1241. His pool is one of four ancient pools in Iceland still in use. Today there are around 12.000 summer houses in Iceland, I will tread carefully and say that at least 11.000 of them have a hot tub. There is a hot tub outside half the houses in my neighbourhood and most of the hotels in Reykjavík have a spa with a hot tub so you really have to make an effort if you plan to avoid them.

occupied one of these sacred clothes-storingdevices ) and have their daily hot tub chat with their co-swimmers who have the same routine, time wise. The earliest of the bunch are known as „the doorknobs“ in some areas, because they tend to be already clasping the knob when the swimming pool staff show up for work, still yawning and stretching. After that we have “the 8 o’clockers” and “the 9 o’clockers”, so named for an apparent reason but those who routinely show up after that tend to be the anti-social ones, people who like their routine, love their daily swim and hate having to chat in the process.

The definition of “an Icelandic swimming pool” might sound something like this: “A man made, usually rectangular, hole in the ground, in most cases concrete, filled with 2528°C warm, chlorinated water, accompanied by 1-5 hot tubs with water temperatures ranging from 38-45°C”. You can try to find a swimming pool without a hot tub in Iceland.

If you do, let us know.

There is nothing like having a swim and a hot tub during a blizzard, please do if you possibly can.

The chatter It goes without saying that swimming on a regular basis with de-stressing before and/ or after in warm geothermal water is good for both body and soul. What is even more wonderful regarding these blessed pools of ours is their role as social centres. All over the country people show up every day at the same time, hang their clothes on the same hook (and God help you if you‘ve ignorantly

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In the afternoon and evening the chatter begins again but the crowd is different, parents having quality time with their kids, people relaxing after work or workout and dating. Yes, dating.

Going for a nice hot tub in the evening is a popular second date in Iceland, I kid you not.

The facilities You will find more outdoor than indoor pools in Iceland. The reason is simple; the outdoor ones are less expensive. Which is fine, the fresh air is good for you. And there is nothing like having a swim and a hot tub during a blizzard, please do if you possibly can. What we have in many places, to add to the goose bumps, are

outdoor dressing rooms. Drying after a swim and a hot tub on a winter evening in -5°C is one of the most refreshing experiences you will encounter. And don’t be scared of the cold, outdoor dressing rooms in Icelandic swimming pools are (usually) equipped with heat lamps that work fine (in most cases).

The exposure One thing you must realise before entering an Icelandic swimming pool: You will see others of the same sex naked and others of the same sex will see you naked. There are rarely rooms or cubicles for you to undress in and even if there are, you will still have to take your bathing costume off while showering. Why? Because we like our pools and hot tubs clean and smudge free. It’s nothing personal and trust me, for every man, woman and child in Iceland this is as uneventful as having breakfast in the morning.

You can find all opening hours of most swimming pools in Iceland on www.sundlaugar.is The norm on work days is that they open 7ish in the morning and close some time after dinner but as with any norm, there are exceptions. If you don’t have a swimsuit you can usually rent one so there is no excuse, you have to try it.

Reykjavik Spas and pools www.sundlaugar.is

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Argentina Steakhouse It is a special place to walk into. The entrance is rather inconspicuous but after entering you find yourself in an almost medieval passageway that leads to a heavy wooden door.

The restaurant is not big, located on the first floor of Barónstígur 11, seating 80-100 people.

I remember when I first came there in 2003. I was accompanied by a man whose interest in food was, and still is, a bit uncanny but at the same time absolutely adorable. We had only just sat down in our comfy booth surrounded by woodwork and heavy South-American decorations when he said: “ I know we haven’t tasted the food yet but I already really, really like this place.“ Argentina Steakhouse was founded in 1989 and has since then been one of THE restaurants in Reykjavík. Having been owned by the same man since three months after it opened makes it special. Having had only three head chefs in all that time makes it unique. The taste of their char grilled beef and lamb is unparalleled and much to the surprise of many, given this is a steakhouse, their fish menu is also out of this world with carefully selected fish, shellfish and lobster.

There is simply nothing like having the purest ingredients in the world grilled on wooden coals. Add the roaring fireplace, the leather sofas and chairs and fine selection of wines and this will be a night to remember.

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This was the first steakhouse in Iceland to offer steaks by weight and some of the courses on the menu have been there for the almost quarter of a century since the restaurant opened. The Icelandic ox and lamb have remained unchanged since the settlement of Iceland some 1000 years ago. The ox has a small body compared to

There is simply nothing like having the purest ingredients in the world grilled on wooden coals. elsewhere; it develops slowly which makes the meat more stable and the muscles finer for more time for fat build-up. The Icelandic lamb is organic by nature; it is 100% drug free and feeds on herbs and shrubs in the Icelandic highlands that give it a gourmet game taste which is nowhere else to be found and everybody knows that Icelandic seafood is the best in the world. When this is mixed with tradition, history, rustic leather, wooden interiors and the impeccable service you get, the experience of dining out in Reykjavík becomes something else.

I have been to Argentina every year since that evening in 2003 with the same guy. After that first evening he insisted on us making this an annual thing. We are about to make reservations for our tenth consecutive year in dining at Argentina Steakhouse on his birthday, he turns 20 in November. The atmosphere surrounding me dining out with my son on his big day has changed somewhat. Instead of drinking soda with our T-bone we order a nice bottle of wine, we stay longer and obviously talk about different things than when he was 11. What has not changed is Argentina Steakhouse. The high quality of the food and staff is the same, we are still greeted with flawless service and the best steak in town. In a society that changes all the time with fashion going in its inevitable circles it is priceless to have some things stay the same. And besides, as in the case of Argentina Steakhouse; if it’s perfect, why change it?

Argentina Steakhouse Baronsstigur 11a, Reykjavik center, 101 Tel: +354 551 9555

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Handmade in Iceland

Iceland is a country where knitting is considered to be a virtue.

If you know how to make mittens, you‘re ok.

When my grandparents we raising their five daughters in the 50‘s and 60‘s, there was no television and “just chilling” in the evening was a term unheard of. So, more often than not, they would sit in the living room, both of them, knitting, sewing on buttons and repairing socks and gloves for their family of seven. For people to be good with their hands was almost the highest praise you could get in those days.

That and being “duglegur“, which means to be hard-working and is one of the most prestigious adjectives in the Icelandic language.

Walking into the Handknitting Association of Iceland is like taking a step back in time. Located in a 100 year old building on Skólavörðustígur 19 this lovely store is crowded with history, love and hand knitted woollen garments from stem to stern. You can just feel the previously mentioned hard-working attribute in the air.

Everybody can shine The company was founded in 1977 and is one of the last co-operatives in Iceland. It consists of a few hundred women and two men (!) who find mutual cultural and economic benefit in knitting woollen garments and selling them. When asked if there are any “full timers“ knitting for them, Bryndís Eiríksdóttir manager says: “The people who knit for us do it because they love knitting and have in some cases made their families sick with wool overload“ she says and laughs. „They join us to be able to knit for a purpose, not for the money. We know them all by name.“ The core of how this co-op does things is just beautiful. Those who wish to join simply go to the store and offer their participation. There they are met by the three women who decide on the production line, get instructions on what to make and are sent off with some knitting wool yarn and a recipe. They return with the

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ready-made product in their own time. What I find most inspiring of it all is that if the product isn‘t up to standard they teach and train the person and strive to find more suitable tasks. As Bryndís says: “People are good at

The people who knit for us do it because they love knitting and have in some cases made their families sick with wool overload different things and with proper guidance and an appropriate task, everybody can shine.“ The company has seven staff members, four in admin and three working in the store. But when visited by large groups it‘s all hands on deck and the administrators run from the office to service the customers.

The Handknitting Association product line consists of a base and variables. The base line is approximately two thirds of the items they make, classic Icelandic woollen garments that

have been made with little variations by the company for 35 years. The remaining one third is garments that alter in colour, patterns, style and fit as fashion evolves. This is a proud company made from dedication, love and sincere interest in the craft of knitting. But what they are most proud of is the origin of their products. To be able to say “Made in Iceland “ and mean it. To have women (and two men) knit from materials that come directly from the Icelandic sheep, using skills they learned from their parents or grandparents who also learned from theirs. The history and experience poured into each item make them worth every króna because this kind of originality really is priceless.

The Handknitting Association of Iceland

Skolavordustigur 19, Reykjavik center, 101 Tel: +354 552 1890

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MyDestination - Reykjavik | 11

A wrist-work of art What do Quentin Tarantino, Viggo Mortensen and His Holiness the Dalai Lama have in common?

What springs to mind when you think of watchmakers? Do the words Swiss, old and tradition leap up there by any chance? I thought so. Now, think again because there is a new boy in town and he‘s proven that timeless innovation, superior craftsmanship and exquisite precision can be achieved even if your heritage does not include chocolate and the Alps.

When Sigurður Gilbertsson, in association with his friends Grímkell Sigurþórsson and Júlíus Heiðarsson, approached his father Gilbert Ó.

Guðjónsson, a watchmaker for 40 years, with the idea of them designing and producing their own collection, his father laughed.

Today JS Watch co. has five collections and sells around 350 watches per year.

When Gilbertsson‘s father stopped laughing back in 2005 and this beautiful father and son venture became a reality they created their own brand and made 100 watches to begin with, to test the waters so to speak. Within 6 months they were completely sold out. This was back in the day when the Icelandic financial bubble was growing at the speed of light and almost every man, woman and child in the country was splashing money around like there was no tomorrow. Soon after the launch of their first collection, JS Watch made preparations for a follow up line but then the financial

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environment started to change. The Icelandic krona, a local currency used in Iceland since the beginning of time, started weakening and in a short period of time it became three times more expensive to import the foreignmade components. The country’s currency became worthless and for a small manufacturer operating in the global market this was a huge problem. But there are blessings in everything and when the Icelandic economy crashed, along came the tourists.

People from all We not only take over the world pride in our watches, but also our flocked to this customer care. curious volcanic island in the North because it had for the first time become affordable for ordinary people to visit. And more importantly for JS Watch co; it became affordable for your average tourist to buy high quality design watches. They had an unrivalled high quality product at unbeatable prices for foreign visitors.

A blessing in disguise “People had been desperate to come to Iceland but it was just too expensive,” explains Gilbertsson. “Once they discovered their money would go a lot further the country became full of tourists. It has been great for business and not just in terms of sales. We not only take pride in our watches, but also

our customer care. It’s very important for us that the people who buy our timepieces know the level of perfection we try and achieve.

Although we aim to get that message across on our international sales, nothing can beat talking to someone face to face and welcoming them into our workshop.”

And speaking of their workshop, among the many happy watch owners on their list of clientele are men such as Quentin Tarantino, Viggo Mortensen and Dalai Lama, not to mention the entire Icelandic Coastguard. JS Watch co. is the Coastguard’s official supplier of watches and the offshore emergency service exclusively uses the Sif North Atlantic Rescue Timer, which says it all regarding the brand’s reputation for durability and accuracy. So dropping in on Laugavegur 62 for a warm welcome and a tour of the exquisite watch collections of JS Watch co should without question be part of your Reykjavík tour, it’s the chance of a lifetime to get the watch of a lifetime.

JS Watch co.

Laugavegur 62, Reykjavik center, 101 Tel: +354 551 4100

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LÝSI The light of our lives

Iceland, as much as the name can seem silly during the summer months, was named so for a reason. In the old days, before electricity and heating when the cold and dark actually killed people, self-preservation and innovation were the key to survival. It is a wonderful thing that one of the best known brands in Icelandic export is a product that helped the nation survive since settlement. It‘s called lýsi and we are so proud of it.

sky when it does show its face) and it becomes an understatement to say that lýsi has had a real impact on survival in this country.

The method of processing lýsi from the liver in the old days was, in the simplest terms I can think of, something like this: They dug a hole, put the liver in the hole and waited for the oil to squirt out. Nevertheless, Lýsi was the biggest export product of Iceland as early as the 14th century, along with dried fish and woollen cloth.

Our Norwegian settlers brought with them the knowledge of Every child in Iceland how to process lýsi which is in The beginning knows that there is no simplified terms oil from the liver In 1938 a man named Tryggvi way of growing up to be of animals in the sea . They made big and strong without Ólafsson founded a production it from whale, shark, fish, seal and having a spoonful of and export company and called even birds and used it as fuel for it simply LYSI . He had then Lýsi with breakfast light, to calm waves, to soften and every day. spent the decade before trading protect the clothing of seafarers and experimenting with lýsi, and as a nutritional supplement for both humans first in a small lab he prepared in his home. and animals. For a time it was even used as At the time he founded LYSI, the company currency, sources from as far back as 1096 state was considered a pioneer in the production that church taxes in Iceland were paid in the of marine lipids and later became a global form of this life saving, smelly liquid. The name leader in the field. The company’s research “lýsi“ comes from the product having been used has been on-going for decades and today as lamp oil, in Icelandic the verb “lýsa“ means LYSI is at the world forefront of research and “to illuminate“ and when living this close to the product development. Tryggvi had a seat on Arctic Circle one can only imagine how precious the board until he was 96 years old and it it must have been to be able to have light in the was in the year 1981 that the first non-family house. Add to that the fact that lýsi is a valuable member became president of the company. In source of vitamins A and D (in a country where 1999 the company changed owners again and the sun is absent most of the time and low in the has been run by Katrín Pétursdóttir and her

family since then. Katrín is the granddaughter of Tryggvi Ólafsson. Her parents left LYSI in 1981 and founded Fiskafurðir, a company in similar ventures as LYSI. It was a happy day when they gained ownership of what had been founded by her grandfather over 60 years earlier.

In April 2007, LYSI was awarded the President of Iceland’s Award for Export Achievement for its “unique achievement in the sales and marketing of marine lipid products and for the vision the company demonstrates in product development and for the build up of knowledge and expertise in its field.”

The rest is history Every child in Iceland knows that there is no way of growing up to be big and strong without having a spoonful of Lýsi with breakfast every day. They have no idea what Omega-3 and vitamins A and D do for them and at that point they don‘t care. This is tradition. This is what mummy and daddy raise them to do because their parents told them to and that has been the way of things in this country for hundreds of years. But the LYSI product line has more to offer than just classic cod liver oil in a glass bottle. The company now has various production lines, including shark liver oil, omega-3 fish oil and various blister products where in addition to the lýsi itself the customer is provided with vitamins and minerals to go with the ever so healthy liver oil we all love.

But the majority of the company’s turnover comes from a tradition of 700 years, exporting cod liver oil in bulk. And in a country that is obsessed with nostalgia, you can just begin to imagine how loving and respecting LYSI is branded into our dark-enduring, hard-working Icelandic soul.

It’s part of who we are.

Simple as that.

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Photo: Kismihok

The Golden Circle - What is the fuzz about?

When asked what is the number one tourist attraction in Iceland, 95% of the country‘s population will probably say: The Golden Circle. It is without a doubt the best known and best publicised day tour in the country with the best access and the highest number of organised seats per day. For instance, Reykjavik Excursion has this tour scheduled every day of the week at 9am, all year round with guidance in English, German, French and Scandinavian.

The question is: Why? The Golden Circle is a 300 km loop that usually opens and closes in Reykjavik. It covers three main locations: Þingvellir National Park, the waterfall Gullfoss and the erupting geyser Strokkur in Haukadalur. Þingvellir Þingvellir National Park is a historical and geological wonder, located in fields of wonderful vegetation north of Þingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland. There you will find the famous rift Almannagjá where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates are pulling apart by a few centimetres each year. Þingvellir was the founding place of Iceland’s Parliament in 930 and the venue for annual parliament meetings until 1798. Þingvellir is also the place where in 999 or 1000 it was decided that Iceland should be a Christian nation and where Iceland declared its independence from Denmark in 1944. So I guess there is nothing more Icelandic than Þingvellir. Even the least patriotic person in the country will experience feelings of loyalty and commitment upon walking through there. It is sacred and it is who we are.

Gullfoss Then we have the two attractions in Biskupstungur, a waterfall and a geyser. The waterfall Gullfoss (Icelandic for golden waterfall)

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is in the river Hvítá and is 32 metres high where it plunges into the 70 metre high canyon surrounding it. In the early 20th century there were many who felt strongly that Gullfoss should be harnessed for production of electricity. The State of Iceland acquired the waterfall in 1940 and it has been on the state preservation list since 1979. Nobody ever speaks with solemnity of harnessing it anymore, it is considered priceless in its natural state. This has even developed into a phrase within certain circles in the country so that when you suggest something inanely stupid you get replied to with the words: And then what? Sell Gullfoss?

It is without a doubt the best known and best publicised day tour in the country Geysir Haukadalur valley, where both Gullfoss and the geyser Strokkur are located, is a very active geothermal area. In addition to Strokkur and his brother Geysir, Haukadalur is the home of a multitude of mud pools, fumaroles and algal deposits. Strokkur erupts once every 4-8 minutes and reaches a height of 15-20 m, sometimes it goes as high as 40 m up in the air.

It is spectacular, scary and very Icelandic. But then again, so are many, many, many other locations in Iceland. We have geothermal areas and awesome waterfalls all over the place. So why is this 300 km loop such a phenomena when it comes to tourism? Ask anybody and they will tell you that if you only have one day in Iceland, spend it on the Golden Circle.

Why? It has been argued that any wonder of nature that can me fitted into a day tour from Reykjavik, has nice roads and shops and catering at the other end would become an

attraction. The argument is basically that it is simply combination of these factors that has made the Golden Circle what it is. I must admit that this is an argument that I have found myself making from time to time in pure irritation over the popularity of this particular waterfall over all the others.

But I’ve been thinking and I have a theory: When my parents were kids people used to go for a drive on Sundays. Sometimes just within the city limits but on nice summer days the Sunday-drive concept was taken to the next level. Is it possible that this is when the Golden Circle came to be? The trip would take the entire day and the roads were nothing like what they are now but all the same. People would make a packed lunch, eat it on Þingvellir, go to Geysir for afternoon coffee (where there has been coffee for sale since 1928!) and be back home in Reykjavik by dinner time. And now that I think about it, that is why the Golden Circle is so popular. Because in the old days it was OUR main attraction and when the tourists started pouring in, showing interest and asking where to go we naturally told them, without even a moment’s hesitation, to go where we´d been going for decades. So the Golden Circle being what it is really just says one thing about Icelanders; We are a “mi casa su casa” sort of folk and we want you to enjoy the same things we do. So I welcome you, no implore you, to go see the Golden Circle if it’s the only trip you make out of town while you’re here.

Reykjavik Excursions Tours Vatnsmyrarvegur 10, Reykjavik center Tel: +354 580 5400

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Food and Fun

This festival is as fun as they get and it‘s here Food & Fun is probably one of the most to stay. Recently, Icelandair and the city of descriptive brand names in the world. This Reykjavik made a three year contract with The culinary festival has been the main event in Federation of Iceland Industries to run Food & Reykjavík every late winter since 2002 and will Fun for the next three years. this winter take place on Feb 27th – March 3rd 2013, this time for the 12th consecutive year.

The original purpose of the festival is both It melts together fresh Icelandic ingredients, to draw attention to Icelandic cuisine, food exceptional culinary talents and the famous production and natural Icelandic nightlife, the end Icelandic ingredients and result being FUN in every to increase the number of case. The basis of the festival is off-season tourists. Over world-renowned chefs teaming It melts together fresh Icelandic ingredients, 200 foreign chefs have up with the finest restaurants exceptional culinary participated since 2002 in Reykjavik, creating a talents and the famous thus contributing to the special menu from only the introduction of Iceland and purest and finest Icelandic Icelandic nightlife Reykjavík as the gourmet ingredients. These menus are locations they are and presented for one week and we are proud to mention that National alongside the chefs prepare for a competition that Geographic recently voted for Food & Fun as takes place on the final day of the festival week. one of the most noteworthy food festivals in They prepare three courses as their entry, made the culinary world. exclusively from Icelandic ingredients.

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MyDestination - Reykjavik | 17

Tapashúsið - Simply fun dining Walking along the old fishermen‘s huts by Geirsgata has become very different to what it used to be a few years back. The activity in these old houses with the weird green colour has shifted from serving the small boat fishermen of Reykjavik to housing various restaurants, a gallery and a goldsmith to name a few. Taking a walk there on a calm evening has really become something else.

One of the restaurants you will find in this lovely area is Tapashusid (English: The Tapas House).

Upon walking in there on a brisk Thursday evening in October, the first thing I noticed was the distinctive beat of the Spanish dance Flamenco and guitar music. The dance was being performed live on the upper floor. I was told they were experimenting with this event and I hope they continue with it, oh what fun! Not in

any way less exciting was the menu. Gorgeous Tapas dishes to be selected individually or mixed by the house. We went for the Cuban mix and ordered a pitcher of Sangria to go with it. I’m not sure if it was the Sangria talking, but eating in this restaurant made me feel happy inside.

There is simply something heart-warming for an Icelander to be sitting in a renovated fisherman’s hut on a pier, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean and eating dish after dish of Spanish food that is so good it makes you want to take the chef home with you. But maybe it isn’t a wonder because the link to Spain is stronger here than one might imagine. Tapashusid is located in a former fisherman’s hut built in 1921. In the old days, the house was operated as a Salt Cod establishment and almost all of the production was exported to Spain. So there is indeed a connection. Salt Cod therefore has an honorary seat on the menu but according to the Tapas tradition, the menu is filled to the brim with versatile ingredients and cooking methods from all over the world. Eating Tapas is supposed to be loud, colourful, diverse and fun. And here in the old hut in Geirsgata, it sure is.

Tapashúsið

Aegisgardur 2, Reykjavik center, 101 Tel: +354-512-8181

harbour. That has now been incorporated into “The Tides”, a work of art by Hjörleifur Stefánsson developed in collaboration with the Minjavernd Heritage Trust. This gives the area an unique atmosphere that gets accentuated even further as the tide rolls in and out of the artwork simultaneously to the tide in the current harbour.

Fiskfélagið - An adventure under a bridge This is not the story of the three goats, this is the slogan for one of the best seafood restaurants in town, a remark made by one of their first customers as he contentedly pushed his plate to the side.

Fiskfélagið (English: The Fish Company) is located in one of the oldest houses in Reykjavik, commonly known as the Zimsen

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building. It dates back to 1884 and was originally situated in Hafnarstræti, a few hundred meters east of its current location.

In 2006 the house was completely renovated with tender loving care and then moved to Grófartorg in 2008 where it respectfully sits, under a bridge. During the groundwork stages of the Grófartorg reconstruction area, excavation revealed the remains of the older

The menu is, as the restaurants name suggests, designed to take you on a seafood journey and not only a journey of the Icelandic culinary waters. With the Fish Company you get taken on a trip around the world, with top class marine cuisine melted together with themes from Japan, France, Sweden, Fiji, Ireland, Tahiti and the USA to name few.

Dining at this restaurant is dining at its finest in Reykjavik. To my mind, this is a restaurant that you can always count on to make your evening something to remember. Add to that the wonderful surroundings of this renovated lovely old house, whether having lunch or dinner, you are in for a treat.

Fiskfélagið

Vesturgata 2a, Reykjavik center, 101 Tel: +354 552 5300

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Sign seld grein

They are

Sign year ago they expanded again but this time into the adjacent space at the marina, doubling the size of their work space. Sign has three full time goldsmiths and an intern working on the forging and two multi-tasking warriors that connect the company to the outside world. The spirit in the workplace is that of joy, team-spirit It started with a change of pace Sign was founded in 2004 by jeweller Sigurdur and fellowship and that’s the way the owner likes it. “This company is not just me. Sign only Ingi Bjarnason, known as Ingi. He had at that time been working as a goldsmith in Iceland exists in its current form because of the people for over a decade and was no stranger to the who work here” says Ingi and his assistant jewellery business. Eight Katla adds: “We are all part of the chain and it is very years ago Ingi wanted a change and he was focusing important that we share They are structured on the load and are linked into on two things; creating the mystique of Icelandic his own jewellery line and what the others are doing. nature, interwoven with spending more time with That way we create the the landscape, the lava his children. So he started synergy effect that makes and the sea, fire and ice. a business out of his garage Sign so unique.” (honestly, it doesn’t get any more Icelandic than that) and today he Forging the mystique of Icelandic nature makes seven of the most popular design lines The Sign jewellery is designed to be an in Icelandic jewellery and the company has experience. They are structured on the mystique of Icelandic nature, interwoven with outgrown the garage a long time ago. But the landscape, the lava and the sea, fire and ice. the funny thing is that his place of business Ingi has always emphasised being in good costill feels like home. Walking into the Sign workshop/store at the Hafnarfjörður marina operation with other artists in Iceland and he is is quite an experience. This stylishly renovated a firm believer in that artists of all genres need fisherman’s hut has been their base since 2008 to stick together and help each other out. He and was quite a step up from Ingi’s garage. A has always been ardent in his support and one Sign is a wonderful example of the power, dedication and entrepreneurship that has characterised Icelandic operations for centuries.

But Sign has taken this unique way of thinking a step further; they have excelled at it.

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day he thought it would be fun to join some of his artist friends in a photo ad. As a result, the photo above is the third annual advertisement for Sign where Icelandic artists gather in a photo wearing Sign jewellery. By now these are awaited with anticipation and the result this year is particularly fantastic.

You can find Sign products in 24 stores around the country, a list of retailers is on their website. They are very strong in the Icelandic market, both for their exceptional design and also for how well they service their retailers. Sign’s prime goal is to make top quality items and serve their clients the best they can. And if you have the chance to stop by their workshop at the Hafnarfjörður marina, I guarantee that whether you are there for having them custom make the jewel of your dreams or wanting to look through their collections, a visit there will be nothing but interesting and pleasurable because their happy attitude is absolutely contagious.

Sign

Fornubúðir 12, Hafnafjörður, 220.

Tel: +354 555 0800

MyDestination - Reykjavik | 19

Smáralind

shopping center In Smáralind you can get everything from watches to outdoor clothing, from toys to books and afterwards you can enjoy one of the many restaurants and cafés available, before treating yourself with a movie or a visit to the award winning indoor amusement park.

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Smáralind is the largest shopping center in Iceland. In the 62.000 m2 of bright and elegant design which is warm and pleasant all year round, everybody should be able to find something to their liking. Smáralind has over 80 stores and restaurants and a variety of recreation and entertainment. The diverse services available in Smáralind include a beauty salon, a hair salon, a sewing firm and they even have a nice, inexpensive car wash next door. From Hygea‘s secret beauty salon to the international newspapers of the day at the Eymundsson bookstore, Smáralind has everything to meet your needs. You can visit the furniture and decor store Líf & list, go leather purse hunting at Drangey, or build up your essential glacier hiking gear at one of

three Icelandic clothing producers specialized in the great outdoors. Watches, engagement rings and design jewellery are available in Carat, Meba Rhodium, Leonard and Jón & Óskar Goldsmiths, to name only a few; some pieces are custom made, others are carved from Icelandic stones with themes inspired by Nordic mythology.

How to get there Smáralind is conveniently located in the center of the capital area. It is easy to access by car and the driving distance from downtown Reykjavík is a few kilometers and should only take about 10 minutes. If you take the bus there, choose route 2 from the central bus station Hlemmur.

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A wide variety Smáralind offers a number of renowned labels like Karen Millen, Boss, Debenhams, Esprit, Topshop, Body Shop, Mac, Ecco, Zara, Dorothy Perkins, United Colors of Benetton, Levi‘s, Pandora and many more.

Being one of the two biggest shopping centers in Iceland, Smáralind is the place to be if you feel like adding a few items to your wardrobe. And if you get hungry, the restaurants in Smáralind are also of all shapes and sizes, from international chains such as TGI Friday‘s, Pizza Hut and Subway to local places like Serrano, Café Energia, Hlölli, Cafe Adesso and Sushigryfjan. For those who plan on spending time outdoors and are looking for Icelandic design in outdoor sports clothing, Smáralind has 66°North, Cintamani and Zo-on Iceland, stores that can bring you virtually everything you could ever need to enjoy outdoor activities in Iceland, or anywhere else for the matter, at any time of the year.

only indoor amusement park in the country and its fan club is made up from children of all ages. It offers Laser Tag, a droptower for kids, a dark ride 7D cinema, bumper cars, bowling and an arcade to name a few. It also has a sports bar on the upper floor where the more mature generation can enjoy sports on TV and play pool. There is no way to walk by Skemmtigarðurinn without getting at least a hint of a smile onto your face. The sounds of fun and laughter can be heard all the way into the street! The Skemmtigarðurinn amusement park was awarded the IAAPA award for 2012 best

indoors amusement park in the world, which is something that Smáralind is very proud of and proves that this is an amusement park that delivers what it promises, to say the least.

Tax Free If you shop in Smáralind you can get your Tax Free return on the premises. The service desk on the 2nd floor receives Tax Free forms and the customer can get his refund there and then.

This is a simple and convenient solution that simplifies your departure when leaving Iceland.

Smáralind is the place to be if you feel like adding a few items to your wardrobe

Recreation for all ages The Smáralind cinema, Smárabíó, is a worldclass multiplex cinema with the capacity of 1,000 seats in five halls with perfect RealD 3D digital technology and equipment to broadcast live events in 3D. The Luxury hall at Smárabíó is designed for the most demanding visitors and it is unparalleled in Iceland with first-class armchairs for 65 people and a top quality widescreen to ensure maximum comfort and experience. After eight o’clock in the evenings the Luxury hall has an 18 years age limit.

Smárabíó shows all foreign movies in their original languages but with Icelandic subtitles.

Skemmtigarðurinn amusement park opened in Smáralind in November 2011 and has been hugely popular from day one. It is the

Conveniently located just a few minutes from the Reykjavik city center, Iceland‘s biggest mall welcomes you with over 80 shops and businesses fulfilling your every shopping need.

Smáralind

Hagasmári 1, Kópavogur, 201 Tel: +354 528 8000 www.smaralind.is Locally informed, globally inspired

MyDestination - Reykjavik | 21

Café París It’s the place where the locals feel at home. So will you.

When I walked into Café Paris to interview the manager I was for some reason expecting the place to be closed. After all, it was 10 am on a Thursday and I figured that if the staff were in fact already there then they were probably just getting ready for the day. To my surprise is was not only open but fairly busy with peple eating breakfast and having coffee. I noticed an elderly man sitting at a table facing the bar when he called out the waiter’s name and asked if they had a certain type of croissants. “Wow, a regular, how cozy“ I thought and proceeded to ask for the manager. After we sat down on the next table she told me that he was not the only regular customer, not by far. For example a group of 14 people have met there every morning for 20 years, not always all of them but always sitting at the same table. The staff call them “the wise men“ and there are pictures of some of them on the wall. By that time it had started to dawn on me that there was something very special about this place.

The location The house that Café Paris is in was built in 1925. There was a big fire in downtown Reykjavík in 1915 which destroyed everything that had been on that spot before. After the fire, the particular property Café Paris stands on was called „The golden spot“. It was very expensive and because of that it went unsold for 10 years. It finally went to mayor Jón Þorláksson who built the house sparing no expense. It was the second house in all af Reykjavik to have an elevator in it, which was a clear sign of prosperity back then. There have been various operations in the building through the years, restuarants,

clothing stores and a kiosk to name a few, and in the year 1936, siblings Axel Ketilsson and Soffía Ketilsdóttir bought the house from Jón Þorláksson. Axel‘s wife ran a women’s clothing store called London on the second floor for many years where women in Reykjavik would find the latest Paris fashion every year. Also Axel‘s daughter went to study in Paris which made the city dear to them, and it made it easy for his son Ketill to choose a name when he founded Café Paris in 1992. By that time he owned the entire building and when he and his wife opened they served crépes and cakes. Café Paris immediately became immensely popular and had up to 500 customers every day by the time it changed owners.

Every detail matters and every day has its charm. We never know how the day will turn out when we turn up in the morning. All we know is that everybody at Café Paris has a common goal; to keep the customer satisfied.

The change In 2005 Ketil‘s family decided to sell the business, and the current owner, Grétar Ingi Berndtsen invested in the whole building along with the café. He soon decided to make changes, both in the accommodation and the menu. “We found ourselves having

to re-think everything“ says manager Guðný Atladóttir. “We calculated how many seats we needed and decided to turn the focus onto creating a pub culture in the evenings and expand the patio outside the café. We had to close for 6 weeks during the renovations.

Everybody had an opinion and critics claimed we were making a huge mistake, that the spirit of Café Paris would disappear with the changes. Today we get over one thousand customers per day during the summer and all the regulars still come here every day so I guess we have thoroughly proven them wrong“ Guðný says and smiles.

The place to be But what is it that makes Café Paris so special?

“I actually gave this question some thought last year“ she says laughing. “For tourists, Café Paris is simply a part of seeing downtown Reykjavik. Our clientele during the summer months is 50/50 tourists and locals so this is where people mix. We get many people from the Icelandic media in here, lawyers from the court house and also groups of friends that come here every week, same weeknight, year after year. In December we have groups from the kindergartens during the day, small children that come in there with their nannies for hot cocoa and ginger bread cookies. We have college and university students coming and going all day. This is where the locals and the tourists mix and mingle. We are first and foremost a restaurant, the magic in here is a free side dish.” I have to agree with her and I hate to leave. There is just something so irresistible about sitting by these huge 87 year old windows and watching the people, both inside and outside. Café Paris will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in the next months and has had a 35% increase in turnover this year. I’m not surprised.

Café París

Austurstræti 14, Reykjavik center, 101 Tel: +354 551 1020

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MyDestination - Reykjavik | 23

All kinds of everything for losers Jón Gnarr, the mayor of Reykjavík, is a very special man.

The spring of 2010 was special to say the least in Icelandic politics. In the 18 months that had passed since the economic crash of October 2008 the Icelandic people had been stumbling through the stages of grief, many were stuck in anger and there was an outcry for change in the political scene. The four settled political parties in the country had undergone what to some seemed like a quick wash and the three parties mostly blamed for the crash were stuck in pointing the finger at each other.

The Best Party in town Situations like these create a golden opportunity for those inclined to join the game, so to speak.

Never before in the history of democracy in Iceland had there been a stronger outcry for an “out with the old, in with the new“ cleansing spree. It was under these conditions that Besti Flokkurinn (English: The Best Party) was formed towards the end of 2009.

When Besti Flokkurinn announced in late 2009 that they were entering the elections for city council in Reykjavik, first responses indicated that this would be something else. Besti Flokkurinn got 3% in a Gallup Poll just after they joined the race and by the end of April they were up to an astonishing 23,7%.

The election took place on May 29th 2010.

Opponents from other parties had up until then been secretly (some even openly) wishing for the joke to end. They were in for the disappointment of a lifetime. Besti Flokkurinn got 34,7% of the votes and six of fifteen members on the council.

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The punk mayor And if you aren’t laughing already, their slogan Their leading man and candidate for mayor “All kinds of everything for losers” should at was well known for many things in Iceland least put a smile on our face. before Besti Flokkurinn won the election.

Politics was not one of them. This actor/ Now, how in the world did a party with this writer/comedian named Jón Gnarr first agenda manage to get 34,7% of the votes became known for his comic radio shows in in general elections? It is amazing what can the mid 90’s and later happen when people are diverged into making disappointed and angry.

Oddly enough, despite sketch-based TV-shows.

But regardless of how being run by this colourful His trademark is a and why, this is what the character and his band of very satirical sense of people voted for and this friends, Reykjavik still stands humour, a complete lack is what they got. of political correctness and utter disrespect for norms and traditions.

Obi-Wan Kenobi In other words, everything a growing mayor So what kind of mayor is Jón Gnarr? It needs. For example, the issues Besti flokkurinn depends on who you talk to (goes a bit emphasised during their campaign were based without saying). To the self-acclaimed on the following: “serious politicians” in Iceland, he is a joke.

But not just a joke, a dangerously idiotic fop without a clue in Hell of what it takes to run a city of 120.000 inhabitants and very likely • Helping the homes in the country to run the city to ruin. I guess for people that • Improving the situation of the less fortunate are used to making trained speeches and are • Ending corruption experts on using fancy words on meaningless • Installing equality in the society stuff, a mayor that claims half way through • Improving transparency his time in office that his party´s biggest • Establishing an active democracy accomplishment is that they don’t badmouth • Wiping out the debts of everybody other people is … well … irritating to say the • Free bus tickets for students and losers least. And the irritation is understandable, • Free dental service for children and losers try for a moment to put yourself in their • Free admittance to swimming pools for everybody shoes: You have from an early age been and free towels groomed by the political party of your • To bring justice upon those responsible for the choice (or your parents’ choice) to become a economic crash member of either city council or parliament.

• Complete gender equality You have spent years or decades training and • To pay more attention to women and old people

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force of any kind in Iceland should let this be a lesson to them . This is what can happen if you get too comfortable.

As for Jón Gnarr, he is without question one of the best actors, screenplay writers and directors of comedy Iceland has ever had. Maybe we will never know if he wrote the events of spring 2010 beforehand or if him becoming mayor of Reykavik was the result of the biggest improv in the history of comedy in Europe. It doesn’t really matter. This was one for the books.

preparing for a race in a game where the rules are given and you think you know them by heart. You attended the right schools, achieve the appropriate degrees, choose a fitting career, you even opt for a life partner that will hopefully look good on interview photos and for what? To lose an election to a guy that attends public functions dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi?

Joke or no joke Oddly enough, despite being run by this colourful character and his band of friends,

Reykjavik still stands. All services are still being provided, the economy of the city is not prominently worse off than before, the wheels are still in motion. Granted, according to the latest polls, support to Besti Flokkurinn has plummeted, but that is more often than not the case towards end of term where the dominant party of the council is concerned. Whether or not Besti Flokkurinn will run again in 2014 is uncertain. There are probably powers in Iceland working hard to make sure this gag doesn’t run twice in a row. But joke or no joke, everybody remotely connected to a political

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For info, booking and reservation please contact: Tel: +354 562 2500 info@heli.is / www.heli.is

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Celebrating design Bringing style to Iceland since 1975

Epal

Skeifan 6, Reykjavik Area, 108 Tel: +354 568 7740

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Epal is a company that is lovingly familiar to all use of easily available wood types and traditional craftsmanship is a continuing Icelanders. It was founded almost 40 years ago when young Eyj贸lfur P谩lsson returned from trend in Scandinavian design. Scandinavian studying furniture design in Copenhagen. He furniture is of a unique and stimulating soon realised that there were things missing in class and this widely known common term Iceland for him to carry through his projects applies to furniture from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and in the way he would This is the sort of store Iceland. This type have chosen. It was this you can always walk out of shortage that lead to the of furniture has then feeling like you have invested founding of Epal. evolved over the years Once upon a time ... to confirm to the in beauty and style. standards of modernity.

Because the Industrial Revolution started Epal has always strived to offer the best of Scandinavian design at any given time. late in Scandinavia, Swedish, Finnish and Danish designers created modern design Famous items such as The Egg and Series 7 using traditional materials and handcrafts

by Arne Jakobsen, PH 5 by Poul Henningsen back in the early 20th century and that and timeless giftware by Iittala and Georg

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Jensen have been available in Epal for decades. But the list of design items available is extremely long and very interesting. This is the sort of store you can always walk out of feeling like you have invested in beauty and style.

The visionary Eyjólfur’s objective through the years has been to increase understanding and respect for good design and quality products by introducing first class design and offering noted design labels from Scandinavia and other countries.

But his main passion has always revolved around supporting Icelandic designers and he has strived to assist in promoting their work.

In his own words: “I realised a long time ago that good things happen at a slow pace. And when you feel like things aren’t happening fast enough it is best to take a deep breath, look at things in perspective and realise that Iceland has an abundance of well educated, hardworking people doing great things and working together in achieving their mutual goals. At Epal, we want to support this in any way we can by helping Icelandic designers put their ideas into action.” In an article Eyjólfur published in 2004 he addresses this point even further: “Up until now Iceland has been far behind the other Nordic countries in supporting design and designers. With a strong, joined effort we could come a long way in improving the conditions of Icelandic designers who are advancing rapidly both home and abroad.” Eyjólfur stepped down from running Epal in 2010 and handed the torch over to his son, Kjartan Páll Eyjólfsson. Eyjólfur admits that he still has strong opinions regarding

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everything remotely related to the running of Epal but now that the store is in his son’s capable hands he has more time to work on his passion, to help young Icelandic designers make their way in the jungle out there.

The stores With this beautiful vision as a guiding light, Epal has flourished in the past four decades and there are now three Epal stores in Iceland.

The flag store is located in Skeifan, Reykjavík, filled with love, beautiful furniture, design ornaments and gorgeous crockery. Epal also have a store at Keflavik Airport Duty Free that focuses mainly on smaller design products and gifts, perfect for visiting on your way back from your stay in Iceland. The most recent addition is a store in Harpa, the Reykjavik Conference Hall and Concert Centre. Harpa has since its opening in May 2011 become one of the most renowned architectural works of art in Iceland so it is very fitting for Epal to have a store there and for Icelandic and Scandinavian design to shine and flourish within the walls of our beloved and long-awaited music hall.

We offer classical items that never go out of style.

When asked what era of furniture fashion most impresses him, Eyjólfur replies: “It is hopeless to speak of fashion when it comes to furniture and house accessories and I would rather not do that. We offer classical items that never go out of style. I think it is very important for people to invest in items that can withstand the test of time.”

MyDestination - Reykjavik | 27

Invest in your soul …

… go fishing!

Fishing and hunting comes natural to most • Iceland has the healthiest salmon Icelanders. Yes, that is a bold statement population in the world and I might be exaggerating a little. But the • Iceland has unspoiled nature and countless survival of this nation has through the ages rivers been based on taking Lýsi and consuming • Icelandic salmon rivers are in the first-class quality fish, taken from lakes with mostly bracket, ranking with the finest in the world pure and clean water, rivers of all shapes • In the summer you can enjoy Iceland in 24 and sizes and of course the ever so generous hours of daylight sea. Iceland’s water is clean and you can pull • Iceland is the ultimate location for fishing over pretty much anywhere and drink from the Atlantic Salmon the nearest creek. The fish here is pure and people come The green giant from all over the world to Having said all that and to People come from experience the joy of fishing be fair, we also need to talk all over the world to in a country as pure and experience the joy of about Greenland. It has beautiful as Iceland. been said that the names fishing in a country of Iceland and Greenland as pure and beautiful Quality and experience must have been accidentally as Iceland Lax-á is one of the world‘s switched somewhere along largest fishing and hunting the way because Greenland outfitters. Founded in 1987, Lax-á has is the one with all the ice. It is also Lax-á’s organized adventure tours for over a quarter latest destination and it is indeed a fishing and of a century which makes them one of wilderness paradise. There they have ensured the oldest in the country in this business. exclusive hunting rights on over 500 square They tailor make each tour and make sure kilometres of land on the Southwest coast that every event becomes a memorable where they have set up camp. Guests are flown experience, if not only because: from Reykjavík to Narsarssuaq and transported

by boat or helicopter to the camp. With the choice of hunting caribou, arctic hare, musk ox, seal, marine birds and last but not least having the best Arctic char areas in the world, a trip to Greenland can easily become the hunters dream come true.

Lax Á

Various locations around Iceland Tel: +354 531 6100

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ICELANDIC WOOL

WORN OUT FOR CENTURIES We of fer clot h i n g & ot her mer ch a nd is e t h at r em i nd s u s of go o d old Ic el a nd

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– V i s it ou r s t or e s : 101 R e y k ja v í k , A k u r e y r i a n d G e y s i r, H a u k a d a l . w w w. g e y s i r. n e t –

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Icelandic saddles for the Icelandic horse The innovative family business Anyone having had something to do with horses in Iceland in the past decade knows Ástund.

This family company was founded in 1976 and initially they started by importing equestrian products but in 1985 they set up their own saddle workshop. So for the last 27 years Ástund has been producing their own saddles and other tack in addition to repairs and custom making products. Their workshop is equipped with the best tools available in the field and their store is famous for its quality products and professional service.

The best saddles Ástund Special was the first saddle made at the workshop and instantly it became the most popular saddle in Iceland. It is safe to say that being the first Icelandic saddle built onto a spring tree has revolutionised saddlemaking in Iceland. The spring tree is made from natural materials; 4-5 wooden layers of birchwood glued together and fortified with laser reinforced steel springs. The qualities of the spring tree are unequivocal, giving flexibility and suspension throughout the entire system which ensures that the weight of the rider is distributed evenly onto the horses back. This is very important because the saddle must in fact work as a shock absorber between horse and

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rider. All Ástund saddles are handcrafted from the finest, premium selection of English, Italian and Swiss leather. Ástund has now renovated their shop and extended their facilities, including a department for the world famous French label AIGLE. This renovation has been well received by customers.

The best design Ástund has through the years designed and made saddles and tack in co-operation with some of Icelands best riders whose professional guidance and demands have been a deciding factor in how good Ástund products are. But as before, Ástund saddles are first and foremost designed for those who value the health of their horses. Ástund Xenophon and Ástund Epona, the two new additions to the collection, have made a stellar debut and by now it is safe to say that the company has experience and expertise far beyond others in the field. Their knowledge and quality service is what the customers can always count on.

“The Ástund saddle is designed to act as a shock absorber between horse and rider.

Therefore it is very important that both the tree and the saddle are thoroughly flexible, as opposed to only the rear part of the saddle or the part where the fans join the tree.”

Ástund

Háaleitisbraut 68 Reykjavik center, 103 Tel: +354 568 4240

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How to relax in Reykjavik Laugar Spa is the perfect place to go and forget all your worries!

Want to relax during your holiday? Laugar Spa is a wellness center for your whole family. Their outdoor and indoor thermal pools, beauty and massage clinic and unique fitness center combined with a luxury spa will help you breeze into a wonderful and relaxing holiday.

Laugar is the country‘s largest health center establishment. Their philosophy is that everyone should be able to find a leisure activity to fit their needs. At Laugar, you can mix and match your own personalized leisure programme, afterwards you will feel so much better in both body and soul.

Hot and cold In Laugar Spa you enter an aquatic haven.

Six different saunas and steam rooms are available, each one with a different theme.

You can experience sounds of nature and a starry night sky and inhale different aromas.

You can soothe tired limbs in a Thalasso therapy Jacuzzi, rejuvenate tired feet in a

special foot-bath, switch between hot and cold showers in special cubicles or enjoy delicious food and drink in one of the three restaurants on the premises.

The Salon Laugar Spa is also a beauty and massage salon where professionals ensure that guests get good service and excellent relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They use products from Guerlain and Comfort Zone, which are well known throughout the world. The treatments available present a combination of ancient wisdom and modern knowledge, mixed with the benefits of nature.

The atmosphere in Laugar Spa is very relaxed and designed to help make the best experience for every guest. There you will find the famous relaxation room, equipped with comfortable benches and a centrally located fireplace. Perfect to shut your eyes and forget all your worries!

Laugar Spa & fitness Sundlaugarvegi 30a, Reykjavik Area, 105 Tel: +354 553 0000

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MyDestination - Reykjavik | 31

From city lights to super jeeps Mountaineers of Iceland operate snowmobiles from two base camps on Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjökull. They own about 80 snowmobiles and 500 winter overalls to keep their groups warm during the ride.

Snowmobiles are great fun and easy to operate.

All the Mountaineers’ snowmobiles are two seated touring sleds with hand warmers and a high windshield. Participants can choose between a double and a single ride. Just remember to bring your driver‘s licence and make sure it‘s valid. To them, safety is the biggest issue and everyone engaged in their activity service operations have extensive experience in the tourism industry and in activity operations, the strictest safety standards are always employed. All participants are provided with necessary gear like warm overalls, helmets, boots and gloves.

the operator of an open motorized vehicle on your way up to the second largest glacier of a volcanic island will introduce you to a feeling to which there is no comparison. Mind you, everybody is allowed to go at their own pace to start with and if you would rather double up with your partner and sit in the back, the experience will still provide you with something to share with your grandchildren.

Long or short If you are on a tight schedule while staying in our beautiful country, the Express Activity tour might be more suitable for you. It takes you to Langjökull or a snow area in the mountains.

Once there, you will embark upon an exhilarating one hour snowmobiling tour across endless white fields of snow. This is a great way to combine the experience of some awe-inspiring scenery and an adrenaline-filled activity.

Mix and match The reason The Golden Circle in mentioned here is that the Mountaineers of Iceland offer day tours where 1 hour of snowmobiling is included: The Express Activity Tour and the Pearl Tour. The Pearl Tour takes you on All kinds of everything the Golden Circle, but with a snowmobiling The Mountaineers also own and operate super twist. This tour allows visitors to get in touch jeeps and trucks which have been specially with some of Iceland’s most famous and modified to get to glaciers and other remote exciting natural phenomena and add a glacial areas by the rugged mountain adventure to it. It takes you tracks of the highlands, to all the must-sees; Þingvellir inaccessible to normal cars.

National Park, Geysir hot If you have a knack for spring, Gullfoss (English: adventure and the need Their super jeeps have extra-large tires, 38 and 44 The Golden Waterfall) and for speed, this day trip inches, so they can get their then they kick the action into offers Iceland‘s best guests to areas that no other higher gear to get even closer and then some. vehicles can. And if that to Iceland’s nature and go for isn’t enough, the biggest “car” of the fleet is a a snowmobiling tour on Langjökull, Iceland’s modified ManKat 8x8 army truck for up to 56 second largest glacier. If you have a knack for passengers! All the Mountaineers’ Jeeps have adventure and the need for speed, this day radio transceivers for communication between trip offers Iceland‘s best and then some. To be

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cars and a GPS Satellite Navigation System so whether you want to go on a scheduled trip or design your own Icelandic adventure, you are in good hands.

If you are in the mood for a mystery-filled tour in a super jeep, that can also be arranged.

The Mountaineers have put together a special tour spiced with excitement and surprises, away from the city lights and into the barren landscape in the outskirts of Reykjavík in search of the elusive Northern Lights. On a clear night and with a little luck you can see the lights swirl around in dramatic shapes across the night sky. Let me tell you on behalf of everybody who has witnessed such an amazing sight; life will always be a little bit better for it.

Mountaineers of Iceland Skútuvogur 12e, Reykjavik Area, 104 Tel: +354 580 9900

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LĂŠttĂśl

Try something special from the local brewery

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MyDestination - Reykjavik | 33

SKÁL! You couldn’t possibly plan a trip to Iceland without learning about the crazy Reykjavik nightlife along the way. Reykjavik at night is a place where mass public drinking is completely socially acceptable from Thursday evening to Sunday morning, even though it is technically illegal. Alcohol cannot be purchased in grocery stores in Iceland as beer, wine and hard liquor are exclusively sold in outlets run by the State Alcohol and Tobacco Company of Iceland, referred to by locals as “Ríkið” (The State). Due to the high price of alcohol in bars, many Icelanders like to “pregame” at home before going out, which is why you probably won’t walk into a crowded bar or club until after midnight. It could also be the reason for the extremity of intoxication on the streets even after the clubs close. You see, Icelanders have a long and complicated history with alcohol.

Photo: Árni Torfason

Reykjavik nightlife and Icelandic drinking habits Beer Day on that day. Beer is currently the most popular alcoholic beverage in Iceland.

When at an Icelandic bar, you must seize the opportunity to taste some of our infamous original spirits. Brennivín (literal translation: burning wine) is our signature liquor, a brand of schnapps made from fermented potato mash and flavoured with caraway seeds. It is sometimes referred to as “Black Death”, doesn’t that sound good? Another drink we encourage you to try is Opal. Opal has the same taste and name as licorice pastille drops that have been a very popular candy in Iceland for decades.

When Quentin Tarantino appeared on Conan O’Brien after spending New Years eve in Iceland a few years ago he mentioned Opal, and this is what he had to say:

“They have the foulest stuff ever made, it’s this liquor called Opal. I don’t really know what poison tastes like ‘cause if I did I would be dead, but if I had to imagine what poison would taste Alcohol was prohibited in Iceland from like, it would be this stuff Opal. Here’s the weird 1915 and the ban lasted to some extent until thing, it’s based on this candy that the Icelanders 1989. Don’t think that the laws were forced have been eating since they were little kids so upon us by an evil government, Icelanders they’re used to the taste, so they love it”. Then actually voted in favour of the ban in a 1908 he proceeded to tell Conan referendum. Originally the about how Björk introduced ban prohibited all alcohol Icelanders have a him to the stuff, but that’s but twenty years after the long and complicated a whole other story. It’s not prohibition went into effect it history with alcohol. actually that bad. was partially lifted and only applied to beer. This was Reykjavik is filled with party animals of all mainly for business reasons, as Spain refused ages. The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20 to import fish from Iceland unless Iceland years. The drinking laws are fully enforced and imported Spanish wines. The prohibition was taken seriously at bars and in liquor stores. lifted even further after a national vote in 1935 You have to be at least 20 years old to get in to came out in favour of legalizing spirits. On clubs and bars but some places don’t let you in March 1st in 1989 beer was finally legalized as unless you’re 22. Everyone should be able to well and ever since Icelanders have celebrated

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find a place to their liking as long as they’re old enough. During the weekend most bars and clubs close at 4:30am and some at 3:00am. The legal opening hours used to be 5:30 but a little over a year ago the laws were changed. On weekdays most bars close at 1:00 am and some a bit earlier. There are plenty of noteworthy bars and clubs in Reykjavik.

Lebowski bar: Lebowski bar is a recent and welcome addition to Iceland’s bar culture. It’s a bowling themed diner and bar located on Laugavegur shopping street. The bar was designed in the spirit of the 1998 cult film “The Big Lebowski” by the Coen brothers. Lebowski bar is divided into four areas with separate themes - An American porch, a 50’s style diner/dancefloor, bowling alley and a treehorn lounge bar on the upper floor. The house drink is a White Russian and you really must try one, they are delicious.

Lebowski bar has quickly become quite popular among locals and travellers as it’s a good mainstream bar with playful surroundings and is a good hangout place in general.

English Pub: The English pub is, as the name suggests, an English themed pub that serves 40 of the finest brands of beer, ale and whiskey to the thirsty people of Reykjavik. The famous “wheel of fortune” is a very popular feature of the English pub where one can win up to a metre of beer with a single spin if they’re lucky enough. The pub features cover bands and troubadours playing music that appeals to a wide range of people every single night.

When world famous actress Emma Watson came to Iceland last summer to shoot a film,

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shiny, and the people who frequent Austur seem to be fashioned after the interior. The beautiful people flock there every weekend to listen to live DJ’s and dance into the night.

Dressy attire is preferred. The bar offers a wide selection of cocktails, shots, wines and beer. Groups can buy a VIP table with a complimentary bottle of choice. If you’re in the mood for a fabulous night surrounded by beauty and luxury, we suggest that you start your nightlife adventure at Austur.

Photo: DoctorWho

B5: B5 is a trendy and upscale bar-bistro located in Bankastraeti in downtown Reykjavik. During the day people drop in to enjoy a cup of coffee and light dishes, but when the night falls they dim the lights and the atmosphere changes accordingly.

B5 has a modern and sleek feel to it, thanks to Ölstofa Kormáks & Skjaldar: contemporary and stylish Scandinavian interior.

Almost always referred to by locals as just The main area turns into a dance floor shortly “Ölstofan”, it’s a bar for people who like to after midnight. Soon after that you’ll see the place keep things simple. Ölstofan is frequented by fill up with good looking and well-dressed people local artists, writers and other intellectuals, dancing and drinking. There are two lounges at and the clientele is mostly 30+. They have B5, the b-lounge and the white whiskey room. a great selection of beers The b-lounge is all red and from all over the world but white and able to seat up to 30 Everyone should be you really must try Bríó, people, with a fully equipped able to find a place to the house brew. Bríó was sound system, a projector and their liking as long as developed by Borg Brewery fireplace. The white whiskey they’re old enough. in collaboration with Ölstofa room is situated in an old bank Kormáks og Skjaldar, and it vault, divided into several won gold at the biggest and most prestigious compartments and beautifully decorated. The inbeer competition in the world, World Beer house DJ’s help create an unforgettable nightlife Cup 2012, where a little less than 4000 experience every weekend. beers fought for the big title. Unlike most bars in Reykjavik the music at Ölstofan is Boston: kept at a level where you can actually have a If you’re looking to have a drink in a beautiful conversation over your drinks without yelling vintage environment, Boston is an ideal place and there’s no dance floor. Ölstofan is a simple to start the night. The interior is quite stylish, pub for people who like to go out but still take decorated from head to toe with wallpaper, soft it somewhat easy. lighting, glass mosaics, mirrors, animal trophies and antique furniture. The music you’ll hear Faktorý: on a regular night at Boston is a mix of jazz, Faktorý is one of the main concert venues in golden oldies and recent discoveries presented the city, and there is something happening there to you by some of Reykjavik’s most skilled and every night. It’s consists of a concert space on experienced DJ’s. Boston is a popular hangout the second floor and two separate drinkingplace among locals who are connected to the and dancing areas downstairs. Faktorý was Icelandic film- or music industry. Casual attire named the “Best newcomer bar” in Grapevine is accepted, but most of the patrons dress magazine’s best-of issue in 2011, and the “Best fashionably. Happy hour at Boston is every day all-around bar” in 2012. Faktorý has gained a from 4pm-8pm, during which time the upstairs lot of popularity over the past year. It is one of patio is open to all guests, providing them with the main venues for the Iceland Airwaves music a beautiful view of old Reykjavik. festival and there are multiple concerts there every week. The clientele at Faktorý is mostly Austur: between the ages of 20-30 but many of the From flattering bathroom lighting to fabulous events there attract people of all ages. It’s not mosaic glass walls, Austur is all about trend, all concerts though, you can go there any night class and appeal. Austur is one of the hottest of the week to enjoy a glass of beer with your clubs in downtown Reykjavik, and has been friends and hang out on the first floor. During since it first opened in 2009. Located in the weekend, Faktorý is an essential part of the Austurstraeti surrounded by other clubs and city’s club culture, and people go there to dance bars, Austur still manages to be the center of the night away. attention. The place looks modern, sleek and she took one night off to party at the English pub, and she even sang for the crowd with her boyfriend. The English pub is also a popular sports bar, and all major games are shown on big screens. The English pub has a little something for everyone.

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Dolly: Dolly is the latest addition to the bar scene in Reykjavik, and so far it has been very well received. It was founded by Dora Takefusa, a former television show host in Iceland who also runs the bar Jolene in Copenhagen, a place that is very popular among Icelanders in Denmark. Dolly is based on the same concept as Jolene, although the two places are inevitably a bit different from each other since one is located in an old slaughterhouse in the industrial district of Copenhagen, and the other one in an old wooden house in downtown Reykjavik. Dolly is on two floors, decorated with romantic wallpaper, red lights and beautiful furniture. It’s full of hip and stylish people, which are usually kept entertained on the dancefloor by the city’s most skilled and popular house DJ’s. With a growing reputation, the future looks good for Dolly.

Kaffibarinn: Kaffibarinn is without a doubt the best known bar in Reykjavík for many good reasons. It was founded back in the early nineties and has since then been featured in the cult film 101 Reykjavík, frequently visited by Björk and other Icelandic celebrities and partially owned by singer Damon Albarn. Kaffibarinn has been the center of Icelandic nightlife for years and for some reason it never goes out of style. It’s a cozy bar on most weekdays, softly lit and nicely decorated but as the weekend gets closer the atmosphere changes. Kaffibarinn is the perfect place to meet new people, dance on chairs, hang out with friends, have philosophical conversations with complete strangers or get wasted. It’s a place where anyone can have fun, no matter where they come from, how old they are, how they dress or what they do.

Photo: DoctorWho

MyDestination - Reykjavik | 35

Geothermal wonderland A mere 77 km east of Reykjavík you will find a lovely little village of 150 residents. It’s called Laugarvatn and I love it.

Laugarvatn is part of the Golden Circle and it is has to offer. It all started with boys from the well worth the stop if you have time. I fear that college building a tent over the hot spring and this gem of a town is more often than not left out making their own steam room. In the years to when rushing passt it to go see Gullfoss and the come, the tent was replaced by a wooden shed geysers. You really should take the time though, and today this old hot spring sits under one of if but only to go visit the Laugarvatn Fontana. the most elegant and well-appointed spas in the Laugarvatn is a highly active geothermal area. country, called Laugarvatn Fontana. The tasteful Laugarvatn Fontana is another cutting-edge architecture makes awesome Icelandic by-product of this a pure modern-day indulgence the heat we have in the ground. but at the same time it preserves A steam bath that the A new and modern sauna with the sanctity of the Laugarvatn locals in Laugarvatn all the comforts you can think of, area highlighted by the turf roof, had been enjoying built on the foundation of a steam the clean stark lines and floorsince the 1920s. bath that the locals in Laugarvatn to-ceiling windows. It is really a had been enjoying since the 1920s. modern day homage to the area as This town has been the seat of two colleges a whole. The steam rises directly from the ground since 1928 and it has a history of young people through grids in the cabin floors and makes this making what they can out of what mother nature newly decorated wellness centre a plethora of

good health and wellbeing. You can actually hear the hot springs boil beneath your feet and during the winter months you can experience the ever changing weather in Iceland and the northern lights if you are lucky, all while seated in a lovely warm tub with a cold drink in your hand. The bravest of cold water enthusiasts can then jump from a wooden deck into the cool part of the lake and come back to plush towels and heated floors. I know it sounds like heaven and trust me, it almost is.

Fontana

Hverabraut 1, Laugarvatn, 840 Tel: +354 486 1400

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Drinking outside the box Reyka Vodka - The lava rock vodka

What happens when you have very clever people make vodka from the purest ingredients you can find in the cleanest air available anywhere in the civilized areas of the planet? You get unbelievably good vodka, that‘s what happens.

The heritage They make it in Borgarnes, a small village on the west coast of Iceland. The Viking heritage around there is strong but Borgarnes started developing as a municipality after the first shop opened there in 1877. When you live on the edge of the world like Icelanders do, you need to figure by yourself out how to make life fun because the circus is rarely in town. Icelanders start the festivities by making their own vodka. With dark and seemingly endless winter nights and summer days that go on forever, the people of this country are used to improvising and doing things differently. Thinking outside the box and making use of what we have at hand is what has kept the Icelandic people alive for over a thousand years.

The design and development of Reyka vodka is based on that heritage of ingenuity.

Lava rock filtering If there is such a thing anymore as handcrafting vodka, that is how Reyka is made, in very small batches where experts tend to every detail in the production process. It is made under the strictest of standards with pure Icelandic spring water and since Iceland is not rich in trees (as in: we almost don‘t have any), Reyka vodka is filtered through lava rocks.

Add to that its distillation in a unique Carter Head still and it becomes apparent where the crisp, clean taste and smooth finish come from.

This drop of brilliance being the winner of the IWSC 2011 Vodka Trophy is no coincidence.

The design of the bottle is also brilliant. The sleek, convenient design and the Icelandic letters on the label make it a perfect gift. So if you have a vodka lover in your circle of friends (or better yet, if you are one yourself), you should stop by one of Iceland’s many offlicense stores or get it at the duty-free store on your way home. You will get innovation and zest for life at its finest, in a bottle.

IWSC Tasting Notes: “Ultra clean nose and as near neutral as possible. Delightful alcoholic tingle in the nose. Graceful and beautifully fresh impact on the palate which stimulates all the senses and releases slight but gorgeous hints of clean citrus, grain and some super smooth flow across the palate. Beautifully textured and perfectly balanced. Long finish with cleanest of clean farewells.”

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MyDestination - Reykjavik | 37

Precious family design and endless variety Visit Jón & Óskar – They will be happy to see you Jón & Óskar is one of Reykjavík‘s most established watch and jewellery stores.

The owners and founders, Jón Sigurjónsson master goldsmith and Óskar Óskarsson master watchmaker have over 40 years of experience under their belts and their store in Laugavegur 61 is the largest of its kind in the country.

Jón & Óskar

Kringlan Reykjavik center, 103 Tel: +354 552 4910

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TLC all the way They are renowned for their personal service.

Customer care has always been Jón & Óskar’s forte and they pride themselves in serving their clients the best they can. Their collection of engagement- and wedding rings is one of the largest in Iceland and the store has a special room for happy couples to view

engagement-and wedding rings in private. For a time the company even offered to drive the newlyweds on the big day in a Rolls Royce ’72, owned by Jón Sigurjónsson himself. The store includes members of the watchmaking and goldsmith associations and they offer professional quality service. They commission a large number of brand names, direct trading ensures the best prices.

Jón & Óskar was divided into jewellery and watches from the beginning. The staff have always been specialised in serving customers in each department because Jón and Óskar started off by emphasising that their employees are well educated in their field. In 1987 the

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company had ten employees in watchmaking, forging jewellery, repairs and customer service. In an interview from that year Óskar describes their selection of watches: “We have a wide variety of top products which we import directly. The Pierre Cardin pieces have become very popular, they are practically timemeasuring jewels. We also have Delma, Casio, Seiko and Chizen. These are all quality brand names, we offer nothing else.”

To this day their imported jewellery has come from renowned manufacturers in Germany, Belgium and Italy. To the same extent their work shop has a long history of designing and forging and the latest addition in jewellery lines is Icecold. The idea of Icecold first emerged in the year 2000 and has been constantly growing and developing ever since.

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Main street shopping opened their first store in a 50 square meter The history of commerce at Laugavegur goes cellar at Laugavegur 70. That space soon became hand in hand with the history of Reykjavík restricting as the business took off so they soon and the location of Jón & Óskar has always extended to the east into the next building. In been a big advantage 1995 there was a revolutionary for their business. The change when they moved to road construction of a spacious and elegant store The idea of Icecold first Laugavegur was approved emerged in the year 2000 and space in Laugavegur 61 and in the town council in 1885 has been constantly growing became the largest jewelleryand its original purpose and watch retailer in Iceland. and developing ever since was to facilitate travel to Today they also have stores the hot springs used by in Kringlan and Smáralind maids and housewives to wash the laundry (the shopping centres and as ever before, their preface “lauga-“ means “spring-“ in English). devoted staff welcomes you to stop by and aim at The street soon became the hub of shopping making sure you find what you are looking for. and commerce in Reykavík and consequently in the country. When Jón Sigurjónsson and Óskar Óskarsson founded their company in 1971 they

MyDestination - Reykjavik | 39

Iceland from the air Helo, the Helicopter Service of Iceland focuses mainly on tourist flights and is based at the Reykjavik Airport, located in central Reykjavik.

Helo operates a Bell 407 helicopter which is specifically designed for sightseeing and photo flights. It is modified with oversized windows from floor to ceiling and offers increased cabin space for comfort. Furthermore, Bell 407 is known for its outstanding performance and safety, so flying with Helo is both fun and safe.

nice enough to try to explain to me his brand new Garmin 1000 GPS monster machine, an effort somewhat wasted on a girl like me but much appreciated all the same.

Can’t stop smiling Then we were off. We climbed up from the airport and slowly moved north-east over central Reykjavík and made our heading to Þingvellir via Mosfellsdalur. Now I‘m no stranger to flying in airplanes, both big and small. But this was something else. When we were over Þingvellir, Back in the old days, for most of us born and the lake shining in the afternoon sun, I just raised in Iceland, hearing a helicopter in the sky could not stop smiling. There was light snow usually meant that somebody was lost or hurt. over the land so I could clearly see Helicopters were Search & Rescue Almannagjá crevice, where the tools in our minds. But they can Eurasian and American tectonic apparently also be enormous fun!

Staying still in plates have been pulling apart since mid air next to the beginning of time (well, almost).

A bubble in the sky a geothermal It usually takes a lot to make me It was a cold, crisp autumn day when hot spring is not feel small and insignificant but this I went on my first helicopter ride, something I do was a sight I will never forget. every day bright and sunny with visibility as far From Þingvellir we moved as the eye could see. The pilot at Helo south over the lake and into a greeted us at Reykjavik Airport and mountainous area called Hengill, a very active told me that I would get to sit in the front, which geothermal area. There it became apparent made me both extremely excited and nervous. how different it is to examine Iceland from a Their brand new helicopter is designed so that helicopter rather than an airplane because the the passenger feels like he is sitting in a bubble; helicopter can stay still. Staying still in mid air it has transparent shielding all the way down next to a geothermal hot spring is not something the front and below your feet! The sliding doors I do every day. It was difficult to decide whether on the sides made quite an impression on the photographers travelling with us and the pilot was to go crazy on the camera or to sit there and

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enjoy having the moment turn me into a huge lump of serenity and happiness. Others can do what they want, I chose the latter.

From Hengill we started heading north into Reykjavik again. The sun was getting ready to go down in the west, the sky was showing all the colours of the rainbow and when I saw Snæfellsjökull glacier towering over his peninsula straight ahead, I wanted to scream. But since there were other people in the helicopter I made it a silent one.

Can we go again?

I don’t think I’ve ever spent money on anything as exhilarating as this. After landing I felt giddy like a child and felt the strangest urge to pull on the pilots jacket and say: “Can we go again? Please?

Can we?”. Instead I promised myself that I would use helicopters more in my future travels. This is definitely the way to seek new adventures. Life is just too short not to.

Helo - Helicopter Service of Iceland Mörkinni 3 Reykjavik, 108 Tel: +354 561 6100 www.helo.is

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New style seafood CuisiNe

From farmer’s market to Fish Market fiskmarkaðurinn – housed in one of the central Reykjavík’s oldest buildings – uses Iceland’s freshest ingredients to prepare original fish, meat and sweet dishes with a modern twist. We buy direct from the country’s farmers and fishermen to guarantee the sustainability and quality of our dishes.

N

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D ON T R

IP V I SO R AD

RECOMME

Head Chef Hrefna Rósa Sætran has designed a menu using the fish and meat of the season, cooking it simply in modern style.

p a d vis or.co

AÐALSTRÆTI 12 | TeL +354 578 8877 | Info@fISkmARkAduRInn.IS | fISkmARkAduRInn.IS

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Reykjavik's Thermal Pools ONLY *

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CHILDREN

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A source of health Thermal pools and baths in Reykjavik are a source of health, relaxation and pureness.

All of the city´s swimming pools have several hot pot´s with temperatures ranging from 37˚ to 42˚C (98˚–111˚F). The pools are kept at an average temperature of 29˚ C (84˚ F).

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Tel: +354 411 5000 • www.itr.is MyDestination - Reykjavik | 41

What to expect when driving in Iceland To begin with, don‘t worry, this is the north. We are not as hot blooded as our friends in the south, there will be no shouting or honking of horns.

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There are four basic criteria when it comes to driving in this country. Winter, summer, in town, out of town.

Summer in town is the easy part. The worst conditions you will encounter are wind and rain with a bit of animosity if you fail to signal when you change lanes or take up two spaces when you park. And since we are on the subject, there should be a law against bad parking. I can think of few things that annoy me more. Seriously, how hard can it be?

in Iceland have changed since I was a kid.

Then we used to have relatively constant snow for 4-5 months a year in the southern part of the country. Now global warming has changed everything to a milder, rainier climate but be warned, we still get at least a couple of adult blizzards per year and if you travel to the north of the country during winter, snow and/or ice is almost guaranteed.

Winter out of town is a whole other ball park. You can always expect icy roads. Some of them will be narrow made from gravel.

Summer out of town is Some of them will be narrow, relatively simple yet you need made from gravel and with You need to prepare to be careful. You do not have ice and snow on top. I‘m not and you need to get to go far out of Reykjavík to saying you shouldn‘t rent a find yourself in a narrow gravel updated information car and travel out of town on road conditions road with bridges only wide during the winter, it can be before you leave enough for one car. If you plan quite wonderful. You just need to rent a car, please be sure to tell the agent to be really careful. You need to prepare what sort of trip you are planning because and you need to get updated information Iceland is not a country where anybody can on road conditions before you leave. And drive anywhere in any kind of car. Also, if you have never experienced driving in there seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding winter conditions before I strongly advise going on regarding 4WD. Having a car that that you don’t make Iceland your first try. has 4WD does NOT mean that you can go Whether in town or out of it, a sunny day anywhere. There are roads in this country that can change into a no visibility day with the cannot be travelled unless you have four wheel breeze turning into a storm. I’m sure we drive, 44” tires, a rope and a shovel. can all agree that in such cases it would be much nicer to go on a planned trip with a Winter in town can be as simple as summer in professional driver in a vehicle designed for town and it can also be very tricky. The winters the conditions at hand.

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Íshestar

Someone once said that there are only two ways to properly explore Iceland; from the air and on horseback.

All the SUV-owners in the country will probably beg to differ but there is some truth in this.

First class riding center Tha back story Íshestar is a 30 year old company and one Thousands of people in Iceland keep horses of the most well-established horse rentals in simply for the pleasure of riding and enjoying the companionship of these wonderful animals. Iceland. They provide scheduled day tours, country side tours and highland tours up to The popularity of travelling on horseback has 10 days long with airport been growing continuously transfer, full board and and Icelandic horsemen are accommodation. This is considerate and respectful For centuries the horse the real thing. The Íshestar when it comes to both was the only means Riding Centre is unique here nature and their horses. of transportation and in Iceland with first class The history of the Icelandic also the most important facilities set in the beautiful horse goes back to the working animal surroundings just outside country’s settlement in the Reykjavík and endless late 9th century and the possibilities in riding, hiking and other outdoor breed has remained pure for over a thousand activities. The company also offers boat trips, years. There is and has always been only one jeep safari and horse shows upon demand breed of horses here – The Icelandic Horse. and their Riding Centre includes a spacious For centuries the horse was the only means of restaurant with a fully licenced bar. transportation and also the most important working animal, through the years it has been The tours referred to as “our most essential servant”.

The scheduled tours vary in shape and size Today there are close to 80.000 horses in from half hour tours for children to ten days Iceland, an incredible number for a nation of of riding in the highlands. The many various 300.000 people. The horse is used for riding, day tours include riding in the wonderful travelling and competition purposes and still surroundings at Hafnarfjörður and various plays a practical role in the annual sheep and other locations but also mixing and matching horse round-ups in the highlands.

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horse riding with a visit to the Blue Lagoon, whale watching, biking, hiking and seeing the Northern Lights, to name a few. For longer trips the country side and highland tours offer many irresistible possibilities, I urge you to visit Íshestar’s website to see what I mean.

I myself have had the pleasure of exploring the Icelandic highlands on horseback on several occasions. There is absolutely nothing like it.

If you have the remotest interest in horses (and honestly, even if you don’t) and are ready to explore the highlands of our beautiful volcanic island, I guarantee you that Íshestar will take you on the adventure of a lifetime.

Íshestar

Sörlaskeið 26, Hafnarfjörður 221 Tel: +354 555 7000

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MyDestination - Reykjavik | 45

Hello and welcome to Iceland.

We want your stay in Reykjavík to be as enjoyable as possible and we are here to help.

While turning the pages of this booklet you will learn about many of Reykjavik’s best restaurants, stores, clubs, excursions and transportation companies along with some practical tips and fun facts about the city and it’s surrounding areas. The information provided on the pages of this booklet will give you an insight into life in Reykjavík and introduce you to the highlights of the city. However, it is hard to explain to you the magic of Reykjavik through 48 leaves of paper. To be properly informed about everything during your stay here in Iceland you should visit our website, www.mydestination.com/reykjavik.

On My Destination Reykjavik’s website you will find absolutely everything you could possibly want to know about Reykjavik and more. The greatest thing about the My Destination network and what seperates it from other travel sites is that it is filled with tips and reviews from locals who really know

what they are talking about. My Destination Reykjavik is there for you whether you want to get to know the history of Iceland, learn about the culture, read about the restaurants you plan on eating at, book your accommodation, rent a car, find out what’s on in Reykjavik, browse through photos or load up on useful information. Basically we have everything you need to get informed and make the best of your trip.

My Destination is a global travel resource that is powered by a diverse community of hundreds of local experts. The local experts at My Destination Reykjavik are on the ground and have personally experienced what our destination has to offer. We make sure to produce comprehensive information in the form of travel articles, local tips, guides, reviews, videos and panoramic virtual tours. Let My Destination be your tour guide during your stay in Iceland and you will get more out of your experience than you thought was possible.

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At the Grill Market the seasons are in control of the menu with all the freshest ingredients available - from the sea, heaths, lakes, rivers and farms. In our cooking methods we go for the origin of the ingredient and use fire, smoke, wood and charcoal to achieve deep, rich, earthy flavors that we balance out with freshness. The result is an unexpected cuisine where Icelandic tradition and modern times come together.

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