WOW magazine - Issue 2 2017

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FOOD ISSUE WOW MAGAZINE – THE ITALIAN JOB- JAMIE OLIVER ARRIVES IN REYKJAVIK

ISSUE TWO 2017

THE ITALIAN JOB

JAMIE OLIVER ARRIVES IN REYKJAVIK

POWER TO THE PEOPLE three2017 2015 Issue two

PLUS: JOURNEY TO THE SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA

Y O U R F R E E C O P Y -TA K E M E W I T H Y O U

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WOW Power to the people

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Issue two

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IN THIS ISSUE

POWER TO THE PEOPLE – ISSUE TWO 2017

12 A LETTER FROM THE CEO 16 SECRET SOLSTICE The world’s “most unique music festival” returns to Reykjavík this June.

18 HOW YOUR CHANGE COULD

MAKE A BIG CHANGE

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A MONTH MAKES

Phenomenal nature is the top reason for visiting Iceland but the Icelandic nature is fragile and could use a little help.

22 TAKE ME TO CHURCH Although Hallgrímskirkja is a magnificent building, it gives a false impression of Iceland and its churches, many of which are far more beautiful in their simplicity and richer in history.

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The Italian Job

28 THE ITALIAN JOB

On February 27 the residents of the capital area, yours truly included, woke up to find that the previous night had brought them a record snow­­fall.

The whole city was covered with a 51 cm (21.6 in) blanket of snow. When this is written—on the last day of March—only tiny remnants of this snow remain, spring flowers are poking their heads through the earth, the day has become longer than the night and we just had coffee on the balcony enjoying the spring sun.

It feels as though winter has changed to spring/summer in just the span of one month and one would think that the season of vola­ tile weather is behind, but don’t be fooled. The famous spring wind storms are lurking around the corner capable of crashing our hopes and remind­­ing us that oh yes, we still live on an island in the North Atlantic Ocean; we don’t really get “spring.”

Saying this also serves as a reminder not to trust the weather in Iceland, and to always check the forecast no matter how good it looks out there.

Still, we’re going to continue to enjoy the good days and curse the bad ones under our breath. These sunny spring days are precious for the Icelandic psyche and despite the ever looming presence of storms, we do have hope, because summer is on its way!

ma gaz

FOOD ISSUE WOW MAGAZINE – THE ITALIAN JOB- JAMIE OLIVER ARRIVES IN REYKJAVIK

ine

Enjoy the shoulder season with us.

Happy travels, Guðrún Vaka Helgadóttir Editor in chief

ISSUE TWO 2017

THE ITALIAN JOB

JAMIE OLIVER ARRIVES IN REYKJAVIK

POWER TO THE PEOPLE three2017 2015 Issue two

PLUS: HOW TO STAY VEGAN/VEGETARIAN IN ICELAND Y O U R F R E E C O P Y -TA K E M E W I T H Y O U

On the cover For the first time in WOW magazine history, an international celebrity adorns the cover. In May, Chef, restaurateur and philanthropist Jamie Oliver is open­ing a branch of his renowned Jamie’s Italian in Reykjavik and we were lucky enough to snag and inter­view with him. We’re hoping to see more of Jamie here in Iceland in the months and years to come. The cover photo was shot

by David Loftus, courtesy of Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited.

British wunderchef Jamie Oliver’s love of Iceland has driven him to open a restaurant right in the capital at the country’s most revered hotel.

WOW Power to the people

What is this? Why do I need to fill it out?

116 THIS AND THAT

34 FANTASTIC BEERS

…mainly this.

- And where to find them 36 SKYR – ICELANDER’S TASTE

OF HOME The food that best represents the soul of Iceland is a simple cup of skyr.

38 PHOTOGRAPHING

SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA Venturing off the Ring Road and driving to the west coast of Iceland reveals a quieter side of the country.

42 NO HORSING AROUND While driving through Iceland, it is inevitable to notice small, gentle horses grazing on pastures along the road. So what should you do when you spot them?

44 WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? A gear guide for Iceland’s unpredictable spring weather.

50 THE WOW WORD OF ADVICE Having the freedom to explore while driving on your own is probably the best way to get around Iceland. But driving in Iceland requires more than just knowing how to operate a vehicle.

52 FLYING MADE SIMPLER WOW air is now offering three travel options when booking your flight tickets.

70 WOW CYCLOTHON 2017 WOW Cyclothon is not just a race around Iceland but rather an unforgettable experience that everyone who can ride a bike should try at least once in their life.

74 WOW DESIGN Through her exquisite Nordic Angan collection, fashion designer Sonja Bent brings the distinctive aroma of Icelandic and Nordic nature right into our homes.

76 THE FLYING WOW FAMILY Here at WOW air, we give our aircraft some unusual registration names.

80 THE VATNAJOKULL REGION Filled with contrasts, the Vatnajökull Region is a great destination all year round.

Attention advertisers!

Will your company be in our next issue?

Contact our advertising representative and he’ll make it happen.

He’s just that good! halli@wow.is

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82 THE U.S. CUSTOMS

DECLARATION FORM

WOW Destinations 86 Stockholm by boat Stockholm is often referred to as the “Venice of the North” or the “The City That Floats on Water”—and with good reason—there’s a lot of it around.

90 Miami: Key insights for a

trip to Key West!

Key West is known for its laid back and relaxing lifestyle, Key lime pie, fresh seafood, bars, coral reefs and fishing.

92 Chicago: The city that works Breaking news! WOW air now offers cheap flights to Chicago.

94 Paris: Top 10 do’s and don’ts Read and discover how to avoid the top ten mistakes first-timers make in the City of Light.

96 48 hours in Cork Ireland’s second city in the beautiful southwest of the country is proud, much loved and distinctly different from the capital Dublin.

98 Los Angeles’s other neighborhoods After a few days exploring LA, you can leave the traffic behind and head for the beach cities of Santa Monica and Malibu.

100 Montreal: A year of celebrations This year, Montréal promises to be more exciting, high-flying and colorful than ever.

102 Boston’s ever-present history One nice point—among many—about Boston, is that its 400 years of history comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and activity levels.

104 Dip into Bath When visiting Bristol don’t forget to check out its delightful neighbor Bath.

106 Terrific Toronto There is plenty to do in Toronto all year round but it’s during the spring and summer months that Canada’s most populous city truly comes alive.

122 WHAT’S GOING ON? …quite a lot, actually.

126 WOW HOROSCOPE What’s in your future? WOW air’s famed astrologist has the answer.

128 BORED ON BOARD? Solve these sudokus.

130 THE TRAVELING INQUISITION Nutritionist and health food guru Thor­ björg is an author of many lifestyle books and recently opened a new health food restaurant, Yogafood, that offers food and juices each made with a specific chakra in mind.

WOW MAGAZINE STAFF Editor in chief: Guðrún Vaka Helgadóttir Design and layout: Ivan Burkni ivanburkni@gmail.com Proofreading: Paul Michael Herman Contributing writers: Benjamin Hardman, Eygló Árnadóttir, James Taylor, Marvin Lee Dupree, Krista Connor, Cindy-Lou Dale, Kimberly JY, Gerður Harðardóttir, Svava Jónsdóttir, Eydis Björnsdottir, Judy Colbert, Laura Studarus, Kat Richter, Theadora Brack, Joe Worthington, Caron Luteran

© WOW air Katrínartún 12 105 Reykjavík Iceland

WOWAIR.COM Tel: 00 354 590 3020 E-mail: magazine@wow.is Oddi environmentally certified printing company All rights reserved. Reprinting, direct quoting or recapitulation prohibited except with a written permit from publisher.

108 A perfect day in Brussels Speaking with three Belgian celebrities, we learn what inspires a perfect day in their lives with a focus on culinary treats.

110 Maritime London Most visitors to London tend to stay in the city’s center and have yet to discov­ er the culturally rich neighborhoods of Southeast London.

112 You want more?

Check out our other WOW destinations.

Where do you want to go?

P.S. WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR VERY OWN COPY OF WOW MAGAZINE? Take this one with you or contact us through magazine@wow.is and we’ll send you a printed copy.

You can also check out WOW magazine online at wowair.com.

Heiรฐar Logi on location wearing ร xi Powerstretch Prima jacket and workman cap.

Keeping Iceland warm since 1926 Shop at 66north.com Issue two 13

A LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear guests This is a favorite time of the year in Iceland as the days are quickly getting longer while you can still enjoy amazing Northern Lights and incredible ski touring in the wilderness. Just last weekend, I was fortunate enough to visit Langjökull and go inside the glacier as well as travel around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Both places are magical as you can experience the forces of nature all around you whether it’s the lava fields, the breaking waves of the Atlantic Ocean or the grandeur of the glaciers. We are truly lucky to have most of Iceland still entirely uninhabited and to be able to enjoy unspoiled nature in all its splendor. You don’t have to go far from Reykjavik to feel as if you are the only person on the planet. For me the pleasure of simply being one with nature without any artificial sound or light is one of the things that make Iceland so special.

WOW air continues to grow rapidly with our record low fares adding both capacity to existing destinations like two daily flights to London, Amsterdam and Paris as well as daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco, and adding new exciting destinations like Miami, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Cork and Brussels. In total, we are almost doubling in size with 17 Airbus aircraft and 1100 people who are working hard to make your journey as pleasant and safe as possible. I’m incredibly proud of our team and the fact that we have one of the youngest fleets in the world which is also one of the most environmentally friendly and most fuel efficient, allowing us to continue to lower our prices even more.

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With a little help, for nature On that note, the aviation industry, overall, could do a lot more to become environ­­­ mentally responsible. WOW air is trying to do its share to minimize its carbon foot­­print through flying the newest aircraft and by supporting green initiatives. If you, like me, love Iceland and the Icelandic nature, I encourage you to help us out in supporting Landvernd, the Icelandic Environmental Association. Landvernd works hard to safeguard Icelandic nature, protect unspoiled areas such as the Central Highland and reclaim degraded wood and wetlands, to name just a few of the association’s projects. We’ve now put envelopes in every seat pocket where guests can leave a contribution for this great cause. WOW air will then happily match all donations, dollar for dollar.

Thank you for your continued support and trust and we look forward to seeing you on other WOW air flights in the future.

Sincerely, Skúli Mogensen Founder and CEO of WOW air

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SECRET SOLSTICE

The world´s “most unique music festival” returns to Reykjavík this june Dubbed the “Most Unique Music Festival on Earth” by several media outlets, Secret Solstice will be held for the fourth time in 2017, between the 16th and 18th of June in Iceland’s capital.

HEADLINING WHO? Legendary rock act Foo Fighters head up this year’s lineup, bringing their massive live show to Reykjavík. Richard Ashcroft, front man of revered rock band The Verve, will open for Foo Fighters as a very special guest of the festival on Friday evening, the 16 th of June. Rounding out the live contingent, the Queen of Funk Chaka Khan will entertain guests young and old under the never-setting sun at her first ever show in Iceland.

THE SUN DOES WHAT? Icelanders are well accustomed to the sun never going down over summer months, however, for foreign guests it’s an extremely special event to witness. As Secret Solstice is held during the longest days of the year, everyone there will ex­­ perience the mystique of the midnight sun with a party the likes of which they’ve never experienced.

But it’s not all about the natural phenomena; being a festival, it’s the music that will steal the show at Secret Solstice 2017. And with an esti­­ mated 150+ names on offer, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

OK, LET’S DANCE 2017 includes the biggest hip-hop lineup in Iceland’s history, with huge names from North America and Europe. Rick Ross, Big Sean, Young M.A, Pharoahe Monch, Ocean Wisdom, Left Brain, Princess Nokia, Foreign Beggars, Novelist, and two-time Grammy nominee Anderson Paak, will all have crowds jumping during this year’s solstice weekend.

Those wanting to dance are equally well catered for, featuring British electronic heavyweights The Prodigy and Dusky, wellknown names in the scene from America like Seth Troxler, Dubfire, and The Black Madonna, not forgetting house music legend Kerri Chandler, returning for his third stint at Secret Solstice this June.

ICELANDIC TALENT Beyond foreign names, Secret Solstice has a proud history of showcasing the immense local talent to the world. As always, their 2017 edition won’t be any different.

Multi-instrumentalist and composer, Högni has been a festival favorite since the very first

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edition of the event, wowing foreign guests and international press alike with his stunning solo shows. Providing dance vibes, Kiasmos is Iceland’s premier electronic act, known for its incredibly choreographed visual shows that accompany melodic and brooding dance tunes.

Rockers The Vintage Caravan’s global audience is growing fast, with fans flocking to their gigs to experience their unique 1970’s style, and allencompassing on stage energy. Finally, local stars Gísli Pálmi, Emmsjé Gauti, Alvia Islandia, GKR, Tiny, Aron Can, and Úlfur Úlfur will be just a few of the names representing Iceland’s burgeoning hip-hop scene.

MORE THAN UNIQUE Beyond the main event, Secret Solstice also features some phenomenal add-on experiences for a small number of guests, in the form of ultra-special side parties with concepts not reflected at any other event, like their Midnight Sun Boat Party, where a handful of people dance as they sail on the Atlantic Ocean after midnight. The most wellknown of these is easily the Secret Solstice presentation Into the Glaci­­er, hav­­ing been hosted since 2015. Held within a 500-meter long tunnel carved with­­­in Langjökull— Europe’s second-largest glacier—each event will be attended by only 125 guests, who will get the chance to party inside a cavernous expanse of 10,000-year-old ice.

JOIN THE PARTY As a proud founding sponsor of Secret Solstice Festival, WOW air will fly thousands of guests from North America and Europe to the event this year to experience what has become a truly special event on the global festival calendar.

In partnership with Secret Solstice, WOW air has created all-inclusive packages including flights, accommodation, and a festival ticket from all our destinations to Iceland for this year’s event.

Starting at a mere €580, and with accom­­mod­­ation options from on-site camping to luxury hotels, customizable upgrades and add-ons, it’s by far the easiest way to plan your Secret Solstice 2017 adventure, with the least amount of hassle. v

Limited tickets to Secret Solstice 2017, spectacular side event parties, as well as WOW air travel packages are available now via the Secret Solstice website, while they last.

Go to secretsolstice.is and find tickets and travel packages.

Legendary rock act Foo Fighters head up this year’s lineup, bringing their massive live show to Reykjavík.

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Leave something for the Icelandic nature

HOW YOUR CHANGE COULD MAKE A BIG CHANGE Phenomenal nature is the top reason for visiting Iceland but the Icelandic nature is fragile and could use a little help. For this reason, WOW air wants to offer you the chance to give back to nature by donating directly to Landvernd, an organization dedicated to protecting and restoring Icelandic nature.

Photos: Courtesy of Landvernd

After most trips to foreign lands we usually come back with a few coins or more of a currency that we can’t use at home. Some save it but then forget it on their next trip. Others might give it to their kids to play with or fool a bus driver or two. We’d like to offer you another option: Donate it toward a great cause.

HOW CAN I HELP? In the seat pocket in front of you, there’s an envel­ ope where you can leave any foreign change or other leftover currency that you’d like to contri­ bute. Your donations will be sent directly to Land­vernd who will use the funds to support its efforts to safeguard and protect Icelandic nature. In particular, they will be used to enhance the campaign for a national park in the Central Highland of Iceland, to develop a new volunteering program in soil and land restoration of degraded birch woodlands, and in efforts to influence policy and decision making relating to the environment.

WOW air is simply the means of transportation.

The donations come from you, our guests, and go straight to Landvernd where they will be put to good use. WOW air has promised to match all donations to double the amount sent to Land­vernd. Let’s all help Landvernd make sure that Ice­­landic nature will still be as incredible when our grand­­kids come to visit.

WHAT IS LANDVERND? Landvernd, the Icelandic Environment Association, is a non-profit environmental and nature conserva­ tion organization established in 1969. The main goals of Landvernd are to protect Iceland’s nature and environment, restore degraded environments and promote sustainability in Iceland among residents and visitors alike. This is done through education, by influencing lawmaking and decision mak­ing and by taking action. Since people have become more aware of the danger to nature, in the last five years Landvernd has grown tenfold and now has about 5,000 members.

LANDVERND’S NATURE CONSERVATION EFFORTS Over the last two decades, Landvernd’s efforts have increasingly concentrated on protecting Iceland’s unique wilderness and landscapes, especially in the uninhabited Central Highland of the country—the jewel of Icelandic nature. Also, in the last 15 years, Landvernd has expanded to become one of Iceland’s leading organization in environmental education.

With education as its central theme, it has been running the international Eco-Schools program in about half of the schools in the country, in addition to a number of long-term projects, for example, on food waste, sustainable tourism, clean beaches and marinas, invasive species and off-road driving Over the past three years, Landvernd has furthermore focused on working with munici­­ pali­­ties on climate change and soil and land re­­storation with schools. “We successfully apply our rights under the Aarhus Conventional for access to information, public participation and access to justice in decisions relating to environ­­ mental issues. Recently, this also includes legally challenging various decisions taken by govern­­ mental authorities and influencing the way decisions are being made about the environment.

Finally, we have in the last few years progressively lobbied for actions to be taken to safeguard nature in popular tourist destinations,” says Gudmundur Ingi Gudbrandsson, CEO of Landvernd and one of the founders of the Icelandic Society for Environ­ mental Scientists.

PROTECTING ONE OF THE LARGEST UNTAMED WILDERNESSES IN EUROPE Landvernd’s biggest conservation goal at the mo­­ ment is the establishment of a national park in the Central Highland of Iceland. The Central Highland is one of Iceland’s greatest treasures, con­­taining many active volcanoes, glaciers, volumin­ous rivers and waterfalls, colorful hot springs and mud pools, vast lava fields and broad expanses of

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Leave something for the Icelandic nature

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black sand, all contrasted with oases of vibrant but vulnerable vegetation. Such an amazing collection of natural jewels is rare in the world mainly because such vast, unpopulated areas where nature alone rules, are disappearing. “In our opinion, Icelanders are in the enviable posi­­tion of still being able to stand guard over this precious treasure and protect the Central Highland for future generations. Opinion polls show that over 60% of Icelanders support the establishment of a national park there and only about 12% are against it,” says Guðmundur.

WOW air has promised to match all donations to double the amount sent to Land­vernd. Let’s all help Landvernd make sure that Ice­­landic nature will still be as incredible when our grand­­kids come to visit.

There are many different interests at stake in the area including traditional land use such as grazing and hunting, outdoor activities and tourism, as well as energy development. The establishment of a Highland National Park would entail the withdrawal of any plans for further dams, hydro-electric power stations and high-voltage overhead power lines within the area because these would fragment and degrade the wilderness. A Highland National Park would also guarantee the regulation and organization of tourism and traditional land use. A Highland National Park will thus support the protection of this unique landscape and at the same time promote opportunities for rural development, allow for outdoor activities, tourism and traditional land use based on the ideals of nature conservation and sustainability.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER A significant milestone was reached in March 2016 when nature conservation and outdoor recreation groups as well as the Icelandic Travel Industry Association signed a mission statement on protecting the Central Highland of Iceland as a national park. Almost 30 organizations are now behind the statement. This campaign is led by Landvernd and the Iceland Nature Conservation Association (INCA), another active environmental group in the country.

“Protect the Park,” a group specifically aimed at protection of the Icelandic Highland has specifically supported and assisted Landvernd and INCA in carrying out this vision shared by the whole group. “Our campaign involves extensive lobbying for a national park among local

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WOW Power to the people

governments, political parties, various stakeholders and the society at large.

You can see short videos of the stunning Highlands and sign our petition online at www.halendid.is,” says Guðmundur.

CARE: DEVELOPMENT OF A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IN ICELAND Volunteering in the care of nature is one of the most meaningful ways to experience another country while at the same time offering great opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. This is because it brings people to the heart of that nation’s most important environmental issues with local people who care. In Iceland, history of land degradation and desertification has led to sharp declines in local biodiversity, soil fertility and in productivity and functionality of the affected ecosystems.

Landvernd is now developing a volunteer program called CARE in land restoration for foreign visitors and Icelanders alike.

“Starting in summer 2017, we will run a pilot project with the help of volunteers in a severely degraded area affected by volcanic activities from the famous Volcano Hekla and from over exploitation through human settlement in Iceland. We will also develop outdoor educational programs and educational materials, and create marketing materials to attract future volunteers,” Guðmundur explains.

Thank you for your contribution toward protecting Icelandic nature. Now get out there and enjoy it! v

Read more about Landvernd and its efforts to protect Icelandic nature by visiting their website, www.landvernd.is

G w C

COLLECT MOMENTS - NOT THINGS! “Iceland had always been one of my dream vacations.

The island’s untamed and beautiful landscape make it the perfect destination for a nature enthusiast.

Not only did I finally get to come to Iceland, but I also decided to take my first ever helicopter ride. I flew with Nordurflug Helicopter Tours and they made all my wildest flight dreams come true. Not only did they have lots of tour options, but they were super flexible with working around my travel schedule. I ended up choosing the Geothermal Tour at 49.900 ISK per person.

The pricing was comparable to other activities in Iceland, but this experience allows you to see the country from the sky!

"it was just us and nature."

Unlike being in an airplane, the takeoff in a helicopter is smooth. If I had any nerves about the flight, they immediately vanished at the sight of the stunning landscape.

I was amazed by how quickly the scenery changed from the city skyline, to lava fields and volcanic craters. Being up in a helicopter gives you a true perspective of the country as a whole. The experience was worth every penny and more.

“we actually got to land on an old volcano and were able to witness up close the untamed power of geothermal energy” As if flying wasn’t enough, we actually got to land on an old volcano and witness the untamed power of geothermal energy. I got to stand right next to the boiling mud pots and hot springs without other tourists blocking the view and no safety ropes holding us back… it was just us and nature.

Our pilot was very personable, knowledgeable about the country, and a veteran pilot. I was amazed to find out he has done aerials for some big film productions like Star Wars and Oblivion. Needless to say, he kept our tour very interesting!

Once we got back to the office, it took me awhile to actually “get back on the ground”. This experience was so thrilling and incredible, I had to let it all sink in!

It’s no wonder that Nordurflug is one of Trip Advisor's top-rated Iceland experience. I will definitely be recommending this to anyone visiting Iceland!"

Get a ISK 5.000 online discount of the Geothermal Tour when booking on HELICOPTER.IS with the Promo Code: WOWAIR

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-Kelsey Heide Issue two

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TAKE ME TO CHURCH

Hofskirkja Church South Iceland.

Religion at the end of the world Contentious and splendid, sometimes exquisite and overtly opulent but always rich with culture, churches have been a significant part of most Western European nations’ history for the last millennia.

by Marvin Lee Dupree Photos: iStockphoto.com

Even in the case of isolated Iceland, religion has played a vital role in many of Iceland’s seminal events as a young nation, most notably, depending on how you interpret historical events, in placing Iceland under the Norwegian crown. Icelanders have always been wont to build churches in the furthest regions of the country. Although Hallgrímskirkja is a magnificent building, it gives a false impression of Iceland and its churches,

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WOW Power to the people

many of which are far more beautiful in their simplicity and richer in history.

HOBBIT CHURCHES For a bit of context regarding Icelandic churches, one must bear in mind that this small and isolated island nation did not experience the architectural waves and fashions of the medieval peri­od that dominate the landscape of Europe. Most church builders there

Earthquakes, fires, volcanoes, floods, neglect and pestilence have all contributed to the degradation of many old churches.

did not have to take into account possi­­­ble lava eruptions; factor this variable in along with a lack of physical resources and capital in general, which was also a hindrance in building extravagant churches such as the ones seen on the continent. Earthquakes, fires, volcanoes, floods, neglect and pestilence have all contributed to the degradation of many old churches.

Therefore, most of the modern country

RElax - enjoy - experience

- Welcome TO Mývatnssveit www.jardbodin.is · phone +354 464 4411 · info@jardbodin.is

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Budir Church Snæfellsnes.

churches seem like quite homely erections of corrugated iron, timber or concrete, especially in comparison to their European counterparts.

Also, Icelanders, often at the mercy of their formidable geography would seldom leave their bær (calling it a “hamlet” is being too generous). In fact, up until the 1830s, the majority of churches were still made from turf, just like the homes of most Icelanders. With growing prosperity after centuries of poverty, Icelanders began building more and more timber churches.

Evidence of this is in church records that list the names of members of the parish who contributed toward erecting more modern churches.

Historically, after the conversion to Christianity, churches were usually built as an integral part of the farmstead, having been constructed or commissioned by chieftains. One notable example would be the Viðimýri land, in the north of Iceland, where the local chieftain or goði (Kolbeinn

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WOW Power to the people

Many tourists that visit Stykkishólmur go to see its rather elegant church—but, like Hallgrímskirkja, it rings a bit false with its modernity.

However, one of the most striking churches in Iceland and a favorite among Icelanders, especially for weddings is the black church at Búðir.

Tumason) ruled. At Viðimýri, there has been a church, according to sources, from around the turn of the 11th century. The church that currently stands was built with driftwood and turf in 1834. Other such churches include Saurbær, which is not far from Viðimýri, as well as Hofskirkja which is close to Skaftafell in South Iceland.

Fairly close by is Núpsstaðir which also belongs to this historical tradition of Icelandic turf churches. All of these turf churches are well worth a view.

SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA Many tourists that visit Stykkishólmur go to see its rather elegant church—but, like Hallgrímskirkja, it rings a bit false with its modernity. However, one of the most striking churches in Iceland and a favorite among Icelanders, especially for weddings is the black church at Búðir. As mentioned above, many “modern” churches stand on the sites of previous turf churches or the grounds of settlement era churches.

Tellingly, there is a curious anecdote about the Búðir church and its construction. According to legend it seemed impossible to find the appropriate place for building the church since the soil was insufficient for burial purposes. But instead of giving up, a local wise woman was sought out for her advice. She told the builders that one person should be blindfolded and spun around in circles until he or she was disoriented, and this person was to shoot three arrows, one of them with a cross etched into it. The spot where the cross-marked arrow landed would be holy ground.

Regardless of the veracity of the tale, the church is iconic and one of the treasures of Snæfellsnes Peninsula. If you get the chance, another beautiful and picturesque, but seldom mentioned church on the Snæfells Peninsula is found at Hellnar, with Stapafell Mountain as a backdrop.

Proudly Making Iceland a Hot Destination.

We could talk forever about how interesting our clean energy production at Hellisheidi is. But, instead, let’s see what some of our guests at the Geothermal Exhibition have to say on TripAdvisor: “A must see activity”, “Bucket List”, “... interactive and inspiring”, “Now I’m impressed!”

ENNEMM / SÍA /

N M 76 5 3 5

We hope to welcome you too on your trip to Iceland at the most powerful exhibition in the world.

Only 20 min. drive from Reykjavík.

A perfect stop on your way to or from the city.

Issue two The exhibition is open every day from 9:00-17:00. Please direct any inquiries to exhibition@on.is Tel: (+354) 591 2880 www.geothermalexhibition.com

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TAKE ME TO CHURCH ICELANDIC ECCENTRICITY

The blue church in Seyðisfjörður.

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For many people, churches help imbue the environment, and even humans, with a sense of tranquility due to their spiritual nature. It is this feeling that many people seek out. Likewise, an important element is that attending church throughout the ages has been a very social act and the location of a church reflected this reality. In early Christianity and Eastern Christianity, this social aspect was often missing since ascetics and monks practiced their religion in remote areas.

If you venture to Selárdalur in the West Fjords, you can easily feel like this when you see Samúel Jónsson’s church.

Although it is not a consecrated church, it is a testament to the human spirit and ingenuity. In this secluded part of Iceland, Samúel Jónsson, the son of a single, impoverished mother created a fantastical and hauntingly surreal area with a sculpture garden that includes a church and a museum. Apparently, he wanted to give the local parish of Selár­­ dalur the altarpiece he had created.

How­­ever, his magnanimous offer was declined and thus he created his own “church” which is a marriage of Eastern and Western church architecture with a twist of Icelandic eccentricity. Two other peculiar looking churches that seem to have jumped out of the imagination of a

pastel adoring Miami Vice fan are the two blue churches in Stöðvarfjörður and Seyðisfjörður. In Stöðvarfjörður there is Kirkjubær, built back in 1925.

The now defunct church functions as a guesthouse. With its exterior and interior largely intact, it provides people the opportunity to spend a night in a church which serviced but a few souls at the edge of the world. Seyðisfjörður is the other famous blue church of Iceland and is known for its summer concerts in the somber but beautiful town of Seyðisfjörður.

SECLUDED CHURCHES A noticeable feature of Icelandic churc­­hes is that most of those outside the capital or large municipalities are usually made of timber and their architecture, including the interior, is often very similar. In many of these churches, the interior depicts the social status of the parish, e.g. certain pews or benches were specified for landowners and more prominent farm­­ers or officials that oversaw the district. The church Saurbæjarkirkja, located by Rauðisandur Beach is typical of such architecture. This church has a shorter history compared to the turf churches—only a few decades at its current location. While visiting you

can walk on the seemingly endless beach to faraway Látrabjörg, the westernmost point of Iceland. If you have the stamina to thread through most of the West Fjords, Staðarkirkja in Steingrímsfjörður Fjord should be high on your priority list as well.

Another jewel, the church in Flatey was once home to a monastery and many Ice­­landers consider it to be one of the most gorgeous places in the country. To get to Flatey, you need to take a ferry from Stykkishólmur where you can see another distinct church that is home to beautiful artwork by Baltasar Samper, father to Iceland’s most renowned film director Balt­­asar Kormákur. The church has an ambiance accentuated by the candor on the faces of the painting within the church.

The paintings depict figures such as Jesus and Moses and other figures whose faces are painted after the likeness of local in­­ habitants of Flatey.

OUTLIERS If you happen to be traveling along the saga routes, you will most likely want to make a stop at Borg á Mýrum, famous homestead of Egill Skallagrímsson—one of Iceland’s most infamous characters. Depending on who you talk to, he is considered a scoundrel, a sociopath or a romantic hero.

Most likely he was all of those things. The land there has had a church since about

Auðkúla Church in North Iceland.

Photo: Wikipedia/Sigurdur Jonsson

If you travel further north in Skagafjörður, you can find Silfrastaðakirkja which bears some re­­semblance to Auðkúlakirkja which is no coincidence since the same person over­­saw the building of both.

1003 according to different sources and the present church was constructed back in 1880. The most interesting thing about this church is its interior; for the altarpiece was created by W.G. Collingwood, an auth­or and a scholar who visited Iceland in 1987. Immediately one notices, how the altarpiece differs from the other ones in Iceland since it was painted in the style of the Pre-Raphaelites.

In the north of Iceland, close to Blönduós is the famed Lake Svínavatn. South of it is one of Iceland’s more intriguing ­churc­­hes,­ Auðkúlukirkja, named after Eyvind­ur Auð­­kúlka who is mentioned in The Book of Settlements. Immediately upon see­­ ing Auðkúlukirkja, one is struck by its archi­­tecture—a mixture of a monopteral

structure blended with a gazebo.How­ ever, the inspiration for the church is a mixture of the Greek Orthodox and Catholic building traditions. If you travel further north in Skagafjörður, you can find Silfrastaðakirkja which bears some re­­semblance to Auðkúlakirkja which is no coincidence since the same person over­­saw the building of both. (If you go to Helgafellssveit near Stykkishólmur you can see all three resemble each other.)

Iceland is a treasure trove for admirers of churches. If anything, it is impossible to do justice to them all and many have been left out here. Wherever you go in Iceland and whatever your religion, make sure you don’t miss out on those beauties. v

GET YOUR DESIGNER BR ANDS TA X F R E E AT K E F L AV I K A I R P O R T

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Naked Chef in Reykjavik

British celebrity-chef Jamie Oliver’s love of Iceland has driven him to open a restaurant right in the capital at the country’s most revered hotel.

by Christopher Kanal Photos: Courtesy of Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited.

Photographers: David Loftus and Tara Fisher

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JAMIE OLIVER IS ARRIVING IN REYKJAVIK IN MAY WITH THE OPENING OF HIS FIRST RESTAURANT IN ICELAND. THE RENOWNED CHEF AND HEALTHY FOOD CHAMPION IS LANDING IN STYLE HAVING CHOSEN THE ESTEEM­ED HOTEL BORG AS THE LOCATION OF HIS FIRST JAMIE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN THE COUNTRY.

BRANCHING OUT At the grand old age of 41 and even after becoming a father for the fifth time last August, Jamie shows no sign of slowing down. The self-confessed foodie geek has a dizzying number of projects and campaigns on the go. With 22 restaurant open­­ ings scheduled across the world from Reykjavik to The Hague and down under in Australia, 2017 is already a very busy year for the chef. By the close of the year, Jamie is planning to have more than 100 restaurants worldwide.

“I’m incredibly excited,” enthuses Oliver. “Reykjavik is a beautiful city with a rich heritage, fantastic food scene and real passion and love for locally sourc­ed in­­­ gredients, so it’s the perfect spot for us.” The location of Jamie’s new restau­­­rant is the stunning art deco hotel on the square of Austurvöllur in the heart of Reykja­­ vik across from Althingi. It was was originally built by the famous explorer and strongman Jóhannes Jósefsson in the 1920s.

The concept behind Jamies’s Italian is the emphasis on ordinary wholesome food for the family using fresh and seasonal ingredients. “I reckon Icelandic peo­­ ple are similar to Italians in that they’re super passionate about what they eat and where it comes from,” he says. “I think there’s a strong link between the UK and Ice­­land too, so hopefully it will blend beautifully.” Jamie adds that he is keen to get his hands on fresh, Icelandic ingredients, in particular, the seafood— “amazing lobster, beautiful prawns and mind-blowing fish!”

WHAT’S COOKING? Oliver is tight-lipped about the menu he intends to serve at Hotel Borg, but per­­ haps guests can expect a tasty Icelandic twist on Jamie’s Italian favorites such as the 12-hour slow-cooked oxtail with Chianti ragù lasagne and fresh crab spaghetti with chili, fennel, capers, white wine and garlic. One thing’s for certain.

It will be unique combination of Icelandic ingredients with Jamie’s distinctive style of Italian-style cooking: “We’re going to be sourcing everything as locally as we possibly can, really showcasing amazing Icelandic lamb and beautiful fresh fish. Then we’ll pair it with classic Italian recipes. So you’ll get the ingredients you know and love, cooked up the Italian way.” Will we see any Iceland inspired Italian dishes on the menu such as Skyr-amisu (a tiramisu made with Skyr) or similar.

“Icelandic ingredients will be on our specials’ board every day,” Jamie tells us. “I’m certain that Icelandic skyr will make an appearance. Skyr-amisu is a great idea!”

Johannes Johannesson is taking the helm at Jamie’s Italian as head chef.

Awarded Chef of the Year in Iceland 2009 and 2010, Johannesson was in charge of the Hotel Marina Restaurant and Geiri Smart Restaurant.

THE COMPETITION Italian-Icelandic fusion cuisine is not new in Reykjavik. Several restaurants in the city are highly regarded. Oliver agrees, reflecting on his first experiences of Iceland and Icelanders 20 years ago. “Back in the day, I worked with some likeminded chefs from Iceland who ran a fantastic restaurant in Reykjavik called La Primavera,” he says. “That was Leifur Kolbeinsson who has now gone on to do his own thing running the Marshall Restaurant and Bar (on Grandagarður 20). We went over there and had loads of fun and saw the glaciers and sights—they’re absolutely beautiful. And since then, Reykjavik has really evolved.”

In February this year, Dill on Hverfisgata won Iceland’s very first Michelin Star at a ceremony in Stockholm. Has Jamie been to Dill? “Yes, and they really de­­ serv­­ed it,” he says. “Every member of staff was brilliant when we went—ninja sharp but also relaxed and calm. My missus hates posh food with a passion, and

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to be honest I’m not a fan either, but somehow they’ve struck a balance perfectly between high-end craft and foraging, refraining from alienating the customers or fellow chefs. When chefs go out, they don’t necessarily want to have overworked food, and these guys just strike the balance absolutely right. I really enjoyed my experience there.”

Jamie believes Iceland’s food renaissance is just starting and Ragnar Eiríks­­ son, the head chef at Dill, hopefully won’t be the sole Icelandic chef to hold the pre­­stigious title for long. “I think the young Icelandic chefs are really strong and they seem to be striking that balance between heritage, location, culture and new ideas,” he says warmly. “It’s a really interesting time.”

THE BATTLE AGAINST BIG FOOD Jamie is very particular about the location and look of his restaurants and Hotel Borg was no exception. “I like to choose buildings that have a bit of story behind them and Hotel Borg definitely has,” he says. “The hotel has such an impressive history and I’ve learned it has a special place in the hearts of the Icelandic people.”

The restaurant has been designed to respect the “Reykjavik is a art-deco history of the fa­­mous building carefully. beautiful city with The ceiling in Gyllti Salurinn (The Golden Hall) is a rich heritage, heri­­tage protected and great care has been taken fantastic food scene in not disturbing the building and its identity. The and real passion only noticeable contemporary touch will be that the and love for locally restaurant will have an open kitchen so the guests sourc­ed in­­­gredients, can watch the chefs at work. so it’s the perfect However, it is Chef Oliver’s campaigning for health­ spot for us.” ier food and better animal welfare standards which has brought him even more into the spotlight and often controversially so as he takes on big food corpo­­ rations and even governments to account; Oliver took on the Britsh government over the levels of sugar permitted in food and he won. The “sugar debate” was, for a period, top of the UK’s public health agenda which led to former chancellor George Osborne to intro­­­ ducing a ground­­breaking sugar tax in his last budg­et.

In 2010, Jamie’s American Food Revolution, set in Huntington, West Virginia, the USA’s most overweight town, won him an Emmy. Jamie’s Ministries of Food has been established in four British cities now, where basic cooking skills and healthy eating awareness are taught in a bid to awaken culinary appreciation and remove poor eating habits.

Jamie’s much-lauded campaign for heathier school dinners for children across the United King­­dom has now extended to 80 countries while his target is food processing factories. In­­deed even a casual glance at Jamie’s web­­site appropriately titled “Jamie’s Food Revolu­­tion” demonstrates the sheer range and ambi­­tion of his desire to make food health­ier, more sustaina­­ble. And he has no qualms about con­­­­front­­ing contentious issues head­­-on. In Ice­­land, renowned for the quality of its pro­­­­­­duce, Oliver has been pleasantly surprised how food produc­­ers are open to new ideas and will­­ing to adjust their methods. “It’s going well,” he says. “The team I’m work­ing with is so dedicated to the food and they’ve gotten behind the animal welfare stand­­ards that I’m passionate about, which is amazing to see.

Some of the suppliers we’re working with in the local area are even starting to change their methods to fit in with my ethos, which is mad but pretty amazing.”

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“Iceland is a far away unusual place with a hist­­­ ory of Vikings and grafters with music and fas­­hion cult­­­­ure that’s very robust.

For a population of so few, it’s so in­­­credibly rich.”

Naked Chef in Reykjavik

GOOD FOOD, INSPIRATION AND GREAT EXPERIENCES An intrepid traveler Jamie, whose quest for both good food and inspiration from healthy eating cultures, is often found in far-flung corners of the world. Last year, Oliver traveled to South Korea to an isolated corner of the country Jeju Island, where he dived in the ocean with the legendary Haenyeo women, most of whom are aged 65-85 years old. They caught abalones, sea urchins and sea cucumbers in the pristine waters and picked wild mushroom in the UNESCO World Heritage forest on the hills of the island to discover the secret of the locals longevity. Jamie always posts his traveling adventures on Instagram. He like the intimacy that social media brings allowing him to connect with his followers.

Hopefully, now that Jamie has a restaurant in Iceland, he will have another excuse to visit the country more often. He has never visited Iceland in the summ­­­­er and is really looking forward to it. “I’ve had lots of different experiences for work and pleasure,” he says. “I’ve been there with my mates and the missus and I’ve done all of the touristy stuff which has been a joy.” For Jamie, there is certainly a place in his heart for Reykjavik and he has some tips to offer. “There’s a lovely place I went for breakfast that was super cool, call­­ed Bergsson Mathús (Templ­ara­­­­sund 3) and Coocoo’s Nest (Grandagarður 23),” he reveals.

COOL AND DIFFERENT A fistful of Jamie’s favorite Icelandic experiences in­­­clude browsing the flea market in Reykjavik, check­­ing out the Golden Circle and the south coast and of course seeing the Northern Lights. As for the locals, Jamie admires their gusto.

“They’ve got their own spir­­it. Iceland is a far away unusual place with a hist­­­ory of Vikings and grafters with music and fas­­hion cult­­­­ure that’s very robust. For a population of so few, it’s so in­­­credibly rich.

“It punches well above its weight,” he says of the Icelandic capital. “It’s a really cool corner of the earth to find yourself in, and with tourism growing at a rate of knots, what it develops into is going to be fascin­­ating. Well, it was on my missus’ bucket list along with Hawaii and Havanna—all very cool and different!” v

FROM NAKED CHEF TO GLOBAL INFLUENCER Indeed both Jamie Oliver, the TV chef and healthy food champion and the Jamie Oliver brand are almost in­­dist­­inguis­hable such is his global profile. After first opening in 2002, Jamie’s Italian has now grown to 64 restaurants across the world.

He also has struck a new multimillion-pound deal with British broadcaster Channel 4 which in­­cludes the production of a new TV series this fall, Jamie’s Quick & Easy. However, all this success has not been without bumps.

Following the United Kingdom’s referendum to leave the Europe Union last June, many business are feeling the crunch as the collapse in the value of the pound and econ­­omic uncertainty casts a long shadow over the country. Brexit was one of the reasons Jamie had to close six of his UK branches of Jamie’s Italian and has partly set his sights glob­­ally. How­­ever, the referendum didn’t stop him opening a second outpost of his new grill and smokehouse venture Barbecoa, off Piccadilly Square. It is undeniable that restaurants are central to the Jamie Oliver empire and account for almost three-quarters (£116m) of the £158m revenues he generated in 2015. It is this sizeable revenue which funds Jamie’s philanthropy.

FAMILY FIRST Jamie is a wealthy man and could have semi-quietly stuck to a routine as a popul­­ ar TV chef but instead chose to use his celebrity to tackle issues that affect us all.

Despite the critics who bemoan what they see as Jamie’s omniscience in public life, the down-to-earth Jamie is widely acclaimed and even after 18 years in public life remains an endearing, popular figure in the UK. Since the Naked Chef hit television screens in 1999, there is a generation of people who grew up with him. As he has grown older and his family, with his children’s clothing designer wife Jools, becomes larger, Oliver continues to surprise with projects that are intrinsically family conscious.

In many senses, family is what defines Jamie. “Family first, always, always,” he has often been quoted saying. He and Jools have been together since they were 18, marrying in his hometown of Rickling, Essex when they were both 25. The Oliver brood now includes new arrival baby boy River Rocket, together with Poppy Honey Rose, 14, Daisy Boo Pamela, 12, Petal Blossom Rainbow, six, and five-year-old Buddy Bear Maurice. The family are often included in Oliver’s fly-on-the-wall food stories.

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Icelandic wool

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DO YOU KNOW WHERE DAVID BOUGHT THE ALE?

TOP 5 MUST TRY ICELANDIC BEERS - And where to find them For the beer lovers reading this and on your way to Iceland, I have this to tell you: You, my friend are in for a treat!

by Egill at WakeUpReykjavik.com Photos: Courtesy of WakeUpReykjavik.com

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It is no secret that the local beer culture in Iceland has been abso­­ lutely skyrocketing for the past few years. For those who don’t know, beer was illegal here for 74 years. From 1915 until 1989. Shocking right? It wasn’t until 2006 that our very first “microbrewery” open­­ed its doors and it’s safe to say that it opened with a BOOM! THE EVOLUTION OF MICROBREWERIES IN ICELAND We needed to do some catching up aft­er that prohibition and when the Kaldi micro­brewery opened in 2006, it chang­­ed the game forever. For the first time, someone stood up and offered something new and creative... at the cost of the few large breweries. In the next few years, more and more breweries started to pop up and today, ten years later, we enjoy amazing seasonal beers from more than ten different micro­­brew­­ eries from all around Iceland.

But I’m not going to dig too deep into the local beer history. Instead, I’m going to list my personal absolute favorite Icelandic beers. Beers that I feel like you as a beer lover just have to experience during your stay in Reykjavik.

Before I start, first things first: If you are a true beer enthusiast, of course, you should look into joining our super fun and delicious Reykjavik Beer Tour that can be booked through WOW air’s tours website (tours.wowair.com). But should you like to do your own exploring here’s what I suggest EINSTÖK WHITE ALE For me, personally, it would be abso­­­ lutely crazy not to put Einstök White Ale on the top of this list! It is without a doubt the one beer that I have enjoyed most frequently and once you try it, I am sure you’ll understand why.

A super refreshing, easy to drink wheat beer with a hint of coriander and orange: How delicious does that sound? The Einstök Brewery is in my home­­town, Akureyri, one of the northernmost towns in Iceland.

You will find Einstök White Ale at most bars in Iceland, many rest­­­au­ rants, in every liquor shop and in the duty free shop at Keflavik Airport.

The Einstök Brewery is in my home­­town, Akureyri, one of the northernmost towns in Iceland. You will find Einstök White Ale at most bars in Iceland, many rest­­­ aurants, in every liquor shop and in the duty free shop at Keflavik Airport.

Garún is available in many beer bars in Reykjavik and some fine dining rest­­aur­­­ ants as well. Most of the state-run liquor stores sell it and occasionally it’s carri­­­ed in the duty free shop at Keflavik Airport.

exception in this matter as I believe this beer is just wond­erful. It is a dark and roasted Indian pale ale that has been a big hit lately.

You can find this beer at beer bars and in the larger liquor stores in Reykjavik.

SKYRGOSI So, one question before I start: Have you tried or even heard about the Icelandic skyr? For those who don’t know, skyr is one of our absolute most traditional Icelandic cuisines that we have enjoyed for more than 1000 years. Technically it’s a type of cheese but it’s served in a similar style as a super low-fat yogurt that is very high in protein. Basically, what you have to know is that it tastes sour. Very sour.

And what a few crazy birds thought of in late 2015 was combining beer and skyr! The result? Skyrgosi, which is so incredibly unlike anything I have tasted before that I think I love it.

Skyrgosi is a collaboration project between three Danish breweries, one from the US and the Gæðingur micro­­ brewery located in East Iceland. To be honest … it does taste very much like Skyr—and that means sour. But please, give it a chance! You might be surprised. You can find Skyrgosi at the Micro Bar in downtown Reykjavik.

Please note that the taps at Micro Bar change constantly so there’s no guarantee it’ll be there.

KALDI BLACK IPA Personally, I have never been much of an IPA person. Never-the-less, there’s a big selection of IPS’s in Reykjavik because for the past 1-2 years it’s been the trend­ iest of hoppy beers. The Black IPA from Kaldi brewery in the North has to be an

FJALAR Here we have an exceptionally exciting seasonal beer from the summer of 2016 that is very unlike most other beers I have tried! I remember trying it first with a beautiful meal last summer and im­ mediately falling in love.

In short, it is 100% the opposite of the Black IPA above and if I had to compare it to anything I would put it next to a good glass of champagne! It’s clear, bubbly and sweet and has a hint of vanilla and mint! The alc/vol. is 9.6% and it is often served in a champagne glass.

You can find this beer at some beer bars, fine dining restaurants and in the larger liquor shops. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it at the Keflavik Airport yet.

BONUS: VIKING GYLLTUR (VIKING GOLD) I just can’t skip the Viking… If I would be listing only the most interesting and unique beers of the world, I am afraid that the Viking Gylltur would not make it on the list. However, if you are a traveler visiting Iceland, I think you simply have to try the Viking as it is without a doubt Iceland’s most traditional beer.

Viking is a simple golden lager with 5.6 alc/vol. It will not change your life but it is a quality beer that, for a good reason, has been the most popular beer in Iceland since 1989!

You can find this beer at literally 90% of all the bars and restaurants in Ice­­ land, in every liquor store and at Keflavik Airport. v

GARÚN NO. 19 Now for a little more POWER … This big and strong Icelandic stout is no more and no less than 11.5% alc/vol. and it might just be one of the best beers you will ever try. Personally, I wouldn’t choose to have a six-pack of Garún but as a delicious treat to sip on it is everything you could ask for.

Garún no.19 is heavy but soft and you will experience a fun mix of chocolate, licorice and coffee dancing with your taste buds! This beer is made at the BORG micro­­brewery, situated inside Egils Ölgerð, one of the largest and oldest local breweries in Iceland.

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Icelanders’ taste of home Icelandic cuisine offers many unique choices for visitors to this island nation, including svið (singed sheep’s head), hangikjöt (smoked lamb), and hardfiskur (dried fish pieces). Seaweed and various berries make a regular appearance on plates, and no intrepid tourist can return home without trying a nibble of the pungent hákarl (fermented shark). But perhaps the most beloved dish of all isn’t fancy or unusual.

The food that most represents the soul of Iceland is a simple cup of skyr.

by Pamela Hunt Photos: Pamela Hunt and courtesy of Icelandic Provisions and WakeUp Reykjavik

Icelanders are wild about skyr— pronounced “skeer,” not “sky.” They eat it for breakfast, grab one for a quick snack, or incorporate it into decadent desserts. It can even take part in political protests. In 1972, a man by the name of Helgi Hóseasson wanted for the church to annul his baptismal covenant. The church refused, so Helgi took up his weapon of choice—tubs of skyr—and showered a procession of parliament members, the

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president, and the bishop of the Reykjavik Cathedral to demonstrate his displeasure.

May 2016 saw a repeat performance of this food as a protest tool. The crowds gath­ered outside the Alþingi pelted the building with containers of skyr to express their discontent with the news that Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson’s name had appeared in the Panama Papers as a holder of a hidden offshore bank account

Icelanders are wild about skyr— pronounced “skeer,” not “sky.” They eat it for breakfast, grab one for a quick snack, or incorporate it into decadent desserts.

FOOD OF THE VIKINGS The Vikings brought skyr to Iceland over 1,100 years ago. This fermented dairy product was once popular throughout Scandinavia, but in Iceland, it has be­­­come one of the nation’s most treas­ ured foods and cultural icons. The writ­ers of the Icelandic sagas menti­­on­­ ed it in their myths, and the country’s National Museum holds an ancient jar with residue from a batch thought to be

skyr is made with a wider variety than just these two bacteria. The other difference is in the straining. Yogurt is ready to eat right after fermentation is complete, but to finish a batch of skyr requires straining it through a cloth or using a centrifuge to separate out the whey and concentrate the protein. This straining is what makes for such a thick result, similar to Greek yogurt, which is strained regular yogurt. Skyr is also virtually fat-free, low-calorie, and high in protein.

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME Wake Up Reykjavik leads two popular culin­­­ ary tours of the city that introduce visi­­­tors to this national treasure. The Reykja­­vik Food Walk, a four-hour stroll through this small city that is surprisingly full of big flavor, gives participants a taste of skyr, both a fruit-flav­­ ored version as well as the traditionally tart plain flavor. “It’s perhaps the most Icelandic food you’ll try today,” company co-founder Daniel says as he passes out small while tubs to his tour group.

The group’s beer tour highlights the city’s growing microbrewing world. The curr­­ent standout sample is Skyrgosi from Gæðingur Brewery. Available at MicroBar, this Gose style beer gets its pucker from skyr. “It was supposed to be sour and very

more than 1,000 years old. The Reykjavik Maritime Museum also displays large wood­­en barrels that were used to store skyr for treacherous ocean journeys.

Initially, however, the skyr itself wasn’t the important part of fermenting milk—it was the whey the Vikings were after. The acidic liquid was used to preserve meat, but the creamy, filling skyr soon became the star of the process. Though first made with raw sheep’s milk, almost all (if not all) of the skyr found on shelves today is of the cow’s-milk variety. Also reflecting olden times when people churned the fat out of milk for butter, most producers use skim or lower-fat milk, rather than whole milk, which makes skyr naturally low in fat.

Though first made with raw sheep’s milk, almost all (if not all) of the skyr found on shelves today is of the cow’s-milk variety.

Also reflecting olden times when people churned the fat out of milk for butter, most producers use skim or lower-fat milk, rather than whole milk, which makes skyr naturally low in fat.

Icelandic,” brewer Árni Hafstað says. “To make it sour, one needs to get a sour bacteria culture from something, so I picked skyr.” This beer is also brewed colla­­boratively by Evil Twin and Two Roads Brew­­ing in the United States, where it is sold under the name Geysir Gose, to reflect the brew’s Icelandic heritage.

Another American company bringing a piece of Iceland to the United States is Ice­­landic Provisions. Icelandic Provisions has partnered with MS, the Icelandic company that produces Skyr.is, to bring this protein-rich treat to the United States. Molly Peter­­son, director of communications at Icelandic Provisions, explains that because it is the only skyr in the US market that uses an heirloom Icelandic culture, it “tast­­es like ‘home’ to every Icelander we talk to.”

Whether it’s called cheese or yogurt, serv­­ed plain or with fruit, skyr holds a special place in Icelanders’ hearts. From its role in the Sagas, to representing Icelandic na­­tional pride at protests, to introducing beer lovers to the pleasantly sour flavor it im­­parts; however it makes it appearance, skyr has the distinction of being one of Ice­­ land’s most Icelandic food of all. v

The Vikings brought skyr to Iceland over 1,100 years ago. This fermented dairy product was once popular throughout Scandinavia, but in Iceland, it has be­­­come one of the nation’s most treas­ured foods and cultural icons.

IT’S NOT YOGURT! Though skyr resembles yogurt, it’s actually a fresh, acid-set cheese, like quark or from­­age blanc. The difference between the two dairy products comes down to bacteria. The label “yogurt” applies to pro­­­ducts made with either Streptococcus thermo­­­philus or the Lactobacillus del­­­ brueckii subspecies bulgaricus, whereas Issue two

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Go West

PHOTOGRAPHING SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA Where waterfalls spread their glistening trails over wild landscapes and rugged coastlines weave beneath volcanic craters… Welcome to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Text and photos by Lisa Michele Burns

V

enturing off the Ring Road and driving to the west coast of Iceland reveals a quieter side of the country. The crowds disperse, vast landscapes appear and little pockets of magic appear when you least expect them. When it comes to photographic opportunities, you’re spoiled for choice. Tucked in behind the shores of Grunda­­­rfjörður you’ll find Kirkjufellsfoss, one of the most popular locations for landscape photographers visiting Iceland. From there, it’s a combination of rocky coastlines, mountain peaks, volcanoes and quaint seaside villages.

SAXHÓLL CRATER Visible from the drive along the western tip of the peninsula, Saxhóll Crater rises above a pancake flat sec­­tion of land near Snæfellsjökull Glacier. An out of use quarry at the base of the crater is now a car park and you can take a steep but quick climb to the top for views inside the crater’s rim. The sound of red volcanic scoria crunches as you wander along the track, peering into what was a volcano some 3000-4000 years ago. Views from the top look over the surrounding landscape which varies in tones of green, brown and white when peering up towards the glacier on a clear day.

If you’ve seen The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, you’ve no doubt seen this picturesque coastal village before.

Grundar­­­­fjörður is a little dazzler that’s most visited due to its proximity to the photogenic Mt. Kirkjufell.

GRUNDARFJÖRÐUR If you’ve seen The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, you’ve no doubt seen this picturesque coastal village before.

Grundar­­­­fjörður is a little dazzler that’s most visited due to its proximity to the photogenic Mt. Kirkjufell. The town itself is a great base for photographing the Snæfellsnes Peninsula with whale tours departing the har­­bor and on occasion, orcas swimming past the village.

Driving into Grundarfjörður from the west, the road journeys down a valley framed by dramatic moun­­tains and fjords that fall into the sea below. One particular hut with a red rooftop and friendly hors­­es in the surrounding paddock is just a few minutes from the town—a beautiful place to stop and capture the scenery.

Saxhóll Crater.

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Arnarstapi.

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MT. KIRKJUFELL Kirkjufell with its pointy witch’s hat-like appearance is a major sight for visiting photo­­ graphers. To get the best vantage point, you can stand on the shoreline and cap­­ture reflections on a still day, or wander over to Kirkjufellsfoss, a waterfall com­­pos­­ed almost perfectly in line with the mountain. Those keen to stay the night could also be treated to aurora displays which further showcase this impressive land­­scape under a dancing green sky.

HÓLAHÓLAR CRATERS This collection of craters is found in the southwestern part of the peninsula. Just off the main road, you’ll be treated to formations that date back thousands of years.

The showstopper is Berudalur Crater. On arrival, it’s like entering a natural am­­phit­­ heat­­er with towering edges of volcanic scoria covered in patches of green moss. The Hóla­­hólar area is believed to be home to a community of elves, a tale that seems com­­pletely possible when you’re standing on top of the lava hill looking over what ap­­pears as, magical landscape below.

ARNARSTAPI The word picturesque doesn’t really do this town justice. Arnarstapi is more beau­ ti­­ful than words can describe, a combination of atmosphere blended with charm and sea­­side beauty, it is one place you need to visit if traveling to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Opening your car door, the first thing you may hear is the squawk and chatter of Arctic terns as they stretch their wings along the coast and return to their burrows on the rocky waterfront of Arnarstapi. From the pier, the coastline is a photography playground with columnar basalt, ravines and grottoes sitting beneath the volcanic Mt. Stapafell. If there’s been a lot of rain, you’ll also see water­falls gushing over the cliffs into the ocean with their wispy mist conjuring up shapes in the wind.

DAGVERÐARÁ This abandoned farmhouse is equally haunting and charming. A regular stop for trav­­ el­­ers driving by, it’s a significant landmark and one that fits with the harsh environ­­ ment. The track toward the house creates a fascinating perspective with snow in the cooler months further adding to the mystery and mood of this intriguing milieu.

Malarrif lighthouse.

MALARRIF LIGHTHOUSE Scenic and stoic, this lighthouse rests on the rugged rocky shores just west of Lón­­­ drang­­ar. With a cove located beside the lighthouse, it’s an ideal location to cap­­­ture long exposures of crashing waves with the tall structure of Malarrif behind. Sea­­ birds frequent the area too and it’s not uncommon to see hundreds flying over the lighthouse creating a fantastic contrast to the surrounding skies.

PHOTO TIPS To capture the essence and natural beauty of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, knowing some simple photography techniques will help you to get a little creative. With the light changing so quickly in Iceland, it’s important to know which settings to use and when to ensure the colors shine through in your images.

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The foreground: One element that can take your landscape shot from drab to incredible is the foreground. Take a look at what’s around you and how you can compose something into the foreground to either create a certain per­­ spec­­tive or add a sense of place. You can use a person to show how giant a mountain is or a running waterfall to add movement. Using the foreground in your landscape photo is all about seeing the opportunities and seizing them creatively.

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The sky: If you are outdoors shooting landscapes, you’ll no doubt come across a sky that isn’t working for your intended shot. It might be too cloudy, too dull, too bright or just too boring. Rather than Photoshop in a fake sky from another day, you can recompose your image to minimize the amount of sky or view it from an alternate angle to make it appear more vibrant. Using reflections is a great way to do this, just be wary of keeping the horizon straight and deciding what you want as the focus.

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Shutter speed: Responsible for freezing action or blurring movement, chang­­­ ing the shutter speed allows you to control how long your camera’s shutter is kept open. Typically for a clean, sharp image that is frozen in time, it’s best to use a fast shutter of 1/500 to 1/1000sec. To slow movement or blur water opt for a slower shutter of 3/1 or 1 sec. The slower your shutter is set, the more you­’ll need a stable tripod or something to keep your camera steady.

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Hólahólar Craters.

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NO HORSING AROUND

Neighs and yays While driving through Iceland, it is inevitable to notice small, gentle horses grazing on pastures along the road. So what should you do when you spot them?

by Eygló Árnadóttir Photos: iStockphoto.com/alexeys and courtesy of Margeir Ingólfsson

The Icelandic horse is a unique breed with a large personality and a specific gait, besides being seriously cute. Your urge to hit the brakes and run out of the car to ooh and ah is a totally understandable, yet a very bad idea.

BUT WHY? Firstly, because of traffic safety. Renting a car and driving through the country is probably the best way to explore Ice­­­­land, but that type of travel comes with responsibilities. Icelandic roads are mostly narrow with little room to pass, even with risky surroundings on each side of the road. Pulling over onto the shoulder can be very dangerous and can interfere with other driver’s sight lines, especially in the winter darkness, or when rain or snow diminish the view.

Far too many visiting drivers unde­­r­ esti­­mate the danger and simply pull over to the side whenever something photogenic catches their eye. Don’t do that! There are many side roads, farm entrances and lookout spots where you can pull off. Just wait a bit instead of taking the risk. There are plenty of horses and breathtaking views ahead.

THEY ARE NOT PETS Second reason for not jumping out of your car to mingle with random horses has to do with their wellbeing. Although

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WOW Power to the people

Receiving actual busloads of bread and treats does no animal any good; a moment on their lips—a long time in their delicate digestive system.

close to the Ring Road, the pastures are still private property and the horses you see are most likely being bred as riding horses. Icelandic horses are friendly, curious and not easily spooked, so they will most probably welcome your ad­­ miration and treats. But this constant at­­tention interferes with the horses’ training.

Margeir Ingólfsson, a horse farmer at Brú, knows far too well how damaging tourist attention can be for the animals.

His land is right on the ever so popular tourist attraction The Golden Circle, and hundreds pull over each day to pat and feed his horses. The farmer has actually had to put down young horses since their temperament was so negatively affected by the exaggerated attention from well-meaning tourists that they be­­ came untrainable. Just imagine hundreds of strangers giving your child­ren candy and cuddles every day. You would love getting those kids to the dinn­er table or to bed, right?

FARMER TO THE RESCUE! But farmer Margeir understands per­­ fectly the desire to get in contact with these fascinating creatures and has now secured a specific lot on his land where drivers can safely pull over. Right next to the main road, Margeir put up a small fence where he keeps a few easygoing

horses that can well handle the extra attention and are old enough, so their training is not jeopardized. Travelers are now welcome to park their cars or get out of their bus at that spot, to pat and photograph the horses at will.

Please don’t feed them your lunch, though! Receiving actual busloads of bread and treats does no animal any good; a moment on their lips—a long time in their delicate digestive system.

Margeir has put up a self-service shelf with fresh horse fodder, where guests are welcome to buy treats and hand feed the horses (and who could resist when those big eyes stare eagerly at your empty hands).

The farm Brú is located between the Geysir Hot Spring and Gullfoss Water­­ falls. (Look for the tourist friendly horse fence 2 km east of Geysir). This farmer’s friendly act has been well received.

Cars and buses can now safely pull over for a little meet and greet with one of Iceland’s signature animals, and treat them without risk of harming them. For a deeper experience of the Icelandic horse, you should seek out a horse rental and have a ride with professional guidance.

One more thing—don’t call our (very tough and hardy) Icelandic horses pon­ ies. You will piss everyone off. Though horse be little—horse is fierce.

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WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Don’t miss out on great adventures in Iceland because of poor clothing.

A gear guide for Iceland’s unpredictable spring weather For anyone planning a trip to Iceland April through May, know that Icelandic spring with its average chilly temperatures of 32-42 degrees Fahrenheit (0-6°C) isn’t exactly a frolic through a field of newly-bloomed tulips.

By Krista Connor Photos: iStockphoto.com / max-kegfire and courtesy of Columbia and Sorel

But being a shoulder season, it’s a smart time to visit because flights are cheap and the major crowds haven’t quite started the mass influx. Because the weather is unpredictable during this time, our best advice is to be prepared for just about anything Mother Nature sends your way, be it a snow squall, downpour, sleet, or sunshine. That means it’s time to get geared up with rain and snow proof layers.

As all tried-and-true adventure travelers on a budget know, outdoor wear can lean on the expensive side, but one area never

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Because the weather is unpredictable during this time, our best advice is to be prepared for just about anything Mother Nature sends your way.

to skimp on is gear; you’ll be glad you went for it, once you find yourself stranded in an unexpected rainstorm in the wilderness.

Below are gear options ideal for navigating Iceland’s moods, whether you’re explor­­ ing the windy wilds of the Highland or strolling around Reykjavik in style dur­­­ing a downpour.

ALL ABOUT THAT BASE Base layers—worn under coats and sweatshirts—are the first step in layering, de­­ signed to keep you comfortable at the core. Columbia’s men’s and women’s North­ ern Ground Tight base layer pants ($120; columbia.com) are cozy sweat-wick­­ing tights featuring Polartec Power Stretch fabric with a drawcord waist. Likewise, Columbia’s men’s and women’s Northern Ground Half Zip ($120) base layer tops are built with body-mapping seam lines in stretch fleece, which cre­­­ates breathable

W E L C O M E

O N

B O A R D !

Elevate your encounter with Iceland!

Amazing helicopter tours around Iceland for individuals or groups. You can choose from a 20 minutes city sightseeing tour up to a whole day journey and everything in between.

AirTaxi! We are often available on short notice!

Your wish is our command!

The fleet is made up of the most modern and meticulously maintained helicopters on the market. The pilots are trained to the highest standards, experienced, friendly, multi-lingual individuals with great knowledge of Iceland’s spectacular nature.

They will make your journey unforgettable.

Safety and comfort of our customers is always our main priority.

• We operate from Reykjavik (city) Airport.

• We offer free transport services within Reykjavik city area in connection with our flights.

• We can, on the other hand, arrange for a pick up and/or drop off from and to just about anywhere in the country.

• You can either pick one of our tours or simply design your own.

• We are flexible.

Our service team is on duty 24/7 and will happily assist you at any time.

Check out our tours and prices on our website.

E-mail to info@rehe.is or call (+354) 589 1000 www.reykjavikhelicopters.com

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WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

warmth and flexibility. If base layer pants are too thick to fit under women’s jeans, layer instead with Patagonia leggings like Centered Tights or Diversifly Capris (from $55; patagonia.com).

THE SWEATSHIRT DANCE If you frequently go in-and-out-ofdoors—say, from rental car to restaurant or land­­mark—you’ll be pulling sweatshirts on and off. Depending on your coldweather tolerance, you’ll want something lightweight, or to go for a heavier sweat­­ er from the Nordic land itself—like a traditional Icelandic sweater, aka lopa­­ peysa (alafoss.is).

WATERPROOF JACKETS Finally: outerwear. New from Columbia, the women’s OutDry EX Casual Jacket ($250) is waterproof and ultra-breathable with a street-savvy design for a day in the city or for going on a rainy afternoon hike, with its oversized hood that keeps the harsh wind at bay. Meanwhile, REI Co-op’s La Selva Rain Jacket ($169) offers advanced storm protection in an urban trench coat style.

The North Face Men’s Venture 2 Jacket ($99) is a lightweight, waterproof and wind­­proof jacket that leaves room for extra layers beneath.

JUST GET THOSE WATERPROOF PANTS It’s easy to want to skip this step and hope to get away with jeans, but with factors like pelting sideways rain and fierce wind, waterproof pants are a necessity, particularly for outdoor adventures.

Luckily, men’s and women’s Titan Ridge II Pants ($140) at Columbia are both water­­ proof and snowproof—and not bad to look at. They’re lightweight and flexible, too, so you’ll still feel comfortable if you and your friends don’t have time to change before a round of Einstök beers in the city after a satisfying day spent roaming the countryside.

PUDDLES ARE FOR JUMPING IN For a trip to Iceland, sturdy boots are es­ sential. SOREL’s brand new rain col­­­lect­­ion includes Joan Rain short boots ($130; sorel.com), while the Out ’N About Rain ($115) is a super lightweight style that packs well in a suitcase. For the classic ad­­venture look, stick with Slimpack II Lace Duck Boots ($145) for heavy rain or Winter Fancy Lace II Boots ($150) for snow. Men’s Keen Durand Polar WP ($169) are insulated with a wooly thermal heat shield footbed and waterproof exterior.

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GO FOR A SWIM! All this talk of cold weather may make the suggestion of packing a bathing suit sound crazy. But trust us. All public pools in Iceland are heated and most are open year-round, though adventurers should opt for natural to semi-natural hot springs such as Seljavallalaug. For women, why not show up Instagramable in ModCloth’s retro Parasail Away With Me swimsuit or vintage Bathing Beauty Two-Piece? (modcloth.com.)

MISCELLANEOUS GEAR Of course, there are still necessities like woolen socks, gloves, hats, and extremely durable luggage. For accessories, select from Icelandic-made options at 66° North (66north.com) or Icewear (icewear.is). Lastly, Osprey’s unisex Meridian Wheel­­ed Convertible Luggage (ospreypacks.com; $380) is the perfect splurge for an ad­ven­ turer’s checked-bag option. Designed with every step of the journey in mind from the airport to crowded bus to tough terrain, the convertible wheeled duffel-bagto-backpack is rugged and durable enough for Iceland’s more intense weather conditions.

Now that you’ve geared up, let the springtime adventures in Iceland commence!

RE04

Why not buy a tour with us on board this flight?

– Just ask the cabin crew.

BSÍ Bus Terminal • 101 Reykjavík •

BUY ON BOARD

The Golden Circle

SRE74

BUY ON BOARD

The Golden Circle & Fontana Wellness

RE15

BUY ON BOARD

South Shore Adventure

+354 580 5400 • main@re.is • www.flybus.is • www.re.is

BUY ON BOARD

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on our tours and services please consult our brochure located in the seat pocket in front of you.

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BE ICELAND

The ultimate travel companion Finding all those secret spots in Iceland that no one even thinks to look for can be a daunting task but we have something that can make your vacation in Iceland a lot easier.

With over 2600 GPS POIs you‘ll have a hard time not making a few detours.

Be Iceland is an informational website and a phone app designed to make your traveling in Iceland easier.

PLAN TO BE THERE As soon as you land, you can book your Flybus transfer to Reykjavik through the app instead of standing in line at the ticket office. Because all the Flybuses have free wifi, the journey will also give you a great opportunity to find and book tours on your way to Reykjavik.

When traveling in Iceland, the Be Iceland app will help you find interesting places nearby and help you locate most of Iceland‘s amazing natural attractions and historic places, towns, hotels, shops and restaurants. The app will also help you find ATMs and recycling stations should you need them and it lets you filter everything down to better fit your plans.

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THE TRAVELER‘S SECRET WEAPON The Be Iceland app is easy to navigate and has several categories to choose from such as Eat, Sleep, Discover, Enjoy and Shop, to name a few.

The Discover category is especially handy, giving you directions to places known for their natural or historical significance close to your location. Filtering the results by your interest can lead to the discovery of something great, like a little known natural gem, a conveniently located hiking route or a historical site where you learn something interesting. If you‘re a budget traveler, this feature will become your ultimate secret weapon when planning your trip as almost all of these places are free of charge.

Inside all other categories, you can filter the results to find exactly what you need with information that would never fit inside any guide book. Looking for a swimming pool? Go to the Enjoy category and filter the results to swimming pools, you‘ll find the

When traveling in Iceland, the Be Iceland app will help you find interesting places nearby and help you locate most of Iceland‘s amazing natural attractions and historic places, towns, hotels, shops and restaurants.

The Be Iceland app is free of charge and available for ios and Android through their respective stores. You can also check out the Be Iceland website, beiceland. is. It‘s a great place to start if you‘re planning a vacation in Iceland.

closest one first but you might also find one that‘s too unique to pass by. In the Enjoy category, you can find nearby tours too and book them directly.

EVERYTHING YOU‘RE LOOKING FOR AND MORE Hungry? Select the Eat category and browse the closest restaurant. Or decide what you‘re hungry for and filter the results.

From vegan or vegetarian to steaks and sushi and almost everything in between, the Be Iceland app‘s got you covered.

For those looking for that perfect item to complete their wardrobe or a quirky souvenir, the Shop category will be a dream come true. Filter the results by fashion or design to find real Icelandic clothes or select souvenirs to find the one item that will complete your collection. v

Take your photos using a steam powered phone In Iceland, all electricity is generated from renewable sources; falling water, the heat of the earth and the force of the wind.

Welcome to the land of renewable energy. landsvirkjun.com/visitus

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THE WOW WORD OF ADVICE

Driving in Iceland Having the freedom to explore while driving on your own is probably the best way to get around Iceland. But driving in Iceland requires more than just knowing how to operate a vehicle

By Eygló Árnadóttir Photo: iStockphoto.com / standret

In 2016 over 220 foreign visitors were injured in traffic accidents, includ­­­ing two fatal ones. Most often, the driver lost control of the car and failed to keep it on the road. When driving in Iceland chanc­­es are you will spend most of your time on the Ring Road (Highway no. 1). Although paved and accessible by any car, the Ring Road usually offers only one lane in each direction and many bridges are wide enough for only one car at a time. In addition Icelandic roads are often winding and hilly, so an oncoming car can approach quite sudd­­enly. There is little room to pass and some­­­­times risky surroundings on either side of the road. Do not overestimate your driving skills.

NOT THE MOON Driving in Iceland can at times feel like being on the moon, and not because of the scenery but also because there are often no other cars in sight. This can give drivers the dangerous idea that they can look at

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Driving in Iceland can at times feel like being on the moon, and not because of the scenery but also because there are often no other cars in sight.

the scenery rather than watching the road ahead or even that they can stop their car in the middle of the road or the road’s shoulder, to take photos, for example. This is not safe and has caused fatal accidents!

Always find a side road, farm entrance or a lookout spot to pull over and marvel the scenery. And beware, even though you never pass a police car—there are active speed cameras everywhere and exceeding the speed limit of 90 km/h (55 mph) may get you a hefty fine.

SPRING IS… MAYBE HERE

In case of an emergency call 112. Download the “112 Iceland” app to your phone, where pressing one button calls for help while sending your location by text.

April and May in Iceland can be rainy and windy with winter, oh so undecided as to when to finally let go. This means that the weather can be unpredictable. Sunshine can turn into a snowstorm in a heartbeat, so be sure to check the weather forecast regularly. The roads might still get icy, so make sure your rental has proper winter or “year-round” tires. Call 1777 (or +354 522 1100) to keep track of the road conditions

(open 8 am - 4 pm in summer and 6:30 am 22 pm in winter) or dial 1778 for an English answering machine with similar information.

BEYOND THE RING ROAD Please make note: In Iceland all off road driving is forbidden and punishable with a large fine, as it can damage the delicate nature. Most country roads have a surface of loose gravel and a speed limit of 80 km/h (49 mph). Drive extra carefully on dirt roads, particularly where the paved road suddenly turns into a gravel road. Most mountain roads are only open during the summer and only accessible by vehicles with four-wheel drive. Before venturing into the wilderness without professional guidance, leave your travel plan with our heroes at ICE-SAR—the Icelandic search and rescue teams. This can be done through the 112 app or at www. safetravel.is. In case something happens on your trip, thousands of highly trained volunteers will then have the necessary information to start search and rescue. v

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FLYING WOW

FLYING MADE SIMPLER As a young low-fare airline, we at WOW air are still learning and adapting our services to better suit our guests’ needs. To make our booking process and traveling simpler and faster, we’re now offering three travel options when flying WOW. For more information on WOW air’s additional services and new flight options go to wowair.us/travel-info/fares

WOW Basic This is really all you need: a simple flight ticket that will get you to your destination along with one personal item. You can add anything you want to the ticket, such as a carry-on bag or checked baggage, bigger seat, priority boarding and cancellation protection to name a few, for an additional fee. This is our simple ultra-low fare.

Included: • •

Flight ticket Personal item up to a maximum 42x32x25cm/ 17x13x10in

WOW Plus Bundle up—we’re now offering your dream package. The convenient WOW Plus option is loaded with add-ons at a better price. Fly in style and enjoy the extra services such as a carry-on bag, a checked bag and cancellation protection. WOW Plus will always be cheaper than adding to the WOW Basic fare; guaranteed.

Included: • • • • •

Flight ticket Personal item up to a maximum 42x32x25cm/ 17x13x10in Carry-on bag up to a maximum of 56x45x25 cm/ 22x18x10in Checked bag Cancellation protection

For all the busy bees out there, this one’s for you. Travel in our biggest and most comfortable seats and be the first in line at the airport. Of course, you’ll get a check­­ed bag and a carry-on bag in addition to a free seat reservation (XL, XXL or Big Seat) and cancellation protection.

• • • •

Included:

• • •

Carry-on bag up to a maximum of 56x45x25 cm/ 22x18x10in Checked bag Cancellation protection Seat reservation: WOW Biz guests will always get the best seat with the biggest leg room available at the time of booking Priority boarding at all airports, from June 1st.

In-flight meal: Choose food and drink from the WOW me menu Free coffee - and tea

WOW Biz

• •

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Flight ticket Personal item up to a maximum 42x32x25cm/ 17x13x10in

WOW Power to the people

www.n1.is/en

facebook.com/enneinn

instagram.com/enneinn

Tank up at N1 on your way around Iceland

Complimentary

Wi-Fi

at selected N1 service stations

COFFEE & DONUT

Meat soup Traditional Icelandic meal

Treat yourself!

Buy prepaid fuel cards and fill up on the go!

burger & fries Classic comfort food

With 95 locations around Iceland, N1 is always nearby. Find your nearest location and plan your trip at www.n1.is/en.

Iceland’s No. 1 Stop Issue two

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2

32 discount stores around Iceland Ísafjörður

Akureyri 2 stores

FIND YOUR Stykkishólmur

STORE Borgarnes Akranes Geysir

Gullfoss

Hveragerði Reykjavík Reykjanesbær Kópavogur 2 stores

Garðabær Hafnarfjörður Mosfellsbær

Selfoss

Seljalandsfoss

20 stores

Skógafoss 54

WOW Power to the people

Vestmannaeyjar

Reynisfjara

C

Voted most popular company in Iceland

2014 - 2015 - 2016

Chosen by the Icelandic Buisness Magazine

1

#

2014

1

#

1

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2015

Egilsstaรฐir

HOURS

OPENING

2016

Monday-Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

11:00 - 18:30 10:00 - 19:30 10:00 - 18:00 12:00 - 18:00 Issue two

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Promotion

Kol Restaurant Skólavörðustígur 40 101 Reykjavík Tel: +354 517 7474 www. kolrestaurant .is

Cocktails and feel good food at Kol Restaurant BE PREPARED FOR A MEMORABLE NIGHT OUT AT KOL RESTAURANT.

S

ituated at Skólavörðustígur 40 in Reykja­­­­­­ vík, Kol Restaurant’s design con­­­­­cept is a mixture of warm modern Icelandic feel with international touc­­he­­ s and the furniture of designer Tom Dixon playing the central role. The rest­­­­­­­­aur­­ant is on two floors with an open kitchen and a mighty bar. Both floors are divided into spac­­es with cozy leather couches and a variety of diff­­­er­­ent table settings. Kol Restaurant centers on the bar where the country’s best cocktail bar­­tenders serve craft cocktails from the best ingredients available

and offer an ambitious cocktail list to begin and complete the dining experience.

The selection is feel good comfort food with a twist on classic cuisine. The menu offers a variety of finger food, salads, fish, steaks and dess­­ erts. The head chefs, Einar Hjaltason and Kári Þor­­­­­steinsson, have over 20 years of ex­­­perience at Reykjavik’s best restaurants as well as work ex­­­perience in several known restaurants in London, for example Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, Dabbous, Noma, 28/50 and Texture. Don’t miss out on this

KOL RESTAURANT Opening hours: Monday-Friday 11:30-23:00 / Saturday-Sunday 17:30-23:00

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brand new gem on the Reykjavik restaurant scene.

This is a great place to begin a fun evening. v

Kol Restaurant cent­­ers on the bar where the coun­try’s best cock­­tail bar­­ tend­­ers serve craft cocktails from the best in­­gredi­ents available and offer an ambi­­tious cocktail list to begin and com­­plete the dining exper­­ience.

NATURE PARADISE IN BREIDAFJORDUR AND VESTMANNAEYJAR ICELAND'S LARGEST & SMALLEST INHABITED ISLANDS

brjánslækur flatey stykkishólmur

reykjavík

landeyjahöfn vestmannaeyjar

Promotion

Vegamót Vegamótastíg 4 101 Reykjavík Tel: +354 511 3040 email: vegamot@vegamot .is www.vegamot .is

Very nice Vegamót

The all-in-one restaurant This elegant but casual two floor restaurant is located in the heart of Reykja­vík on Vega­­mótastígur, close to Lauga­­­­vegur.

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he restaurant has been popular for many years, perhaps because of its wonder­ful quality of being an all-in-one, rest­aurant, café and bar. You‘ll never want to leave!

Here the decor is rich on the Medi­­­terr­­anean side and yet elegant with a jazzy ambiance. In the summertime tables are moved outside to the shelt­er­ed terrace, probably one of the hottest

places in Iceland during those short summer months. This place is famous for their ‘fresh fish of the day’, served all day from lunch hours. It has very rea­­sonable prices for quality, portions and presenta­ tion and guests can choose from a wide variety of decadent dess­erts – if they make it that far. Try their excellent selection of good beers. Every day there is a special offer on bottled beers worth a taste. v

VEGAMÓT Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 11:00 am - 1:00 am Fri-Sat:11:00 am - 4:00 am Sun: 11:00 am - 1:00 am

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The restaurant has been popular for many years, perhaps because of its wonder­ful quality of being an all-inone, rest­aurant, café and bar. You‘ll never want to leave!

Promotion

The English Pub Austurstræti 12 101 Reykjavik Tel: +354 578 0400 Mobile: +354 697 9003 www.enskibarinn.is.

The English Pub – Save water, drink beer For years, Iceland has enjoyed a diverse selection of restaurants and often sophisticated bars. However, one tiny grumble occasionally surfaced from the country’s A ­ nglophiles – simply that there was no proper “pub”.

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nd so the English Pub was born. From mod­­­­est beginnings it has built a hearty repu­­tation, seeking out, with the advice and guidance of its dedicated customers, the finest ale availa­­ble to mankind. Today it offers its enthusiastic clientele the chance to try a great variety of beers, foreign brands, as well as many local beers that are a must try.

Whisky galore Not content to rest on its laurels, the English Pub has ventured north of its virtual border and also offers the finest selection of whiskies anywhere in the country. Acclaimed assortment of malts includes many of Scotland’s finest, ensuring numerous Icelanders and worldly travelers make

the pilgrimage to the pub’s humble door. Located at the very heart of downtown Reykjavik, the walls of the English Pub are adorned with hundreds of photographs – like an album of the city’s history just waiting to be explored over a quiet beer.

A sporting chance Live sporting coverage is amply catered for, with a choice of six big screens and two TV screens. Inside the pub there is room for up to 150 people, and an outdoor terrace can accommodate plenty more on those balmy Icelandic evenings! Whether it is football (Premier and Champions League), rugby or golf, there are always special offers when live events are being broadcast. Live music every night adds

to the atmosphere. In addition to the happy hour from 4-7pm every day, and for the ones feeling lucky, there is the Wheel of Fortune. Regulars like nothing more than to spin the wheel and chance a “Sorry” or preferably, win what used to be called a Yard of Ale. These days, it’s inevitably known as a meter of beer, but the winners don’t seem to mind! v

Located at the very heart of downtown Reykjavik, the walls of the English Pub are adorned with hundreds of photographs – like an album of the city’s history just waiting to be explored over a quiet beer.

THE ENGLISH PUB Opening hours: Sun-Thurs: 12:00 - 01:00 Fri-Sat: 12-04:30 | Open at 11 am from May 1st to September 1st.

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Promotion

The Lebowski Bar Laugavegur 20 a 101 Reykjavik Tel: +354 552 2300 email: info@lebowskibar.is www.lebowskibar.is

Lebowski Bar THE REYKJAVIK VENUE THAT ROCKS! Walking into this American retro bar, is stepping back in time. And right away you know it’s the right bar for a few White Russians and a real good time. With carefully chosen music from the 50s to the 80s, the atmosphere in Lebowski Bar comes together giving the good vibration that the Dude would definitely abide by! Just walk in to see what condition your condition is in…

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ll kinds of people come here,” the staff proudly explains. “Icelanders, tourists, every­­­body. With food and music that suits everyone, our customers range from age 20 to 85.”

On those rare, but beautiful “warm” days in Iceland, Lebowski is the place to be: the huge outdoor terrace opens whenever the temperature rises above “a steamy 5°C.” But even with all this going for it, what Lebowski Bar prides itself most on is its delicious, diner-style menu with one-of-a-kind burgers, thick and creamy milkshakes, and oh yeah— White Russians. White Russians. Lebowski Bar has over 23 different variations of White Russians, the most popular one being the Cocaucasian, a regular White Russian topped with Cocoa Puffs. Some call it the brunch of champions, others Cocoa Puffs Russian … Either way, it’s delicious!

Where’s the Burger, Lebowski?

Made with 150 grams of beef—that’s more than a quarter pound, for the metrically-challenged— Lebowski Bar’s classic burgers always hit the spot and boast a tempting array of toppings and sauces, from chili-marinated bacon to Japanese mayo.

With its perfect balance of sweet and savory, the Honey Boo, a honey-glazed bacon and BBQ-sauce burger, has been called “the best bacon burger in town” (and there are a lot of them to choose from).

The Other Lebowski, a steak burger made from extra juicy beef tenderloin, is a staff favorite.

Wanna go big? Check out the “Burger of the Month” specialty offerings. Past specialty burgers have included the Once Upon a Time in the West, made with steak tenderloin marinated in La Trappe Quadrupel Ale and served with Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce and caramelized onions, among other tasty toppings. Another limited-time option was the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, a piquant patty served—appropriately enough—with pepper cheese and chili sauce.

Burgers are clearly the house specialty here. For non-beefy options, Lebowski Bar has something for you, too. Try the Bunny Lebowski Chicken Burger, which was declared “gorgeous” by one happy visitor on Trip Advisor, or The Stranger Veggie Burger.

And if you’re looking for something lighter, there are plenty of bar snacks—from cheese-stuffed jalapeños to onion rings—to enjoy with your beer.

You’re not wrong, Walter.

Lebowski Bar opens 11 am for lunch and there is a DJ every night from 9 pm. All big sports events are shown on all 5 Full HD screens.

“This Reykjavík place is mind-bending,” Trip Ad­­visor user Graham enthused after a recent visit. “The burgers are massive, the chips chunky and the beers and White Russians flow. There’s a happy hour to bring down Iceland’s high prices, and regular bands playing to bring the film’s rockin’ ethos to life.”

Sounds good to us. But you know, that’s just, like, his opinion, man. v

Wanna go big? Check out the “Burger of the Month” specialty offerings. Past specialty burgers have included the Once Upon a Time in the West, made with steak tenderloin marinated in La Trappe Quadrupel Ale and served with Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce and caramelized onions, among other tasty toppings.

FIND IT ON FACEBOOK and Twitter Twitter: @LebowskiBar - Instagram: #LebowskiBar - Opening hours: 11:00 – 01:00 Sun-Thurs and 11:00 – 04:00 Fri/Sat

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WOW Power to the people

Promotion

Bar Ananas & SmakkBarinn Klapparstigur 38 101 Reykjavik E-mail: bookings@barco.is Tel: +354 774 4 404

A taste of summer Whatever the season, you can count on it being summer at Bar Ananas and just to make things even more interesting, they’re now offering a brand new tapas experience in a cozy establishment downstairs called SmakkBarinn.

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eel the beach in the snow! Or at least have a little flashback while drinking cocktails with pineapple. Yup, it’s a beach bar in Iceland!

A tropical theme designed to conquer over the cold winter. How COOL… WARM! is that? So when you don’t feel like doing that northern lights tour or going with all the other tourists into the Blue Lagoon, you can always check out the happy hour at Bar Ananas. Drink some cocktails and have the sur­­roundings constantly reminding you of warm weather and the beach. Unique in Iceland because nobody thought it would work – well, they’ve all been proven wrong. Bar Ananas is a popular spot on the Reykjavik night­­life scene with cool DJ’s all the time. Below is a restaurant called SmakkBarinn which serves Icelandic tapas. You can even order from them and eat it at the beach. No reason to give up a good tan!

SmakkBarinn A cozy place in the heart of Reykjavík, Smakk­­­ Bar­­inn and Bar Ananas are just a short walk from Lauga­­vegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street.

SmakkBarinn offers tapas in jars and it’s all Ice­­ landic with many cool combinations of food to try out. For the sake of variety, their menu changes all the time. Eating at SmakkBarinn is one thrill after another; you can taste everything on the menu without having to sell your car. All their tapas dishes are presented in jars perfect both for dining out and also just for getting a snack with some friends and still come out happy you didn’t spend a fortune on a whole meal. The next best part is the beer… Oh yeah! You can taste that too in jars.

Whatever you decide to do in Iceland, you might want to try out some Icelandic tapas and party the night away at Iceland’s all season beach bar. v

SmakkBarinn offers tapas in jars and it’s all Icelandic with many cool combinations of food to try out. For the sake of variety, their menu changes all the time. Eating at SmakkBarinn is one thrill after another; you can taste everything on the menu without having to sell your car.

You’ll find both Bar Ananas and SmakkBarinn on Facebook Issue two

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Promotion

Hressingarskálinn Austurstræti 20 101 Reykjavik Tel: +354 561 2240 www.hresso.is facebook.com/hressingarskalinn

Coffee house, restaurant & night club Hressingarskálinn is a warm place with plenty of seating and a great loca­­tion in down­ town Reykjavik. It’s one of the few places that open at 9 AM to serve breakfast for hungry travelers or locals. Hressingarskálinn is a big part of Reykja­vík’s history; the house was built in 1802 and the restaurant was established in 1932. The house has hosted Hress­ingarskálinn since 1932.

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itting down for a coffee has a magnetic eff­­ ect on Iceland’s most talented art­­­ists and writers. Smokers can have a seat on a heat­­ed patio with service all day. Over the summer, this place really comes alive. The yard is completely sheltered from the wind, allowing you to enjoy food and beverages in the bright sunlight. Thursday to Sunday is usually packed with people from all over the world. It’s a great place to meet strangers for

some interesting story sharing. Live bands play on Fridays and Sat­urdays, guaranteeing a crowd before all the popular DJ’s hit the floor with party tunes from 01:00-04:30 AM. The menu consists of great selections and offers everything from breakfast to a fantastic dinner. Hressingarskálinn offers Icelandic food for curious visitors. You can always try the traditional Icelandic meat soup. If not, there’s lamb or the fish stew – You won’t be

HRESSINGARSKÁLINN Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 9:00 am - 1:00 am Fri-Sat: 10:00 am - 4:30 am Sun: 9:00 am - 1:00 am

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WOW Power to the people

disappointed. Hress­­­ingar­­­skálinn is stylish and old at the same time, a history well preserved.

Check out Hress­­­ingar­skálinn for great prices and awesome fun! v

The menu consists of great sel­­ect­­ions and offers every­thing from breakfast to a fantastic dinner.

Promotion

Sakebarinn Laugavegur 2 101 Reykjavík Tel: +354 777 3311 www.facebook.com/Sakebarinn

The one and only choice for Sushi & Sticks …SO YOU CAN CHECK IT OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST Located in a loft on Laugavegur, the main shopping street, in one of Iceland’s old­est build­ ings (1886) is a great new restaurant with a great view and an amazing at­mosphere called Sakebarinn. In its beautiful location, surrounded by windows that look down on Austurstræti, (an extension of Laugavegur leading to the Old Town) and up Skólavörðustígur (known for its cafés, local boutiques and art shops with native works), Sakebarinn lies in the very heart of downtown Reykjavík. In the winter you can see the Northern Lights from the balcony and in the summer, the amazing summer sunsets over the harbor.

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he owners of Sakebarinn have a keen interest for the arts and crafts and a wealth of creative assets to play with. Although Sake­­barinn has a strong foundation in pure Japanese cuisine the current style of the restaurant proves that the owners are not afraid to break some of the rules. To them sushi is meant to be an art form.

Along with its handcrafted sushi, Sakebarinn also offers a sel­­ection of sticks and other meat cours­­es, featuring whale and horse and anything that’s fresh and interesting that day. Why live on an island in the middle of the Atlantic if you’re not going take advantage of the natural fauna? Along with the local seafood, Sakebarinn also carries some more exotic things like octopus, just to keep it interesting, and with a little some­­thing for everyone. There’s love on every plate – You will feel

it with each taste. It’s no accident that the place is named Sake­­bar­­inn. It does feature the country’s largest sel­­ection of sake and a shot before a meal can truly enhance the feel of real Japanese dining. It comes in a sur­­prising range of flavors too, everything from really girly fruit sake to the fire spewing alcohol con­­tent of some of the more butch types; potato sake, warm and cold sake and Japanese plum wine. And then of course are the bottles that didn’t make it on to the menu because no one could read the labels and therefore no one knows what they are. Mystery sake! Sakebarinn is a place born to show­­case the talents the staff have collected over the years work­­ing at their first Sushi restau­­rant call­­ed Sushibarinn, which is located on the first floor in the same house. A year and a wild ride later, this sushi family has in­­corporated a

bunch of new and talented people with some great new recipes and skills they didn’t know they had and didn’t even know existed. The walls are hand painted by them, the wine selected by them, the menu is designed by them and the place is loved by them. They also love to present food so their clients become part of their love for sushi.

The look on your face is what they are aiming for, the look of enjoyment. v

Along with the local seafood, Sakebarinn also carries some more exotic things like octopus, just to keep it interesting, and a little some­­thing for everyone.

SAKEBARINN Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm Issue two

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Promotion

Den Danske Kro Ingólfsstræti 3 101 Reykjavík Tel: +354 552 0070 www.dendanske.is

When in Iceland, go Danish!

A vibrant place on the Reykjavík social scene is Den Danske Kro or “The Danish Pub,” a popular downtown venue with locals with happy hour and with live music every night.

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en Danske Kro serves a variety of beers, in addition to familiar names such as Tuborg and Carlsberg, the Danish Pub serves a selection of seasonal beers from both Denmark and Iceland. During the Christmas months, Den Danske Kro is the home of the Tuborg Christmas Beer or “Julebryg,” a popular drink in Iceland during the darkest months.

check out the interior of the pub and you’ll discover an off-the-wall design in its most literal sense!

Den Danske Kro is a great place to hang out with friends, play darts, watch sports, enjoy the occasional sun and watch the world go by on the outside terrace.

And to get into the spirit of things, we recommend you try a glass of the customary Gammel Dansk bitters, a traditional Danish schnapps.

Cozy Copenhagen style

The place to party

The Danes have a word to describe a cozy, friendly atmosphere—“hyggelig” and that’s something the owners of the Danish Pub have worked hard to create in this home away from home within a pub. Just

Den Danske Kro, as said before, is a popular venue among locals, and as soon as happy hour kicks off, the place starts filling up with people from the neighborhood and others who want to finish the

DEN DANSKE KRO Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 12:00 – 01:00 and Fri-Sat 12:00 – 05:00

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workday with a cold beer. Every night there’s live music where you can request your all-time favorite.

During the weekend Den Danske Kro is open late.

The bartenders will be happy to see you and you are welcome to dance and sing with the guests until the morning. v

Den Danske Kro serves a variety of beers, in addition to familiar names such as Tuborg and Carlsberg, the Danish Pub serves a selection of seasonal beers from both Denmark and Iceland.

Promotion

Kaldi Bar Laugavegur 20 b 101 Reykjavik Tel: +354 581 2200 www.facebook.com/KaldiBarCafe

A breath of fresh air

Cool as Kaldi KALDI BAR IS ONE OF ICELAND’S MOST UNIQUE BARS. AN OASIS IN CENTRAL REYKJAVÍK.

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t might not be spacious but it makes up for it with great relaxing atmos­­­phere in a rustic setting.

Besides the congenial atmosphere, there’s a great outside seating area in a cozy back­­yard.

Known for its wide collection of local micro brews both on draft and in bottl­es, Kaldi Bar is very popular among locals who check in at happy hour to get their fill of the unfiltered Kaldi brew. Drop by and get to know everybody, they might even give you some good tips on how to become a local. v

Kaldi Bar is one of Iceland’s most unique bars. An oasis in central Reykjavík. It might not be spacious but it makes up for it with great relaxing atmos­­­phere in a rustic setting.

KALDI BAR Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday: 12:00 noon - 01:00 am Friday & Saturday: 12:00 noon - very late / Price list Beer on draft 0.5 – 1,100 IKR Glass of vine – 1,200 IKR / Happy hour 16:00-19:00 / Beer on draft 0.5 – 650 IKR / Glass of vine – 650 I Issue two

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Promotion

Kopar Restaurant Geirsgata 3 101 Reykjavik Tel: +354 567 2700 www.koparrestaurant .is / info@koparrestaurant .is

Kopar Restaurant by the old harbor KOPAR RESTAURANT IS SITUATED BY REYKJAVIK‘S ROMANTIC HARBOR, IN ONE OF THE OLD GREEN FISHERMAN‘S HUTS.

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he fishing industry still thrives in Reykja­­­vik, so the old harbor is full of life. In the morning, fishermen go out to sea and return later with their catch of the day. As you stand on the pier you can feel the history of Reykjavik and watch the harbor life: fishing boats, fishermen, the catch, and young kids with their rods trying their luck off the pier. Meanwhile passersby are walking about and enjoying life. This fresh and energetic atmosphere of the old harbor is all part of the experience when you dine at Kopar. Kopar is a seafood restaurant

featuring locally caught seafood and crustaceans.

They are especially proud of their crab soup, made with Icelandic rock crab from Hvalfjordur. Kopar offers a variety of Icelandic produce, including wild game, although the main emphasis is seafood, the fruit of the ocean.

Kopar‘s head chef, Ylfa, is a member of the gold medal winning national culinary team. She pre­­­ pares the seafood in a unique and delicate manner, in­­tent on giving you an unforgetable experience.

Delight yourself with great service and atmosphere,

delicious food and the best view in town. When visiting Reykjavik, enjoying a night out at Kopar is a must. v

Kopar‘s head chef, Ylfa, is a member of the gold medal winning national culinary team. She prepares the seafood in a unique and delicate manner, intent on giving you an unforgetable experience.

KOPAR RESTAURANT Opening hours: Mondays to Thursday from 11:30-22:30 - Fridays from 11:30-23:30 - Saturdays from 12:00-23:30 - Sundays from 18:00-22:30

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Promotion

American Bar Austurstræti 8-10 101 Reykjavik Tel: +354 571 9999 Mobile: +354 697 9003 Find us on Facebook/AmericanBarIceland

American Bar American Bar captures the American spirit; land of the free, home of the brave with a unique selection of beer and a simple yet delicious menu. American Bar is a must-visit when in Reykjavik.

Beer selection second to none With more than 50 different kinds of beer you are sure to find the beer that suits your taste. There’s beer made in the Hawaiian Islands as well as beer made from the famous Icelandic water.

Location and experience Located at the heart of Reykjavik, American Bar is easy to find. Once inside you’ll feel at home right away, especially if you’re an American; with decorations like football helmets (find your favorite team) and the American flag.

Live music, live sport and the Wheel of Fortune Live music every night brings the right atmosphere and if you want to shake it up a bit you can hit the

dance floor on weekends and dance into the crazy Reykjavik night. If you are feeling lucky you can always spin the Wheel of Fortune.

Must see that game in the English PL or the Champions League? You will be well taken care of at the American Bar. HD-screens and TVs in every corner make sure that you won’t miss one second of your favorite sport.

Inside and out—all day long With more than 100 seats inside and a great outdoor area on the sunny side (for those wonderful sunny Icelandic summer days) you will always find a seat at a good table. The outside area is truly remarkable, overlooking Dómkirkjan Cathedral and Alþingi (Parliament House). When you think of central Reykjavik this is it! The menu

is simple, yet delicious. The hamburgers, ribs and chicken wings are well-known to the locals for being unique and tasty.

Lunch or dinner, live music or dancing, beer or cocktails; the American Bar has it all and is truly worth the visit! v

Life is short—Drink early!

Located at the heart of Reykjavik, Ameri­can Bar is easy to find. Once inside you’ll feel at home right away, especi­ally if you’re an American; with deco­­rations like football helmets (find your favorite team) and the American flag.

AMERICAN BAR Open: Mondays to Thursday from 11:00 am - 1:00 am - Fri - Sat: 11:00 am - 4:30 am - Sun: 11:00 am - 1:00 am

Issue two

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Promotion

Bazaar Hringbraut 121 101 Reykjavik Tel: 519-3510 www.bazaaroddsson.is Email: hello@bazaaroddsson.is

Karaoke in the middle of a restaurant?

Bazaar How on earth does that work? Well, thankfully, it is 100% soundproof, so you can enjoy your meal in peace while your friends sing their heads off!

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azaar restaurant is part of the ODDSSON concept, located at the ODDSSON Hotel in a re­­­novated warehouse not far from downtown Reykjavik. The idea of ODDSSON and Bazaar is to merge design, art, cuisine and culture to create a relaxing yet exciting atmosphere for both locals and guests. The old warehouse is a perfect fit for the concept where original exposed concrete walls are juxtaposed with velvet curtains and retro designer furniture to soften and warm the open space. The large curving windows reveal expansive views of the ocean, the mountains and the breathtaking sunsets.

Dinner and Karaoke Bazaar is an Italian restaurant, offering homemade pasta dishes and wood oven pizzas. Bazaar also

serves fresh fish daily and various meat dishes for meat lovers, but there are also excellent vegan dishes that are becoming quite popular, not only for vegans. The Bazaar burger is a best seller, with crispy parmesan fries and truffle mayo. Bazaar serves both lunch and dinner every day and during weekends there is also an impressive brunch menu.

Last but not least is the wildly popular karaoke room, a mirrored cubicle in the middle of the restaurant, and YES, it is 100% soundproof. You might think karaoke is boring or not for you, but the minute you step into this room, you start fighting for the mike.

BAZAAR RESTAURANT Opening hours: 11:30am-11pm -Happy hour from 2-6 pm.

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Bazaar’s white marble bar in the middle of the space attracts locals for happy hour from 2-6 pm.

The bar’s emphasis is on local beers, classic cocktails and local and international whiskeys, bourbons and gins.

In the summer, when the sun never sets, the beauti­­­ful patio attracts the locals who need to com­­ pensate for the lack of sunlight in the winter! Come and enjoy a meal, or a glass of wine, and mingle on the patio among the locals. Last but not least is the wildly popular karaoke room, a mirrored cubicle in the middle of the restaurant, and YES, it is 100% soundproof. You might think karaoke is boring or not for you, but the minute you step into this room, you start fighting for the mike. Welcome to Bazaar, we look forward to seeing you! v

Promotion

Yogafood Hringbraut 121 101 Reykjavik Tel: 519-2290 www.yogafood.is Email: tobba@yogafood.is

Taste the love

Yogafood

Yogafood is a new restaurant located at ODDSSON Hotel in the “JL House,” not far from downtown Reykjavik. Whether you want to grab some fresh red beet juice, a green smoothie to take on your trip or sit down for a healthy lunch, Yogafood has it all.

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ogafood serves a variety of healthy breakfast items and offers a delicious lunch menu, all gluten-free and with no added sugar. Yoga­­ food’s atmosphere is quite unique as it is locat­ed at ODDSSON Hotel where the designers chang­ed an old warehouse into a haven for furniture lovers, featuring furniture from designers all over the world. Despite original raw concrete walls and bare ventilation ducts, Yogafood offers a cozy environ­ ment with its thick velvet curtains and colorful furni­­ture.

Nourishing the chakras Yogafood’s concept designer is Thorbjörg, an Ice­­landic internationally recognized nutritionist and author of many lifestyle books and health

cook­­books. Her latest is about Yoga and Yogafood.

She has lived in Denmark for the past 30 years but moved back home last summer to fulfill her dream of opening up her own health food restaurant. The concept of the food is based on vitality and energy including the 7 chakras, which for those who are familiar with yoga, know that all have their specific meaning and qualities. The juices and drinks served at Yogafood, are made with a specific chakra in mind, and you can choose off the menu according to what chakra you want to strengthen. If you don’t know anything about yoga or the chakras, no worries, just come and enjoy the tasty and high-quali­­ty food.

On the menu, you will, for example, find a Moroc­ can vegetarian dish, a deeply satisfying vegan Indian dish, a hearty Chili sin carne with a quinoa

salsa salad or a colorful Caribbean veggie mix with coconut-carrot salad. If you want something lighter, grab a gluten-free sandwich with pesto and grilled zucchini and a refreshing sun energy juice to go with it. And don’t miss out on the delectable sugar-free desserts; they look amazing, and taste even better.

The aim at Yogafood is for you to TASTE THE LOVE in every bite you take. v

Yogafood’s concept designer is Thorbjörg, an Ice­­landic internationally recognized nutritionist and author of many lifestyle books and health cook­­ books. Her latest is about Yoga and Yogafood.

YOGAFOOD Opening hours: 7am-5pm Issue two

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WOW CYCLOTHON 2017

Around Iceland in the midnight sun WOW Cyclothon is the biggest cycling event in Iceland and it might even be the biggest ultra-cycling race in the world if you consider the number of participants on the road. Last year over 1,000 cyclists and team assistants took on the challenge of riding around Iceland’s Ring Road in under 72 or 84 hours, enjoying the great outdoors, the team spirit and the excitement of completing the challenge.

Photos: Kristinn Magnússon

WOW Cyclothon is not just a race around Iceland but rather an unforgettable experience that everyone who can ride a bike should try at least once in their life. Cycling around Iceland is not that hard, especially when you can share the course with your team. What will eventually floor you when taking on a race like WOW Cyclothon is the nature, the 24 hours of daylight and the calmness of cycling in Iceland’s “Middle of Nowhere” by the light of the midnight sun.

A GOOD CAUSE WOW Cyclothon promotes healthy living and outdoor activities in the beautiful nature of Iceland while raising money for a good cause. The funds raised during WOW Cyclothon 2017 will go toward supporting ICE-SAR, an independent association that has an extensive role in rescue work in Iceland.

Bicycles are increasingly being used for search and rescue in Iceland, so it’s fitting that this big cycling event will now support the work of ICE-

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WOW Power to the people

WOW Cyclothon promotes healthy living and outdoor activities in the beautiful nature of Iceland while raising money for a good cause.

SAR. Thousands of volunteers dedicate them­­selves to work for ICE-SAR rescue teams, accident prevention divisions and youth sections. Their joint mission is to prevent accidents and save human lives and valuables. To fulfill that role, there are groups of volunteers available, night and day, year round, ready to gear up and head out in any weather.

Buying and maintaining professional equipment and training thousands of volunteers is not without cost. ICE-SAR is not a government funded organization

and relies on the support of its benefactors and all Icelanders to be able to continue its work. Pledging to the WOW Cyclothon teams this summer will not only inspire the cyclists on their journey but also be used for the good of all people living in or traveling to Iceland.

CYCLOTHON HISTORY WOW Cyclothon, a relay bike race where team members take turns cycling on Ice­­ land’s Ring Road in less than 72 hours, is the brainchild of Magnus Ragnarsson

All you need in one place • Skólavör›ustígur 19 tel.: (+354) 552 1890 SWEATERS AND SOUVENIERS, NO KNITTING MATERIAL:

• Radisson Blu, Hótel SAGA tel.: (+354) 562 4788 • Laugavegur 53b tel.: (+354) 562 1890 www.handknit.is

WOW CYCLOTHON 2017

Some take part to win, some to enjoy nature and others do it for the extra­­or­dinary fun but all are in for the challenge of a lifetime in a race they will never forget.

VP of Media and Markets at Iceland Telecom and WOW air’s CEO Skuli Mogensen, both of whom have somewhat of a competitive streak. While talking and comparing notes on their previous challenges, mostly triathlons, and brainstorming what challenges to take on next, they realized that no such challenge existed in Iceland. They concluded that if they wanted to take on a big challenge in Ice­­ land they would have to create one themselves. Then the idea of cycling around the country came up.

From this great idea, the WOW Cyclothon became a reality and has been gaining momentum ever since.

Visit www.wowcyclothon.com for more information.

WHO WILL BE THERE? There’s a great variety of teams competing in the WOW Cyclothon; longtime friends, work colleagues, extended families, gym buddies and professional cyclists; there are all women’s teams, all men’s teams and mixed teams. Some take part to win, some to enjoy nature and others do it for the extra­­ or­dinary fun but all are in for the challenge of a lifetime in a race they will never forget. v

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WOW Power to the people

Follow WOW Cyclothon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and flip through our live feed from the competition for additional photos and insights. You can also check out photos from the teams by checking out #wowcyclothon on Instagram. Add WOW Cyclothon (wowcyclothon) on SnapChat for additional material and fun.

Visit wowcyclothon.com for more information about the race and how to sign up.

Never mind the chocolate, puffin dolls or the key ring.

If you really want a souvenir that will last, a tattoo is the way to go.

WEBSTORE

You can also shop our merchandise and more at our shop or online at www.reykjavikink.is /reykjavikink

/reykjavikink

reykjavikink@reykjavikink.is

We are open Monday – Saturday 12 pm-8pm - We are located on Frakkastíg 7, 101 Reykjavík

Issue two

73

WOW DESIGN

NORDIC ANGAN

by Gerður Harðardóttir Photos: Nína Björk Hlöðversdóttir

The wild herbs and plants that comprise the Icelandic flora have for centuries been collected, prepared and applied for medicinal and nutri­tional purposes. This tradition is still used in Iceland today, in even wider realms than ever before with the exciting and ever-expanding Icelandic beauty industry being one good example.

The Nordic Angan collection is set to expand as Sonja and Elín are currently experimenting with intriguing substances such as angelica, seaweed and even hay.

Fashion designer Sonja Bent is one of Iceland’s young entrepreneurs intrigued by the magical powers of wild herbs and plants. Through her exquisite Nordic Angan col­­lection, Sonja brings the distinc­tive aroma of Icelandic and Nordic nature right into our homes.

The first products launch­ed are three scented candles made of premium grade essential oils.

THE ESSENCE OF ICELAND Along with close friend and business partner, Elín Hrund Thor­­geirsdóttir, Sonja gathers the plants and herbs herself. They are then brought home for their delicate oils to be extracted using a set of old distillery equip­­ment that once belonged to Sonja’s father. Finally, the oils are hand poured with 100% soy wax into beautiful recycled jars and plac­­ed into packages decorated

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WOW Power to the people

with colorful examples of Ice­­ landic plants. No added dyes or chemicals are used in the pro­­ duction process at any stage.

The Nordic Angan scented candles perfectly capture the essence of the pure and powerful nature of Iceland. In Vetrarnótt, (Winter’s Night) pine needles, white birch and birch tar take you for a walk through the woods on a winter’s night.

Wild birch and leather define the Ilmbjörk candle while the beautiful and soothing aroma of wild thyme gives the Blóðberg candle its distinctive smell.

The Nordic Angan collection is set to expand as Sonja and Elín are currently experimenting with intriguing substances such as angelica, seaweed and even hay.

Handmade aromatic products for the home such as burning scents, tinctures and oils are on the drawing board. v

Nordic Angan is available at Epal and Mýrin stores.

Find out more on nordicangan.com

Catch the bus to Reykjavík

from Keflavík International Airport Travel in Iceland the smart way Find your routes, plan your journey, locate the nearest bus stop and track your bus on a real-time map with the straeto-app.

Route 55 FLE–RVIK

REYKJANESBÆR 413

FLE 413

REYKJAVÍK 10

VOGAAFLEGGJARI 412

Get tickets at the 10-11 shop when you arrive, opposite where you exit customs. The bus stop is close to arrivals and is well marked. Tickets are also available on the bus. bus.is

THE WOW FLEET

Paint the sky purple Unlike most airlines, WOW air chooses the registration names of each aircraft very carefully and not according to standard practices of the alphabet. We like our registration names to be fun as they represent us in a big way. Every family is unique and the growing WOW family of Airbus aircraft is no exception. Take a look.

Photos: Captain Arnar Rúnar Árnason

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M o d el: 2 0 1

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TF-GMA is short for Grandma, but don’t let the name fool you, she’s straight-out-of-the-box.

The brand new matriarch joined the WOW fleet at the end of May 2016.

0

If you register a TF-MOM it goes without saying that you should have a TF-DAD too.

Delivered to WOW air in March 2015, DAD is also known as Óðinn, the Nordic god of wisdom and travel. TF-DAD is the only WOW aircraft that’s not painted purple.

2

TF-WOW was the first aircraft registration name acquired by WOW air. It now adorns one of our Airbus A330 aircraft which was added to the WOW fleet in early summer 2016.

0

The second aircraft to get a WOW registration was TF-MOM, it was also the first aircraft bought and delivered to WOW air in March 2015. MOM is one of only two officially named aircraft in the WOW fleet as she’s also known as Freyja after the Nordic goddess of love.

0 M o l: 2 0 1 de

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T F-SI S

T F-KI D

T F- S O N

T F - J OY

Delivered to WOW air in February 2016, TF-KID carries guests to both Europe and America.

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TF-SON, like his sister TF-KID, is quite crafty. The Son was delivered to WOW air in March 2016.

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TF-SIS was delivered to WOW air at the same time as TF-BRO, in September 2015, and works really hard carrying our guests to Europe.

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TF-BRO has been servicing WOW air since September of 2015 flying to various destinations around Europe.

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We love everyone so naturally we had to have a TF-LUV. This wide-body aircraft was delivered to WOW air early summer 2016.

0

TF-GAY is the out and proud member of the WOW family. A free spirit at heart, he visits San Francisco as often as he can. TF-GAY was delivered to WOW air in June 2016.

4

Also straight-out-of-the-box, TF-GPA aka Grandpa joined the WOW fleet in August 2016.

0 M o l: 2 0 1 6 de

S

The newest member of the WOW family arrived just in time for the Christmas season bearing the joy. TF-JOY might as well have been wrapped and with a bow as it came straight from the assembly line at Airbus.

TECHNICAL INFO

Airbus A330-300

Max takeoff weight: 235,000 kg, Range: 11,750 km, Engines: 2xRR-Trent700, Cruising speed: Mach 0.82

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WOW Power to the people

Airbus A321-200

Max takeoff weight: 93,500 kg, Range: 7,400 km, Engines: 2xCFM-56, Cruising speed: Mach 0.78

Airbus A320-200

Max takeoff weight: 77,000 kg Range: 6,480 km Engines: 2xIAE-V2500 Cruising speed: Mach 0.78

Refuel at Olís We welcome you to our service stations around Iceland where you can refuel and enjoy our services. Great variety of tasty food and beverages and everything else you might need on the road.

Visit us at olis.is/travel

FREE FUEL DISCOUNT CARD

FREE COFFEE WITH DISCOUNT CARD

FREE WI-FI

OPEN 24 HOURS

Since 1927 Issue two 77

BASE HOTELHOSTEL AT ÁSBRÚ

STAY OVER

It’s all about the Base The recently opened Base HotelHostel at Ásbrú is a budget accommodation conveniently located near Keflavik Airport on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Base HotelHostel is at a former NATO base used by the US Army until 2006. The hotel is located in two buildings where US Army families once resided and it embraces the 55-year history of the army’s presence in Iceland in its overall theme, with quirky little touches and photographs.

“We looked to the area’s history and decided to create a positive concept revolving around that history. A big part of the design process was creating a warm, comfortable and fun space that could hold all the modern art that’s now on display. To add to the challenge, everything we did must be low-cost and to keep costs down we kept a lot of the furniture that was left in the house. A good example of that are the rocking chairs found in most rooms, which were used by the army families during the military’s stay in Iceland,” says Leifur Welding, hotel designer.

PERFECT FOR STOPOVERS Base HotelHostel is perfect for short stopovers in Iceland and as a base for exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula and Southwest Iceland. The affordable rooms cater to all types of travelers. “Base Hotel has a lot to offer, the lone traveler

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WOW Power to the people

just looking for a place to rest, the couple for a fun place to be, or the family needing more space. With our community kitchen, laundry room, TV lounges, library, game room, 24-hour reception and bar, and shuttle to and from the airport we try to meet everyone’s needs without aband­oning our policy of being the most affordable accom­­modation in the area.

The Base is not just a place to stay, it’s a place to live, even if it’s just for a few days,” says Base hotel manager Richard Eckard.

At Base HotelHostel you’ll find hostelstyle dorm rooms for the extremely cost conscious, suites for the private but thrifty

Get comfortable and check out www.basehotel.is for more infor­­ mation and booking.

and anything in between for everyone else who just like to stay within their budget but still get a good night’s rest.

YOUR BASE IN ICELAND Because the Base HotelHostel is located close to Keflavik Airport a lot of precious time is saved on arrivals and departures for those on a brief WOW Stopover in Iceland. This affords guests more time to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula, a geologically young area displaying Iceland’s magnificent nature. From the Northern Lights to helicopter flights— whale watching to geothermal springs, the Reykjanes Peninsula’s got it all! v

BREYTTUR TOLLKVÓTI OG MEIRI SVEIGJANLEIKI

DUTY FREE ALLOWANCES IN ARRIVAL STORE

6 1

einingar og þú raðar þeim saman eins og þú vilt. units of alcohol, any way you like it. eining = 25 cl af sterku áfengi eða 75 cl af léttvíni og léttum líkjörum eða 3 l af bjór, síder eða gosblöndum. unit = 25 cl strong spirits or 75 cl wine and aperitif or 3 l beer, cider and alcopop.

FYLLA TOLLKVÓTANN MEÐ EINUM VÖRUFLOKKI? ALL YOUR DUTY FREE ALLOWANCES FROM ONE CATEGORY? STERKT ÁFENGI SPIRITS 22—55%

LÉTTVÍN OG LÍKJÖRAR WINE AND APERITIF <22%

BJÓR, SÍDER OG GOSBLÖNDUR BEER, CIDER AND ALCOPOP

6 einingar/units – 1,5 l

6 einingar/units — 4,5 l (6 flöskur/bottles 75 cl)

6 einingar/units — 18 l (36 dósir/cans 50 cl)

TILLÖGUR AÐ SAMSETNINGUM MIX & MATCH SUGGESTIONS STERKT ÁFENGI

BJÓR, SÍDER OG GOSBLÖNDUR

SPIRITS 22—55% 1 FLASKA 1 BOTTLE

4 einingar/units — 1 l

BEER, CIDER AND ALCOPOP

+

STERKT ÁFENGI

4 einingar/units — 1 l

WINE AND APERITIF <22%

+

LÉTTVÍN OG LÉTTIR LÍKJÖRAR WINE AND APERITIF <22% T.D. 3 FLÖSKUR E.G. 3 BOTTLES

3 einingar/units — 75 cl

2 einingar/units — 50 cl

LÉTTVÍN OG LÉTTIR LÍKJÖRAR

SPIRITS 22—55% 1 FLASKA 1 BOTTLE

12 DÓSIR 12 CANS

T.D. 2 FLÖSKUR E.G. 2 BOTTLES

2 einingar/units — 75 cl

BJÓR, SÍDER OG GOSBLÖNDUR BEER, CIDER AND ALCOPOP

+

18 DÓSIR 18 CANS

3 einingar/units — 50 cl Issue two

79

THE VATNAJOKULL REGION

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WOW Power to the people

Winter Paradise In the Region of Vatnajökull you find the real reason why Iceland got its name. The area is dominated by Vatnajökull Glacier which is the largest glacier in the world outside the Arctic regions. In this region, you also find some of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions such as the spectacular Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Skaftafell, the jewel in Vatnajökull National Park and Mt. Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest peak in Iceland and a popular hike.

Photos: Svanhvít Helga Jóhannsdóttir and Jón Óskar Hauksson courtesy of Visit Vatnajökull

The Vatnajökull Region is filled with contrasts with its black beaches, white glaciers, red hot volcanoes, green birch forest and blue Atlantic Ocean.

Serenity, energy and the forces of nature combine to make a visit to the Region of Vatnajökull a never-to-be-forgotten experience.

Wildlife is rich in the Region of Vatna­­ jökull with thousands of migrating birds such as puffins and the Arctic tern passing through, especially in the spring and summer. Herds of reindeer are also a common sight, and if you’re lucky you‘ll spot a seal at Jökulsárlón or an Arctic fox running through the land. You will also find dozens of companies that offer all sorts of activities year round, diverse accommodation and great restaurants with local food.

Wildlife is rich in the Region of Vatna­­jökull with thousands of migrating birds such as puffins and the Arctic tern passing through, especially in the spring and summer.

WINTER PARADISE The Region of Vatnajökull in Southeast Iceland spans over 200 km of the Ring Road from Lómagnúpur in the west

For more information, go to www.visitvatnajokull.is

to Hvalnes Peninsula in the east. It covers the accessible southern side of Vatnajökull Glacier, an area particularly delightful to photography enthusiasts with its countless magnificent views of the glaciers and mountains both in daylight as well as when dusk settles and the Aurora Borealis light up the sky. And the region has a wide range of experienced guides and photographers who can take you to the picture perfect spots!

The only town in the area, Höfn is a lively fishing town with a population of 1,600. Höfn is additionally known as Iceland‘s one and only lobster capital with its complement of lovely restaurants offering this precious product as well as various other local specialties year round.

Höfn is also a great base for exploring the magnificent landscape of Vatnajökull National Park, and be sure to drop by the park’s visitor center in the beautiful historical building, Gamlabúð, by the harbor.

ACTIVITY, ACCOMMODATION AND RESTAURANTS Have you ever imagined looking inside a glacier? Wintertime offers this unique opportunity. A trip into the ice caves of Vatnajökull’s southern crawling glacier reveals a wonderous world of colors and refracted light providing a thrill for any photo enthusiast. Local guides who know every crevice of the glacier seek out caves formed during the winter months and offer tours. Travelers should only go on such trips under their guidance.

Much of the activity in the Region of Vatnajökull revolves around the glacier and the nature around it. You can choose between glacier walks and ice climbing, a thrilling snowmobile ride on Vatnajökull or a comfortable tour of this mighty glacier in a super jeep. The area also offers ATV tours and geothermal baths at Hoffell, reindeer excursions, a visit to the Thorbergssetur cultural museum, a local mineral stone collection, the local handicraft store, the petting zoo at Hólmur and much more.

There are various possibilities in accommodations and you’ll be sure to find a warm welcome by knowledgeable hosts. Several restaurants are in the area and most of them offer dishes made with local ingredients. Be sure to ask for the local beer Vatnajökull, brewed from icebergs from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the locally sourced Arctic thyme.

ACCESSIBLE YEAR ROUND The Vatnajökull Region is well accessible all year due to good weather conditions and frequent transportation. Eagle Air has a daily flight from Reykjavík to Höfn Airport during the summertime and five days a week during other seasons. Buses between Reykjavík and Höfn (Strætó) are scheduled daily throughout the year.

There are also three car rental companies in Höfn. v Issue two

81

aration Form

s Decl The U.S. Custom

Pour remplir ce formulaire, utilisez uniquement des majuscules. Si vous faites une erreur, notre personnel vous donnera un nouveau formulaire.

Chaque voyageur entrant ou chef de famille entrant doit fournir les informations suivantes (UNE SEULE déclaration par famille)

What is this and why do I need to fill this out?

Before you arrive in the U.S., you will need to fill out the US Customs Declaration Form. If you‘re traveling with your family only the head of the family needs to fill out the form. When you arrive on US soil you will hand this form to the U.S. Customs agent.

Français Le formulaire de déclaration en douane américaine

Qu’est-ce que c’est et pourquoi dois-je en remplir un?

Avant votre arrivée aux États-Unis, vous devrez remplir le formulaire de déclaration en douane américaine. Si vous voyagez avec votre famille, seul le chef de famille doit le remplir. Lorsque vous arrivez sur le sol américain, vous donnez ce formulaire aux autorités douanières américaines.

Si vous voyagez avec des fruits, nous vous recommandons de les jeter avant ou pendant votre vol vers les États-Unis mais que se passe-t-il si vous répondez « oui » à l’une de ces questions ? Ce n’est pas aussi terrible que ça en a l’air et dire la vérité vous évitera pas mal d’ennuis et une amende pouvant aller jusqu’à 300 $. Consultez la page 84 pour obtenir plus d’informations si vous répondez « OUI ».

GET YOUR DESIGNER BR ANDS TA X F R E E AT K E F L AV I K A I R P O R T

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WOW Power to the people

1.

Nom, Prénom, Initiale du deuxième prénom.

2.

Date de naissance Jour/Mois/Année.

3.

Nombre de personnes voyageant avec vous.

4.

(a) Adresse Aux États-Unis (Destination ou nom de l‘hôtel) (b) Ville (c) Etat

5.

Lieu de délivrace du passeport (nom du pays)

6.

Numéro de passeport

7.

Pays de résidence

8.

Pays visités pendant ce voyage avant l‘arrivée aux aux Etats-Unis

9. Ligne aérienne / numéro du vol / Nom de vaisseau 10. Vous voyagez pour raison d‘affaires: OUI/NON 11.

Je suis / nous sommes porteurs de (a) fruits, plantes, produits alimentaires, insectes: OUI/NON (b) viandes, animaux, produits provenant d‘animaux ou d’animaux sauvages: OUI/NON (c) agents pouvant causer des maladies, cultures cellulaires, escargots: OUI/NON

This Space For Official Use Only

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Welcomes You to the United States

(d) terre. J‘ai / Nous avons visité une exploitation agricole en dehors des Etats-Unis: OUI/NON

12. J‘ai / nous avons touché ou traité du bétail: OUI/NON 13.

Je suis / nous sommes porteurs d‘espèces ou d‘instruments monétaires d‘une valeur équivalente en monnaie des États Unis ou de tout autre pays (Voir définition d‘instruments monétaire au verso) á plus de 10 000$ US: OUI/NON

14.

Je suis / nous sommes en possession de marchandises commerciales (articles des tinés à la vente, échantillon de démonstration ou tout autre article autresque des effets personnels): OUI/NON

15.

Résidents - la valeur totale des biens, y compris la marchandise commerciale, que j’ai/nous avons achetés ou acquis à l’étranger (y compris les cadeaux pour une autre personne, mais pas les articles envoyés aux États-Unis) et que je/ nous rapportons aux États-Unisest de: montant en USD

Customs Declaration

FORM APPROVED OMB NO.1651-0009

19 CFR 122.27, 148.12, 148.13, 148.110, 148.111, 1498; 31 CFR 5316

Each arriving traveler or responsible family member must provide the following information (only ONE written declaration per family is required).

The term "family" is defined as "members of a family residing in the same household who are related by blood, marriage, domestic relationship, or adoption."

1 Family Name

MAGNUSSON HAKON Month 0 2

VALUR Birth date Day 1 7 Year 8 0 Number of Family members traveling with you 2 First (Given)

2 3

Middle

4 (a) U.S. Street Address (hotel name/destination)

BOSTON HARBOR HOTEL 70 ROWES WHARF (c) State MA BOSTON Passport issued by (country) ICELAND Passport number A0182382 Country of Residence ICELAND FRANCE ~ SPAIN Countries visited on this (b) City

5 6 7 8

trip prior to U.S. arrival

9 Airline/Flight No. or Vessel Name

WW-125

10 The primary purpose of this trip is business:

x

Yes

No

(a) fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects:

Yes

No

(b) meats, animals, animal/wildlife products:

Yes

No

(c) disease agents, cell cultures, snails:

Yes

No

(d) soil or have been on a farm/ranch/pasture:

Yes

No

12 I have (We have) been in close proximity of livestock: Yes

No

x x x x x

Yes

No

x

Yes

No

x

11 I am (We are) bringing

(such as touching or handling) 13 I am (We are) carrying currency or monetary instruments over $10,000 U.S. or foreign equivalent: (see definition of monetary instruments on reverse) 14 I have (We have) commercial merchandise: (articles for sale, samples used for soliciting orders, or goods that are not considered personal effects)

Visiteurs - La valeur totale de tous les articles qui resteront aux États-Unis, y compris la marchandise commerciale est de : USD Signez sur la ligne pour déclarer que votre déclaration est véridique.

15 RESIDENTS—the total value of all goods, including commercial merchandise I/we have purchased or acquired abroad, (including gifts for someone else but not items mailed to $ the U.S.) and am/are bringing to the U.S. is: VISITORS—the total value of all articles that will remain in the U.S., including commercial merchandise is:

$

0 0

Read the instructions on the back of this form. Space is provided to list all the items you must declare.

I HAVE READ THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS FORM AND HAVE MADE A TRUTHFUL DECLARATION.

X

Hákon Valur Magnússon

Signature

02/26/2017

Date (month/day/year)

CBP Form 6059B (04/14)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is responsible for protecting the United States against the illegal importation of prohibited items. CBP officers have the authority to question you and to examine you and your personal property. If you are one of the travelers selected for an examination, you will be treated in a courteous, professional, and dignified manner. CBP Supervisors and Passenger Service Representatives are available to answer your questions. Comment cards are available to compliment or provide feedback.

Important Information U.S. Residents—declare all articles that you have acquired abroad and are bringing into the United States.

Visitors (Non-Residents)—Declare the value of all articles that will remain in the United States.

Declare all articles on this declaration form and show the value in U.S. dollars. For gifts, please indicate the retail value.

Duty—CBP officers will determine duty. U.S. residents are normally entitled to a duty-free exemption of $800 on items accompanying them. Visitors (non-residents) are normally entitled to an exemption of $100. Duty will be assessed at the current rate on the first $1,000 above the exemption.

Agricultural and Wildlife Products—To prevent the entry of dangerous agricultural pests and prohibited wildlife, the following are restricted: Fruits, vegetables, plants, plant products, soil, meat, meat products, birds, snails, and other live animals or animal products. Failure to declare such items to a Customs and Border Protection Officer/ Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialist/Fish and Wildlife Inspector can result in penalties and the items may be subject to seizure.

Controlled substances, obscene articles, and toxic substances are generally prohibited entry.

Deutsch

Die US-amerikanische Zollerklärung

Was ist das und warum muss ich dieses Formular ausfüllen?

Vor der Ankunft in den USA müssen Sie das Formular der US-Zoller­ klärung ausfüllen. Wenn Sie mit Ihrer Familie unterwegs sind, braucht nur das Familien­ober­haupt dieses Formular ausfüllen. Wenn Sie US-Boden betreten, übergeben Sie dieses Formular dem US-Zoll.

The transportation of currency or monetary instruments, regardless of the amount, is legal. However, if you bring in to or take out of the United States more than $10,000 (U.S. or foreign equivalent, or a combination of both), you are required by law to file a report on FinCEN 105 (formerly Customs Form 4790) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Monetary instruments include coin, currency, travelers checks and bearer instruments such as personal or cashiers checks and stocks and bonds. If you have someone else carry the currency or monetary instrument for you, you must also file a report on FinCEN 105. Failure to file the required report or failure to report the total amount that you are carrying may lead to the seizure of all the currency or monetary instruments, and may subject you to civil penalties and/or criminal prosecution. SIGN ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THIS FORM AFTER YOU HAVE READ THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOVE AND MADE A TRUTHFUL DECLARATION.

Wenn Sie auf Ihrer Reise Obst mit sich führen, empfehlen wir Ihnen, dies vor oder während dem Flug in die USA zu entsorgen. Aber was geschieht, wenn Sie eine dieser Fragen mit Ja beantworten? Das ist nicht so schrecklich, wie Sie vielleicht denken, und Ehrlichkeit spart Ihnen eine Menge Ärger und eine mögliche Geldstrafe von bis zu 300$. Siehe Seite 84 für weitere Informationen zur Antwort JA.

Bitte verwenden Sie beim Ausfüllen dieses Formulars nur Großbuchstaben.

Falls Sie einen Fehler machen wird Ihnen unsere Crew ein neues CBP Description of Articles (List may continue on another CBP Form 6059B) Value Use Only Formular geben.

Jeder ankommende Reisende bzw. jedes verantwortliche Familienmitglied muss die folgenden Angaben machen (es ist pro Familie nur EINE schriftliche Erklärung erforderlich) 1.

Familienname, Vorname, Zweiter Vorname

2.

Geburtsdatum / Tag/Monat/Jahr

3.

Anzahl der mit Ihnen reisenden Familienmitglieder

4.

(a) Adresse/genaue Anschrift in den USA (Name des Hotels/Reiseziel) (b) Stadt CBP Form 6059B (04/14) (c) Staat

Total

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection and a person is not required to respond to this information unless it displays a current valid OMB control number. The control number for this collection is 1651-0009. The estimated average time to complete this application is 4 minutes. Your response is mandatory. If you have any comments regarding the burden estimate you can write to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Regulations and Rulings, 90 K Street, NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229.

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rm

s Declaration Fo

The U.S. Custom 5.

Pass ausgestellt von (Land)

6.

Passnummer

7.

Ständiger Wohnsitz (Land)

8.

Auf dieser Reise besuchte Länder vor Ihrer Ankunft in den USA

(c) Krakheitserreger, Zellkulturen, Schnecken: JA/NEIN

(d) Erde, oder waren Sie auf einem Bauernhof/

einer Ranch/ Weide: JA/NEIN 12. Ich war (wir waren) in unmittelbarer Nähe von

Vieh/ Nutztieren (z.B. Anfassen oder Umgang

damit): JA/NEIN

9. Fluggesellschaft/Flugnummer oder Name des Schiffes 10. Der Hauptanlass dieser Reise ist geschäftlich: JA/NEIN 11. Ich (wir) führen folgende Waren ein:

(a) Früchte, Pflanzen, Lebensmittel, Insekten: JA/NEIN

(b) Fleisch, Tiere, Tier- oder Wildprodukte: JA/NEIN

13.

Ich führe (wir führen) mehr als $US 10,000 in Bargeld oder Zahlungsmitteln oder den Gegenwert in anderen ausländischen Währungen mit (Siehe die Definition von Gegenstände zum persönlichen Gebrauch gelten): JA/NEIN

14. Ich führe (wir führen) kommerzielle Waren mit.

(Verkaufsware, Muster zur Werbung von

Aufträgen oder Artikel, die nicht als Gegenstände zum persönlichen Gebrauch gelten): JA/NEIN

15.

US-Bürger - der Gesamtwert aller Waren, einschließlich Handelswaren die ich/wir erworben habe(n) oder im Ausland erworben habe(n) (einschließlich Geschenke für andere, nicht aber Sendungen in die USA) und in die USA einführe(n) lautet: Betrag in US-$ Besucher - der Gesamtwert aller Artikel einschließlich Handelswaren, die in den USA verbleiben ist: $

Auf der Linie unterschreiben, um zu erklären, dass Sie eine wahrheitsgemäße Erklärung abgeben.

What happens if you say “Yes”?

Sometimes we just want to avoid trouble and think that saying NO to everything will make things easier. That’s not the case and in fact, it can even cause more problems, delays and even fines. Be truthful on your Customs Declaration form and all will be good. Worst case scenario they’ll confiscate your banana but we promise you can buy a new one once you’re out of the airport.

Yes to 11 (a), (b) or (c) Your customs officer will refer you to an agricultural specialist who will ask you additional questions and might ask to inspect your food items. In many cases, you’ll be allowed to take your food with you. This often depends on where you got the food and how it’s been processed. Fruits, vegetables and raw meats are usually confiscated. You can research ahead of time at canibringit.com which is a U.S. Government run site.

Yes to 11 (d) and/or no. 12: An agricultural specialist will ask to inspect the soil or clothes, shoes or luggage that has been in contact with livestock or farm soil to determine if they contain any dangerous organisms. If they find potentially dangerous substances they will disinfect your items before allowing you to bring them in. For bringing soil into the US, you need a permit.

Yes to no. 13 or 14: If you are carrying currency worth over $10,000 you will simply be given a special form to fill out for the Treasury Department.

For items intended for sale, you should have already filed a “formal entry” before embarking on your journey. You could do so “on the spot” but these matters are subject to many rules and regulations and can be complicated.

Français

Deutsch

Le formulaire de déclaration en douane américaine

Die US-amerikanische Zollerklärung

Que se passe-t-il si vous répondez « OUI » ?

Was passiert, wenn Sie JA sagen?

Certaines personnes semblent penser que répondre « non » à toutes les réponses leur évitera des ennuis. Ce n’est pas le cas et en fait, cela peut même vous causer plus de problèmes, des retards et des amendes. Dites la vérité sur votre formulaire de déclaration en douane et tout ira bien. Dans le pire des cas, ils confisqueront votre banane mais promis, vous pourrez en acheter une nouvelle à votre arrivée à l’aéroport.

Einige Leute nehmen an, dass sie keinerlei Ärger bekommen, wenn sie überall NEIN sagen.

Das ist nicht so. Tatsächlich kann dies sogar mehr Probleme, Verzögerungen und sogar Geldbußen verursachen. Seien Sie bei Ihrer Zollerklärung ehrlich, und alles wird gut. Im schlimmsten Fall konfisziert man Ihre Banane, aber wir versprechen Ihnen, dass Sie sich eine neue kaufen können, sobald Sie den Flughafen verlassen haben.

Oui aux questions 11 (a), (b) ou (c) Votre agent douanier vous dirigera vers un spécialiste agricole qui vous posera des questions supplémentaires et qui pourra inspecter vos fruits. Dans de nombreux cas, vous sera autorisé à garder votre nourriture. Cela dépend souvent de la provenance la nourriture et de la façon dont elle a été transformée. Les fruits, les légumes et la viande crue sont généralement confisqués. Vous pouvez faire des recherches avant de partir sur le site canibright.com qui est un site du gouvernement américain.

Oui aux questions 11 (d) et/ou 12 : Un spécialiste agricole inspectera la terre ou les vêtements, les chaussures ou les bagages qui ont été en contact avec du bétail ou le sol d’une ferme pour déterminer la présence d’organismes dangereux. S’il trouve des substances potentiellement dangereuses, il désinfectera vos objets avant de vous laisser les garder. Pour importer de la terre aux États-Unis, il vous faut un permis.

Oui aux questions 13 ou 14 : Si vous transportez des devises d’une valeur supérieure à 10 000 $, vous devrez simplement remplir un formulaire spécial pour le ministère des finances.

Pour les objets destinés à être vendus, vous devriez déjà avoir rempli un « formulaire d’entrée officielle » avant de prendre votre vol. Vous pouvez faire cela sur place mais ce genre de chose est soumis à de nombreuses règles et règlementations et peut être compliqué.

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Ja zu 11 (a), (b) oder (c) Ihr Zollbeamter wird Sie an einen Spezialisten für landwirtschaftliche Produkte weiterverweisen, der Ihnen zusätzliche Fragen stellen wird und evtl. darum bittet, Ihre Lebensmittel inspizieren zu dürfen. In vielen Fällen wird man Ihnen erlauben, Ihr Essen mitzunehmen. Oft hängt es davon ab, wo Sie die Lebensmittel erworben haben und wie sie verarbeitet wurden. Obst, Gemüse und rohes Fleisch werden in der Regel beschlagnahmt.

Sie können vor Abflug auf der Website der US-Regierung canibringit.com nachlesen, was erlaubt ist.

Ja bei 11 (d) und/oder Nr. 12: Ein Spezialist für landwirtschaftliche Produkte wird Sie darum bitten, die Erde oder die Kleidung, Schuhe oder das Gepäck inspizieren zu dürfen, welche(s) in Kontakt mit Tieren oder landwirtschaftlichem Boden war, um zu bestimmen, ob diese gefährliche Organismen enthalten. Wenn er potenziell gefährliche Stoffe findet, werden Ihre Gegenstände desinfiziert, bevor Sie die Erlaubnis erhalten, diese einzuführen. Für das Einführen von Erde in die USA benötigen Sie eine Genehmigung.

Ja bei Nr. 13 oder 14: Wenn Sie Bargeld im Wert von mehr als $10.000 mit sich führen, erhalten Sie einfach ein besonderes Formular, das Sie für das US Finanzministerium ausfüllen müssen.

Für Gegenstände, die für den Verkauf vorgesehen sind, sollten Sie bereits vor Ihrer Abreise eine „formelle Einfuhrgenehmigung“ einholen. Sie tun könnten dies auch „vor Ort“ erledigen, aber diese Vorgänge unterliegen vielen Regeln und können sehr kompliziert sein. v

THIS IS IT 2017 WELCOME

claration Form WHALEs DeWATCHING • HÚSAVÍK • ICELAND

The U.S. Custom

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Tel. +354 464 1500 • www.gentlegiants.is • info@gentlegiants.is Issue two 85

MEMBER OF ICEWHALE – THE ICELANDIC WHALE WATCHING ASSOCIATION

Cruising Sweden

Stockholm by boat Stockholm is often referred to as the “Venice of the North” or the “The City That Floats on Water”— and with good reason—there’s rather a lot of it around. An excellent way to experience and explore the Swedish capital and beyond is by taking some boat trips while staying in a boat hotel.

By Andrew Marshall Photos: Paul Marshall

Geographically speaking, Stock­­ holm is spread across four­­ teen islands at the point where the fresh­­water Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. Each island has its unique character, and this beautiful city is a beautiful labyrinth of waterways, waterfront views, forests and parkland, where you are usually no more than a five-minute walk from the water.

FERRY AROUND TOWN Start your exploration of Stockholm’s water world by catching the year-round public Djurgården ferry which take you to many of the city’s main attractions.

Once the ferry departs from the main terminal near the Slussen Tunnelbana (Metro Station), you’ll pass the fabulous vistas of Gamla Stan (the Old Town) with its distinctive red, yellow and ochre tapered buildings, as it heads towards Djurgården Island, the city’s leisure oasis packed with footpaths and cycle trails.

Djurgården Island is also the jumping off point for Gröna Lund (Sweden’s oldest amusement park dating from 1883, the impressive Skansen open-air museum (with its zoo, replica of a 19thcentury town, historic buildings and outdoor exhibits) and the unmissable Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum) built around the Royal Warship Vasa.

After exploring Djurgården, catch the ferry to the island of Skeppsholmen, home to the Moderna Museet (Modern Art Museum) featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol among others. There are an excel­lent gift shop and restaurant/ café with views across the water to Djurgården. The final ferry stop is on the island of Gamla Stan with its net­­ work of cobbled streets crying out to be explored, in addition to catching the pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace.

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LET OFF SOME STEAM

Start your exploration of Stockholm’s water world by catching the year-round public Djurgården ferry which take you to many of the city’s main attractions. Once the ferry departs from the main terminal near the Slussen Tunnelbana (Metro Station), you’ll pass the fabulous vistas of Gamla Stan (the Old Town) with its distinctive red, yellow and ochre tapered buildings, as it heads towards Djurgården Island, the city’s leisure oasis packed with footpaths and cycle trails.

From around May to October, a steam­ boat excursion inland along the serene waters of Lake Mälaren taking in Drottningholm Palace (the Swedish royal residence and a UNESCO World Heritage site), is a must. Situated right on the lakeside and inspired by Versailles in France, this superbly preserved palace and its grounds date from the 17th and 18th centuries. To the east of the city lies the beautiful Stockholm Archipelago—a unique array of 24,000 pine-clad islands and islets scattered across the water for 60 km (37 miles) in the direction of Finland.

Only a hundred or so are inhabited, and the islands are incredibly unspoiled by mass tourism or development of any kind.

ISLAND HOPPING

Boat hotel: Mälardrottningen. Photo: FotoKenne

Archipelago boat and view from Djurgården. Photo Jeppe Wikstrom

From the Strömkajen ferry terminal in front of the famous Grand Hotel, numerous streamlined ferries leave

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Cruising Sweden

every day, stopping off at dozens of islands that dot the blue waters of the Baltic Sea. Most of the boats leave around mid-morning (there are time­­ tables posted on every jetty) which means you can get quite a distance before it’s time to return. Tickets are available from the Waxholmsbolaget office on Strömkajen quayside (or on the boats themselves), but if you are planning to visit several islands, it may be worth buying the Interskerries Card (båtluffarkort) which gives five days unlimited travel for about 350 kroner.

Lying just an hour’s ferry ride northeast of Stockholm, Vaxholm mak­es for a great introductory trip to the archipelago. This popular weekend destination’s main town is a cluster of pretty homes huddled around an atmospheric wooden harbor, where a creaky old sailing ship sits at her moorings. An imposing stone fortress which once guarded the waterways rises from the water to complete the picture.

The island of Sandhamn has been a destination for seafarers since the 1700s and is still popular today.

Stock­­holmers go there to explore the labyrinth of alleyways that surround the tiny boat harbor, go sailing or kayaking, and sunbathe on the sandy beaches from which the island gets its name. For a more back to basics island experience head for the island nature reserve of Grinda where it’s possible to camp or rent a rustic old chalet for the night. Finnhamn, Möja, Gällnö, Utö and Svartsö are other island options— and you could easily spend a week making a variety of boat journeys in the Stockholm Archipelago and within the city itself.

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WOW Power to the people

BOAT ACCOMMODATION

DEN RÖDA BÅTEN

An alternative way to experience the “City that floats on water” is by staying on the water, rather than the usual dry land. There are several boat hotels moored up in the Swedish capital, rang­ing from smaller vessels offering hostel-type lodgings to luxurious yachts with deluxe cabins and their own bars and restaurants. Most boat hotels are within an easy walking distance of the city center and main attractions. Here are three of the best...

This combined hostel and hotel accommodation docked alongside Söder Mälarstrand is actually spread across two handsome boats—the Den Röda Båten or “Red Boat” (a Göta Canal steamer built in 1914) and the M/S Ran or “White Boat” moored next door. Guests can choose from private and dorm rooms in addition to three different quarters: Admirals, Captains, or Officers quarters. If you require more hotel-type accommodation, then book one of the M/S Ran’s nautical-themed rooms which include private bathrooms, in-room TVs, breakfast and outdoor decking area. The Old Town, Södermalm district and Slussen Tunnelbana station are all within a convenient ten-minute walk. v

AF CHAPMAN Built in England back in 1888, this elegant 19th-century sailing ship has been offering boat lodgings from its island berth on Skeppsholmen since 1949. Stay in one of the comfortable cabins including singles, twins and doubles, some of which have been re­­stored back to their original style. The atmospheric dorms sleep up to six people and are ideal for budget con­scious travelers. Add in the popular ecological breakfast, fun little café/bar, outdoor decking area with fabulous views of the Royal Palace and Old Town and you can’t go wrong.

www.theredboat.com

MÄLARDROTTNINGEN Anchored by Riddarfjärden in Gamla Stan since 1982, and surrounded by the glittering waters of Lake Mälaren, this unique 1924 yacht hotel offers an elegant taste of the city’s maritime flair. Guests can cozy up in one of 61 cabins spanning its three-level deck, from modest-sized sailor cabins to more spacious top-end quarters including the Captain’s Cabin, Owners Cabin and the Kartrummet (map room), complete with dark mahogany walls and nautical artwork. Other facilities include sauna, a fine restaurant and the Captain’s deck bar. www.malardrottningen.se

USEFUL WEBSITES Visit Djurgården: www.visitdjurgarden.se/en/ Waxholmsbolaget (Boat/Ferry trips): www.waxholmsbolaget.se Vasa Museum: www.vasamuseet.se Skansen: www.skansen.se Gröna Lund: www.gronalund.com Moderna Museet (Modern Art Museum): www.modernamuseet.se Drottningholm: www.kungahuset.se

WOW air offers cheap flights to Stockholm from USA and Canada all year round. Go to www.wowair.com for flight information and booking.

Fly to Stockholm and enjoy the magnificent maritime life in “The City That Floats on Water.”

Day tours for beginners to experienced riders.

Warm overalls provided during the tour!

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Our bestselling day-tour is the ideal way to experience the Icelandic horse on excellent riding paths while being surrounded by nature. Riding time is 1 1/2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 hours. The tour is ideal for both beginners as well as more experienced riders.

Enjoy the friendly horses at our stables. Ideal for those who want to experience the magic of the Icelandic horse but do not fancy a riding tour. You learn some facts about the horse, pet the horse, see the gaits and take some pictures.

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www.ishestar.is 555 7000Issue two 89

Going to Miami?

Key insights for a trip to Key West!

Key West is known for its laid back and relaxing lifestyle, Key lime pie, fresh seafood, bars, coral reefs and fishing. Pirates are said to have founded this island on the dividing line between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico and Ponce de Leon explored it.

Once it was home to many sailors and green turtles.

by Caron R. Luteran Photos: iStockphoto.com

Over the years, it was a home to Nobel Prize winning author and Ernest Hemingway, who wrote “The Old Man and the Sea”. He fished, boxed, wrote and drank here from 1928 for more than a decade and frequently visited the island until his death. Other notables that visited the island include Mel Fisher, a diver who discovered buried treasure from the Spanish shipwreck, Atocha, and US President Harry S. Truman, who spent a winter in Key West’s Old Town.

his six-toed cats and his gorgeous swimming pool.

The Key West Lighthouse is close to the Hemingway home and about six blocks away is the monument marking the Southernmost Point of the USA that happens to be only 90 miles from Cuba.

The location is perfect for some great selfie shots.

Nature lovers will love the beautifully colored coral reefs and the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.

ARRIVING IN KEY WEST

BEACH BUM

From the moment you set foot in the Floridian paradise of Key West, you will feel all your cares slip away. Palm fringed streets lined with pastelcolored houses with backyard hammocks will quickly transport you into island life.

Locals hang out at South Beach and Fort Zachary Taylor is a great spot at sunset. Other beaches for you to enjoy are Smathers Beach, Higg’s Beach, Rest Beach and Dog Beach.

Rainbow Pier and the Historic Seaport are good places to explore.

KEY WEST: WHAT TO SEE AND DOO A visit to the Hemingway Home and Museum on 907 Whitehead Street is a thrill for literary enthusiasts. Adult tickets cost $14 (cash only) and include a 30-minute guided tour. Tyler is a great tour guide here. He’ll show you the writer’s studio,

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WOW Power to the people

DRINKING, DINING AND HANGING OUT IN KEY WEST Duval Street is home to many bars such as The Bull & Whistle and Garden of Eden (where going

Au natural is accepted). Captain Tony’s Saloon and Sloppy Joe’s which was in a different location then, both boast that Hemingway used to drink there.

2 Cents is a great place for lunch or dinner and the truffle fries are heavenly. Live music, eating breakfast outside with the chickens or enjoying Floridian-Caribbean food for lunch or dinner at Blue Heaven on Thomas Street is definitely something to write home about.

Be sure to arrive around 4:30 PM or so for the daily sunset celebration at Mallory Square. Highly recommend: Order a key lime colada, then sit back for an hour or two to enjoy the sunset.

KEY WEST CUISINE Key lime pie is a definite must eat dessert when you’re in Key West. A slice of pie can be enjoyed at Key Lime Republic. Other desserts to try are coconut/Key lime pie, keynnoli, Key lime cheesecake and chocolate Key lime cheesecake.

For more Key lime food items visit Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shop. Point Break even sells Key lime pie cigars! If you need a break from Key West, you can go for a 7-minute boat ride across to Sunset Key!

GETTING TO AMERICA’S CARIBBEAN ISLAND As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” If you are already in Miami, a trip 165 miles south on Highway US 1 to Key West also known as, “the Conch Republic,” is a must. Driving will take about 3 3/4 hours, flying takes 45 minutes and a ride on the daily Miami to Key West Bus will take about 4 1/2 hours with one rest stop.

Miami to Key Largo takes 1 1/2 hours. Key Largo to Islamorada takes about 30 minutes and you pass through Plantation Key. Both Key Largo and Islamorada are well known for their sports fishing. Islamorada to Key West takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and you will pass through Marathon and Big Pine Key. There are around 1,700 islands but most of them are uninhabited.

42 bridges connect the Keys.

If you are a recreational type, nature or animal lover and you’re driving, you’ll have the freedom to stop at Everglades National Park. Here you can enjoy biking, hiking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Animal and plant lovers can see diverse forms and species here. The Everglades is probably the best place to see alligators, although, they can be seen all over Florida. Just remember to exercise caution around them.

Fees to enter the park are $25 for a car or $8 for an individual on foot or bike which is good for 7 consecutive days upon purchase. v

From the moment you set foot in the Floridian paradise of Key West, you will feel all your cares slip away.

Palm fringed streets lined with pastelcolored houses with backyard hammocks will quickly transport you into island life.

WOW air offers cheap flights to Miami, Florida from Europe starting in April.

Go to www.wowair.com for flight information and booking.

Put the Key lime in the coconut and book cheap flights to Miami with WOW air.

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Chic-A-Go

The City That Works Breaking news! WOW air now offers cheap flights to Chicago. A corporate and artistic hotspot, Chicago maintains its uniquely chic yet down-to-earth vibe. From towering skyscrapers, exceptional food, excellent museums, and its diverse music scene, to its beautiful shoreline, world-famous deep dish pizza, vibrant graffiti, and nestled public parks, the Windy City has something for everyone.

by KimberlyJY Photos: iStockphoto.com

Home to over 70 festivals, 100 neighborhoods, 100 art galleries, 200 music venues, 250 theaters, and 5,000 restaurants, it’s no mystery how Chicago keeps its 50 million annual visitors enter­­tained. The fast-paced metropolitan energy attracts people from all walks of life. Whether you’re 16 or 61, visiting for a weekend or staying a while, traveling solo or with a group, you’ll always find something interesting to see and do.

THINGS TO DO IN CHICAGO In the mood for some upscale shopping? Walk down Magnificent Mile. Want to take it easy by the water? Check out the Navy Pier. Are you curious about how Chicago’s bold skyline came to be? Hop on a boat and enjoy the Architecture River Cruise.

Do you want a unique visual perspective of the city? Consider visiting the iconic Cloud Gate for a slightly obscured mirror image of the prominent buildings or go on the Skydeck and literally stand over the city. Do you feel like tapping into your inner Ferris Bueller? March in one of Chicago’s downtown parades. Are you feeling more adventurous? Join one of the gangster tours and explore the city’s

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ruffian mob history. Eager to end the day with a signature cocktail and a taste of Chicago-style jazz? Hit up Green Mill or Andy’s. They’re renowned for a reason.

BOOMING YET RELAXED Overall, the Windy City is described by locals and tourists as fast-paced, diverse, booming, yet relaxed. It has an impeccable balance between business and pleasure, style and authenticity, class and edge, numbers and art. Its ambitious structure inspires companies and individuals to thrive. Its bonafide live music venues, unique activities and international dining scene allow for relaxation and cultural enrichment. It truly is The City That Works. v

WOW air will start flying to this great city at the end of July 2017 offering four flights a week. Are you coming?

Find our cheap flights to Chicago and available connections on wowair.com.

Whatever the mood, Chicago will deliver. Hop on a purple plane to The City that Works and have your fill.

“The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll is as eccentric in its telling as the tale it celebrates.”

David Fricke, Rolling Stone.

THE ICELANDIC MUSEUM OF ROCK 'N' ROLL

Visit Iceland's largest music museum and enjoy our history of Icelandic rock and pop music.

Browse through the timeline of Icelandic pop and rock music with the Rock 'n' Roll app on Ipads, spend time in our soundlab, cinema, karaoke booth, gift store, exhibitions or simply grab a cup of coffee at our café (free wifi!).

The museum is located in Keflavík only 5 minutes away from Keflavík International Airport.

Open daily from 11am - 6pm For more go to rokksafn.is

The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll

Issue two

93

Paris

Top 10 do’s and don’ts Paris’s seductive charms are legendary, and for good reason: Inviting sidewalk cafés, gleaming boutiques, world-class museums, and a fabled restaurant scene make Paris the runway model of cities—beautiful, fashionable, confident and inspiring envy at every turn.

Text and photos: Cindy-Lou Dale

But with expectations running so high, Paris can occasionally disappoint.

When you find yourself elbow-to-elbow with throngs of tour­­ists, tucking in yet another over­­priced meal, you’ll wonder how the Paris that travelers fall in love with, has proved so elusive. Unless that is, you read and discover how to avoid the top ten mis­­takes first-timers make in the City of Light.

Don’t shop on the ChampsElysées: It may once have been the most beautiful avenue in the world, but times have changed and it’s currently overrun with global chain stores, auto dealerships and movie multiplexes.

1

Do follow in the well-heeled footsteps of locals: Head straight to the designer shops of the Rue des Francs-Bourgeois in the chic Marais district. For an old-fashioned am­­biance, look to Paris’s covered passages which date back to the 19th century. These were the city’s first malls and beneath their vaulted ceilings of glass and wrought iron, you’ll find a trove unusual wares from French designers, antiquarian book dealers, art galleries and quirky toy shops. Galerie Vivienne, just north of the Palais Royal, is the most elegant of the lot.

Don’t get starstruck at meal­­times: Home to +70 Michelin-starred rest­­aurants, Paris is a gour­­met’s para­­dise, but with it comes a lot of pomp and circumstance, not to mention skyhigh prices.

2

Do have your dinner à la mode: Several Michelin-starred chefs have abandoned the rigid confines of haute-cuisine and opened convivial bistros that serve up simpler yet out­­standing meals— and the locals are just crazy about them. If you can’t get in at dinner, try arriving by 11:45 am for lunch (first come, first served).

Don’t spend all day at the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay: Sure, they’re Paris’s most celebrated museums, and yes, they do house some famous works of art but don’t think for a second that they’re the only options.

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Do get to know Paris’s lesser-known museums: Many of Paris’s smaller museums contain equally important and beautiful art, and are often more pleasant since you won’t be elbowed out of the way by photo-snapping swarms. You’ll find Monet’s famous Nymphéas (water lily) murals in the Musée de l’Orangerie, at the far end of the Tuileries Gardens. The Musée Marmottan is home to the world’s largest collection of Monets and the Musée Rodin, housed in a luminous villa, is one of the most romantic museums in the city.

Don’t commit a fashion faux pas: Don’t ever, even in the sweltering heat of summer, think about wearing shorts in Paris unless you really do want to be treated like a hapless tour­­­­ist.

It simply isn’t done—and while you’re at it, leave those gleaming white running shoes at home, too.

4

Do take a crash course in French style: The French are quite casual, but they’ve mastered the art of the clean, coordinated look. The trick is to keep it simple, tidy and thoughtfully assembled: Black or gray is always a good bet; accessorize with either a bold scarf, a hat or one piece of jewelry and make sure things fit the way they should. Complete your outfit with a fitted jacket and the best shoes in your closet. The final effect should look effortless.

Don’t get around town in a cab: Taxis can be hard to come by and can’t be flagged down on the street (you need to call ahead for one or find a taxi stand). Cabbing also leaves you vulnerable to Paris’s famously snarled traffic.

5

Do take a stroll: The center of Paris is only a couple of miles wide and the rewards for taking to the streets on foot are huge. For longer distances, hop on the Métro. From any given spot in Paris, you’re never more than 500 yards from the nearest station; it’s cheaper than a cab and often faster.

Do find the real Paris on the Canal St. Martin: Boho hipsters have laid claim to the area around the Canal St. Martin, a once-derelict part of the tenth arrondissement that now buzzes with cafés and trendy boutiques. Settle at a sidewalk table at Chez Prune, the seeand-be-seen ground zero for this chic Right Bank hood (36 Rue Beaurepaire).

Don’t book the cheapest hotel: Finding a decent Paris hotel for a reasonable price can bring even the savviest travelers to the brink of despair.

You might find a terrific deal at a big chain hotel, but once you’re sitting in a beige I-could-be-anywhere cube on the outskirts of town, you’ll realize your mistake.

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Do munch on macaroons: French macaroons (dainty gems that come in a rainbow of colors and exotic flavors) consist of two meringue-like cookies bound together by a delicious ganache.

Several top bakers are famed for their novel flavors—cherry amaretto, violet, and white truffle. Debate rages among Parisians over which are the city’s best; to decide for yourself, sample rose at Pierre Hermé, caramel with sea salt at Ladurée and orange-ginger at Gérard Mulot.

Don’t buy into stereotypes: We’ve all heard about snobby Parisians’ legendary rudeness, their surly waiters and unhelpful salespeople. It’s true that Parisians are reserved and less likely to become your instant best friend, but you won’t be doing yourself any favors by assuming they don’t like you, then be rude to them in return.

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Do enjoy a dinner and a view: An infinitely more civilized approach is to book a table at Les Ombres, the rooftop restaurant of the Musée du Quai Branly, which makes the most of its tall neighbor by enabling diners to feast their eyes on the tower in its gorgeous entirety.

Don’t fill up on croissants: We all swoon over those flaky golden crescents, but it would be a big mistake to limit yourself to Paris’s best-known pastry and miss out on deluxe confections that aren’t as well known.

Daily tours

a on

Don’t waste time at the Eiffel Tower: After trudging through one labyrinthine line for tickets and re-queuing for the cattle-car elevators, once you get to the top you’ll realize that you don’t have a view of the tower, just a view from it. This is too bad, since it’s the defining feature of the Paris skyline. Then you need to queue to get back down to terra firma.

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Do book a furnished apartment: Furnished apartments can be found to suit every budget. You’ll be amazed at how much living space you get for your money, especially if you plan to stay for more than a couple of days. Have a rental agency (Paris Perfect, Guest Apartment Services, and Haven in Paris are reputable options) do the work. Once you’re in your private pied-à-terre, glass of wine in hand, listening to the sounds of the neighborhood through the open windows, you’ll feel like you’ve truly arrived.

nowmobilin ds g an

6 Don’t seek out a bohemian ambiance on the Left Bank: Les Deux Magots on the Boulevard St. Germain, the former hangout of intellectuals, has all the authenticity of Times Square. You’re far more likely to find yourself cheek by jowl with a tourist than eavesdropping on any famous philosophers.

Do be mindful of your manners: Imitate them and you’ll no doubt be amply rewarded for your efforts. Learn a few French words and phrases. Even if it’s just a crash course on the flight over and your delivery is less than perfect, the fact that you’re trying will win points. Salespeople in smaller boutiques greet customers and expect to be greeted in return: A simple “Bonjour, Madame” upon entering a shop will do wonders for your status. v Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world. Newspapers and magazines the world over write about it, it’s on our TV screens and in films, books, paintings, music—and just when you think you know it well, there’s always something to surprise you in a place you’d least expect.

Whatever you do, or don’t do, don’t miss out on Paris. Book cheap flights to Paris from USA and Canada with WOW air and start working on your high school French.

WOW air offers cheap flights to Paris, France from USA and Canada every day of the week all year round. Go to wowair.com for more information and booking.

Tel. (+354) 580 9900 ice@mountaineers.is www.mountaineers.is

Your Ticket to Adventure Issue two

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Exploring Ireland

48 hours: Cork Fondly referred to as “The People’s Republic of Cork,” the city of Corcaigh, as it’s called in Gaelic, meaning marshy, is known for its spirit, its independence and its rich melodious brogue.

by Christopher Kanal Photos: Mike Hannon Media – Courtesy of Cork City

Cork has old bones. Saint Finbar founded a mon­ astery here on the banks of the River Lee 1,500 years ago. A settlement arose and as the centuries pro­­­gressed Corcaigh thrived as a merchant town. The old city sits astride an island at the mouth of the River Lee that opens out into the Atlantic Ocean. It is a magnificent city, glowing with that bright Irish spirit.

Day one A STARTING POINT The River Lee divides Cork into two parts. The north bank of the river, the neighborhood of Shandon, is centered around the riverside walk of Pope’s Quay and the clock tower of St Anne’s Church. On the south bank, the Mardyke, a leafy walk runs parallel. For centuries the Mardyke has been a place to promenade and it remains a starting point from which to explore the city. Built in 1863, the Gothic Victorian cathedral of Saint Fin Barre’s (www. cathedral.cork.anglican.org) on Bishop Street dominates the island. From here you can reach Daunt’s Square and St Patrick’s Street, Cork’s main shopping hub where will you find most brand names as well as bespoke boutiques including designer store Brown Thomas (www.brownthomas.com). Off Carey’s Lane and French Church Street is the Huguenot Quarter complete with its serene and tucked away old cemetery created in 1710 and 1733 for the French Huguenot exiles that fled persecution in mainland Europe.

THE ENGLISH MARKET Close by on Grand Parade near the tourist office (www.discoverireland.ie), the English Market is a Cork institution (www.englishmarket.ie) that has been open since 1788. Considered the best-covered food market in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the English Market satisfies all palettes. Highlights include rich Munster cheeses from On the Pigs Back to wild smoked salmon at Kay O’Connell’s. For a snack, head to the Farmgate Café on the first floor of the market for blood pudding on tasty soda bread or a ploughman’s sandwich of wedges of local cheddar and pickle on thick Arbutus Bread.

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Cork owes a lot of its history to butter. It became very rich during the seventeenth and 18th century providing butter to transatlantic ships and the British Empire.

The Elizabeth Fort symbolizes the bloody history of Ireland’s past very poignantly. The atmospheric An Realt Dearg next door to the fort is the oldest pub in Cork.

Day two

TIME FOR A PINT The craft beer revolution took its time to reach Ireland but it was worth the wait. Built into a Franciscan monastery, the Franciscan Well Brewery across the river on the bank on North Mall is a microbrewery and pub built on the site of a Franciscan monastery dating back to 1219.

The local legend goes that the water from the well had miraculous properties, and people would travel from across the West of Ireland to drink it. Today miracles may only occur depending on how much or how little you drink. However, the epicurean earthly delights to be imbibed here include seriously good ales: Rebel Red and the Chieftain IPA. Cork has a legendary bar scene where you can sample the crisp local Beamish stout. Bars are found everywhere but a hive of excellent old boozers throng Barrack Street, MacCurtain Street and Oliver Plunkett Street. An Bróg on Oliver Plunkett Street is popular with students, while friendly old-school Hi-B on the same street is a place to mix with the locals; although there is a saying here that “You are nobody in Cork until you’ve been kicked out the Hi-B!” In an alleyway off Patrick’s Street, opposite a dramatic mural, hole-in-the-wall, wooden paneled Mutton Lane Inn is cozy, candlelit and endearingly lovely.

Most bars feature live music during the week.

After dark, head to the north side of the river to Sin E, a Cork institution, on Coburg Street for traditional Irish music every night.

BUTTER UP Cork owes a lot of its history to butter. It became very rich during the seventeenth and 18th century providing butter to transatlantic ships and the British Empire. Many Anglo-Irish families got very rich during this time with their wealth manifesting itself in the shape of some stunning neo-Italian Georgian mansions of Sunday’s Well and Montenotte in the north. For a taste, literally, of Cork’s complex history the Butter Museum is an alternative exploration and well worth a visit, particularly if you are traveling with children.

THE FINAL STOP The sprawling 17th-century Eliza­­beth Fort on Barrack Street was built in 1601 to enforce English rule over the Irish during the reign of Elizabeth. But the local population had other ideas and true to their spirit tore it down in rebellion. Lord Mountjoy recaptured the city and the fort was rebuilt at the expense of the locals who paid for their defiance.

In 1649 another rebellion in Cork led to Oliver Cromwell’s siege of the city. The Elizabeth Fort

symbolizes the bloody history of Ireland’s past very poignantly. The atmospheric An Realt Dearg next door to the fort is the oldest pub in Cork.

Established in 1698, the Dukes of Wellington and Marlborough were among its patrons.

You can begin or end your visit to Cork by heading to St Anne’s Church where you can climb its 132 steps to the tower on top and ring the Shandon Bells. There is even sheet-music provided from old classics to Motorhead. From the tower, savor spectacular views of the city and the surrounding emerald green fields.

OUT OF TOWN County Cork is renowned for its beautiful coastal scenery and picturesque countryside. Inland you can head to the famous Blarney Castle just northwest of Cork. Heading west along the coast brings to you to old villages and beautiful towns such as the harbor of Kinsale, 30 minutes south of Cork by car. Renowned for its oysters and seafood, Kinsale is the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way (www.thewildatlanticway.com), a 1,617-mile coastal route that winds along the Irish west coast from Cork past the wild and untamed Beara Peninsula into the Ring of Kerry and then to the far north. v

Amazing Ireland awaits. Do something different and hop on a WOW flight to Cork this summer.

WOW air offers cheap flights to Cork, Ireland from the USA, Canada and Iceland starting in May. Find all flights and available connections on wowair.com.

BRING ON THE

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Los Angeles’s other neighborhoods

A day out in Santa Monica and Malibu Los Angeles, while an actual city, is often referred to by tourists headed to this Southern California area as, “LA.” LA is a big place with diverse neighborhoods that include Hollywood (Tinseltown), Silver Lake, Century City, Beverly Hills and Venice. After a few days exploring there, you can leave the traffic behind and head for the beach cities of Santa Monica and Malibu.

by Caron R. Luteran Photos: iStockphotos.com

SANTA MONICA Although Santa Monica has a “Route 66: End of the Road” sign posted, it’s where lots of fun begins. A great way to start the day is by having breakfast at either Chez Jay or Cora’s Coffee Shop which is a bit hidden so keep your eyes peeled.

Photography buffs might want to check out Camera Obscura or pose for a selfie there. Art deco buildings are very popular here and a leisurely stroll on Ocean Avenue will take you

by Hotel Shangri-La and the Georgian Hotel.

The Wilshire Theater and the Clock Tower Building are other neat sights to spot.

If you are in the mood for parks and recre­­­ ation be sure to visit Tongva Park. Here you will find a 6+ acre urban oasis with hills and paths that lead to gardens full of seasonal plants and flowers. Or perhaps you might like a stroll on the Santa Monica Pier.

The Farmer’s Market is open on Wedn­es­­­days­ on Arizona between 4th and Ocean and on Saturdays on Arizona between 4th and 2nd Streets. Arrive around 8:30 AM and before 1 PM to procure your farm fresh good­i­es and super foods. And why not take your finds over to nearby Santa Monica State Beach to enjoy a peaceful picnic while taking in the Pacific Ocean view? The Third Street Promenade is a fun venue for shopping, restaurants and bars.

HI Santa Monica/LA offers budget accom­ modations close to the Pacific Ocean while Shutters on the Beach provides upscale boutique beach rooms.

Getting hungry or thirsty? The Malibu Country Mart and Malibu Lumber Yard offer shop­­ping and restaurants.

A perfect way to end the day or maybe start the night is with a stop off at Café Habana located in the Malibu Lumber Yard.

Point Dume. Before reaching Malibu, you will go near the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades.

This lovely muse­­um houses ancient Greek and Roman art and resembles a huge Italian villa set high in the hills with beautiful fountains, reflecting pools and outdoor gardens full of sculptures. Admission is free, but parking costs $10-$15 after 3 PM and you must get your tickets online before arrival.

Getting hungry or thirsty? The Malibu Country Mart and Malibu Lumber Yard offer shop­­ping and restaurants. A perfect way to end the day or maybe start the night is with a stop off at Café Habana located in the Malibu Lumber Yard. (No wood sold here; think Mexi­­can food and clothing.) This a great spot to order some chips, guacamole/salsa and a marga­­rita made with Casamigos tequila (produced by Rande Gerber and George Clooney). Many Holly­­wood actors and actresses live in or around Malibu. One way or another, you are guar­­anteed to see stars—either above in the night sky or sitting right beside you! v

MALIBU: A SWELL TIME IN OR OUT OF THE OCEAN BLUE Getting to Malibu from Santa Monica is by either a scenic drive on the Pacific Coast High­­­way (PCH) or by taking the Metro Bus 534 from Santa Monica to Malibu. Malibu is cele­­­brat­­ed for having almost a dozen beaches. If surfing is your thing, you might want to ride the waves at Zuma Beach or

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WOW Power to the people

WOW air now offers cheap flights to Los Angeles every day of the week. Go to wowair.com to find available connections from all over Europe.

The real LalaLand awaits. Get your ticket to sunny California with WOW air from almost all WOW destinations in Europe via Iceland.

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All in Montréal

A year of celebrations Savvy travelers know that Montréal is a spectacular city. But what they may not know is that this year, Montréal promises to be more exciting, high-flying and colorful than ever. That’s because, at the end of 2016, this stunning metropolis kicked off celebrations to a very special 375th “birthday” party that will span all of 2017.

Photos: Courtesy of Tourisme Montréal

The celebrations are all part of a rich history that stretches back to Montréal’s origins as a First Nations settlement, and much later, French colony and British stronghold.

Fast forward to much more growth and changes and today, Montréal is renowned as one of the most dynamic, innovative, cultural and creative cities in the world. Here’s a peek at how it will be celebrating its history, culture and, especially, its citizens during this very special milestone year.

A SPRING IN YOU STEP Come springtime, love is in the air, and what better way for Montréal to cele­­ brate romance than through its people?

Aime comme Montréal (Love Like Montréal) is a photojournalism project that illustrates the city’s in­­credi­­ble diversity and inclusiveness through 60 photos of intercultural or mixed race couples in some of the city’s most iconic places. It’s a beautiful testa­­ ment to Montréal’s openness to other cultures, and to the power of love. You can see larger-than-life photos that

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Montréal’s fascinating past includes its life as a French colony.

And the influence of the French can perhaps most be felt in among the stately gray stone buildings and cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, where remnants and ramparts also re­­main.

offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of these couples and resonate with messages of peace, love, respect and mutual understanding.

THE 19 BOROUGHS OF MONTRÉAL A key to Montréal’s identity are its vibrant and viva­­­­­cious neighborhoods. Giving everyone a peek at the city’s close-knit community life is La Grande Tournée du 375e. Throughout the summ­­ er, a caravan of artists will travel through all of Montréal’s 19 boroughs, stopping for three days in each one to highlight its history, iconic places, merchants and artists. Each weekend, a neighborhood park will host an array of activities, from street festivals, neighborhood treasure hunts, giant art exhibitions and picnics, gourmet tasting events and much more. They will turn a park into a circus, a street into a museum, and a back alley into a movie theater. A true snapshot of Montréal life!

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT Also synonymous with the city is the spectacular St. Lawrence River: it was, in fact, along the banks of this mighty body of water that Montréal began. And this May, in celebration of its historical and cultural significance to the city will be the multimedia show AVUDO by Daniele Finzi Pasca and the Compagnia Finzi Pasca, which has produced such major events as Corteo, Rain, La

Verità as well as the closing ceremonies of the Turin and Sochi Olympic Games. From May 17, the date of the founding of Montréal, until September, spectators can enjoy one of 100 free performances of a magical and moving multimedia masterwork that recounts the story of Montréal, its people, its neighborhoods and the important ties that it has forged with the rest of the world.

Speaking of the St. Lawrence River, the Jacques Cartier Bridge—a crucial artery of comm­unication and one of Montréal’s most iconic architectural symbols—will be treating everyone to a radically different experience that also starts this spring. The entire bridge structure will be transformed by an innovative, data-driven lighting project triggered by realtime digital information, then be expressed in dynamic color.

AMONG THE GIANTS Montréal will also be host to another block­ buster event in the month of May, this time on its streets. The giant marionettes of the Royal de Luxe street theater company from Nantes will be coming to Montréal with a special creation made exclusively for the city’s 375th anniversary. Over the course of several days, people will have the opportunity to witness the gentle and grandiose promenade of these towering marionettes (as tall as 4-storey build­­ings!) as they tell the story of the city of Montréal and their journey here. So far, the location is still under wraps, but when these gentle giants start walking, you can be sure everyone will be watching, captivated completely.

Montréal’s fascinating past includes its life as a French colony. And the influence of

the French can perhaps most be felt in among the stately gray stone buildings and cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, where remnants and ramparts also re­­main. To celebrate, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum of Archaeology and History will be hosting a four-day event around the museum and at Place Royale, that showcases what daily life was like under the French regime. This re-creation of life from yesteryear offers everyone a unique opportunity to travel back through the years, and wander through market stalls, meet craftspeople of the era, listen to musicians, watch street performers and get acquainted with the First Nations skills and knowledge, which were crucial to the colony’s survival.

In another acknowledgement of Montréal’s past, this time as host city of Expo67, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has created and organized, in collaboration with the McCord Museum and with the support of Concordia University and McGill University, La Balade pour la Paix, a major open-air art exhibition and walk for peace in the heart of downtown. Showcasing 67 works of art from worldclass Canadian and international artists, it will reflect the universal values of humanism, tolerance and openness that inspired Expo67. In addition to commemorating the 50th anniversary of Expo67 and Montréal’s 375th, this open-air exhibition marks Canada’s 150th, and will run from May to October.

Innovative, creative, vibrant, daring, dynamic, fearless and fascinating: the list of qualities show­ cased by the line-up of events for Montréal’s 375th

anniversary is long! But to really get a sense of all the fun going on, you have to experience it for yourself. Head on over to 375mtl.com, where you’ll find all the aforementioned activities and more, plus download the 375MTL app. It’s a great way to learn all about the festivities, and find out which ones fit best with your schedule. We can’t wait to see you here having fun in Montréal! v

WOW air offers cheap flights to Montréal from Europe, up to seven times a week all year round. Join the WOW club and get all our deals directly to your inbox.

Montréal is the place to be in 2017. Hop on a purple plane to Canada this year and have a WOW Stopover in Iceland on the way.

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Boston’s ever-present history

Fresh steps on the Freedom Trail One nice point—among many—about Boston, is that its 400 years of history comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and activity levels. You can explore more than 40 museums in the Boston area, including the Historic New England, the JFK Library and Museum, Museum of African American History, Nichols House Museum, Old State House Museum, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Vilna Shul, and the Waterworks Museum.

by Judy Colbert / Photos: iStockphoto.com

However, history here goes bey­­ ond buildings that are called museums. If you like walking, public parks, boats, sports, interesting archi­­ tecture, or something in the middle, you’re almost sure to find it.

THE FREEDOM TRAIL Perhaps the best-known history of Boston is along the 2.5-mile red-lined Freedom Trail, America’s first historic walking tour. The 16 stops along the way include the site of the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere’s house (the oldest in downtown Boston), the Benja­­min Franklin Statue and Boston Latin School, and the Old North Church (“Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch of the Old North Church tower as a signal light—one if by land and two if by sea—and I on the opposite shore will be,…”). You can stay on the trail or detour to other attractions. You can walk it yourself or join a tour led by a costumed guide.

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Between Beacon Hill and State Street in the Fin­­ancial District is a trail called The Walk to the Sea. This one-mile stretch, encased in glass and steel is lined with skyscrapers, historical maps and stories relating how the area has changed over time, going from a small hilly peninsula to one of the country’s most modern cities.

Another stop along the Freedom Trail is Faneuil Hall, one of the first Festival Marketplaces created by the Rouse Company. Built on the waterfront in 1742, but since then, landfill and city design have “moved” it inland. Home to shops and restaurants, about the only original piece, is the gold­­en grass­­hopp­­er with glass eyes weat­­her­­vane on the rooftop. Con­­struct­­ed by Shem Drowne, he also made the copper swall­­owtail banner vane atop the Old North Church.

CHARLESTOWN Bunker Hill Monument, in Charlestown, Boston’s oldest neighborhood, is across from downtown Boston, north of the Charles River. The Great House, built for Governor John Winthrop in 1629, was destroyed by the British in the bom­­bard­­ment of Charlestown during the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. Fifty years later, the Marquis De Lafayette set the cornerstone for the monument. The 221foot tall obelisk, built of granite, took more than 17 years to finish. If you have the stamina and want a specta­­cular view of the area, you may climb the 294 steps between 1-4:30 pm, when conditions permit. It’s a nice activity after you’ve stopped by

ICELANDIC GOURMET MENU Freshly caught seafood and free range lamb – with a modern twist

Connecting Cambridge and Boston is the strik­­ing Leonard P. Zakim/Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge that carries ten lanes of I-93. The cable-stayed bridge, one Boston’s newest landmarks, has be­­come an iconic image of the city.

the museum. To follow the history of the Charlestown Navy Yard, from 1800 to the present, drop into the Visi­­tor Center. From there you go see the USS Constitution, the oldest com­­­ missioned warship afloat in the world.

A WALK THROUGH HISTORY Between Beacon Hill and State Street in the Fin­­ancial District is a trail called The Walk to the Sea. This one-mile stretch, encased in glass and steel is lined with skyscrapers, historical maps and stories relating how the area has changed over time, going from a small hilly peninsula to one of the country’s most modern cities.

Connecting Cambridge and Boston is the strik­­ing Leonard P. Zakim/ Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge that carries ten lanes of I-93. The cablestayed bridge, one Boston’s newest landmarks, has be­­come an iconic image of the city. As amazing as it is to behold, it’s even more arresting when it’s lit at night. Zakim was a New England civil rights leader who built figurative bridges between communities through his work as head of the local Anti-Defamation League. Although the Bunk­­er Hill part of the bridge signifies one end of it,

most locals call it the Zakim Bridge.

Through family connections, Bruce Springsteen attended the bridge opening, playing a solo version of “Thunder Road.”

PARK AND RECREATION For another look at outdoor history, stop by the Boston Public Garden, the first public botanical garden in the country. Here you can enjoy a foot-pedal-power­­ed Swan Boat ride (in season), the world’s smallest suspension bridge, and color­­ful formal plantings. The Nancy Schon statue of Robert McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings is also in the park.

And, any sports fan, even if your sport isn’t baseball, must stop by Fenway Park. Home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912, it’s the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.

Take a one-hour guid­­ed tour to learn about the history of the Sox, and see the Triangle, Pesky’s Pole, and the Green Monster. (You can sit in the seats on top of the Monster). v

DINNER

6 COURSE MENU STARTS WITH A “REFRESHING“ SHOT OF THE NATIONAL SNAPS BRENNIVÍN FOLLOWED BY A BITE-SIZED TASTE OF PUFFIN ICELANDIC OCEAN PERCH Slow cooked ocean perch, beetroot purée, spicy butter, serrano ham, beetroot ICELANDIC MINKE WHALE Shallot vinaigrette, crispy Jerusalem artichokes ICELANDIC SEA TROUT Yuzu mayo, truffle mayo, crispy quinoa, apple ICELANDIC PLAICE Samphire, green asparagus, blood orange, lime beurre blanc

Judy Colbert is the author of 100 Things to Do in Baltimore Before You Die and other travel guidebooks.

RACK OF FREE RANGE ICELANDIC LAMB Slow cooked lamb fillet, leeks, pickled onions, smoked celeriac purée, baked carrots, spinach and dill cream Dessert by pastry chef Axel Þ.

WOW air offers cheap flights to Boston from Europe all year round. Go to www.wowair.com for flight information and booking.

Enjoy the Cradle of American History, one step at a time.

We’ve got flights to Boston for the whole family.

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Bristol’s delightful neighbor

Dip into Bath Spectacular Georgian architecture, Roman ruins, a vibrant cultural scene, scrumpy cider, ghostly spirits and of course the springs: Bath entices us.

Photos: Courtesy of VisitBath.co.uk and The Royal Crescent Hotel

One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Bath has been drawing visitors since Roman and Celtic times.

The city’s three hot springs were sacred to the Celtic goddess Sulis. With the arrival of the Roman Empire in AD 60, the settlement of Aquae Sulis was con­­ structed around the thermal springs.

The Romans were so captivated by the palace that they renamed the springs in honor of the goddess Minerva. Indeed, messages to Minerva known as curse tablets, continue to be dis­­covered by archaeologists.

ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE King Alfred laid down new foundations for Bath in the 9th century when the city was known as Baðum. During the Georgian Period, Bath re-emerged as a spa destination and was renowned for its architecture of golden hued neo­­ classical buildings and crescents. Bath has long been associated with the arts.

The novelist Jane Austen lived in Bath in the early 19th century and it was featured in all of her novels. Gay Street, south of The Circus is where you will find the Jane Austen Centre (www.janeausten.co.uk).

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If you love love, being loved or wonder about love, then a visit to the World Ero­­­­tic Art Museum (WEAM) in the heart of South Beach (SoBe) might be the perfect venue for Valentine’s Day, an engagement, anniversary or dare we say, a first date?

Despite being a major tourist draw, Bath has retained plenty of its local attitude and its distinc­ tive culture, well-illustrated in the city’s plethora of year-round arts festivals. With the arrival of spring, Bath shakes off the moody romance of winter and kicks up a few gears.

WHAT TO SEE A city to explore on foot, the bustling modern heart of Bath can be found on Milsom Street, the city’s main shopping street which is filled with boutiques and fashion stores. Milsom Street winds eastwards into New Bond Street to the famous Pulteney Bridge. Completed in 1774, the Palladian bridge crosses the River Avon and connects the old city with the newly built Georgian area of Bathwick.

Pulteney Bridge has shops built along it and has been the face of countless picture postcards.

A good point to begin a gentle saunter of Bath’s Georgian highlights is the Assembly Rooms on Bennett Street, a well-known social meeting place for Georgian society in Jane Austen’s era. From the Assembly Rooms a short stroll down Bennett Street will bring you to The Circus and then a bit further along Brock Street to The Crescent.

Designed by John Wood the Elder, the lesser known Circus is set around three curved segments of gorgeous townhouses arranged in a circle. The Royal Crescent, designed by Wood’s son John Wood the Younger, is a stunning single curved

row of 30 terraced houses laced with Ionic columns and arranged around an immaculate lawn. Designed and built between 1767 and 1774, it is the greatest example of Georgian architecture to be found anywhere in England.

No. 1 Royal Crescent is a historic museum dedicated to this architectural icon.

spa water in The Pump Room Restaurant on the way out. Many visitors tie in a visit to the Roman Baths with a trip to its slightly glitzier 21st-century modern equivalent next door, the Thermae Bath Spa. Take a dip in thermal waters of the open-air rooftop pool that looks over the city.

TEATIME If you fancy a traditional English High Tea of delicate cakes, cucumber sandwiches, crusty scones and buns washed down with flutes of champagne then drop by the palatial Royal Crescent Hotel (www.royalcrescent.co.uk). Tea is served religiously every day from 1 pm until 6 pm with last orders at 4:30 pm.

THE ROMAN BATHS Just below Bath Abbey on Stall Street are the vaunted Roman Baths (www.romanbaths. co.uk). This renowned archaeological site is a major draw getting very busy on weekends, so it is best to plan a visit on a less crowded weekday. Northern Europe’s finest Roman site, the Roman Baths’ pools and tunnels are very atmospheric to walk around and have been painstakingly restored, boasting a collection of thousands of artifacts from Roman Britain.

Discovered in 1727 the gilt bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva is one of the bestknown objects from Roman Britain and stood within the Temple beside the Sacred Spring where she looked out to the sacrificial altar.

After exploring the Roman Baths be sure to try a glass of foul-smelling but health-giving, hot

waiting for a lover who was killed in a duel by her husband. A little less spooky, the Egg Theatre next door with its regular puppet shows is perfect if you are visiting Bath with children.

When in Bath a great idea is to take advantage of the several free walking tours offered by local folk.

The Mayor of Bath’s Corps of Honorary Guides (www. bathguides.org.uk) offers pleasant guided two-hour walks Sunday to Friday at 10:30 am and 2 pm and Saturdays at 10:30 am only.

FURTHER AFIELD

GHOULISH GOINGS ON The plush, ornate Georgian playhouse that is The Royal Theatre (www.theatreroyal.org.uk) has a program of plays and events throughout the year. It is famously haunted by several ghosts including the “Phantom Doorman” and the “Grey Lady.” The latter’s appearance is accompanied by the strong smell of jasmine. Dressed in an 18th-century evening dress complete with feathers in her coiffure, the Grey Lady is known to sit in the top left box facing the stage

A World Heritage Site located on the banks of the River Avon and the cusps of the Cotswold Hills, Bath is 20 kilometers southeast of Bristol and 150 kilometers west of London. From London Paddington Station, Bath is 90 minutes by the Great Western Railway (www.gwr.com). From Bristol Temple Meads station, the magnificent city is a mere 15 minutes by train.

Bath, and of course Bristol, are good staging points from which to explore the evocative Somerset countryside. Both Glastonbury and Stonehenge are under an hour’s drive away. If you head southwest, the Mendip Hills open up to the pretty villages in Devon bedecked with flowers in the spring, the stark wild beauty of Exmoor National Park and the dramatic cliffs of Cornwall made famous by Poldark. v

You’ll find cheap flights to the UK at wowair.com. Join the WOW air club at wowair.com/ wowairclub and get all the best deals directly to your inbox.

The historical and gorgeous city of Bath is just a short train ride from Bristol where WOW air flies several times a week. Get two great cities for the price of one!

taste the best of iceland... ... in one amazing meal icelandic gourmet feast Starts with a shot of the infamous Icelandic spirit Brennívín Followed by seven delicious tapas

late night dining Our kitchen is open until 23:30 on weekdays and 01:00 on weekends

Smoked puffin with blueberry “brennivín” sauce Icelandic sea-trout with peppers-salsa Lobster tails baked in garlic Pan-fried line caught blue ling with lobster-sauce Grilled Icelandic lamb Samfaina Minke Whale with cranberry & malt-sauce White chocolate "Skyr" mousse with passion fruit coulis

7.990 kr.

RESTAURANT- BAR Vesturgötu 3B | 101 Reykjavík | Tel. 551 2344 | www.tapas.is

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Terrific Toronto

Step outside As warmer weather envelopes the city, Ontario’s capital awakens from its long winter slumber.

Sure, there is plenty to do in Toronto all year round but it’s during the spring and summer months that Canada’s most populous city truly comes alive.

Text and photos: Kimberly JY / www.kimberlyjy.com

As soon as the winter chill goes away patios begin to open up, parks become more vibrant, sailboats and water taxis make their way back to the harbor, friends and families flock to the beaches, street parties and festivals pop up in various neighborhoods, and the locals are out and about with their heads held high— quite possibly in shorts (be it 10°C or 30°C).

Whether you’re visiting in April or July, there are lots to do outdoors! Here are a few ideas: HAVE A PICNIC UNDER THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS With a beautiful lakefront, Zen garden, dog park and lots of green space, there is no doubt that many turn to Toronto’s High Park for both amusement and sanctuary amidst the urban jungle. From April to May, the public park becomes especially spry with hundreds of tourists and locals eager to catch the fragrant cherry blossoms (a.k.a. sakura) in bloom. During the two weeks that the sakura are in peak bloom, why not pack a blanket and some snacks, and spend a day under the beautiful blossoms?

Tip: Check High Park’s website for updates on the cherry blossoms to make sure you visit at the optimal time.

GET TO KNOW THE TORONTO ISLANDS An 8-minute boat ride from Toronto’s harbor brings you to the Toronto Islands. This group of islands is home to a few residents and a couple of marinas. Visi­­tors from the mainland enjoy the beaches, summ­­­er music festivals, Frisbee golf course, and the fresh air—away from the busy metropolis.

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With a beautiful lakefront, Zen garden, dog park and lots of green space, there is no doubt that many turn to Toronto’s High Park for both amusement and sanctuary amidst the urban jungle. From April to May, the public park becomes especially spry with hundreds of tourists and locals eager to catch the fragrant cherry blossoms (a.k.a. sakura) in bloom.

The small islands are connected by bridges, making it quite easy to get around on foot or bike.

There are no cars on the islands so if you’re looking for a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto; this is the perfect spot!

While exploring the islands on land is a treat, discovering the little nooks and facets of the islands from the water offers a unique per­­spec­­tive. There are various boats available for rent in Centre Island. You can choose anything from a canoe, a SUP, a kayak to even a swan pedal boat. For the most flexibility, opt for a SUP or a kayak. Either will allow you to go through more shallow streams of water and even get on and off once in a while. If you’re confident enough, you could even kayak to and from the mainland.

big portion of the festival is ticketed, there are some free live performances at Yonge-Dundas Square.

BEACHES INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL An annual festival in the lakeside neighborhood featuring multiple stages, street performers, food trucks, vendors and more.

KRINOS TASTE OF THE DANFORTH A weekend-long showcase of Greek cuisine and culture spanning throughout the city’s Greektown; it is debatably Canada’s most massive annual street festival, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

BUSKERFEST A festival dedicated to circus artistry, magic and one-ofa-kind entertainment by talented street performers. It is organized by Epilepsy Toronto and is their largest annual fundraiser

ATTEND STREET FESTIVITIES Torontonians take advantage of the amazingly warm summer days so you can expect your pick of outdoor festivals to immerse yourself in.

PEDESTRIAN SUNDAYS IN KENSINGTON MARKET

Being a cultural hotspot, you’ll find a wide array of events centered around the arts, enter­­tain­­ ment and international cuisine. The best part is that a lot of them are free! While there are too many to list, some notable ones include: LUMINATO

Kensington market is arguably Toronto’s most bohemian neighborhood. Here you can find vintage shops, eclectic restaurants and boutiques, multi-cultural food vendors and performers. Every third Sunday of the month, the streets are closed off to cars, and people have free reign! v Wherever you’re from, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in, Toronto.

A multi-art festival highlighting local and international adventurous music, visual and performance art.

NXNE: NORTH BY NORTHEAST A music and art festival that takes place in multi­ple venues throughout the city. Though a

WOW air offers cheap flights to Toronto from Europe all year round. Go to www.wowair.com for flight information and booking.

Get ready for some high times in Toronto. Fly to Canada with WOW air and have some fun!

@aurorareykjavik

AURORA REYKJAVÍK

@aurorareykjavik @aurorareykjavik

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS CENTER

EXPLORE

LEARN

DISCOVER

Can’t catch the Northern Lights?

Don’t worry, we have already done it for you Visit us and enjoy our multimedia exhibition

OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 09:00 - 21:00

Grandagarður 2 - 101 Reykjavík. Near the old harbour.

Tel: (+354) 780 4500 - www.aurorareykjavik.is

Issue two

107

Creative city

A perfect day in Brussels It’s nearly impossible to have a bad meal in Brussels—a city which boasts more Michelin stars per head than many other cities in the world. Speaking with three Belgian celebrities, we learn what inspires a perfect day in their lives with a focus on culinary treats.

Text and photos: Cindy-Lou Dale

Elric Petit, Belgium’s acclaimed interior designer, draws much of his inspiration from the original Art Deco interiors of the Royal Library (Boule­­ vard de l’Empereur 2) while breakfasting on a croissant and coffee. “From my usual table, I look across the city and fall in love with her all over again. Following breakfast, I like to browse at Own (Place du Jardin aux Fleurs) a good de­­sign­er store filled with new names like N.Hooly­­ wood from Japan, Acne and Whyr­­ed from Sweden, and Belgium’s own Atelier 11.

After shopping, I’ll reward my­­­­self with a good French Bordeaux at Le Petit Canon (rue Lesbroussart, 100), a new wine bar in Ixelles. For a simple, tra­­ditional lunch, I’ll head to Le Pigeon Noir, a soulful Michelin-starred restaurant located at the corner of the Rue de la Chenaie and Rue Geleytsbeek.

From there, I like to spend time at L’Archiduc (Antoine Dansaert, 6), a leg­­ end­ary Art Deco style bar known for its art­ists, cocktails and live jazz music. La Paix (Rue Ropsy-Chaudron 49) is a gem of a restaurant attached to a delicatessen.

I get particular satisfaction selecting my choice cut of their meat. I’d take my night-cap at Le Bar du Matin (Chaussee d’Alsemberg, 172) and enjoy their great music.”

FASHION FORWARD On an ideal day, multi award-winning fashion designer, Cathy Pill, would start with freshly-squeezed orange juice and great coffee with some friends on the terrace at Gaudron (Place George Brugmann 3). “Then I would go to the city center and walk through the beautiful stores on the Rue Antoine Dansaert, a fashion slave heaven with designer boutiques crammed into every available space. There, I would definitely go to Stijl

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“For a light lunch, I’d choose a brasserie like Le Passage, under the domed glass roof of the Galerie de la Reine. My afternoon would be devoted to writing and catching up on correspondence. To complete my dream day, I’d like to visit a gallery of fine arts, take in a classical music concert, and have a late dinner with friends at Notos.”

(Dansaert 74), the mecca of contemporary Belgian haute couture to see the new collections. I’d also visit Icon (Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains, 5) to check out their new trends.

“Later, for dinner, I’d go to the Le Macon (Rue Joseph Stallaert 87). It’s roomy, not too pricey, has a great wine cellar and an uncomplicated menu. There, I’d order the world’s best Belgian fries served in a traditional paper bag with homemade mayonnaise. Topping off a perfect day, you’d find me at the Kaai Theatre (Square Sainctelette 20) watching an Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker ballet.”

the many street cafes at Place du Grand Sablon. “The Sablon is threaded with antique shops, old bookstores and art galleries. Here, I’d acquire more of their price­­less objects d’art to decorate my castle in the sky. If I’m feeling particularly rakish, I’ll indulge in a chocolate or two.

After breakfast, I take my Shiba Inu dogs for a walk in Forêt de Soignes—an ex­ tensive forest in the center of Brussels which our former king gave to the city. I keep my dogs on a short leash as they like the deer and might give chase to them or the horses ridden along the paths.

INSPIRING STORIES For Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt—the world’s most read French-language author and playwrite—the perfect day would begin with a croissant and coffee at one of

“For a light lunch, I’d choose a brasserie like Le Passage, under the domed glass roof of the Galerie de la Reine. My afternoon would be devoted to writing and catching up on correspondence. To complete my dream day, I’d like to visit a gallery of fine arts, take in a classical music concert, and have a late dinner with friends at Notos (Rue de Livourne, 154)—a fine dining experience inspired by Greek gastronomy. I’d also like to introduce friends to Ciao, (Rue Joseph Stevens 28)—an intimate Italian restaurant, close to Sablon, filled mostly with locals. The Bocconi in the grand Amigo Hotel (Rue de l’Amigo) is where I like taking my favorite Parisian actresses for dinner. I’ve found many of the characters in my books at these places—join me some time, and who knows, you may spot them too.” v

Beautiful Brussels awaits. Do something different and hop on a WOW flight to Belgium this spring.

WOW air offers cheap flights to Brussels from USA, Canada and Iceland starting next June.

Find your flight on wowair.com

Issue two

109

Maritime London

Down to the docks There is no shortage of tourist staples in London: Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the House of Parliament, but London’s appeal doesn’t lie only in its architectural and cultural treasures. It’s the jaw-dropping views across the city, taking in most of the Big Five landmarks, which are remarkable. Here are five ways to see London’s landmarks, in just 48-hours.

by Caron R. Luteran Photos: iStockphoto.com

Most visitors to London tend to stay in the city’s center as there is plenty to do there; even many locals have not discovered the culturally rich neighborhoods of Southeast London. If you’re in London, what are you waiting for? Just jump on the Jubilee train or the DLR for a fun day of exploring.

CANARY WHARF I started my journey at Canary Wharf, a financial area, where I visited the new Crossrail Place designed by Foster + Partners. You cannot miss this iconic structure with its coolly constructed dome-shaped ceiling and a rooftop area that houses a tropical garden and walk­­­way. Open from dawn’s early light to dusk, inside, you’ll find a diverse choice of restaurants.

I then strolled over to the Museum of London Docklands where I enjoyed free admission to Sailortown and other permanent exhibits. Walking around a replicated ship gave me a good sense of what life was like aboard. The New Port, New City exhibit described the fall and rise of the Docklands area with a vision of the future.

CUTTY SARK AND GREENWICH Hopping onto the DLR, I exited at Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich and took a short walk to the historically acclaimed Cutty Sark tea clipper ship which you can gaze at for free, but if you’d like to enter, there’s an admissions fee. Then, it was on to the Queen’s House to view classical architecture and Inigo Jones’s Tulip Stairs. Its winding staircase is a most lovely and memorable sight to behold.

Next, I set out for Greenwich Park where I climbed up a steep hill in a vast park, perfect for a picnic. Be prepared to see many dogs walking or romping around. At the top, I viewed the meridian line at the Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). It was worth the climb as I was treated to a spectacular view of London.

From there I stumbled into the Green­­ wich Vintage Market which is open every day except Monday and Wednesday.

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Another mode of transportation visi­­tors to the area can choose is the Thames Clipper for a river ride. Use your Oyster Card for a discounted fare and get off at whatever area in London that suits your fancy.

Here dealers sell collectibles, jewelry, furniture and much more.

Then, I took a quick break for lunch at Champagne + Fromage on Green­­ wich Church Street which serves up champagne, cheese boards and charcuterie plates in a relaxed hip sett­­ ing; afternoon tea is available, too. But, if you’d rather, you can try one of the many pubs in the area such as the Gipsy Moth, the Kings Arms, Greenwich Tavern or the Coach & Horses for a traditional roast dinner or some fish & chips with a pint of ale.

A FAN FOR LIFE Paying 4 GBP granted me admission into the Fan Museum which houses a few thousand different fans. The permanent exhibit informs one about the history and production of fans, while the temporary exhibit concentrates on a specific theme. Here, they have fans from all over the world, art deco fans, fixed and folding fans with fans from the last three centuries.

And then it was on to the Royal Docks/ Royal Victoria area for a 10-minute ride on the Emirates Cable Car between there

and North Greenwich. This is a terrific way to take in an aerial view of London.

Another mode of transportation visi­­tors to the area can choose is the Thames Clipper for a river ride. Use your Oyster Card for a discounted fare and get off at whatever area in London that suits your fancy. A weekday ride from Greenwich to Westminster in Central London is about 44 minutes with about 8 other stops before.

Before heading back to Central London, I stopped for a drink at the Good Hotel, an old classic Dutch style floating vess­­el discovered at Royal Victoria Dock. The interior is hip modern casual and you can book rooms from about 65 GBP-220 GBP per night. Their Rooftop Terrace is the real gem, treating guests to scenic views of the River Thames and Canary Wharf.

Going south of London really is the per­­fect way to spend a day in London’s other neighborhoods. v

There so much more to London than boutiques and business. Get on a cheap flight to London and hop on down to the docks.

WOW air offers daily flights to London from USA, Canada and Iceland all year round. Find your connection at wowair.com.

THE ICELANDIC

PENIS MUSEUM We

Dicks!

The Icelandic Phallological Museum is one of the most informative, humorous, and unusual museums in the world.

The world famous “Penis museum” in Reykjavik is the only museum in the world to contain a collection of phallic specimens belonging to all the various types of mammal found in a single country. The founder, Sigurður Hjartarson started the collection 40 years ago and made it first accessible to the public in 1997 with the opening of the museum.

The Icelandic Phallological Museum contains a collection of more than 220 penises and penile parts belonging to all the land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland.

There is also a foreign section that holds more than forty examples and a folklore section that has some twenty pieces on display. All in all, more than 380 biological examples. In addition to the biological section of the museum, visitors can view a collection of about 350 artistic oddments and practical utensils related to the museum’s chosen theme.

The museum is in a 250 square meter location on the upper part of Reykjavik’s main shopping street, Laugavegur, only a 10 minutes walk from the city’s centre.

There is a souvenir corner with a small exclusive selection of things related to the museum’s theme.

Seeing is believing!

No pornography or offensive material in the museum.

Laugavegur 116 • 105 Reykjavík • Tel.: (+354) 561-6663 (+354) 690 3774• phallus@phallus.is • www.phallus.is Opening hours: Summer: Daily from10 am - 6 pm • Winter: Daily from 11 am -6 pm • Next to Hlemmur bus station

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WOW DESTINATIONS

You want more?

WOW! We’ve got so many destinations we don’t have room for articles about all of them. WOW air now has 30 destinations and will continue to add more this winter as well as increase flight frequency to top destinations such as London, Paris and California. You can check out all our flight destinations and low fares at wowair.com.

ALICANTE

COPENHAGEN

FRANKFURT

Warm up by the Mediterranean Sea and taste the best of Spain.

The former capital of Iceland is still a favorite among Icelanders and now’s your chance to find out why.

WOW air now offers cheap flights* to Alicante from Iceland, with available connections from USA and Canada, up to four times a week until the end of October 2017.

WOW air offers daily flights* to Copenhagen, Denmark from USA, Canada and Iceland all year round. Two flights a day on Mondays and Fridays from June 1st until end of October.

Frankfurt am Main, aka “Mainhattan” is Germany’s most cosmopolitan city but that doesn’t mean history isn’t appreciated there. When you visit Frankfurt don’t miss out on the Mosel Valley for a taste of Germany’s best wines. Prost!

AMSTERDAM A city of art, architecture, cool people and canals, and don’t forget windmills, weird wooden shoes and tulips. Amsterdam is a fairytale and a great place to visit.

LONDON London has been on our schedule from the beginning and for good reason. This sprawling metropolis is a popular destination all over the world. It’s sort of like a rite of passage for travelers; you have to visit at least once. And if you’ve already been there you can go the other way from Gatwick airport and visit the beautiful Brighton.

WOW air offers cheap flights* to Amsterdam from USA, Canada and Iceland daily or two times a day, all year round.

DUBLIN Ireland’s capital has become a modern European city without losing the grip on its Irish roots and just a stone’s throw away is the spectacular Irish nature.

BARCELONA Barcelona truly is the perfect destination; tasty tapas, seaside promenades and mind-blowing architecture.

Getting there is the easy part. WOW air offers 2-4 flights a week to Barcelona from Iceland, with available connections from USA and Canada, all year round, except in January and April.

BERLIN The capital of cool and quirky is one of our most popular destinations. With history on every corner, a nightlife scene that truly lives up to its name and great shopping for everyone, Berlin won’t let you down.

Hop onboard. WOW air offers cheap flights* to Berlin, Germany from USA, Canada and Iceland, every day of the week, all year round. Two flights a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 1st until end of October.

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WOW Power to the people

WOW air offers cheap flights* to Frankfurt am Main from USA, Canada and Iceland, every day of the week, all year round.

WOW air flies to Dublin, Ireland from USA, Canada and Iceland, five times a week in April and May and daily from June, all year round.

From June 1st to middle of October, WOW air will offer two flights a day on Sundays and Wednesdays.

WOW air now offers cheap flights* to London from USA, Canada and Iceland, twice a day, every day of the week, all year round.

LYON Experience the gastronomic capital of France with all its history and vibrant cultural scene.

WOW air flies to Lyon four times a week* during the summer, with available connections from USA and Canada.

DÜSSELDORF This great city on the Rhine is famous for its art and culture, luxury fashion and lifestyle.

WOW air flies to Düsseldorf, Germany from Iceland, with available connections from USA and Canada, three times a week until the end of September.

EDINBURGH Enjoy Scottish hospitality, listen to the smooth sounds of bagpipes, swim with the Loch Ness Monster, taste the national dish—haggis—and wash it all down with some fine Scottish whiskey.

We guarantee you’ll get hooked on Scotland!

WOW air now offers up to four flights* a week to Edinburgh from USA, Canada and Iceland.

MILAN Get ready for high fashion and high culture and don’t forget to feast your eyes on da Vinci’s Last Supper.

WOW air flies to Milan, Italy from Iceland, with available connections from USA and Canada, 2-3 times a week from June to September.

ble ub

Glo om

B

y Fred

y

UNIQUE DESIGN FROM A MAGICAL ISLAND

M Ma iss dd

Tulipop is an Icelandic character based lifestyle brand founded in 2010.

The magical island, Tulipop, is inhabited by quirky and playful characters who appeal to all those who are young at heart.

The world comes alive in a variety of high quality products, ranging from collectible vinyl figurines and plush, to lamps, stationary and tableware.

Shop Tulipop in boutiques around Iceland or in the Tulishop at www.tulipop.com.

NEW YORK The most famous city in the world just got a little closer. The Big Apple is perfect for romantic getaways as well as family vacations filled with fun activities. Get into a New York State of mind.

WOW air now offers cheap flights to New York, New York, every day of the week, all year round.

PITTSBURGH

SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco is the cultural, commercial and financial center of Northern California. Well known for its liberal attitude and as the birthplace of the “hippie” counterculture, the Sexual Revolution and the Peace Movement, San Francisco is also home to one of the largest and oldest pride parades and the festivities are truly something to witness and be a part of.

Free your spirit! WOW air offers cheap flights to San Francisco every day of the week from April to the end of October and five times a week during the winter months.

WOW DESTINATIONS

Pittsburgh is fast becoming the city everyone is talking about. With a charming small town feel and friendly atmosphere this big city is a travel destination on the rise.

WARSAW The capital of Poland has some historic charisma and is a great destination if you’re on a budget.

WOW air offers flights to Warsaw from Iceland, with available connections from USA and Canada, two times a week from June 2017.

WOW air will start flying to Pittsburgh in June and offers up to 5 flights* a week until the end of October.

SALZBURG TENERIFE Relaxing on a tropical island sounds like a dream and Tenerife is a dream come true.

WOW air offers two flights a week to Tenerife Sur from Iceland all year round.

Looking for that perfect winter destination?

European ski resorts are known for being budget friendly and the Austrian Alps’ best ski resorts are just a short drive from Salzburg Airport.

Pack your skis; WOW air flies to Salzburg from Iceland once a week from the end of December to the end of February 2018.

The WOW Stopover When flying between North America and Europe take ­advantage of our WOW ­Stopover option.

WASHINGTON, D.C. Are you ready for a monumental trip? Get acquainted with the history of the United States of America and enjoy this great capital.

WOW air offers cheap flights* to Washington, D.C. from Europe, every day of the week, all year round.

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WOW Power to the people

The WOW Stopover allows you to visit Iceland at no additional airfare. It’s kind of like getting two vacations for the price of one.

Find out more at wowair.com

* Note that the availability of connecting flights between USA and Europe may vary depending on the flight frequency to each city.

WOW air connects London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin, Cork, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Lyon, Stockholm, Alicante, Barcelona, Milan, and Warsaw to New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco in the US and Toronto and Montréal in Canada.

THIS AND THAT …

MOSTLY THIS

by Eygló Árnadóttir

Siggi’s skyr

Icelanders hate warning signs so if they put one up they’ve got a good reason. by Eygló Árnadóttir / Photo: iStockphoto.com

Icelandic nature: Respect it and fear it When Mother Nature created Iceland, she was in a mood. If you‘re not careful, you can get hurt or even killed when traveling in the spectacular, yet brutal, Icelandic wilderness. The natural forces should be respected and feared; this is not the place to get reckless. Whether you are traveling on foot or by vehicle, on your own or with an organized group, explore safely. Educate yourself on how to stay safe, follow every safety warning and listen to your guide (Icelanders are a relatively laid-back bunch, so when they shout danger, they mean it). Although your trip’s

backdrop is fascinating, the perfect Instagram travel picture is not worth your life.

The ever-changing weather makes it vital to check the weath­ er forecast regularly, and when driving, you always need to know the road status. For information on road conditions and weather, call 1777 (or +354 522 1100); open 8 am – 4 pm in summer and 6:30 am – 10 pm in winter. Call 1778 for an English answering machine with similar information.

In case of an emergency call 112.

Download the “112 Iceland” app to your phone, where press­­ing one button calls for help while

sending your location by text.

The app also gives you the opportunity to leave “bread­­ crumbs” if you’re going on a hike.

Before venturing into the wild­­erness without professional gui­­dance, leave your travel plan with our heroes at ICE-SAR—the Ice­­landic search and rescue teams. This can be done through the 112 app or at www.safetravel. is. In case something happens on your trip, thousands of highly trained volunteers will then have the necessary information to start the search and rescue. www.safetravel.is

Salt of the earth A tiny sea salt farm in the Westfjords of Iceland, Saltverk, uses geothermal heat to evaporate the pure seawater taken from Ísafjörður fjord and is probably the world’s only 100% sustainable salt farm. Every salt flake is hand harvested, dried and packaged by the artisan Icelandic salt makers.

Saltverk produces six kinds of salts and four of them were awarded last year at the Great Taste 2016 Awards by the Guild of Fine Food in the UK. The Licorice Salt and Arctic Thyme Salt were each

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WOW Power to the people

awarded two gold stars, and the Flaky Sea Salt and Birch Smoked Salt got one star each (the two left are Lava Salt and Seaweed Salt).

Saltverk flavored salts are available at Keflavík Airport and many souvenir shops around Reykja­ vík and their unflavored Flake Salt can be found in most grocery stores. You can find Saltverk on Facebook and Instagram, and their webpage www.saltverk.com offers recipes for each unique type of salt.

Few foods are more Icelandic than the dairy product skyr, as it has been a part of Icelandic cuisine for over a thousand years. Sigurður Kjartan Hilmarsson (aka Siggi) has lived in Manhattan since 2002. He was missing the Icelandic skyr, so his mother faxed him an old recipe. His skyr-making hobby eventually turned into a business where he introduced Americans to the old Nordic delicacy. In 2006, Siggi quit his job on Wall Street and founded The Icelandic Milk and Skyr Corporation in New York. Siggi’s dairy products are now sold in over 25,000 stores in every state of the US. Since last fall, they have been available at Starbucks, ensuring the company a 2% market share of all US yogurt sales. Siggi’s two factories produce over 30 kinds of skyr and yogurt in 13 different flavors, the most popular one being the basic “Siggi’s Skyr.” Although skyr is traditionally eaten with sugar and cream, Siggi promotes healthy sugar-free dairy products— which taste just as good.

Eggcellent chocolate Icelanders take their holidays seriously.

With five days of feasts and fun, Easter is no exception. What first and foremost symbolizes this season are the delicious Easter Eggs (páskaegg), made from very sweet Icelandic milk choco­ late. The eggs come in various sizes, from a reasonable snack size to the ones that will take you days to eat.

Over one million choco­­ Photo: Courtesy of Noi Sirius late eggs are made for each Easter (for a population of 330,000—you do the math). The eggs are mostly eaten on Easter Sunday morning, often after frantically searching the home or yard were they’ve been hidden the night before. Every egg is filled with sweets such as licorice, toffees and jelly beans (just in case a chocolate egg the size of your head won’t suffice). An Easter egg also contains an Icelandic proverb. Traditionally every family member announces their saying, foll­owed by a discussion on whether it hit the nail on the head.

If you are staying in Iceland for Easter, please note the closing times. Most businesses close on Holy Thursday, and pretty much everything is closed on Easter Sunday and Good Friday. The Saturday in between has regular opening hours and although Easter Monday is also a bank holiday, many facilities stay open.

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THIS AND THAT …

MOSTLY THIS

Go Svala!

Iceland’s first Michelin Star!

Last February, Dill Restaurant became the first and only Icelandic restaurant to hold a Michelin Star. Dill Restaurant has received great acclaim in both Iceland and internationally, and has received vari­ous awards and nominations. On numerous occasions Dill has been chosen the best restaurant in Ice­­land, by White Guide Nordic and Nordic Prize, to name a couple. Dill builds on Icelandic traditions and Nordic ideology, and uses only the best and purest of Icelandic ingredients. Head Chef Ragnar Eiríksson accept­­ed the prestigious award on Dill’s behalf in Stockholm and says that this shows that it only tak­­es a small restaurant seating 20-30 people to draw the attention to Reykjavik as a world-class food destination.

Dill Restaurant is located at Hverfisgata in central Reykjavík. The interior design of the restaurant has also gained a lot of attention and was nominated for the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in 2015.

WOW! Congratulations Dill!

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Since 1986, Iceland has partici­­pated in the 60-years­runn­ing Euro­­ vision Song Contest. The nati­on never fails to take the contest seri­­ously, and usually del­­ivers the largest viewing share of all 42 participating Euro­­­ pean countries (national competitions are tiny countries’ weak spot).

Each year, Iceland is confident of winning this friendly contest, and a few times we even came close. The representing act is chosen at a televised national competition, where both a jury and viewers at home decide upon the winner. After spending almost 32 million ISK (approx. 300,000 USD) on telephone voting, Icelanders chose singer/song­­writer Svala Björgvinsdóttir to Photo: Jeaneen Lund represent them this year, with her song “Paper.” Svala is no stranger to the Icelandic music scene, having scored her first number one hit at the age of 9. She is the daughter of one of the country’s most beloved pop star Björgvin Halldórsson, aka Bo—who represented Iceland at the 1995 Eurovision song contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Kiev, Ukraine, on May 9th, 11th and 13th. Chances are you won’t see many residents of Ice­­ land around on those nights since 95% of the Icelandic population usu­­ally watches the competition. If you’re in Iceland at the time, try to snag an invite to one of the many parties going on—but obviously not if you’re planning on rooting for anyone else!

President against pineapple Iceland’s new president, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson usually makes the headlines for humanitarian causes and has grown to be a very popular president in his few months in office. Recently his solid position took a tumble when the president took a decisive stand in one of the country’s most heated debates. A carefree Q&A at a local high school suddenly turned serious when President Guðni was questioned on his stand on the fundamental issue: Does fruit belong on a pizza?

The president announced that he was opposed to putting chopped pineapple on a perfectly edible pizza and even took it so far as stating that if he had the power to pass laws on his own, he would ban pineapple as a pizza topping.

Word of his controversial opinion quickly spread across the internet, dividing the whole nation. Eventually, the president had to make a public statement on the pizza controversy, withdrawing his earlier words.

The president now says he has no interest in the power to ban his personal dislikes, but only time will tell if the nation can ever be united again.

#teamgudni As we all know only mad people put pineapple on their pizza.

THIS AND THAT …

MOSTLY THIS

by Eygló Árnadóttir

Gunni strikes again The Icelandic MMA fighter, Gunnar Nelson, keeps winning hearts, minds and muscl­­es since signing a multi-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Champion­­ship in July 2012. He was the first Icelander to fight at UFC, and quickly put him­­self on the map with the top names in the welterweight Photo: Kristinn Magnússon division.

After nearly a yearlong layoff, Gunni returned to the Octagon on March 18th to defeat Alan Jouban at the O2 Arena in London. He once again put his dangerous skillset on display and earned a submission victory over Jouban only seconds into the second round, making it his 16th win. Gunni’s striking skills to augment his lethal ground game has made him a force to be reckoned with.

Instead of pound­ing on his opponent, Gunnar aimed for a fight-ending guillotine choke where his competitor saw no alternative to a submissive tap. His calm and humble demeanor also stands out in a crowd of tough guys, securing his fast grow­ing fan base and the loudest cheers. Go Gunni!

Frozen On February 27th, the resi­­dents of Reykjavík city woke up to find their cars and bikes, driveways and yards missing. The capital was covered by a blank­­et of snow, the thickest seen in 80 years. Snow depth that morning was a whopping 51 cm (20 in), 4 cm less than the previous record from 1937 (21.6 in). This was the deepest snow ever to be recorded in the month of February. Snowfall seldom has an impact on daily life in Reykjavík but half a meter of snow will hardly go unnoticed. Due to the snow, all roads lead­­ing out of the city were shut down.

It took most of the day to clear streets and sidewalks and no buses ran until late in the afternoon.

Some commuters ventured out on the snow covered streets, keeping rescue workers busy. Thankfully this was a Sunday morning, so few workplaces were affected by the fact that very few people were able to

Photo: Kristinn Magnússon

Ásgeir Trausti returns Finally, the amazing musician Ásgeir is back, with a second album and a European tour following the day after its release. His first album, Dýrð í dauðaþögn, was released in 2012, and an English version, In the Silence, a year later (although many fans outside Iceland prefer the original lyrics). It made the 20-year-old singer/song­­writ­­ er an overnight sensation, breaking all

Fresh Icelandic fusion

leave their homes. Normal Sunday activities, such as masses and theater shows had to be cancelled and most resi­­dents spent that beautiful sunny day digging out their cars and clearing their driveways in hop­­es of getting to work the next morning. A few ended up in emergency rooms after pull­­ing muscles or exhausting themselves shoveling, but mostly the freshly fallen snow had a positive effect with people gett­­ing plenty of fresh air and de­­lighted children sledding down the slopes.

Sushi Social offers a deliciously unique take on homegrown ingredients, fusing Iceland’s freshest flavors with Japanese and South American influences.

This was the view from the editor in chief’s balcony on that gorgeous Sunday morning.

records to become Iceland’s fastestselling debut album by a domestic artist.

His new and highly anticipated album, Afterglow, will be released on May 5th, but Ásgeir recently released his second single from the album. With his song, “Stardust,” Ásgeir wanted to experiment with various sounds and production details to make a fun pop song. The lyrics, written by musician Högni Egilsson (although Ásgeir’s father writes lyrics to some of the new songs just like on the first album), are about the distress that takes hold when you are stuck in the lust and ecstasy brought on by being in love. The two singles, “Stardust” and “Unbound,” are available on Spotify.

Tickets to the upcoming tour are sold at Ásgeir’s website www.asgeirmusic.com and going quickly, so hurry!

The menu offers a great selection; tempting smaller courses, “Juicy- Sushi”, amazing steaks and sweet desserts.

Our kitchen is open 17.00–23.00 sun.–thu.

17.00–24.00 fri.–sat.

Sushi Social Þingholtsstræti 5 • 101 Reykjavík Tel 568 6600 • sushisocial.is

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THIS AND THAT …

MOSTLY THIS

by Eygló Árnadóttir

Guess what’s for dinner …

Stone’s throw away

The annual Reykjavík Food & Fun Festival invites chefs from USA and Europe to team up with local restaurants to create gourmet menus at affordable prices in a friendly competition.

Celebrity chef judges are asked to rate the food, and three chefs are chosen as finalists to compete for the title of Food and Fun Chef of the Year. The festival has gained worldwide recognition, attracting chefs and food lovers from all over the world. It was held for the 16th time this March. The guest chefs are required to use only Icelandic material for the centerpieces of their dishes, but the world renowned US chef, Julian Medina, wanted to include a food commonlly eaten in parts of his native country, Mexico, by adding grasshoppers to his menu.

Icelandic laws ban insects being imported for consumption, so the city’s health institute had to step in and stop the chef from offering the creatures on the menu. Sadly, we might never know how Icelandic cuisine and insects go together. Oh well, back to fresh seafood then.

Marking your stay is nothing new among travelers.

Various spots around the world each have a tradition in the way guests leave their imprint. In Iceland, this mark has often been in the shape of a cairn (varða). In the old times, these stone pillars were built to mark routes between places before there were roads to guide people on their travels. They were placed close enough together so that standing at one, the next was in sight, saving countless lives in bad weather.

In our time the building of cairns is not encouraged, although it depends on the location. Recently it has be­­come popular among tourists to build cairns on the pebble beach close to Harpa Music Hall. While the aest­­hetics don’t please everyone (some compare it to ugly graffiti), the pillars are harmless to nature when built on a beach with loose pebbles. However, removing rocks from the terrain, leaving scars in the land, is a whole other story. Close to the Þingvellir National Park,

Close that gap!

If approved, new laws will make Iceland the first country in the world to mandate businesses to prove they offer their employees the same pay for the same work. Every company with 25 or more staff would need to demonstrate equal pay to all employees “regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality or nationality,” and undergo certification every three years to ensure they follow the rules. Already having bound in law a minimum 40% quota for women on

tour­­ists started building cairns that eventually had to be knock­­ed down. This tourist hobby was spoiling the area that has now been fenced with warning signs put up. So before building one, take a moment to think if your cairn might damage the unspoiled nature you flew in to see.

Cairns are usually not cool.

boards of larger companies, the Icelandic parliament is nearly equally divided between male and female lawmakers. Iceland has been ranked the best country in the world for gender equality by the World Economic Forum for eight years running, but still Icelandic women earn on average 14-18% less than men. The bill has some opposition from those who say it represents unnecessary bureaucracy, but as our minister of social affairs, Þorsteinn Víglundsson says, “In the fight against injustice, you have to dare to be bold.”

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Heartstone Heartstone (Hjartasteinn) was recently awarded Best Film of the Year, by the Icelandic Film and Television Academy at the National Edda Awards. The film is set in a remote fishing village in Iceland, where the sun shines for a long time in the summer and a short time in the winter, in a natural environment full of contrasts. It tells a story about two teenage boys and their turbulent summer, as one tries to win the heart of a girl while the other discovers new feelings toward his best friend. The film analyzes the acceptance of homosexual feelings and passions while discovering how nature and people can be both amazingly beautiful and incredibly cruel.

Having already bagged 13 top prizes at international movie festivals, it was no surprise that the film took home ten national film prizes at the Edda Awards last February, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Heartstone is Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson’s first feature and is not to be missed by anyone.

“Nice experience with Salka whale watching”

1o:oo

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Hey

look!

WHAT’S GOING ON OVER HERE? Quite a lot actually, and if you know where to go you can live each night in Iceland like there’s a full blown festival going on.

Photos: From respective events

A movie lover’s paradise Located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, Bio Paradis is a nonprofit organization run

by Iceland’s professional filmmaking guilds. Screening the latest art house releases from all around the world, as well as cult films and Icelandic films, it is Iceland’s first and only art house cinema. The theater provides a warm, cozy environment for film lovers of all kinds—both in its three-screen theater and its well-stocked bar.

Located in Hverfisgata 54, 101 Reykjavik.

Events in April and May WHAT: Happy Hour WHEN: Every day from 5 – 7 pm No need to explain, happy hour means the same in Iceland as everywhere else.

WHAT: Polish Film Days WHEN: April 8-9 Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Reykjavik in cooperation with Bíó Paradis, the Polish Film Days will be held for the sixth time in April. The opening film is Afterimage (Powidoki), a 2016 drama directed by Andrzej Wajda.

WHAT: Friday Night Party Screenings WHEN: Almost every Friday at 8 pm Almost every Friday Bíó Paradís offers a screening of a well-known film that has in one way or another become a classic, especially among a certain generation. Among films screened have been Clueless, A Clockwork Orange and Hair. On April 14 Bíó Paradís will screen The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and on April 21 they’ll screen Almost Famous.

Make sure to follow bio paradis on Facebook or go to www.bioparadis.is to see what’s on for next Friday night.

WHAT: Black Sundays WHEN: Every Sunday at 8 pm Each Sunday evening a special team of experts—the cartoonist/comedian Hugleikur Dagsson, the renowned author Sjón and the screenwriter/ comedian/musician Sigurjón Kjartansson—offer a screening of one or more cult classics. Check out their Facebook page to see what’s showing this Sunday! www.facebook.com/SvartirSunnudagar

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WHAT: Points of View exhibition WHERE: Reykjavik Culture House on Hverfisgata WHEN: Ongoing At the Culture House, the exhibition Points of View—a journey through the visual world of Iceland is on permanent view. It provides a unique journey through Iceland’s visual legacy, offering an innovative guide to a nation’s cultural history. The exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to view the collections of six major Icelandic cultural institutions simultaneously: The National Museum of Iceland, National Gallery of Iceland, the Ice­­landic Muse­­ um of Natural History, the National Archives of Iceland, the National and University Library of Iceland and the Árni Magnússon Insti­­­tute of Icelandic Studies.

Artworks of various styles and mediums are presented thematically alongside museum objects and archival materials such as books and maps. The large historic building housing the exhibition dates back to the year 1909 and is widely consid­­ ered one of Iceland’s most beautiful buildings. The exterior is quite impressive, but a visit inside to view the interior should not be missed.

Think carved stone pillars, original oak furniture and black-and-white tiled marble floors. The exhibition provides plenty of fun educational activities for children and their families. The Culture House is a part of the Nati­­onal Museum of Iceland - www.nationalmuseum.is.

WHAT: Reykjavik Blues Festival WHEN: 8-13 April WHERE: Hilton Reykjavik Nordica Hotel In keeping with tradition, there will be three evening concerts at the Hilton Reykjavík Nordica during the week before Easter, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The official after hours Blues Club will be at the Hilton Reykjavík Nordica following the three main stage concerts. This is a hotspot where anything can happen and guests are sure to enjoy great enter­­tainment far into the late night hours.

Performing will be legendary blues artists such as The KK Band, Berklee Blues Band and Andrea’s Bluesmen. Tickets are sold at the door from 7 pm at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica and at midi.is.

The Reykjavik Blues Festival will officially begin with a “Blues Day” on Saturday, April 8, on Skólavörðurstígur Street in down­­ town Reykjavik, setting the tone for the festival with live blues, barbe­­ cued chicken wings, bacon and hot dogs from 2-4 pm. www.blues.is

WHAT: Neema WHEN: April 15 Where: Café Rosenberg, Klapparstigur 27, Reykjavik Outstanding singer/songwriter NEEMA hails from Montreal in Canada where her fellow Canadian, Leonard Cohen co-produced her first album and mentored her through the early stages of her career. The Ottawa Sun even called her “Cohen’s musical heir.”

Café Rosenberg is a jazzy little joint in down­­town Reykjavik and one of the city’s most popular live music venues. If you’re looking for live music in Reykja­­ vik this is the place to go.

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All the watches are designed and assembled by hand in Iceland. Only highest quality movements and materials are used to produce the watches and every single detail has been given the time needed for perfection.

Issue two www.jswatch.com

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WHAT’S GOING ON OVER HERE?

WHAT: Reykjavik Kabarett WHEN: April 26, 27 and 28 at 8:30 pm WHERE: Græna Herbergi (The Green Room), Lækjargata 6a, 101 Reykjavik

WHAT: Mugison WHERE: Various dates in May and June WHEN: Around Iceland Legendary folk musician Mugison and his band will be touring Iceland from May 18 to June 3 following his latest album Enjoy!, released late last year. Known for his powerful and sincere stage performance, you can be sure Mugison will give his all at every concert.

Mugison will perform on multiple dates in Reykjavik and Akureyri and also take the stage in Grindavik, the Westman Islands, Selfoss and Borgarnes

Hilariously naughty yet sophisti­­ cated and bound to make you happi­­ er than you’ve felt for a long time, the amazing Reykjavik Kabarett is back for the third time featuring Miss Mokki, Lady Hringaná, Maísól and Nadia along with a selection of foreign guests. From New York, James and Camille Habacker, Sabrina Chap will make an appearance and all the way from London, the dangerous Sophia Disgrace.

Only 80 tickets are available for each show and guests must be 20 years or older.

Go tix.is for more information on tickets, venues and dates.

Find tickets at tix.is

if you dance and sweat and get a little muddy there’s no reason to stay that way for the whole festival; you can go freshen up, shower and recharge in the geothermal waters before taking in more music.

WHAT: Secret Solstice WHEN: 16-18 June WHERE: Laugardalur Valley, Reykjavik The fantastic music festival known as Secret Solstice will return to Laugar­ dalur Valley for the fourth time this year.

The festival has been growing from year to year, showcasing both local talents and world-renowned artists from almost every genre but with a focus on pop and electronic music.

This year’s headliners will be Foo Fighters and The Prodigy but other big names include Rick Ross, Big Sean, Chaka Khan, Richard Ashcroft, Foreign Beggars and Kerri Chandler.

Held in the middle of Reykjavik during the summer solstice (that means the sun doesn’t set), there is no music festival more conveniently located than this one. It’s a short walk to downtown Reykjavik and many hotels are nearby but for that true outdoors music festival experience Reykjavik’s official campsite is also in Laugardalur Valley and so is Laugardalslaug, the largest public swimming pool in Reykjavik. So, even

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WHAT: Goldengang’s StandUp Comedy in English WHEN: Every Tuesday at 8:30 pm WHERE: Græna Herbergi (The Green Room), Lækjargata 6a, 101 Reykjavik For the last two years, Goldengang Comedy has slowly, but surely, taken over the local English comedy racket. Every week in downtown Reykjavik, a wretched hive of scum and villainy—hungry comedians, duel it out for laughter and beer.

Now it’s time to bring out the fiercest killers, those who’ve honed their weapons the longest on barflies and belly laughers. They call these elite joke slingers and chuckle thugs: The Goonsquad.

Every Tuesday night Goldengang Comedy will showcase the finest comedians Iceland has to offer, in English, at the Green Room. Each show is about an hour and every week sports a brand new line-up!

Photo: Wikipedia Festivalsommer, Photographer Jonas Rogowski

WHAT: Rammstein WHEN: May 20 at 8 pm WHERE: Kórinn, Kópavogur (capital area) German heavy-rock band Rammstein is returning to Iceland for the first time since 2001. Since then, Rammstein has evolved from being an underground band for the eccentric to one of the most popular rock bands of the world. This concert in Kórinn, the biggest venue available in Iceland, will pull out all the stops in a way that’s never before seen here.

Rammstein is known for its intense performance and when this issue went to print only a handful of tickets were left.

Go to tix.is to see if there are still tickets.

WHAT: Eistnaflug Rock Festival WHEN: 5-8 July WHERE: Neskaupsstadur, East Iceland

Photos: Gaui H Pic

Eistnaflug, aka The Flying Testicle Festival, has been held annually, during the second weekend in July, since 2005 in Neskaupsstaður, East Iceland. Its main focus is heavy metal, rock and other indie/rock music. The biggest festival of its kind in Iceland, it more than doubles the population of Neskaupsstaður when festival visitors and metalheads sweep into the small town.

The Eistnaflug Festival has come a long way since it was first held as a party event for a few bands and their friends. That first time, the bands and all the visitors fit into one bus. For the last couple of years, the festival has attracted various kinds of metal and other rock fans and bands totaling some 2000-2500 attendees, both Icelanders and foreign visitors, in 2016.

The festival’s expansion has made it possible to offer internationally known bands, and in 2010, the festival went on full blast with the appearance of one of the flagships of extreme metal, the British grindcore band Napalm Death. Since then, the festival has been aiming high and for the last two years, they’ve had many international bands including Behemoth, Kvelertak, Carcass, Opeth, Marduk, Melechesh, Perturbator and Meshuggah. This summer, things will also be ambitious. Some of the bands already announced are Neurosis, Bloodbath, Anaal Nathrakh, Dillinger Escape Plan and many more. The Icelandic heavy metal scene is proudly presented at the festival. The big three this year are Sólstafir, Dimma and Skálmöld. Also, one of the best bands in the Icelandic black metal scene, Misþyrming, Auðn and Zhrine, all of whom have made a name for themselves around the world, will perform. The biggest focus of the festival is the heavy and hard part of the music scene, but at Eistnaflug, they also show diversity by having indie and pop music from Iceland including the Icelandic king of disco Paul Oscar. Therefore, it is guaranteed that every music lover will find something to suit his or her taste.

It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, how you dress or look, you will find common ground in the spirit of metal and friendship celebrating great music at the Eistnaflug Festival.

Check out the schedule at eistnaflug.is and remember the festival’s motto: IDIOTS NOT ALLOWED!

Varma is dedicated to maintaining Icelandic tradition in developing, designing and manufacturing quality garments and accessories from the best Icelandic wool and sheepskin shearling.

www.arnartr.com

Varma is available in various tourist shops around Iceland

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ARIES

LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER - 23 OCTOBER

Over Easter, you enter a love triangle with your hot neighbor and a basket of chocolates from your boss. Obviously, you’ll choose the chocolates, and you won’t regret it for a minute.

2017 is the year of the Libras. Enjoy it while it lasts, Scorpios are next and they will ruin all of your good work.

21 MARCH - 19 APRIL

TAURUS 20 APRIL - 20 MAY Your day will be filled with laughter and attention. You enjoy it so much that you don’t even mind when you find that crude note taped to your back.

GEMINI 21 MAY - 21 JUNE The stars have a clear message for you: Don’t run with scissors! They applaud your multitasking skills, but jogging and scrapbooking should be separate hobbies.

CANCER 22 JUNE - 22 JULY Tired of hearing that nice guys finish last, you enter the Iron Man contest to prove everyone wrong. In a middle of a race, you hop off your bike to help out an old lady and actually do finish last. You score cookies, though.

LEO 23 JULY - 22 AUGUST Your spring cleaning goes haywire and you end up with pink and yellow kitchen cabinets. You love them until October when you realize how awful they go with Halloween decorations.

VIRGO 23 AUGUST - 22 SEPTEMBER

SCORPIO 24 OCTOBER - 21 NOVEMBER Scorpios always get a bad rep. You fight for redemption and organize a Scorpio rally. No one else shows up since they’re all busy tormenting people. You befriend the Cancers.

SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER - 21 DECEMBER After a long period of bad luck, you decide to burn sage. Only finding parsley, you end up cooking. Now you have pasta… bad period over.

CAPRICORN 22 DECEMBER - 19 JANUARY Saturn makes you fearless this month and you head to the tattoo parlor. On your way there, you remember a Walking Dead marathon is starting, so you turn around.

One crazy thing at a time.

AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY - 18 FEBRUARY In a world of lions and sharks, you’re a baby panda. When you feel like the under­ dog, just keep in mind that there isn’t a person alive that wouldn’t hug you for hours.

PISCES 19 FEBRUARY - 20 MARCH You have no faith in horoscopes, so why would we tell you anything?

No matter how cold it gets on your trip, stepping in a hot spring to warm up is a bad idea. You will end up in the hospital and the cute doctor will be married. Buy warm socks.

Disclaimer: This horoscope is total and utter nonsence. Any accuracies, real or imagined by readers, are purely incidental.

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WOW SUDOKU BUT HOW DO I DO IT?

REALLY, REALLY BORED? HERE ARE A FEW SUDOKUS TO MAKE TIME FLY.

The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: Each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?

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THE TRAVELING INQUISITION

WHERE BODY MEETS MIND If the words; gluten free, sugar-free, vegetarian and vegan, float your boat, Yogafood Café is the rest­ aurant for you. Health guru Þorbjörg Hafsteinsdóttir opened her super healthy restaurant to nurture her passionate interest in the human body, creating a place where mind and matter meet.

by Eygló Árnadóttir Photos: Martin Dyrlöv Madsen

Being a registered nurse, a nutritional therapist, a life coach and a yoga teacher; Þorbjörg should know that Yogafood’s products are perfect balance between body and soul. Although she’s completely gluten free and Icelandic, Þorbjörg lived in Denmark for 35 years. For mostly sugar-free. 90% of the many years she had a little shop and café in Copen­­ food is vegetarian and vegan. hagen selling 100% organic foods such as spices, oils In the true yoga spirit, the and herbal teas, homemade cakes and sand­­wiches. restaurant’s aim is to cause no According to Þorbjörg, buying organic is a lot easier in harm—neither through eating Denmark with a bigger and much cheaper selection the food or producing it. than is available in Iceland. “In Den­­mark, even those without particular health goals still often buy organic products since the price is the same,” she says. Although the concept is constantly growing, Yogafood is Þorbjörg’s contribution to Iceland’s healthy restaurant scene.

THE PERFECT BALANCE What led Þorbjörg to open her new restaurant in central Reykjavík was her passionate interest in the human body, its design and function, and in how food plays a part in maintaining the perfect balance. Yogafood’s products are completely gluten free and mostly sugar-free. 90% of the food is vegetarian and vegan. In the true yoga spirit, the restaurant’s aim is to cause no harm—neither through eating the food or producing it. “Many become vegetarian and vegan because of animal rights idealism,” Þorbjörg says, “but if you don’t care about how other ingredients are made, not eating meat doesn’t really cut it.”

“Many become vegetarian and vegan because of animal rights idealism,” Þorbjörg says.

DIVING AROUND THE WORLD Þorbjörg, who spends most of her time in her two beloved home countries, Denmark and Iceland, also loves to travel the world and lived in Algeria for two years. “I like driving, sailing or flying long distances. Once, I drove through Europe to Morocco where I spent a long time at each stop”, says Þorbjörg who also praises solo traveling. “Traveling with family and friends is wonderful, but there are other benefits to traveling alone. You might face challenging situations that seem too tough at first but if you’re willing to perservere, you can end up with amazing experiences.” Þorbjörg is a licensed diver and often chooses her travel destinations based on diving opportunities. She dove in places such as Zanzibar, Thailand, the Caribbean and Sri Lanka, and stayed on a boat in the Maldives for three weeks for the sole purpose of diving three times a day. Next, up is diving in Iceland.

Although she considers herself lucky with still quite a bit of Ice­­­­land left to explore, she tries to head west to Hornstrandir every summer. “My family comes from Hornstrandir and it is my favor­ite place in the whole world. I walk and hike the entire time.

Not­h­ing beats walking around; it’s the highest form of yoga.” v

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dress code iceland

w w w. c i n t a m a n i . i s cintamani_iceland cintamani.iceland cintamani.is

bankastræti

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aðalstræti

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austurhraun

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smáralind

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kringlan

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akureyri

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WOW Power to the people – Visit our stores: Skólavörðustígur & Kringlan, Reykjavík. Hafnarstræti, Akureyri. Geysir, Haukadalur. geysir.com –