Word for the Travel Wise (03/24/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

In one of Neil’s posts earlier today he points out two things to
remember about Iceland. The first is how exceedingly expensive travel within the country can be and secondly how it’s
well worth digging deep into your pockets to pull out the very last of your Krona, pocket change, chewing gum, and
those little lent-like balls that form from doing laundry. Even if he didn’t say it exactly like that I’m sure that’s
what he had in mind and with Iceland still ranking pretty high on my own list of places to get to I often question what
I would exchange or give to experience this small piece of heaven on Earth?

Today’s word is an Icelandic word used in Iceland:

himnaríki – heaven
Last time I hit you with a word from
the lingo I mentioned nature in Iceland (specifically the highlands)
being under a major attack and from the looks of it the destruction is still taking place. If you care even a little
you’ll want to check out what has many of the citizens in a fit.

In the meantime and from afar we will work
on our vocab. Háskóli Íslands, one of the universities offers an excellent free starter course to learning Icelandic. Pictures, text, and audio
for sample conversations are included. European Youth Portal points out
other sources of study within the country and distance learning. I’ve met several speakers with My Language Exchange.

Past Icelandic words: söngkona/söngvari

(Un)affordable Iceland

by Neil Woodburn on

There are two topics I regularly post about on Gadling: budget travel and Iceland.  Unfortunately, they are
mutually exclusive. 

Iceland is one of the most expensive places I’ve ever traveled.  It is also one of the most fascinating
and well worth every Krona I spent while there.  Thomas Wagner of the Associated Press agrees.  A recent article of his praises this
amazing country—its warmish February weather, hot springs, snowmobiling, dog sledding and horse rides—while
lamenting over the high cost of food, drink, accommodations and simply getting from point A to B. 

I was dismayed, however, to discover amongst his complaints that he spent $116 on a 45 minute taxi ride from the
airport to his hotel.  I did the same on a very clean and very nice airport shuttle bus for $10.  He also got
corralled into a $44 trip from his hotel to the famous Blue Lagoon hot springs.  There are also much cheaper
options of doing so that involve public transport or other hotel shuttle busses that are more affordable. 

Although expensive places will always be expensive, there are always corners to cut to make things a little more
affordable.  No one should EVER pay $116 for a taxi ride and then complain about the cost.  There are ALWAYS
cheaper alternatives no matter what airport you fly into. 

 

One Day in Iceland

by Erik Olsen on

Say you’re on your way across the pond and you
somehow ended up with a full-day’s layover in Iceland.
What do you do? Well, that’s a fine question .And we have an
answer for you. Jump in an expensive cab or a bus and head into the city of Reykjavik. And once you’re there, we
urge you to check out the Blue Lagoon. This geothermal pool is a quick ride from the airport and offers you the
relaxing opportunity to soak in warm, mineral laden waters heated by Mother Earth herself. Then, take a stroll through
the city, checking out the city center and grabbing a quick joe at Mokka Kaffi, one of the city’s famous cafes. Immerse
yourself in some culture at the National Gallery of Art, see some sweet photos at the Museum of Photography, and then
grab a Icelandic meal at Sjavarkjallarinn, which serves traditional fare like salmon and reindeer. All this can be done
easily with the purchase of the Reykjavik Tourist Card
which includes admission to many of the city’s main attractions and costs a mere $15.50. So there you have it. A
day in Iceland.

Iceland Essentials

by Neil Woodburn on

Sometimes
the very best travel articles are simply those which give you the facts and then move on—where to stay, where to
eat, what to see, how to get there, where to shop.  After I’m won over on a destination, this is exactly the
type of information I’m looking for.
 
So, if you are one of the lucky few to have drank the
Icelandic Kool-Aid and are planning a trip to Reykjavik in the near future, take a moment to read through this
informative New York Times article detailing the essentials.  It may not be sexy
enough to convince non-believers that Iceland is very much worth your time, but it will provide a logistical snapshot
for those with tickets already in hand. 

 

Food and Fun Festival, Iceland Style

by Neil Woodburn on

What could possibly be wrong with a “Food and Fun” festival?  Doesn’t the title itself sum
up all you really need in life?  What in the world could be better than an entire festival celebrating food
fun?

Well, I’m going to lose a handful of you when I mention where it is being held: Iceland.

The 5th annual Icelandic Food and Fun Festival kicks off on February 22nd,
in the capital of Reykjavik.  A number of local chefs participate in the festival where they are limited to
preparing dishes made solely from Icelandic ingredients.  This doesn’t mean plate after plate of arctic cod
either.  Iceland has a unique culinary heritage
which only a cold, North Atlantic island can give rise to.  Now, here’s the part where I will lose even more
of you.  Iceland is well known for maximizing their limited food resources and creating such wild dishes as
smoked puffin, dung-smoked lamb, sheep heads, pickled ram testicles, and their most famous culinary masterpiece, rotten shark meat that has been left to decompose for six months
and traditionally downed with Brennivín, a
potato-based schnapps drink more commonly referred to as Black Death. 

But don’t let this scare you off.  Reykjavik has wonderful restaurants and I ate quite well while visiting there a
few years ago.  The food is unbelievably fresh (except for the shark) and the quality outstanding.  Very few
restaurants even offer the above mentioned culinary um… challenges. 

As for the Food and Fun Festival, you should still go.  I guarantee that you will love the food and definitely have fun as well—despite
the festival being held during winter in a country located just below the Arctic Circle that has very odd food customs
indeed.