Lögberg-Heimskringla - 26.07.1996, Blaðsíða 6

6 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 26, juli 1996
Travel with a difference
By Michael J. Kissane
celand’s unique natural and cultur-
al riches are attractions which ap-
peal to more visitors every year. As
the travel calendar lengthens, the op-
tions diversify even more. Icelandic
tour operators stand strong in a very
competitive travel market where inno-
vation, quality and value price are im-
portant. Both charters, and to a grow-
ing extent, smaller groups and individ-
uals are sure to find something spe-
cial— from memorable whale-watch-
ing trips to adventure tours or fasci-
nating cultural programs.
As expected, major tour operators
have new offerings for ‘96. Samvinn-
Travel’s Iceland Symphony is a hotel
tour lasting 13 days which features fa-
mous sights, geology, flora and fauna.
Their Star Trekking tour is a varied
activities tour suitable for all ages.
Úrval-Útsýn’s Altered Images is a
seven-day excursion with an easy look
at the country shaped by the dynamic
forces of nature.
In addition, the Iceland Tourist Bu-
reau can readily arrange itineraries
which appeal to the culturally inclined
and the new Vesturlands Tourist Bu-
reau has listings which appeal to those
with special interests such as the
sagas.
The following are just a few of the
recreational opportunities offered this
year.
Whale-watching is a popular activi-
ty available from at least three ports in
Iceland during the months of June to
September. Trained guides, speaking
either English or German, accompany
most trips, and refreshments are avail-
able on board as well. As always dur-
ing these tours, passenger safety and
comfort are priority one.
The oak vessel Knörrinn sails from
the northem town of Husavík out to
Skájlafandi bay on four-hour whale-
watching tours. It is quite common to
see humpback whales here and in-
deed, in most waters of Iceland’s con-
tinental shelf.
In the summer, off the southwest’s
Reykjanes peninsula, tours leave Ke-
flavík or Grindavík four times a week
for three hours of whale scouting. A
longer six-hour tour goes out to the
rock pillar Eldey, where killer and
minke whales are often seen. A bonus
on all these excursions is the abundant
sea fowl and the option of sea angling
for those interested, as well as descrip-
tive interpretations of shoreline fea-
tures and history.
The whale-watching tour with
Jökulferdir is among a number of op-
tions available for departures from the
southeast village of Höfn to offshore
areas of the cool blue Atlantic where
some of the world’s largest mammals
reign supreme. Commonly seen
denizens of the deep are killer and
minke whales, while Atlantic dolphins
often romp in the boat wakes and
waves.
Iceland has Europe’s largest glaci-
ers and although Icelanders rightfully
contest the country name, 12 per cent
of the country is glacier-covered.
Once the specialty of a few pioneering
tour operators, a number of spectacu-
lar adventures are now available from
companies like Reykjavík based
ADD-ICE; Jökluferdir of Höfn in the
southeast, or Snjófell to the west on
the Snæfellsjökull peninsula.
For hundreds of travellers an ascent
to a world of icy fantasy is a beautiful
highlight to any trip to Iceland. Frosty
crystalline jewels in white to aquama-
rine offset beautifully the dark mgged
moúntains and jagged lava.
There is something mystically won-
derful about being able to enjoy all
forms of water, that miracle liquid of
life. Where else can you step from an
ancient Ice Age glacier, through
steamy vapors and settle into a sooth-
ing warm pool? A fortuitous combina-
tion of latitude and altitude makes it
all possible. Indeed, glacial travel is
an experience which truly lets you
enjoy the icing on the cake.
If riding atop glaciers from the
Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs is not
enough of a moving experience, then
river rafting is a pulse-pounding alter-
native. Scooting through rapids gives
a unique perspective on how water has
shaped the land. Activity Tours on the
Jökuldalsá in the north’s Skagafjörður
region, or the Boat People on the
westem river Hvítá have excursions
for those who want to ride the rapids.
Those who prefer to do their rid-
ing in the saddle will enjoy sit-
ting astride the unusual Iceland
Horse. First brought by the Vikings to
the country over a thousand years ago,
this compact animal has been bred for
its stability on uneven terrain, variety
of gaits and compliant nature. Like all
good means of off-road transportation,
it comes in four-and-five speed mod-
els.
Every year hundreds, if not thou-
sands of visitors come to Iceland
specifically to enjoy riding these
unique, friendly horses. Nothing
matches the initial experience of rid-
ing these good-natured beasts in their
home environment. Even a brief expe-
rience on stopover trips is enough for
some to become hooked for life.
Specialized companies include
Ishestar, based in Hafiiarfjördur in the
southwest and in the central south,
Saga Horses, of Hvollsvöllur and
Hekluhestar, of Hella. Like the above,
Hesta Sport, located in Skagafjörður,
m the north, oftérs short rides, a thor-
ough demonstration program and vari-
ous tours. These range ffom short and
simple for beginners to longer and
challenging for more experienced rid-
ers
As might be expected, Icelandic
Farm Holidays offers riding holidays
which mn ffom just a few hours for
beginners to several days cross-coun-
try for experienced equestrians.
This is just a taste of the many
companies happy to cater to horse-
men. It is advisable to book early as
many packages are quick to sell out.
A hardy, island life has given Ice-
landers a rich heritage stemming from
more than l ,100 years existence just
below the Arctic Circle. At the same
time, they are also gifted with cos-
mopolitan talent in music and the the-
atrical arts.
The abundance of this talent is re-
flected in the younger set by the likes
of MTV female vocalist of the year,
Björk. Representatives of the classics
are Helgi Tómasson, director of the
San Francisco Ballet, and noted opera
vocalists tenor Kristján Jóhannsson
and baritone Kristínn Sigmúndsson, to
name a few.
In addition to the traditional fire-
works display, off-season visitors can
enjoy New Year’s Eve Vienna-style
gala concerts and dances. For a tmly
diverse art experience, the biennial
Reykjavík Arts Festival takes place in
the early summer. As usual, the festi-
val for 1996 promises to include
world-class figures, like conductor-pi-
anist Vladimír Ashkenazy, pianist
Evgeny Kissin and soprano Galína
Gorchakova.
A relatively new festival of a differ-
ent note which has become part of the
events calendar is the biennial Viking
Festival. Billed as simultaneously en-
tertaining and educational, with crafts
and demonstrations in all aspects of
Viking life, it is next planned for
1997.
A regular attraction enjoyed for
more than 25 years is Light Nights, an
English language stage and multi-
media production held during sum-
mers in Reykjavík. This presentation,
updated annually, highhghts the entire
spectmm of life in Iceland, from the
Viking to modem times.
In North Iceland, a unique living-
histoiy festival is the Herring Adven-
ture (Slidarævintýri) of Siglufjördur.
During this summer-time herring fes-
tival the colorful Klondike atmosphere
of the boom days of herring fishing is
vividly re-created.
Another entertaining option is the
outdoor theatre “Here in Ice-
land” held in the woods of Sel-
skógur just outside the inland eastem
town of Egilsstaðir. This pleasant
mral venue is the setting for one-act
plays and folk-dancing written and
performed by local talent.
Music lovers have year-round
events to choose from, be they at cer-
tain cafés, pubs and night clubs, or
many of the venues for classical
music. Excursion options, or free-time
activities which are available during
stays in Iceland include Thursday
evening symphony concerts, per-
formed during autumn to spring at the
University Theatre Complex, Hásko-
labíó, in the capital. The landmark
Reykjavík church Hallgrímskirkja is
site of recitals of organ music, choir-
works and other performances.
There is also plenty for lovers of
chamber music. Numerous gifted
groups and soloists perform at church-
es and museums and other similar
venues. A popular baroque summer
music series is held every year at
Skáholt, the south Iceland site of the
ancient bishopric, a short distance
from Gullfoss waterfalls and the
Geysir hot springs. Another annual
classical music festival is held in the
village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, further
east along the south part of the Ring
Road.
MESSUBOÐ
Fyrsta Lúterska
Kirkja
Pastor Ingthor I. Isfeld
1030 a.m. The Service
First Lutheran Church
580 Victor St., Winnipcg
R3G 1R2 Ph. 772-7444