Reykjavík Grapevine - 10.05.2019, Page 45

Island Life
Hot news from the cold Icelandic countryside
Words: Andie Fontaine
Northeast Iceland will literally never stop bragging about
their warm spring weather. Here we are in an almost-bear-
able Reykjavík May, and
they’re reporting one
of the warmest Aprils
on record. It averaged
around 5.5°C in
Egilsstaðir, with a
high of 18.1°C.
And you know
what? We get
it, Northeast-
erners, you
have the best
weather and
are the coolest
kids in school.
Stop rubbing it in
our freezing, rain-
drenched faces.
It’s hard to tell whether one of
the latest headlines out of the
Westfjords—“The Arctic tern is
back”—is a celebration
or a warning. But
these birds are
back indeed,
having been
spotted
beginning
their
nesting in
Arnarfjörður
earlier this
month. No
bird inspires
as much
awe and sheer terror as
the tern, but remember:
if you travelled
from Antarctica to
Ísafjörður by arm
power alone, you’d
probably be pretty
cranky, too..
South Iceland for once has a news story that doesn’t involve speeding or off-road driving,
as it is reported that an elderly woman who found cash laying on the ground subsequently
handed it over to the police, with the hopes that it be returned to its rightful owner. There
may be hope for humanity after all.
45The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 07— 2019
North: Best Pool
Hofsós Swimming Pool
Hands-down our panel’s favourite,
Hofsós Swimming Pool was praised
for its spectacular views across the
North Atlantic. Built into the hill-
side, Hofsós includes a 25m pool,
hot pots and a sauna. “I love the re-
laxing atmosphere,” said the panel.
“It’s priced like a municipal pool,
but this amazing bathing spot is
a design classic, with an infinity
pool that makes you feel like you’re
swimming into the horizon.”
Reykjanes: Must-
See Spot
Seltún
Reykjanes is a lively, geothermally
active peninsula, and there’s no-
where better to feel the heat and
power of the living earth than at
Seltún in the Krýsuvík valley. The
iconic zig-zagging wooden walkway
takes you over steaming vents, bub-
bling fumaroles and gurgling clay
pots; the colours vary from earthy
to vividly fluorescent.
South: Best
Acommidation
Skálakot Manor Hotel
Ideally located in the heart of South
Iceland, Skálakot is our favourite
from a considerable crop of recently-
opened hotels. It’s a new building,
but you’d never know from the com-
fortable country manor vibe; every
detail of the rooms is perfect, from
the tasteful patterned wallpaper to
the modernist kettles, slender cof-
fee makers, cloud-like beds and deep
bathtubs.
Best Of Iceland
A selection of winners from our Best Of Iceland travel magazine
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Traveling the south coast or Golden Circle?
Reykjavík
Eyrarbakki
Keavík
International
Airport
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ICELAND
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