Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.07.2019, Side 51

Island Life
Hot news from the cold countryside
Words: Andie Fontaine
Residents of the northeast town of Egilsstaðir have had a
few reservations about the new Coast Guard surveillance
drone which was recently put into operation; amongst
them, that the drone
would be spying on
people just trying to
live their lives in the
region. The Coast
Guard, however,
has provided
assurances
that the drone
will only be
conducting
surveillance
when it is
flying over the
sea, guarding
Iceland’s eastern
coast.
Luxury Travel Guide has
announced that, for the second
year in a row, West Iceland is the
Winter Destination of Europe
for 2019. Quite an
honour, and entirely
unsurprising—
Snæfellsnes in
particular has
often been
called
“Iceland in
miniature”
on account of the
vast array
of natural
wonders
that can be
found there year round.
The famed Ölfusár bridge, aka that bridge you drive over when entering Selfoss from Reykjavík, is
getting a makeover this summer. Sandblasters will go over the main framework of the bridge, and
then it will be painted wine red, which is the official colour of the Selfoss Youth Association. The
paint job will give the iconic bridge a little more pop and pizzazz.
51The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 11— 2019
South: Best Café
Friðheimar
Fríðheimar, near Flúðir, is a café ex-
perience like no other. Located in-
side a large tomato greenhouse, it’s
a verdant haven where you can taste
soups, pasta sauces and Bloody
Marys that are as fresh as possible.
There’s a bread buffet to fill up on,
and basil plants on the table to gar-
nish your delicious homegrown
tomato soup. Eating amongst the
vines rejuvenates your mind, body
and spirit. Booking recommended.
Reykjanes: Best Museum
Viking World
There are a lot of Viking-themed
stops around Iceland, but nowhere
else will you find a full longboat
replica. Viking World in Njarðvík
allows you to set foot on the Íslen-
dingur, a longboat built in 1996 and
modelled after the famous Gokstad
vessel—a close-to-complete Viking
ship that was excavated in Norway
in 1882. You’ll also find a Smithson-
ian-produced exhibition spanning
the Viking era.
West: Best Pool
Krauma
Asking for an Icelander’s favourite
bathing spot is sensitive business.
One panellist said their favourite is
“somewhere I want to keep a secret
so it doesn’t get too busy.” Still, sev-
eral panellists sang the praises of
the Krauma spa, with one declaring
it a “10/10.” It’s a stark and stylish
place featuring steam rooms and
hot pots powered by the sulphurous
water of Deildartunguhver. Your
muscles will thank you.
Best Of Iceland
A selection of winners from our Best Of Iceland travel magazine
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