Iceland review - 2013, Page 102

100 ICELAND REVIEW
travel
blöNduóS – a riVer ruNS thrOuGh it
Named after its location, where the glacial river Blanda—one of
the top ten salmon fishing rivers in Iceland—mouths into Húnaflói
Bay, Blönduós is the largest town in the region with almost
1,000 inhabitants. Conveniently placed between Reykjavík and
Akureyri on the Ring Road, Blönduós is a popular stop along the
way. However, there are plenty of reasons to stay. The town has
cafés and restaurants, a golf course and brand-new swimming
pool. It’s also home to the Sea Ice Exhibition Center, including
information on polar bears that drift to the country, and the
Icelandic Textile Center, an inspiration for artists and designers.
SkaGaStröNd – a hiddeN treaSure
Legend has it that Þórdís the Prophetess, one of the first settlers
of Skagaströnd, walked up the 646-m (2,120-ft) high Spákonufell
(‘Prophetess’ Hill’) every day and hid a treasure in the mountain.
The local Museum of Prophecies is dedicated to her. Spákonufell
is popular among hikers and there also are many other opportuni-
ties for walks in the region. Skagaströnd is known for its love of
cowboys and country music with the restaurant Kántrýbær being
a frequented pit stop. There’s also an artist residency in town and
fishing enthusiasts are drawn to the abundance of lakes in the
vicinity.
SkaGafjörður – aCtiON-paCked adVeNture
Be it rafting on glacial rivers or heli-skiing in steep mountains,
visitors to Skagafjörður are in for an adrenaline boost. Horse-
back riding, easy and challenging treks, sightseeing tours of all
kind, sea angling, fishing in lakes and rivers, sharpshooting, ar-
chery, bird hunting, golfing and skiing at the Tindastóll resort by
Sauðárkrókur are also an option—Skagafjörður has activities for
all, year-round. A soak in one of the region’s many pools or natu-
ral hot springs is a must; in Hofsós swimmers have a view of the
island Drangey. Also visit the sites of Sturlunga saga, turf farm
museum Glaumbær, Icelandic Horse Center and Icelandic Beer
Center. Opportunities are endless. visitskagafjordur.is
dalVíkurbyGGð – NeVer a dull mOmeNt
Located near the mouth of the fjord Eyjafjörður with a glorious
mountain view, the seaside town of Dalvík offers diverse recre-
ation for tourists. It’s one of the best places in the country for
whale watching and in the surrounding countryside, which is part
of the Dalvíkurbyggð municipality, there are numerous opportuni-
ties for walks and hikes. Visitors crowd Dalvík for the Great Fish
Day, a free food festival in the second weekend of August, and in
winter, to go skiing in the local Böggvisstaðafjall resort. Tourism is
a growing industry in the region, accommodation is easy to find
and activities aplenty, year-round. dalvikurbyggd.is
eyjafjarðarSVeit
– the ultimate COuNtrySide experieNCe
Once you’ve reached Akureyri, the capital of the north, keep driv-
ing inland along the river Eyjafjarðará and enter Eyjafjarðarsveit, a
green and peaceful countryside with quite a few surprises. Drop
by the Christmas Garden for an all-year cheer and to learn about
Icelandic Yule traditions, take a relaxing soak in the Hrafnagil
swimming pool and afterwards have a farm-made ice cream at
Holtssel. Further along the 50-km (31-mile) long valley you find
a museum with a quirky and curious collection and on the other
side of the river lies Kaffi Kú, a café literally inside a cowshed, and
the popular raw-food restaurant Silva.
húSaVík – whale Capital Of eurOpe
In the scenic seaside village of Húsavík, life is all about whales.
It’s a base for research of marine mammals and with more than
60,000 tourists going whale watching there annually, Húsavík has
earned a reputation for being the ‘Whale Capital of Europe.’ The
spotting rate for whales is the highest in the country with hump-
backs, minkes and dolphins regularly being sighted, and even the
elusive blue whales sometimes make an appearance. Húsavík is,
in fact, one of the few places in the world where one can hope to
spot the planet’s largest animal. Visiting the Húsavík Whale Mu-
seum is also a must. visithusavik.com

A vast and diverse region, North iceland stretches from
Hrútafjörður fjord in the west to Langanes peninsula in the east,
including islands, highlands, hot springs, waterfalls, glacial rivers
and volcanoes. Blessed by the midnight sun in summer,
in winter the region transforms into a paradise for
skiers and those on the hunt for northern lights.
northiceland.is
the AmAzIng ArctIc north