Iceland review - 2013, Page 106

104 ICELAND REVIEW
travel
fljótSdalShérað – embraCiNG the hiGhlaNdS
Stretching from the sandy beaches of Héraðssandar to the mighty
Vatnajökull glacier in the highlands, the region Fljótsdalshérað cov-
ers ten percent of the country’s landmass but is home to only 3,900
people, most of whom live in Egilsstaðir, the region’s capital. The
glacial river Lagarfljót, famous for the serpent Lagarfljótsormurinn
(akin to the Loch Ness Monster), flows through the entire region.
The landscape is diverse, offering endless opportunities for activi-
ties in summer and winter. Part of Vatnajökull National Park with its
ice caves, rugged mountains, geothermal areas and wild reindeer
lies within the region’s borders. In winter, it’s the perfect place to
view the northern lights. fljotsdalsherad.is
SeyðiSfjörður – artiStiC iNSpiratiON
Nestled in the long and deep fjord of the same name, surround-
ed on all sides by high mountains, Seyðisfjörður makes the ideal
location for Tvísöngur, a sound sculpture by German artist Lukas
Kühne, unveiled in 2012. Year-round, a number of artists are based
in Seyðisfjörður, some of whom come through the Skaftfell Center
for Visual Art’s artist-in-residence program. The LungA art festival
is a week-long event for young artists held every summer and from
2014, the LungA art school will open in town. There are several
other festivals, exhibitions and workshops to choose from in Seyð-
isfjörður, a ‘must-visit’ destination in Iceland, according to Lonely
Planet. visitseydisfjordur.com
fjarðabyGGð – juSt wONderful
Comprising of six picturesque towns and villages, including
Reyðarfjörður, Eskifjörður and Neskaupstaður, nestled in narrow
fjords at the foot of steep mountains, Fjarðabyggð offers a friendly
small-town atmosphere and a wonderful experience of genuine
Icelandic fishing villages. Each settlement has its own characteris-
tics, reflected in local restaurants, cafés, galleries and handicraft.
The region also has first-class swimming pools, noteworthy muse-
ums, three golf courses and extensive services for tourists. Tour
operators specialize in the versatile experience of Icelandic nature.
In winter, visitors can go skiing at the local resort. Find your favor-
ite hotel, guesthouse or campsite and enjoy an unlimited access to
wonderful natural treasures.
breiðdalShreppur – mOre thaN meetS the eye
Home to fewer than 200 people, Breiðdalsvík is not the sleepy
seaside village one might think at first glance. Breiðdalsvík boasts
five hotels, all of which have restaurants, a café, workshop, gift
store, bank, post office and other institutes. Attracted by the vil-
lage’s friendly and lively atmosphere, tourists go fishing in the
river Breiðdalsá in Breiðdaur valley and lakes that lie within the
borders of the Breiðdalshreppur municipality. Horseback riding
and guided tours of the region are popular too. Accommodation
is also provided in cottages and by farmhouses in the surrounding
countryside and a free campsite is located in the center of the
village. breiddalur.is
djúpaVOGShreppur – NiCe aNd SlOw
The Djúpavogshreppur municipality of 460 inhabitants, including
the town Djúpivogur and surrounding rural area, became the first
in Iceland to obtain a Cittaslow certification, pledging to demon-
strate great hospitality, emphasize local food and locally-made
products. Tourism is growing with tours to Papey island being
popular and bird watching on the rise—the southeastern corner
of the country is where migratory birds first arrive. Thirty-four
granite sculptures by renowned artist Sigurður Guðmundsson line
the pier in Gleðivík at the Djúpivogur harbor, each of which rep-
resents the egg of a bird that breeds in the area. The size and
shape of each sculpture corresponds with the egg it represents.
djupivogur.is
unIque nAturAl PArAdIse
east iceland includes unique and diverse landscapes from the edge
of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, to the beaches of long and
narrow fjords: barren highlands, steep mountains, vast sand plains,
natural hot springs, magnificent waterfalls, forested valleys, desolate
fjords and lively towns and villages with extensive services for tourists.
east.is
The pool in eskifjörður.