Iceland review - 2014, Page 90

88 ICELAND REVIEW
the recipe for a Glorious day
Reykjavík Excursions offers a range of exciting day tours, many of which include the
ever popular Golden Circle. Travelers get to visit the erupting hot spring Strokkur at
the Geysir geothermal area, the mighty waterfall Gullfoss, which tumbles 32 meters
down a crevice, and the historically and geologically significant Þingvellir National
Park. In addition to the classic stops, Reykjavík Excursions now takes visitors to the
greenhouses at Friðheimar where they can learn how tomatoes and cucumbers are
grown in a sub-Arctic climate and taste the products.
Also, travelers can include snorkeling in the crystal-clear Silfra lake at Þingvellir,
in a rift between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates, relax in the hot tubs
and natural steam bath of Fontana Spa and Wellness Center by Lake Laugarvatn,
where locals have enjoyed the healing powers of the steam coming straight from
the ground for almost a century, explore nature from the back of an Icelandic horse,
or feel the thrill of snowmobiling on Langjökull glacier. For those with little time
to spare, Reykjavík Excursions also offer express afternoon and evening tours. re.is
adventure extraordinaire
Just as one should never have hot chocolate without cream, one should never visit
Iceland without a glacier tour. Mountaineers of Iceland offer tours by snowmobile
and super jeep on Langjökull, the country’s second-largest glacier. Visitors can
choose between different glacier tours or combine them with other destinations.
The popular Pearl Tour includes the Golden Circle—Þingvellir National Park, the
erupting hot spring Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall—topped off with a cruise on the
creamy-white Langjökull. The Mountaineers’ base camp at the foot of the glacier,
including a storage for coveralls, is heated and well-equipped. Guides make sure
travelers are warmly dressed and wearing the necessary safety gear before they head
out onto the glacier.
Mountaineers operate open day tours, half-day tours and evening tours as well as
private tailor-made tours for smaller and larger groups, for one, two or more days.
Other destinations include highland reserve Landmannalaugar and volcano Hekla,
forested highland paradise Þórsmörk with a view of Eyjafjallajökull glacier-volcano
and a trip around the volcanic wonderland of Reykjanes peninsula. Every trip with
Mountaineers of Iceland is an adventure worth embarking on. mountaineers.is
sPeciAl Promotion
a salute to iceland’s master artists
Housed in three unique buildings across the capital, Reykjavík Art Museum holds
some of the most distinguished works of Iceland’s artistic landscape. Hafnarhús,
downtown by the old harbor, houses the permanent collection of the works of Erró
(1932-), one of Europe’s most notable pop artists. Its temporary shows tend toward
the progressive and experimental, emphasizing works from established contempo-
rary, local and international artists. The exhibitions at Kjarvalsstaðir focus primarily
on paintings and sculptures of the established masters of modern art, holding the
works of one of Iceland’s most influential and recognized artists, Jóhannes S. Kjar-
val (1885-1972). Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum is the former home and
workshop of artist Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982), one of Iceland’s pioneering
sculptors. The museum displays the largest collection of his sculptures both inside
and outside the building. Reykjavík Art Museum is open daily and the entrance ticket
is valid for all three museums on the same day. artmuseum.is