Iceland review - 2014, Page 103

ICELAND REVIEW 101
ísafjörður – auThenTiC, quirky anD Tranquil
Ample opportunities await visitors seeking tranquility in serene sur-
roundings or action-packed adventures in all seasons in the ‘Fair Five’
villages constituting the municipality: skiing in the pristine highlands, sea
angling and walking through the charming old towns. Hiking routes lead
from slumbering fishing villages to steep mountains, through nesting
grounds of various birds, to magnificent waterfalls. The area is dotted
with quirky museums and annual festivals include Aldrei fór ég suður,
a free rock festival held at Easter. Shaped by the region’s remoteness
and living in harmony with nature, locals are hard working and creative,
welcoming visitors to their paradise at the end of the world.
westfjords.is
súðaVík – PuTs The ‘fjorDs in The WesTfjorDs’
Route 61 winds in and out of eight knife-edged and abandoned fjords
on your journey through Súðavíkurhreppur, more than any other area of
the Westfjords, with each fjord as breathtaking and unique as the one
before. You can meet colonies of seals just meters from the coast, Arctic
foxes roaming free on the mountain slopes or stare up at the vivid bird-
life from the warmth of a geothermal pool.
The charming village of Súðavík, home to the famous Arctic Fox Cen-
tre, eases you back to civilization with most of the services and facilities
of nearby Ísafjörður, without the hustle and bustle. sudavik.is
sTranDir – sCenes of The suPernaTural
In Hólmavík, the largest town in Strandabyggð municipality, the unique
Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft introduces visitors to the supernat-
ural, while the Sheep Farming Museum pays homage to country life.
Both museums boast simple, quality restaurants. Having all the neces-
sary services, the town is a perfect base for day tours. From the Strandir
coastline, dotted with driftwood, the rich birdlife can be enjoyed, boats
come and go, seals play and whales may even swim by. A walk up to the
—town’s church or the cliffs above offers a better view still. In a skillfully
renovated 100-year-old house, Café Riis serves delicious dishes of local
ingredients, and the town’s swimming pool is good for a relaxing soak.
driving towards Patreksfjörður, vesturbyggð. the town center of ísafjörður.
the arctic fox
Center in Súðavík.
from the Museum
of Sorcery and
Witchcraft in
hólmavík.
ósvör
maritime museum
in Bolungarvík.
Skiing in virgin
snow in the
desolate
Westfjords.