Iceland review - 2015, Qupperneq 98

96 ICELAND REVIEW
Experience the Beauty
and Wonder
of Vestmannaeyjar
The volcanic Vestmannaeyjar (‘Westman Islands’) offer many
possibilities for adventures and excitement for the whole fam-
ily. From epic horseback riding to exhilarating boat tours and
daring hiking trails, come and witness imposing mountains and ma-
jestic seascapes, while traversing some of the youngest terrain on
Earth.
A NATURE LOVER’S PARADISE
To reach Heimaey, the only inhabited island of Vestmannaeyjar, trav-
elers can take the ferry Herjólfur or book a flight with Eagle Air.
Both services are available in the summer and winter, making the is-
lands a must-see destination at any time of year. Visitors should take
the time to explore the islands and extend their stay by reserving
a room at Hotel Vestmannaeyjar, Hotel Eyjar, Hamar Guesthouse or
Aska Hostel, offering quality accommodation, internet service and
close proximity to the islands’ glorious nature.
Vestmannaeyjar are a nature lover’s paradise. Arrange a peace-
ful horse riding tour with Lyngfell, a small family farm in the south
of Heimaey. This relaxing journey will take you across black-sand
beaches and up a hill in Lyngfellisdalur, where the view of the other
islands is breathtaking. If you’re not into horse riding, Viking Tours
offers both guided bus tour and private tours by car, in addition to
hiking tours. Eyjatours also offer all kinds of luxury tours, walking
tours and guided car tours. The next step is to take a boat ride
with Ribsafari or Viking Tours. Both companies offer brisk, exciting
boat trips to some of the islands’ most fascinating locations, in-
cluding the island Surtsey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From
the boat, you can observe wild puffins flapping comically through
the air and nesting in grassy cliff tops.
CULTURAL AND NATURAL HISTORY
The Sagnheimar Folk Museum offers permanent and seasonal ex-
hibitions detailing various aspects of the islands’ unique heritage
and the Sæheimar Aquarium is home to not only a wide variety
of local species of fish but also Tóti, a friendly puffin who was
rescued from the streets of Heimaey as a puffling. Tóti loves to be
held and stroked and delights in the attention he receives from
the aquarium’s many visitors.
In 1973, a devastating volcanic eruption occurred on Heimaey,
and its effects—not only on the island’s landscape, but also on the
locals’ consciousness—remain deep and profound. The new mu-
seum, Eldheimar, commemorates this tragedy. Visitors are taken
back in time through a powerful interactive exhibition illustrating
the geographical changes that occurred as a result of the erup-
Home to some of the most spectacular scenery Iceland has
to offer, Vestmannaeyjar are an archipelago of 15 islands
just a 25-minute flight from Reykjavík or a 40-minute
ferry ride from the mainland.
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