Food and Fun mixes outstanding culinary skills, fresh natural ingredients, Icelandic outdoor adventure and the world-famous Reykjavik nightlife to create the ultimate recipe for fun. The core element of the festival involves world-acclaimed chefs collaborating with Reykjavik’s finest restaurants. Each chef is assigned to one of the participating restaurants, where they prepare a special menu crafted from Icelandic ingredients only, commonly held to be the best in the world by Icelanders. The menus are presented at all the restaurants for an entire week. In addition, the chefs themselves are on site for three nights during the festival week. The second element of the festival is the chef competition, which takes place on the last day of the festival. The chefs compete by making three courses, made out of only Icelandic ingredients.

www.foodandfun.is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vK8vYlekRg&feature=player_embedded

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Bergen-Reykjavik-Nuuk is a music festival that celebrates the relationship between three countries; Norway, Greenland and Iceland.

The festival will be held at Norðurpóllinn theater in Reykjavik on February 24th and 25th.

The festival‘s main sponsors are Nordisk Kulturfond.

http://www.bergen-reykjavik-nuuk.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bergen-Reykjav%C3%ADk-Nuuk-Music-Festival/161975390517443

24. Feb

Razika (NO)

Josefin Winther (NO)

Jess Morgan (UK)

Samuel Jon Samuelsson Big Band (IS)

David Þor Jonsson (IS)

DJ Maisol (IS)

25. Feb

Ragnheidur Gröndal & Þjodlagasveit (IS)

Moses Hightower (IS)

Knekklectric (NO)

Nanook (GR)

Mr. Silla (IS)

John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen (NO)

My Itchy Little Finger (GR)

DJ Maisol (IS)

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The Christmas Village is now open at Hjartatorg, which is located just across the street from the hotel, next to Glætan bookstore.
Santa Clauses, Christmas trees, hot chocolate, live music, merchandise booths and much more! The village will be open every day between 13:00 -18:00 and longer when Christmas draws near.

All stores in the centrum will be open between 10:00 – 22:00 until 22nd. and between 10:00 – 23:00 on the 23rd. or Þorláksmessa as we call it.
On Christmas Eve all stores in the centrum will be open between 10:00 – 12:00 so be sure to finish your christmas shopping by that time. However the supermarket Hagkaup in Skeifan will be open until 16:00 so you should have time to buy the christmas dinner.
All stores are closed on Christmas Day.

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Our friendly neighbours in Bókabúð Máls og menningar (situated in the same building as Room With A View) are hosting Off Venue Concerts in participation with Iceland Airwaves. The off Venue Concerts will take place from Vednesday to Saturday and the line up includes some exciting Icelandic and foreign bands.

The Schedule:

Wednesday

16.00 Skúli mennski

17.00 Moses Hightower

19.00 Sóley Stefánsdóttir

Thursday

15.00 Snorri Helgason

16.00 Nóra

17.00 Útidúr

18.00 Moddi (NO)

19.00 Murder (DK)

20.00 Sykur

Friday

15.00 Nolo

16.00 Funkanansie

17.00 Orphic Oxtra

18.00 Reptile & Retard (DK)

19.00 Lára Rúnars

20.00 Valdimar

Saturday

15.00 Of Monsters & Men

16.00 Klassart

17.00 Save Public

18.00 Prinspóló

Bókabúð Máls og menningar offers a great variety of Icelandic music and during the Iceland Airwaves, festival goers will receive 10 % discount.

For more information on Iceland Airwaves and full schedule visit: http://www.icelandairwaves.is/artists–schedule/schedule-by-venue/

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Iceland? In The Winter?

Ok, before you decide that visiting Iceland in the winter is the worst idea that you have ever heard and go running to the nearest website promising you suntans and coconuts filled with rum and paper umbrellas, give me a chance here. Remember the words of Maria in Mighty Ducks: D2

Greenland is covered in ice, Iceland is really nice

I know, it might not be the deepest thing that you’ve ever heard. And, yes, in the winter especially, Iceland will be covered in Ice as much as Greenland. But, even so, the truth still holds. Iceland isreally nice. Even in the middle of winter.

Even Without the Midnight Sun, the Skies are Still on Fire Because of the far northern location of Iceland (along with Alaska, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Greenland) night time presents one of the most amazing light shows in the world: the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. Those of us that live further south will get the chance to see them on rare occasion. I’ve seen them in New Hampshire and southern Canada a smattering of times. The further north that you go, the more reliable and stunning they become: shimmering dancing curtains of green, yellow and blue light. Sometimes even red.

In the past, people came up with all sorts of explanations: my personal favorite is that they are the souls of unwed women who have died. Today we know that they are caused by solar radiation interacting with the earth atmosphere. This explanation doesn’t change the fact that the Northern lights are one of the most beautiful sights that a person can hope to see.

Every year, countless tourists flock to the Northern countries with the hopes of seeing the lights. No small number take advantage of their summer holidays, head up North for a week…

Aurora Borealis

…and realize that they forgot something. In the summer, the sun barely sets, if at all. You can’t see the northern lights in Iceland (or anywhere else) unless it gets dark enough so that you have a chance of seeing them!

Now, you might be thinking, that it’s all well and good that you can only see the northern lights if it’s the middle of winter, but no lightshow is worth standing outside in the freezing cold just on the off chance that you’ll see something flicker.

This is why Iceland is the best place to go! Iceland is overflowing with volcanic activity. The happy upshot of this is that every town, and many of even the smaller hotels have their own outdoor hot tubs that are naturally heated. Get out of Reykjavík (maybe pop up to the northern capital of Akureyri) and get away from the city lights. Share a bottle of schnappes with your travelling mate and as the steam swirls around you, keep an eye out for the Northern lights, shooting stars and whatever else may be up in the sky.

Will I Be Able to Enjoy Anything Else in Iceland?

It is true that many of Iceland’s museums and other attractions will be closed, or have greatly reduced hours during the winter. But, don’t let that stop you. The natural resources never quit. The Golden circle becomes even more impressive in the winter. Gulfoss waterfall is stunning anytime of year, but when the waterfall consists of frozen cataracts, a stilled waterfall, it will fill you with awe.

Geysir (the erupting water plume after which all others are named) bursts forth out of the frozen ground, as much as 65 meters high. The contrast is impossible not to appreciate.

Þingvellir is astounding in the winter, and you’ll have a once in a lifetime opportunity if you come in the winter. Scuba diving or snorkeling in the chasm between Europe and North America while wearing a drysuit. The water is some of the clearest in the world, with visibility for hundreds of meters. Special tours are easily arranged and you will have a story to tell your friends back home to settle any doubts that you are the most adventurous person that they have ever met.

Iceland is notoriously expensive. Despite the recent economic issues, Iceland is still not a cheap destination. That being said, you can really cash in by visiting Iceland in the winter. Many hotels cut rates by as much as 50%. That means more money in your pocket to stay a few extra days, or really splurge on a nice meal. Also, by going in the off-season you’ll get to have Iceland to yourself. So, you’ll have more money–fewer other tourists. Sounds like a win to me.

Let Your Inner Viking Go Berserk

January 22 through Feb 22 is when Icelanders go back to their Viking roots and celebrate the midwinter feast of Þorrablót. The feast originated as a celebration that winter was halfway completed and that people had survived. Traditionally, people would save the finest foods (most of which had been put aside to ferment the previous year) and begin consuming them on the holiday. Delicacies include putrefied shark, jellied sheep’s head, dried fish. These foods are pretty much only consumed during the holiday.

This is your only chance to really taste these traditional foods. Sure, they aren’t likely to be topping any international menus in the near future, but as far as unique food opportunities go, this is pretty high up there.

If the flavor gets you down, the good news is that there is plenty of brennivín (an Icelandic schnapps) to wash it down. The common nickname is Black Death, and it is especially potent. You can be sure that after a few drinks, you’ll be ready to join everyone in the rest of the evening celebrations of song and dance.

If you’re looking for sunshine, sand and a killer tan, Iceland will not be the place to go in January. But, if you’ve got an urge to really go off the beaten path and have experiences that most other people will only ever read about, why not explore this northern country. Give yourself the gift of an experience that you will truly remember for years to come.

José Portuondo is the founder of unique-vacation-ideas.com, a website dedicated to helping you find the destination that you never knew you always wanted to go to. Updated regularly, and with vacation ideas grouped by season and region you’ll be sure that you never miss out on that unexpected gem of a holiday.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jose_Portuondo

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The 7th. Reykjavik International Film Festival, or RIFF, will take place from September 23rd to October 3rd.

Ever dreamt of combining inspirational cinematic experience with glaciers and Northern lights, all in the world’s most trendy capital?

Here’s your chance, as the Reykjavík International Film Festival unites it all: Screenings at downtown venues of a wide range of fresh films from the international film scene, midnight movies, concerts, fabulous parties as well as uncannily hip bars and clubs where well known personages from the international film industry might just be sipping wine at the next table, along with great food, and trips to view nature’s own silver screens – the unique landscape just outside Reykjavík.

The celebrated director Jim Jarmusch will be a guest of honor at RIFF

The Reykjavík International Film Festival will be held for the 7th time from September 23rd to October 3rd 2010. In only a few years, the festival has made a name for itself as one of the most exciting film events in Northern Europe. This is apparent from the rapidly growing numbers in attendance as well as professionals and film enthusiasts visiting Iceland especially to take part in the film festival.

For more information on the festival, visit www.riff.is

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The recent news from the Iceland Airwaves camp that the Swedish pop sensation Robyn will be performing her first live show at this years Iceland Airwaves has been met with great enthusiasm from music lovers near and far.

Robyn

The set list for this years festival is nearing completion and is looking mighty tasty. After all, Iceland Airwaves has never failed to deliver exciting new bands.

For more information on Robyn: http://www.myspace.com/robynmyspace

Iceland Airwaves website: http://www.icelandairwaves.is/

For a place to stay during Iceland Airwaves, check out our website for rooms and availability.

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Ten Exciting Things To Do When Visiting Iceland
By Jonathan Williams

Should you happen to contemplate vacationing in Europe, you could give Iceland a try where nature that means more than beaches and resorts. Best of all, majority of the tourist spots the country can offer will require no entrance fees unlike in most other countries. Summer would be the best time to go there.

1.) Bláa Lónið

This is a famous health center with pool known as Blue Lagoon located in southwest Iceland. This happens to be a spa located in the center of lava filled with stunningly blue waters. One will find this place one of the warm spots in the country as opposed to the impression of a primarily snow-filled place that the country’s name implies.

The Blue Lagoon

2.) Gullfoss

One can try going east of the capital Reykjavik to be able to get to the Golden Falls. The breathtaking waterfall is fed by river known as Hvítá. This goes down a two-fold cascade to create one of the best waterfalls you could visit.

Gullfoss

3.) Geysir and Strokkur

As mentioned earlier, Iceland is also home to several geothermal spots, and two of them are Geysir and Strokkur, which happens to be a few kilometers on the west of the Golden Falls. Between the two, it would be safer to go to Geysir since it hardly erupts, and Strokkur would do so every few minutes. But what a sight it would be and a picture worth taking only if you keep a safe distance.

The geyser Strokkur

4.) Skagafjordur

It is one of the cities in Iceland which offers several fun activities to tourists. One of the parks you will find here is the Historical Nature Park Island Drangey then you can go on to visit the Glaumbær, which happens to be a folk museum. And you will need to wonder no more what an icelandic horse looks like because this place is where they are bred. And yes, it’s also time to take the challenge of river rafting.

Hofsos at Skagafjordur

5.) Kerið

Here lies the sight of a lake within a volcano. Many times, what you will find in countries are both active and inactive volcanoes which would spew lava from time to time. This time, you get a lake instead of lava right inside the crater of a volcano.

Kerid - Photo by Jóhannes Eiríksson

6.) Þingvellir National Park

UNESCO has made this national park one of the world’s heritage sites for good reasons. This happens to be the place where you will find the movement of European and North American shelf plates while serving as the longest running parliamentary field there is. Again, this, too, is just about 35 miles off the capita’s east.

Thingvellir National Park

7.) Mývatn

On this spot, you will get to visit the desert Smajfall which gives out sulfuric steam coming from the ground. Here, you will also see Dimmuborgir which is also known as Gates of Hell or The Black City. But the name Mývatn actually refers to the lake which looks nothing like other lakes due to presence of special volcanic craters around it.

Myvatn

8.) Dettifoss

If you just came off the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, you might want to check this place out afterwards. A powerful waterfall awaits you at Dettifoss. This happens to be one of the best all over Europe.

Thundering Dettifoss

9.) Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights

Textbooks have talked about the midnight sun. It was even discussed in school. Iceland is the place to be to get to view this sight where the sun does not set at midnight, and you will not be able to find this occurrence in other countries.

Norhtern lights - Aurora borealis in Iceland

10.) Vestmannaeyjar

When translated, the name means Westman Islands. It is actually a volcanic island with a wonderful collection of bird species and the biggest puffin colony you could find in Europe. That’s definitely something not to miss.

Heimaey, the largest island in the Vestmanneyjar cluster

Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV – the place to share travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv] Visit [http://www.destinationguide.tv/iceland] to view or share Iceland travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv/iceland]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Williams
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ten-Exciting-Things-To-Do-When-Visiting-Iceland&id=958051

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Why Iceland Could Be a Top Destination For Tourists Wanting to Spend Less in 2010
By Sarah Maple

As 2010 is now less than a couple of months away, holiday specialists and the media are acting fast to estimate where the top holiday destinations of the new year might be. In 2009 Turkey was the surprise hit for UK tourists, but with the global economic crisis still being felt in other parts of the world, it is likely that cheap holidays may be found in a place less known for its sun and sand – and more for its fjords and dramatic icy scenery.

The reason Iceland is being tipped by Lonely Planet (amongst others) as a prime holiday destination for 2010 is simply because in comparison to just a couple of years ago, the country is now much more affordable for the average tourist – due to the recent collapse of the Króna. These financial problems have pushed the Icelandic tourism board to cut prices and to market itself widely in order to attract more visitors – and for those eager to book early deals are likely to be very satisfactory indeed.

For a country so significantly hit by financial crisis it is something of a silver lining that most of Iceland’s appeal is in no way dependent on commercialism and development – but instead on nature and geology. A geologically young and unpredictable land, Iceland boasts a number of volcanoes (such as Hekla in the south – the country’s most active volcano) and geysers and hot springs which are formidable tourist attractions all year round. The two most famous of these are Geysir in the Haukadalur Golden Circle valley (from which the term: ‘Geyser’ is derived) and Strokkur near Rekjavik – which is famed for its regular eruptions.

Strokkur

Consequently there is much to discover in Iceland on foot, and the country is popular with walkers and hikers. The Interior Central Highlands offer rugged trails from Landmannalaugar all the way to Skogar near the south coast. Much of the highlands are only accessible during the summer months between mid-June and mid-September.

However, there is even more to Iceland than fantastic landscape and inspiring geography. The island has a rich and individual culture to be explored in its towns and cities – ranging from the landscape inspired architecture of the Hallgrimskikja Church, to the best hot dog in Europe (as voted by The Guardian) at Baejarins Bezu Pylsur. Culture House in Rekjavik offers changing exhibitions on various aspects of Iceland’s history.

Sarah Maple is writing for Gohop.ie who offer cheap holidays and package holidays.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Maple
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Iceland-Could-Be-a-Top-Destination-For-Tourists-Wanting-to-Spend-Less-in-2010&id=3361916

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Important Facts About Iceland
By Guy Gutraiman

Hverir area in Iceland

Iceland is a volcanic island on the mid-Atlantic Ridge.

The centre of the country is approximately at 65° N and 18° W. The closest countries are Greenland, 287 km, the Faroe Islands, 420 km, and Scotland, 798 km. Iceland’s area is 102,700 km2 and its coastline 6300 km, and 37% of the country is over 600 m above sea level. Only 2% of the country is arable land and two-thirds of it is sparsely vegetated desert or glaciers.

Glaciers cover about 11% of the country’s surface, and the biggest of them is Vatnajokull, which is 8300 km2. Also, the highest mountain in the country is there, Hvannadalshnjukur 2119 m. Iceland was part of the Danish empire until 1918 but obtained full independence in 1944. Every four years in general elections representatives are elected to Althingi, which has one chamber, and the President is also nationally elected.

The country is divided into five electoral districts, 20 administrative districts and 101 municipalities. The population is 319,000 and two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city area, about 40% of these in the capital city Reykjavík. Most of the larger towns are near the capital city: Kopavogur, Hafnarfjordur, Mosfellsbaer and Gardabaer, but of the other larger towns the largest are Akureyri in North Iceland and Reykjanesbaer in the southwest corner.

About 70% of the population work in the service sector, about 25% in industry and only 5% in agriculture and fisheries, while about 60% of the total export value is from seafood products and about 36% from the industry.

Guy Gutraiman is a resident of Iceland and the editor of Iceland Portal, a complete travel guide to Iceland. To learn more facts about Iceland visit our Iceland Travel Information website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guy_Gutraiman
http://EzineArticles.com/?Important-Facts-About-Iceland&id=3312727

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