The first Icelandic Horse Festival in Reykjavik

The 2011 Icelandic Horse Festival in Reykjavik will be held on March 26th - April 2nd at the showgrounds at Laugardalur, in the center of Reykjavik City. Horsemanship is born into the people of Reykjavik region and many of Iceland’s most famous horsebreeding farms are located there.

The program at the Icelandic Horse Festival 2011 is full and varied, and everyone should be able to find something of interest. The program will consist of various events ranging from breeding shows to saddle making. The events will take place at breeding ranches and horse club locations in and around Reykajvík. The final day there will be a celebration in Reykjavik Zoo and Family Park where a selection of the best horses and everything related to the Icelandic horse will be introduced.

The highlight of the festival will be a Ístölt "Their strongest of all" which will be held at Reykjavik Ice-skating arena in Laugardalur on Saturday night April 2nd 2011 and it is just with couple of minutes walk from Grand Hotel Reykjavik. You can enjoy special savings with Pay 3 Getaway 4.Book three consecutive nights at Grand Hotel Reykjavík and get the fourth night free on selected dates in March and April 2011.

Information taken from the website Icelandic Horse Festival website and further details can be found there.

Öskudagur - Ash wednesday

Ash Wednesday (öskudagur, in Icelandic) is preceded by Bun Day (bolludagur) and Bursting Day (sprengidagur).

Although Ash Wednesday is not originally an Icelandic tradition, the tradition to hang bags filled with ash on people’s backs without them noticing is uniquely Icelandic.

Nowadays, children are given the day off from school to dress up in costumes and sing in stores and companies in exchange for candy.

In the northeastern town of Akureyri, where Ash Day was first celebrated on the island, a pinata is hoisted in the town square and children takes turns “beating the cat out of the barrel” as it is called.

This year Spark Design Space in Reykjavik is currently exhibiting ash bags designed by various artists which will be sold for charity.

This video was shot by Páll Kjartansson. Published on Iceland Review.

The Winter Mood in Reykjavík – February 2011

Watch this audio slideshow from Reykjavík, taken on cold winter days in February.

The first picture is of the Reykjavík Pond with a view of a snow-capped Mt. Esja. Then the camera captures the towers by the seaside, followed by a few shots of Mt. Esja taken from Laugarnes. The city’s old harbor and the maritime museum are also featured.

The photographer then focuses on the sculpture “Sólfarid” by Jón Gunnar Árnason before leading us out of town to the Bláfjöll mountains where the capital’s ski resort is located.

The slideshow ends with a picture of steam coming out of the snow-covered ground on Hellisheidi heath—the geothermal area provides energy for Reykjavík.

Originally published on Iceland Review. Photos and music by Páll Kjartansson.

Classification of accommodation

The Icelandic Travel Industry Association has come up with the following classification system of accommodation:

Two Stars

A telephone booth or a public telephone where the guests can speak in privacy. There is a bar or service counter where it is possible to buy light refreshments, as well as a dining room where breakfast is served, and other meals, depending on circumstances. The rooms may be equipped with a private bathroom , but this is not a obligatory.

Three Stars

In addition to the class above, all rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, telephone, television, radio and desk. There is a service counter open during the day and it is possible to buy small items, reading material etc. Goods and services can be paid for by credit card. There is a lift in the building, if guest rooms are on three or more levels above the reception.

Four Stars

In addition, there are easy chairs in all rooms, TV with remote control, satellite channels and a movie or video channel. There is room service day and night, or a minibar, an "a la carte" restaurant, and breakfast can be ordered in guest rooms. There is also a clothes cleaning service. There is a lift in the building, if the guest rooms are on two or more levels above the reception.

For further information read ReykjavikHotel.net

Approximate prices of accomodation

Price of overnight stay depends on the type of lodging selected.
Here below are average prices of the main options available for an individual’s overnight stay.

Most Iceland´s camping places are located in spectacular surroundings and camping in the countries beautiful nature will make your trip exceptional. There are camping places all around Iceland. Camping Grounds: 500-1000 ISK

Bed and breakfast at Icelandic farmhouses is a uiniqe and exciting experience.
Sleeping bag accommodation: 1.800-4.000 ISK Made-up bed: 4.000-8.000 ISK

You are always welcome to show up without a reservation at Icelandic hostels but we strongly recommend that you book ahead and do it well in advance in order to ensure you the facilities and the service you wish for.
Members: 1.600-2.300 ISK Non-members: 1.900-2.700 ISK
hostel.is

Farmhouse accommodation is a popular in Iceland. Many farms all around Iceland offer a variety of hospitalable and affordable accommodation. Sleeeping bag accommodation: 1.800-3.000 ISK Made-up bed: 3.200-8.000 ISK

Hotels in Iceland generally follow a high standard, two star hotel accommodation or a grand high class four star hotel. There is no official five star hotel in Iceland. In Reykjavik you can find several high quality hotels.

In downtown Reykjavik, there are luxury hotels with great facilities, spacious rooms and first-class service. Hotel room: 5.000-15.500 ISK
ReykjavikHotel.net

Ráðhús Reykjavíkur

The City of Reykjavik's website.

Reykjavík's City Hall, Ráðhús Reykjavíkur

Reykjavik City Hall is on the northern shore of Lake Tjornin. Opening in 1992, it houses the Mayor and executive officials of Reykjavik.

On the ground floor you’ll find a helpful information desk, internet access and the café Radhuskaffi as well as galleries with exhibitions. In the exhibition hall is the huge relief map of Iceland.

The building is open to visitors, Mondays to Fridays 8:00-19:00 and Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 to 18:00.

View from Perlan

The Pearl, Petrlan

The Pearl (Perlan) is a remarkable building, built in 1988, unique in Iceland and probably in the whole world. On Oskjuhlid hill, atop the huge tanks in which natural hot water is stored for heating the city, a glass dome has been constructed: under the dome is a rotating restaurant serving fine cuisine.

The dome also houses a café, while around the outside is a viewing platform with panoramic 360 degree views of the city and its surroundings. Access to the viewing platform is free of charge.

Below the dome, between the hot-water tanks, is a spacious atrium where various exhibitions and other events are held. Inside the building is a small artificial geyser which spouts every few minutes. Interestingly, one of the tanks contains not hot water, but a museum: at the Saga Museum, waxwork figures bring Viking-age Iceland to life.

Close to the Pearl, to the left of the car park, is Strokkur, a man-made geyser that imitates the natural spouting hot springs at Geysir in the highlands of southwest Iceland.

Oskjuhlid hill, on which the Pearl is located, is a pleasant wooded area with many footpaths, ideal for a relaxing walk. At the bottom of the hill lies Nautholsvik geothermal beach, a popular place on a sunny day.

Read more here.

Hlemmur bus terminal in Reykjavik Iceland

This video is of Hlemmur which is one of the bigger bus terminals in Reykjavik. From there you can take many of the buses within Reykjavik and to the surrounding towns. It is located on the east side of the main shopping street Laugavegur.




View Hlemmur in a larger map

Reykjavik Iceland

Here is a video of Reykjavik I recorded in HD. It is shot from Perlan and is a three shot video to the north in a beautiful sunny summer day in August.