Countries of the World/COUNTRYS.BIN/dp/0163/01638.txt

Text File | 1991-06-25 | 14KB | 298 lines

$Unique_ID{COW01638}
$Pretitle{422}
$Title{Iceland
Activities}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Iceland Tourist Board}
$Affiliation{Embassy of Iceland, Washington DC}
$Subject{iceland
reykjavik
tel
usd
fishing
contact
information
accommodation
fax
breakfast}
$Date{1990}
$Log{Bathing in a Thermal Lake*0163801.scf
}
Country:     Iceland
Book:        Iceland A TO Z
Author:      Iceland Tourist Board
Affiliation: Embassy of Iceland, Washington DC
Date:        1990

Activities

[See Bathing in a Thermal Lake: Courtesy Iceland Information Board, New York.]

     Iceland is the perfect destination for today's active tourist. The
following is a list of some of the many activities available.

ACTIVITY VACATIONS:

     Activity vacations are offered all over Iceland, These vacations may
feature river rafting, hiking, glacier climbing, fishing, horseback riding,
swimming, summer skiing and jet-skiing. For addresses see following
paragraphs.

BIRD-WATCHING:

     Some places in Iceland are a paradise for bird-watchers. Latrabjarg in
the West Fjords are the largest bird cliffs known in the world. A great
variety of cliff-nesting species can be found there, including the largest
razorbill colony in the world. The Westman Islands are known for many kinds
of seabirds, and there are more puffins than anywhere else. Lake Myvatn in
the north has more species of breeding ducks than any other place in Europe.
The great skua colony on the sands in South Iceland is the largest in the
world. Seabirds, such as puffins, can be seen in many places, as well as
eiders, arctic terns, waders and passerine birds. Some tour operators organize
tours for bird-watchers in early summer.

HIKING:

     More than half of Iceland is at a height of over 400 m above sea level,
and a large part of the island is covered by lava, glaciers, lakes and sand.
Not many places in Iceland have marked walking paths, but hiking is a favorite
pastime for Icelanders and tourists alike.

     There are mainly two companies that operate walking tours the year
around. The Touring Club of Iceland (Ferxoafelag Islands), Oldugata 3,
IS-101 Reykjavik, Tel: [phone], and Utivist Touring Club, Grofin
1, IS-101 Reykjavik, Tel: [phone]. During winter there are mostly day
tours or week-end tours, but longer tours are organized during summer. Many
travel agencies also organize hiking tours both during winter and summer.

HORSEBACK RIDING:

     Numerous farms throughout Iceland offer horse riding tours from 1 hour up
to 10 days (see brochure from the Farm Holiday Service).

JET SKIING:

     Jet-skis can be rented at:

     Saemundur a Selnum, Arnarnesvogur, Garxoabaer. Tel: [phone], open
weekdays 17:00-21:30 and weekends 12:00-21:30. Saepotan, Seltjarnarnes at
Bakkavor, Tel: [phone], open every day 13:00-22:00, and upon request.
Reduction for groups and on longer tours with guide.

SKIING:

     Winter skiing is available in all parts of the country. Summer skiing is
possible at Kerlingarfjoll, close to Hofsjokull glacier in the interior of
Iceland. A ski-school is operated there from the end of June until the end of
August, offering courses of 5 or 6 days. There is also the possibility of
staying for a weekend at the school. Those who are not participating at the
school can receive accommodation and food, and even rent equipment. Agent for
the ski-courses in Kerlingarfjoll: Urval-Utsyn, Alfabakki 16, IS-109
Reykjavik, P.O.Box 9180, IS-129 Reykjavik, Tel: [phone]. A ski lift on
the Myrdalsjokull glacier is open during the summer months. Skiers can even
be pulled further up by snowmobiles, and enjoy a 6 km run down the glacier.
Contact Porsteinn Einarsson, Solheimar, Myrdal, Tel: [phone].

BICYCLING:

     Bikes can be rented in Reykjavik and in a few places around Iceland.
Biking tours are sold by:

     Icelandic Highland Travel, Bankastraeti 2, IS-101 Reykjavik,
Tel: [phone], Telex 3000 isfjall, Fax [phone].

     Samvinn-Travel, Austurstraeti 12, IS-101 Reykjavik, Tel: [phone],
Telex 2241, Fax: [phone]

Utivist Touring Club, Grofin 1, IS-101 Reykjavik, Tel: [phone].

FARM VACATIONS:

     Many farms in Iceland welcome visitors. The charge for bed and breakfast
is ISK 2,050 (summer 1990) per night per person. Many farms also offer
sleeping-bag accommodation, cottages for rent and various activities such as
horseback riding and fishing. For further information please contact:
Icelandic Farm Holidays. Baendahollin IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland,
Tel: [phone], Telex 2255, Fax: [phone].

FISHING:

     Iceland is famous for its salmon and trout fishing, and deep-sea fishing
is becoming a popular sport. The main season for salmon fishing is from
around June 20th to mid-September (three months). As for trout fishing it
varies from one river/lake to the next, but the normal season is from
April/May until late September/October. During winter one can go ice-fishing,
which is becoming quite popular. For salmon fishing it is necessary to reserve
fishing permits well in advance, but for the trout fishing one can get fishing
permits on short notice, often the same day. Deep-sea fishing begins in late
May and lasts until the end of August. There are several tournaments in
different parts of Iceland during the summer. For further information please
contact: The National Angling Association, Bolholt 6, IS-105 Reykjavik,
Tel: [phone].

     The Icelandic Farm Holidays service offers "The Iceland Fishing Guide"
(Veixoiflakkarinn), which is a sales system for trout/(salmon) fishing
in Iceland. They publish an information brochure on fishing with details on
27 lakes around Iceland. A minimum of 10 "Veixoiflakkarinn" vouchers must be
purchased, which includes a free copy of the Fishing Guide. Fishing rods are
for rent at numerous farms. Please note that all fishing gear must be
disinfected before arrival in Iceland, certified by a veterinarian. For
further information please contact Icelandic Farm Holidays, Baendahollin at
Hagatorg, IS-107 Reykjavik, Tel: [phone], Telex 2255,
Fax: [phone].

GLACIER CLIMBING:

     Guided glacier-climbing tours are available for beginners and the
experienced alike. For further information please contact:

     The Icelandic Touring Club, Oldugata 3, IS-101 Reykjavik, Tel:
[phone]/11798.

     Utivist Touring Club, Grofin 1, IS-101 Reykjavik, Tel.
[phone]/23732.

     The Iceland Alpine Club, P.O. Box 1054, IS-121 Reykjavik,
Tel: [phone]/22712

     Glacier tours with snowmobile or snowcats are operated from Hofn in
Hornafjorour. For further information please contact:
Glacier Trip Ltd., P.O. Box 66, IS-780 Hofn, Tel: [phone].

GOLF:

     All the major golf courses in Iceland are open to foreign visitors. Green
fees are moderate. For further information please contact: The Golf Union of
Iceland, P.O. Box 1076, IS-121 Reykjavik, Tel: [phone],
Fax: [phone], Telex: 2314

Midnight Golf in Iceland - The Arctic Open:

     At Akureyri Golf Club in the north, golf can be played with the sun
shining at midnight. At the end of June a 36-hole open international match is
held. Tee-off is just before midnight and playing continues until the early
hours of the morning. For further information please contact: Urval-Utsyn
Travel Bureau, Alfabakki 16, IS-109 Reykjavik, Tel: [phone],
Telex: 2314 isi is, Fax: [phone].

REYKJAVIK MARATHON:

     The Reykjavik Marathon is an annual event and will be held for the 8th
year on August 18, 1991. In 1990 approximately 1,500 runners participated.
The closing day for entry is August 1. For further information contact:
Urval-Utsyn Travel Agency, Alfabakki 16, IS-109 Reykjavik,
Tel: [phone]. Telex: 2036 and Fax: [phone].

RIVER RAFTING:

     River rafting tours can be arranged by B.G. River Rafting & Guiding,
Tel: [phone].

SWIMMING:

     Swimming is a very popular activity all year round in Iceland. Most towns
and village