Why Birds Flock to Iceland The North Prepares for ... - Land og saga

The World of the VikingsThe Complete Viking ExperienceMuch has been made of Iceland’s Vikingheritage and many Icelanders proudlyclaim they possess some of the Vikings’most desirable traits; strength, courage andpersistence. The modern day Icelander can,however, hardly be considered an accuraterepresentation of the Viking lifestyle. Outsideof witnessing history buffs dressing up intraditional garb in county festivals, the fullextent of the Vikings’ incredible way of life isnowhere more visible than in Víkingaheimar,The World of the Vikings, in Reykjanesbær.Millennial VoyageOne of its prize displays is the Viking shipÍslendingur, an exact replica of a genuineViking ship, dated back to 870 AD, whichwas excavated almost entirely intact inNorway in 1882 and is considered one ofthe best examples of the era’s engineeringand maritime knowledge. What makesthe Íslendingur so amazing is that itwas actually used to cross the Atlanticin the year 2000 to commemorate LeifEiriksson’s discovery of North-America.Sailing across the Atlantic might not seemthat impressive with the technology andmaterials we have today, but one cannot butbe impressed when looking at the 18 tons ofwood and 5,000 nails used to make a woodenbehemoth which could survive the unforgivinghigh seas of the Atlantic Ocean – Viking style!The Whole Viking PackageVíkingaheimar is full of informative andentertaining exhibitions, which delve intothe story of the Viking expansion across theAtlantic, their unique mythology, myths andthe archeological findings in the Suðurnesregion which tell the story of the settlementof Iceland. After your visit you’ll no longerwonder why so many Icelanders cling soadamantly to their Viking ancestry. TheVikings’ accomplishments and ingenuityin face of extremely harsh environments ondisplay in Víkingaheimar speak for themselvesand when you show up at home with yourViking helmet on, you’ll actually be able toretell the incredible heritage that it signifies.Iceland at Your DoorstepWhen arriving to Iceland all too many touristshop on the first bus they see and head straightto Reykjavík, missing out on the wonders ofthe Reykjanes peninsula —geological, historicand cultural. You’d be well advised to bookyour first night in Reykjanesbær and workyour way from there. Despite its proximityto the airport, Reykjanesbær is no ordinaryairport town; it’s actually a vibrant villagewith a unique history, countless activities andnatural phenomena to be discovered.–VaGReykjanesbærHotel with Charma quiet, picturesque spot by the Harbour just 5 min from the airportHotel Berg, the cosy family hotel inKeflavík, has been open less thana year and yet it is garnering a lot of topreviews on sites like booking.com andTripAdvisor.com. Whether just overnight orfor a holiday, many go to these websites toread the reviews. After all, it’s an importantaspect of your stay and the reviews give you agood picture from other guests’ perspectives.What the Guests are Saying“Very close to the airport, which was greatsince we flew in at 23:30 at night. Very quiet,comfortable and clean, and a nice landingspot to begin our trip in Iceland.” “The quaintharbour location makes you feel removedfrom the airport though. Lovely rooms andvery homely. Breakfast was plentiful and wellprepared. Highly recommended.” “Lovely,new, small hotel in a residential area next tothe 2nd (quieter) harbour of Keflavick(sic) . Th eowners do free transfers from the airport for allguests. Very comfortable rooms, good breakfast,good value. What mroe(sic) to say? Stay here onyour way out of Iceland and you won’t regret it.”I could have chosen any of the 220recommendations on these sites and theywould have echoed these sentiments.Soothing and InspiringMany reviewers mentioned the quietlocation. The airport could be a millionmiles away rather than a mere 5 mins.There are beautiful walks, all the facilitiesof the town only a 5 min. walk away, witha range of good restaurants, and all theusual facilities. Mind you, each room has aTV and DVD player and there is a libraryof DVD’s to watch if you want to stay in.Right outside the front windows, the smallharbour is lined with little boats, adding tothe charm of this family hotel’s location.After a long fl ight, a visit to the hotel’shot pot will soothe aching muscles andtension in the best possible way.In winter and early spring, you can sit therewith a glass of wine, watching the NorthernLights dance across the sky overhead and feelthat all is well with the world!See the SightsIt’s not necessary to stay in the capital to beable to visit all the landmark sites. It’s justas easy from here, as there are tours withexpert guides who will uncover the region’shidden secrets which you might otherwisemiss. Then, when it’s time to return to yourold life, the complimentary airport transferwill return you to the airport in time—andbefore the rush—for your fl ight.–asfHótel BergTjarnargötu 12 • 230 Reykjanesbæ+354 421 6700reykjanesbaer@reykjanesbaer.iswww.reykjanesbaer.isBakkavegur 17 • 230 Reykjanesbæ+354 422 7922berg@hotelberg.iswww.hotelberg.is32 www.icelandictimes.com www.icelandictimes.com 33