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

Tröllaskagi’sMystic BeautyThe beauty of the northern towns with their vibrant lifestyleHótel BrimnesLocated right at the top of the Troll Peninsula,Iceland’s cradle for great backcountry skiingand ski touring, less than an hour’s drive northof Akureyri, Hótel Brimnes in Ólafsfjörður,Fjallabyggð is the perfect place to unwind.As well as standard rooms in the hotel, it offerslog cabins (accommodating 4-6) each with theirown private hot tub. A delicious restaurant menuincludes Icelandic seafood and meat specialities.Hannes Boy Café & Kaffi RauðkaLively weekends and cheerful surroundings at the ‘End of the World’Siglufjörður feels like it is as far north Hannes Boy is the bright yellow buildingas you can go. This former herring right on the harbour, just a few feet fromcentre is set in a beautiful fjord and is a the boats, landing their fresh fish. Inside, thevery popular place to hike from and enjoy wood–beamed restaurant, with its lanternthe extraordinary birdlife and nature. The wall lights, wooden tables and chairs, ispristine beauty of the landscape is matched bright and cheerful. The menu includes fi shonly by the atmosphere of the town, where and lamb and you’re guaranteed a deliciousthere is much to see and do.meal in the inspiring atmosphere of thisWhen you have built up a good appetite warm and welcoming fi shing town.in the nature, you know you can dine at one If you’d rather have something lighter,of the best restaurants outside Reykjavík. the Kaffi Rauðka in the equally brightWelcome to the mysti cal Troll Peninsula!Bylgjubyggð 2 • 625 Ólafsfjörður+354 466 2400hotel@brimnes.iswww.brimnes.isred building next door is your place. Thisis a lively place—especially on Friday andSaturday nights, with its live bands. It’s agreat spot for lunch, for getting to know thelocal people and enjoying their lifestyle.Rauðka–HÞGránugata 5 • 580 Siglufjörður+354 467 1550raudka@raudka.iswww.raudka.isAt the Top of the WorldExperience siglufjörður’s beauty from Hvanneyri GuesthouseMany visitors looking for the realessence of Iceland find it whenvisiting the northerly town of Siglufj örður,the former herring capital of Iceland.The fi shing boom eventually ended, butthe people stayed, including the family inHvanneyri Guesthouse. The family patriarchhad, in fact, worked in Siglufjörður’s fi shingindustry since he was six years old until thelast fi sh processing plant closed this year.The guesthouse is located on the mainstreet and is thus within arms’ reach ofthe town’s restaurants, shops and bakery,making it an ideal place to set up baseduring a stay in Tröllaskagi.Accommodation ranges from dorms tolavish suites, something of which Katrín andher family are especially proud–offering eachcustomer a room to fit their taste and budget.Returning FriendsA family–run business, HvanneyriGuesthouse puts special emphasis on friendlyservice. “We feel our customers appreciateAðalbakaríGreat variety of freshly bakedbreads, buns, sandwiches, pastriesand cakes along with a lunch menuof soups and pasta.Bylgjubyggð 2 • 625 Ólafsfjörður+354 466 2400this and many of them keep returning. Infact, I just received baby gifts for my newbornfrom one of our customers. I guess it doesn’tget any more personal than that,” says Katrín.A Trip into Icelandic CultureThe town has a lot to offer in itself. The peopleof Siglufjörður are particularly proud oftheir museums: the award-winning HerringEra Museum and the Folk Music Centre,where you can delve into Iceland’s folk musicheritage, thanks to Rev. Bjarni Þorsteinsson,a former resident ofSiglufjörður, whodiligently collectedand documentedhundreds of folksongs from the year1880 onwards. That’snot to mentionthe beauty of theTröllaskagi area itself.Hvanneyri Guesthouse–asfSuðurgata Adalgata 10 86 •• 580 Siglufirði+354 +354 467 1506 1506order@hvanneyri.comhvanneyri@simnet.iswww.hvanneyri.com52 www.icelandictimes.com www.icelandictimes.com 53