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Viking Tours of the Westman IslandsExperience the Haunting Music of Bird, Man and WhaleMountainous, mysterious, and oneof those places on virtually everytourist’s wish list. Seen from the mainland,the jagged archipelago rises dramaticallyfrom the horizon, breaking the skyline fromIceland’s south coast with a sort of ‘comehither’ look that you cannot evade.The Herjólfur ferry, from its brandnew port just outside of the town ofHvolsvöllur, plies the waters that separatethe islands from the mainland, makingthe easy 25–30 minute crossing severaltimes a day. Now you have no excuse notto see the Westman Islands!The Circle TourA fun and refreshing way to sight-seein the Westman Islands, Viking Tours’specially designed tour boat takes youaround the main island of Heimaey, 2 or3 times a day in summer.The 90-minute tour gives you a chance topeek into caves, observe puffins and concludeswith the haunting saxophone music which fillsthe singing cave of Klettshellur, renowned forits superb acoustics and performed beautifullyby Sigurmundur Einarsson, director ofViking Tours.The Coach TourAnother delightful way to explore the islandis by Viking Tours’ coach which departs fromthe main harbour every day, year round. Theguided tour takes you to the still-warm Eldfellcrater which erupted over the whole island in1973, the effects of which are easily observablethroughout Heimaey. You will also get achance to observe puffins at Stórhöfði.10 million puffins can’t be wrongIn staggering numbers, these adorable birdsflock to the archipelago year after year,the first arriving on schedule around the12 th –14 th of April. “The best time of day tosee them is in the late afternoon and earlyevening when the puffin parents return totheir burrows after spending the day fishingon the sea”, says Sigurmundur.Westman Islands Whale watchingWith whole families of Killer Whales anddolphins arriving in July, the WestmanIslands are a great place for whalewatching, boasting the largest populationof these sea mammals in Iceland. VikingTours can organise a whale watching tourfor you on request.All Viking Tours’ trips begin and endat the cosy Café Kró down at the mainharbour, where you can take in the 55minute film about the 1973 eruption andlearn how this singular event changed theface of the Westman Islands forever.See you this summerin the Westman Islands!Viking Tours–emvTangagötu 7 • 900 Vestmannaeyjum+354 488 4884viking@vikingtours.iswww.vikingtours.isGetting there is part of the funA Week-end in the Westman IslandsIf the Westman Islands is not on youritinerary this summer, it really should be.The once difficult to reach archipelago is noweasily accessible via the Herjólfur ferry thatleaves from the port of Landeyjarhöf, nearHvolsvöllur, transporting you and your car tothe island in just about 30 minutes. (weatherpermitting, of course) There are also directflights from Reykjavik city airport, but takingthe double decker car and passenger ferry isdecidedly much more fun.Heimaey, literally ‘Home Island’, is thebiggest and only inhabited land in this chainof 14 volcanic islands. In spite of Heimaey’ssmall size, there is plenty to see and do, sostaying overnight in one of the island’s hotels,guest houses, self-contained cottages or campsites would be a good idea, to give you a realfeel for this very special corner of Iceland.The Birds’ High RiseThe sheer vertical walls that arecharacteristic of many of the islands withinthe archipelago are home to thousands ofkittiwakes, fulmars, gannets and puffins,although the puffin population has beenlower in numbers in recent years. VikingTours offers 90-minute boat trips aroundthe island, enabling you to sail right up closeto the cliffs. From that vantage point, theyresemble noisy high-rise apartment buildingswith the occupants out on their balconieshaving fun chatting, swooping fromperch to roost and taking turns with theirobligatory nest-sitting duties. The watersthat surround the island are outstandingshades of a deep turquoise colour that youwould never expect to find in an ocean atthis latitude, giving the impression of anisland dipped in crystal-turquoise ink andmaking for a truly memorable experience.A Dig with a DifferenceThe Pompeii of the North excavation site,is a fascinating, ongoing project to visit. Ithas been digging out several homes that wereburied during the volcanic eruption of 1973.The project, which began in 2005, aims touncover a total of 7–10 houses, one of whichshould be entirely dug out and ready for visitorsto walk through in the summer of 2013.Eat in a volcanic atmosphereTourists are encouraged to have their eyes openfor some of the new restaurants that will openthis summer. Hotel Vestmannaeyjar recentlyopened a first class restaurant specialising inlocal cuisine in a volcano-themed atmosphere,run by the ambitious local chef, Einar BjörnÁrnason. The menu will include specialityseafood dishes, as proximity to local fishinggrounds provides the opportunity to obtainfresh ingredients daily.–emvVestmannaeyjabærRáðhúsinu • 900 Vestmannaeyjum+354 488 2000postur@vestmannaeyjar.iswww.vestmannaeyjar.is130 www.icelandictimes.com www.icelandictimes.com 131