ICELANDIC TIMES - Land og saga

– Rauða húsiðAt the Birthplace of the Icelandic Lobster IndustryHotel RangaStay in Iceland with ClassNow that Iceland is getting readyto put on its winter clothes withall the accompanying activitiesand natural phenomena – thedays are inevitably gettingshorter and the nights aregetting colder. It is therefore ofparamount importance to enterinto a realm of warmth and luxuryafter a busy day of activities andsightseeing and things don’t getany more luxurious than HótelRangá in the South of Iceland.Hótel Rangá is a four star log-cabinstyled resort, renowned for itsquality accommodation, serviceand gourmet food and extensivewine list. The hotel has beenheralded as one of the best hotelsin Iceland and even all of Europe,which comes as no surprise whenlooking at the elaborate interiorsand the personal service on offer.One of the latest additions is theWorld Pavilion – seven new suiteseach designed and themed foreach of the seven continents. Forthose looking for the ultimate stayin Iceland be sure to inquire aboutthe Master Royal Suite, which hasserved as a temporary home tosome of the most prominent peoplein the world.The hotel is conveniently locatedclose to all of the best attractionsSouth of Iceland has to offer,including Gullfoss,Geysir, Þingvellir,Landmannalaugar,Þórsmörk andVestmannaeyjarislands to name afew. The hotel is alsolocated in the middleof what is now beingcalled “The Ring ofFire,” an exciting areawith geothermal andvolcanic activity allaround. Be sure toinquire about helicopter trips to theinfamous Eyjafjallajökull.The area surrounding the hotel isthought by many to be the mostefficient site to catch sight of theelusive aurora borealis. Checktheir website for predictions andupdates.For more information and bookingvisit www.hotelranga.isA voyage to Iceland would not becomplete without a visit to thebirthplace of the Icelandic lobsterindustry. Visitors will no doubtwant to indulge in a feast of thefinest Icelandic seafood at theRauða húsið restaurant, located inthe picturesque seaside village ofEyrarbakki. In this beautiful redhouse, waits the dining experienceof a lifetime, served in a charmingatmosphere surrounded by a richand well-preserved history.Eyrarbakki, once an important tradingcentre in Iceland, has evolved intoa tranquil village of less than 600inhabitants. Many of the houses inwere built in the early 1900s and thevillage has maintained a turn of thecentury, freewheeling charm andatmosphere. Rauða húsið takes thisenchanting ambiance to new heightsthat will delight the palate with a tasteof the bounty of the sea.Lobster fishing in Iceland was bornoff the shores of Eyrarbakki in 1954.Icelanders were late to discover thevarious seafood delicacies. In fact itwas not till the mid 20th century thatthe locals discovered that not only wasthe small Langoustine lobster edible, itwas delicious!Guests will appreciate the care takento maintain the sense of historywithin the restaurant. The red house“Voted one of Europes top hot 100 Hotels“– Sunday Times, May 2010was originally built as a store by oneof the women who pioneered in thearea. The restaurant boasts beautifuloriginal wooden floorboards and datesback to 1919. Those who arrive by atnoon often choose a hearty bowl oflangoustine soup or a light seafoodsalad in advance of venturing out foran active day. Those who choose anevening of indulgence can savour theCatch of the day, which consists ofthree different seafood dishes preparedfrom the freshest ingredients available.Pair a bottle of fine wine with any ofthe menu’s offerings and cap it offwith one of the Rauða húsið’s signaturedesserts. Serving a variety of deliciousfish and meat dishes guests will find therestaurant’s cuisine is a nice mixtureof international and Icelandic cuisine,but local ingredients are certainly thefeature.Take advantage of the enjoyableexperience of walking around thevillage of Eyrarbakki before or after ahearty meal at Rauda Husid. The walkcould continue along the beautiful blackbeach only few minutes away from thevillage. What could top a relaxing strollby the water after an exquisite diningexperience?Rauda husid, Búðarstíg 4, Eyrarbakki.Tel. 483 3330. www.raudahusid.is;raudahusid@raudahusid.is44 45