is operated by Iceland’s national airport and air navigation service provider The airport is served by four airlines—easyJet and Smartwings—providing domestic flights within Iceland and international connections to London the airport inaugurated a new 33,000 m² terminal and airfield that will enable it to handle 500,000 additional passengers and 14 aircraft up from five. Current passenger numbers are around 200,000 annually with international traffic accounting for about 16% of the total unless stated and was provided by OAG Schedules Analyser and CAPA - Centre for Aviation Find out more about CAPA membership. insight and analysis from our award-winning editors delivered to your inbox daily Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Iceland but don't ignore the region's largest town What makes a city a city? Or at least, what makes a city a good option for a city break walkable areas – I’m willing to bet these criteria would be on just about anyone’s list As my plane descended past snow-shrouded mountains on its approach to Akureyri International Airport I knew I’d spend the next few days exploring the area’s otherworldly landscapes: thundering waterfalls What I didn’t expect was that in Akureyri checked off everything on my city break list Located at the bottom of the Eyjafjörðurfjord fjord and known as the capital of North Iceland it’s home to around 20,000 inhabitants making it the country’s largest municipality outside of the Reykjavík area The city is home to several arts and culture venues, including a concert hall, cinema, bars and the Akureyri Art Museum this surprisingly large gallery space was showing exhibitions from Icelandic and international artists I had to wonder what town of this size in the UK could provide such an opportunity for its emerging artists The area had seen a large dump of snow in the days before we arrived and more continued to fall throughout our stay so I was surprised to see that on Akureyri’s main roads but no: the pavements are actually heated via a system that harnesses the country’s plentiful geothermal power A short drive from the city centre took us to the Forest Lagoon a sleek geothermal spa complete with a Finnish sauna Taking in the views across the fjord whilst luxuriating in the hot pool all while falling snowflakes froze in my hair is an experience not many cities can offer – and not one I’ll soon forget On a previous trip to Iceland around ten years ago I fell in love with pretty much everything the country had to offer but my culinary experience was unremarkable at best (apart from the night I tried hákarl which was memorable for all the wrong reasons) This trip was the total opposite. On the first night, we ate at the hotel’s restaurant, North. Chef Gunnar Karl Gislason, who won Iceland’s first Michelin star for his Reykjavík restaurant Dill back in 2009 crafting dishes inspired by the landscape and making the most of local ingredients with an emphasis on foraging and sustainability I expected local ingredients like Arctic char and Icelandic lamb (which had a uniquely gamey flavour setting it apart from other varieties) to be delicious but I’ll admit I had my doubts about a dish of tomatoes Can you really enjoy flavourful tomatoes this far north in November thanks to Iceland’s impressive greenhouse farming and I was consistently impressed by the quality of fruit and vegetables throughout my stay try the sushi pizza; it’s delicious and not nearly as weird as it sounds By my last afternoon, I was convinced that despite its size, Akureyri had almost all I was looking for in a city break. The only thing missing? A really good cup of coffee. A quick Google search led me to Lyst Surrounded by the snow-covered park and accessed via tree-lined paths decorated with glowing festoon lights this minimalist cabin looked like an illustration on a Christmas card sent by your chicest friend – and I’m happy to report the coffee tasted as good as the space looked As much as I enjoyed getting to know Akureyri the real strength of this city is its location which makes it the perfect jumping-off point to visit some of North Iceland’s most spectacular landscapes this otherworldly site certainly lived up to its name which translates as the ‘Waterfall of the Gods’ Visit later in winter for the chance to see the waterfall ringed with stalactites the water freezing as it passes over the edge An hour outside of Akureyri lies Lake Mývatn which spans some 14 square miles and was created around 2,300 years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption most of the year the area teems with wildlife of all kinds (it’s particularly popular with birdwatchers who can expect to see a wide variety of species) Volcanic activity has left its spectacular mark on this area: one side of Lake Mývatn is pockmarked by pseudocraters caused by gas explosions which ignited when boiling lava flowed over the wetlands after a volcanic eruption; and at the nearby Dimmuborgir lava field towering pillars of black lava look like the ruins of some ill-fated ancient city we set out on a whale watching cruise from Hauganes a little further up the fjord from Akureyri Summer is the ideal time to see whales in the area as many migrate here to feed in the sheltered but that didn’t stop us from spotting three humpbacks who put on a playful display just metres from our boat When the captain played Celine Dion over the tannoy the whales emerged one last time apparently called back to the surface by the siren song of ‘My Heart Will Go On’ – a hallucinatory highlight of my time exploring this surreal and beautiful part of the world you can see the northern lights from Akureyri but your chances of seeing some truly spectacular colours increase if you head out of town, since light pollution can affect the visibility of the lights There are a number of tour operators that run Northern Lights tours from Akureyri and the surrounding area.  Visit in winter for the best chances of catching the northern lights as well as for winter activities including snowshoeing and snowmobiling Skiers can get their fix just ten minutes from the centre of Akureyri at Hlíðarfjall ski area, with extensive cross-country tracks and views across Eyjafjörðurfjord.  In the summer you can enjoy an incredible 23 hours of sunlight a day giving you all the more time to enjoy the cycling horseriding and river rafting on offer in the area.  Olivia Simpson travelled to Akureyri with Visit North Iceland and flew from London Gatwick with easyJet. Our reviews and recommendations have been editorially independent since 1968. For more, see our editorial guidelines Flights run from London Gatwick to Akureyri up to two days a week with fares from £37.17* per person (one-way easyJet flies from Manchester to Akureyri throughout the winter with fares starting from £28.17 per person.  *Price valid on 22/11/2024 for travel dates from 01/03/25 – 29/03-25 Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! About us Contact us The Icelandic Aviation Museum in Akureyri is calling for an expansion to accommodate its growing collection of large artefacts including helicopters and aircraft fuselages The Icelandic Aviation Museum is the only institute in the country dedicated to preserving the country’s aviation history As reported by Vísir its curators recently acquired significant new pieces which was moved from the Coast Guard in Reykjavík Also added were the cockpit of an Air Atlanta Boeing 747 and the nose section of an Icelandair Boeing 757 In an interview with Channel 2’s Flugþjóðin programme museum director Steinunn María Sveinsdóttir explained why the museum was established in Akureyri “People got together and founded the Aviation Museum here in Akureyri. Later, it was renamed the Icelandic Aviation Museum and then the museum’s area of responsibility expanded to collecting aviation memorabilia from all over the country.” The Icelandic Aviation Museum in Akureyri is open daily during the summer and by appointment in the winter. For visitors, it offers fascinating insights into Iceland’s aviation history, with affordable admission for adults, seniors, and students. Children can enjoy the museum for free. In-depth stories and high-quality photography showcasing life in Iceland! © 2024 - Iceland Review ehf. All rights reserved. To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen. Predicted lineups are available for the match a few days in advance while the actual lineup will be available about an hour ahead of the match The current head to head record for the teams are Valur 8 win(s) Have been awarded the most penalties this season (1) Patrick Pedersen is the competition's top scorer (3) Have scored 6 goals in their last 5 matches Hrannar Steingrimsson is ranked 3 in big chances created in the competition (2) 23 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMT?Valur won 3–1 over KA Akureyri on Wed 23 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 11 goals in their last 5 matches Valur is playing home against KA Akureyri at N1-völlurinn Hlíðarenda on Wed Apply Now Schedule Sign Me Up During a pilot “Arctic Sustainability Immersion” program in June led by the Sustainability Office and the Institute of Arctic Studies 10 undergraduates learned about Arctic policy and sustainable development through site visits in Akureyri and Húsavik two towns on the northern coast of Iceland We inspire students to practice good global citizenship while strengthening their own communities Act Now Bates Professor of Politics Áslaug Ásgeirsdóttir always wanted to return to her homeland of Iceland — but only if she could contribute in a meaningful way Ásgeirsdóttir got her wish this spring when she was offered the rectorship of the University of Akureyri “This is the right opportunity at the right time I was never going to move back just because I wanted to,” Ásgeirsdóttir said “It always had to be because there was also an interesting opportunity to contribute to higher education in Iceland.”  As Ásgeirsdóttir did a Zoom interview last week a group of students showed up at her office with a huge bouquet of flowers She returned to the interview clearly touched by her students’ gesture That’s a big part of why she will miss the Bates community: her work guiding students and her close interactions with Bates students “I’ve gotten to do a lot of different things at Bates You have a lot of freedom at Bates with what we call the educational journey with students And I’ve just always loved that about Bates,” she said Ásgeirsdóttir, who joined the Bates faculty in 2001, is a widely published expert on ocean governance including the settling of maritime boundaries She taught courses at Bates that included “International Political Economy,” “Ocean Governance,” and “The Arctic,” and advised senior thesis students Ásgeirsdóttir has made significant contributions to faculty governance at Bates including a term as associate dean of the college vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty “We are all very excited to see Áslaug take on this important leadership opportunity,” said Hill in his announcement to the Bates faculty having benefited from her strong and unflappable leadership and wise counsel as associate dean She tackled several important initiatives including introducing improvements to the Bates Faculty Development Fund revamping the departmental review guidelines and guiding a successful proposal to strengthen principles of faculty governance and committee work.” located in the town of Akureyri in the north of Iceland and doctoral programs in the health sciences “I think what I bring to the table is an outside perspective “but also a great deal of experience and deep experience in managing people overseeing projects as well as years of experience teaching and publishing.” Ásgeirsdóttir plans to get to work ensuring continued educational access on the Nordic island — which means something different in Iceland than it means in the U.S but that still doesn’t always translate into easy access to education as towns are far away and people often work while taking classes which is a pioneer in blended learning in Iceland and has a reputation for educating teachers and nurses also faces some of the same challenges as U.S such as the complexities presented by artificial intelligence and the role on-line learning will play in the future Ásgeirsdóttir is eager to work with faculty and staff to help the university navigate its way through the uncertain times in the world and in Iceland which is a country roughly the size of Ohio with a population of nearly 400,000 people “How do you continue to provide great educational offerings and ensure that the quality of what you’re doing is great but it’s a great institution with a great reputation and I would like to carry that forward,” she said and website in this browser for the next time I comment You’ll receive weekly emails with the latest news from Bates Please enter your name and e-mail address to receive updates from Bates College You'll receive an e-mail confirmation within an hour If you would like to change your subscriptions open one of your Bates Update e-mails (BatesNews Sports Update or Events at Bates) and click on "Change Subscriptions." Routes is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC A new terminal and a new ramp were inaugurated and officially put into use on the 70th anniversary of Akureyri Airport There was a large crowd on the field where the milestone was celebrated with staff The new airfield is 33,000 square meters in size and has two designated jet zones Akureyri Airport can now receive up to 12 to 14 planes instead of the previous 4 to 5 "It is not by chance that this day was chosen to put this new addition formally into use," says Sigrún Björk Jakobsdóttir Managing Director of Isavia Domestic Airports Akureyri Airport was inaugurated in a solemn ceremony and the day is therefore symbolic in the history of the field." Sigrún emphasized that the new terminal and apron align with the robust development of international flights through Akureyri Airport: "This building will accommodate up to half a million passengers while current passenger numbers are around 200,000 annually international passengers make up around 16% and this is where our operations are growing including Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson who described the new ramp and expanded terminal as significant advancements for air transport in the North: "They strengthen the role of Akureyri Airport as a gateway for domestic connections A strong airport in Akureyri brings substantial income and benefits to the region supporting the strategy of spreading tourism across the country These structures symbolize the visible successes of recent years." Sigrún Björk Jakobsdóttir thanked everyone who contributed to the project over the years and at the end quoted the former Minister of Transport who spoke at the terminal's inauguration on December 5 1954: "I wish that a hidden protective force will always follow this spot so that everyone can safely arrive and depart." District Manager Isavia & Airport Manager Akureyri email editor email editor by | Mar 4, 2025 | Business Features Optimar and Slippurinn Akureyri strengthen partnership to expand services Optimar and Slippurinn Akureyri have announced a strategic partnership aimed at reinforcing their positions in both domestic and international markets the two companies will expand their service offerings and deliver more advanced solutions tailored to the seafood industry “This alliance unlocks new opportunities for both companies and their customers we can streamline vessel servicing and retrofits while leveraging our expertise to provide an extensive range of innovative products and solutions,” said Páll Kristjánsson we strengthen our service network and gain direct access to cutting-edge competence enhancing our ability to support the industry,” they added Left – Pall Kristjánsson of Slippurinn Akureyri This partnership aligns with the companies’ shared vision of advancing high-tech processing solutions and fostering cross-border collaboration The agreement not only enhances operational efficiencies but also underscores a commitment to continuous innovation in seafood processing technology we offer a seamless combination of services and products ensuring that our customers receive the best possible support,” said Olason “Slippurinn Akureyri shares this commitment and is eager to see the impact of our combined expertise in building a stronger “Optimar is a recognised leader in seafood industry innovation and we are excited to deepen our collaboration to solve our customers’ challenges more effectively,” added Kristjánsson This strategic partnership signifies a new chapter for both companies reinforcing their dedication to excellence in service and sustainable growth within the seafood sector Disclaimer +353(0)83 826 8406 (editor) +353(0)83 826 8406 (sales) [email protected] [email protected] If you have a fishing news related story call or WhatsApp Oliver on +353 83 826 8406 or email [email protected] Copyright © 2020 – 2025 The Fishing Daily COMHLACHT CUMARSÁIDE AN tSÁILE TEORANTA (Saltwater Media Company Ltd)Registered Office: No IRL VAT No: IE3718993GH            IRL Company Reg No: 681474Sitemap | Terms & Conditions ten residents of Akureyri were baptised at Glerárkirkja as part of a new “express baptism” initiative aimed at making the ceremony more accessible The event exceeded capacity and is expected to be repeated As reported by RÚV while baptism ceremonies are a regular occurrence in Icelandic churches it is uncommon for several individuals to be baptised consecutively in a single afternoon That was the case at Glerárkirkja in Akureyri on the First Day of Summer when ten people took part in an “express baptism” initiative Among them were sisters Stefanía and Hekla who both expressed their satisfaction with the ceremony The initiative was first reported earlier this month by local news site Akureyri.net. In an interview with the outlet Reverend Hildur Björk Hörpudóttir of Glerárkirkja explained that the idea was designed to make baptisms more accessible and less burdensome for families Inspired by the success of a mass wedding ceremony held at the church on Valentine’s Day—an event that will be repeated next year—express baptism was open to anyone unbaptised Interested families were asked to give the church a little advance notice so that baptismal cakes bearing each child’s name could be prepared After the event, Reverend Hildur told RÚV that she had initially expected mostly children around confirmation age but was surprised by the range of ages among those baptised. She emphasised that this will not be the last event of its kind. 03 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}KFA won 8–1 over Kormákur/Hvöt on Sat The current head to head record for the teams are KFA 2 win(s) KFA have won the previous 2 matches against Kormákur/Hvöt Haven't kept a clean sheet in 6 matches Have scored 2 goals in their last 5 matches Haven't kept a clean sheet in 8 matches Who won between KFA and Kormákur/Hvöt on Sat 03 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT?KFA won 8–1 over Kormákur/Hvöt on Sat 03 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 18 goals in their last 5 matches KFA is playing home against Kormákur/Hvöt on Sat Akureyri Airport in North Iceland saw record international traffic last month averaging seven scheduled flights abroad per week domestic routes—particularly between Akureyri and Reykjavik—remain the airport’s busiest International traffic through Akureyri Airport in North Iceland has seen significant growth, averaging seven scheduled weekly flights abroad last month, alongside an increase in charter services, Vísir reports Akureyri is now approaching Reykjavik Airport in total passenger numbers British low-cost carrier EasyJet has operated up to four weekly flights from Akureyri—two from London and two from Manchester Dutch airline Transavia has run two weekly flights from Amsterdam and Swiss carrier Edelweiss has offered one weekly departure from Zurich Charter operations have also grown alongside scheduled services As noted by Vísir the rise in international air service has driven a notable increase in total passenger numbers 23,000 passengers travelled through Akureyri Airport Reykjavik Airport recorded 27,000 passengers during the same period the majority of passengers at Akureyri Airport are still flying within Iceland Two-thirds of March passengers were on domestic routes with the Akureyri–Reykjavik route remaining the busiest by far In an interview with Vísir stated that domestic travel through the airport was consistently high There’s still heavy traffic and plenty of activity,” Ari observed International service is becoming popular not only among foreign tourists but also among Icelanders according to Airport Director Hjördís Þórhallsdóttir “People from North Iceland make great use of the international routes Charter flights are mainly used by Icelanders travelling abroad,” Hjördís noted She estimated that around 150 people are now employed by companies at the airport “There’s also a clear sense of optimism surrounding the airport People in North Iceland want the airport to thrive and grow,” Hjördís said Asked whether there was any opposition to the airport’s current location Hjördís was unequivocal: “No,” she replied In-depth stories and high-quality photography showcasing life in Iceland we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads may adversely affect certain features and functions Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen TechTarget and Informa Tech’s Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and Informa we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities a Nordic colocation company and HPC service provider has revealed the location of its fourth data center and will eventually span a total of 4,000 square meters (approximately 43,000 sq ft) atNorth says that the facility in Akureyri will have PUE rating as low as 1.03 – that is almost all energy will be used for computing Since cooling is consistently an issue with HPC the company uses the local climate to its advantage helping to increase the efficiency of the process “We welcome the development of this site in Akureyri,” said Ásthildur Sturludóttir the mayor of the town.”The project complements recent infrastructure projects in the Northeast of the country that will ensure safe and secure transfer of electricity to the area Increasing the access to electricity as well as the security in the transfer to the north-east area makes this type of development possible.” atNorth (formerly known as Advania) is a sustainability-focused company and its sites only use renewable energy from hydro and geothermal power plants It began with a single data center, the facility called “Thor,” which atNorth acquired from Skyrr one of Iceland's largest IT service providers the company has expanded to two locations in Iceland (now three) and one in Sweden “We are the first colocation player in the Nordics to build facilities fully equipped for high-capacity services from the start,” said Eyjólfur Magnús it is already a thriving high-tech hub with many technology companies in the area and the new center will offer many job opportunities to an already excellent and talented workforce Iceland’s colder climate and renewable energy sources allows businesses to tap into a sustainable infrastructure with great connectivity and cost efficiencies which will allow us to deliver our services with high precision to customers both in and outside the Nordic region.” Back in 2018, Advania became the victim of a real data center heist, when in a series of four data center burglaries, thieves stole $2 million worth of cryptocurrency mining servers Raleigh Butler is a freelancer at Data Center Knowledge She recently graduated from UIUC with her M.S and any books she can find in her spare time Decoding Data Center Efficiency Metrics: A Guide to Energy and Sustainability Data Center Knowledge’s 2024 Salary Report Deep Dive: Optimizing AI Data Storage Management Strategies for Sustainable Water Consumption in Data Centers This website is owned and operated by Informa TechTarget influences and connects the world’s technology buyers and sellers Informa PLC’s registered office is 5 Howick Place five priests in Iceland’s unofficial northern capital will be offering back-to-back weddings for couples looking for a quick and novel marriage ceremony Events like these have taken place across Iceland before and have been well-received among the public So-called serial weddings often attract crowds of well-wishers and tend to lead-in to a celebratory reception held at a more personal Two of the priests involved, Sindri Geir Óskarsson and Jóhanna Gísladóttir, told Akureyri.net that they have already received plenty of applications The other priests behind the occasion are Hildur Björk Hörpudóttir Aðalsteinn Þorvaldsson and Hildur Eir Bolladóttir anyone who has attended a traditional wedding has probably For such people, a serial wedding is the answer—condensing a festive event down into a short, snappy, but still romantic experience The ceremonies—which will each take approximately fifteen minutes—will be held at Glerárkirkja church The priests made clear that despite the conveyor belt structure of the event nothing will be done to compromise its formality and solemnity both alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines will be served and each couple will be provided with a small cake There will also be a photo booth set up to capture the happy memories While the event certainly sounds like a novel way of tying the knot it actually has far more importance than people might at first realise the priests stressed the importance of making sure that participants have all the necessary legal paperwork in order before arrival the legally recognised union of two people “It’s the sheriff in the Westman Islands who issues all the legal paperwork,” Jóhanna pointed out so it takes longer than it would otherwise.” Sindri added; “I think it would be safest to get it done by Tuesday at the latest.”  The applications received so far have come from a wide variety of people including a couple who has been together for 35 years Sindri also spoke about the changing nature of weddings as he has experienced it as a priest.  “People are starting to want it to be more low-key and intimate I’ve heard from people that they just went to the county clerk’s office to get married because they didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”  He continued; “Then I point out that they could have come to my office The size of the ceremony is always the decision of the bride and groom Mild conditions are expected across much of Iceland today with temperatures potentially climbing to between 15 and 18°C in the north and east According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office these areas will enjoy mostly clear skies throughout the day making it a fantastic time to get out and explore local attractions The outlook for elsewhere in the country is not quite as positive Cloudy weather and light rain is anticipated in the south and west though will winds will generally remain weak with occasional stronger gusts along the southwestern and western coastlines The forecast notes, published in RÚV, indicate that there will be “a cooler spell on the way for the north tomorrow, but overall, similar conditions will continue.” Looking ahead to the rest of the week, rain is likely to dominate on Tuesday, particularly in eastern regions, with Wednesday and Thursday expected to bring persistent showers. As the week progresses, temperatures are expected to dip slightly; a cooling down that, with any luck, signals a shift towards more typical early spring weather across the country. 08 Feb 2025 15:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Afturelding won 4–0 over Thor Akureyri on Sat The current head to head record for the teams are Afturelding 4 win(s) Have scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches Who won between Afturelding and Thor Akureyri on Sat 08 Feb 2025 15:00:00 GMT?Afturelding won 4–0 over Thor Akureyri on Sat 08 Feb 2025 15:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches Afturelding is playing home against Thor Akureyri on Sat Police in Northeast Iceland, backed by the National Commissioner’s Special Forces Unit, arrested five individuals on January 12 during an operation at a residence in Akureyri’s Glerárhverfi neighbourhood, reports RÚV The arrests followed reports of an assault and threats involving weapons and nearby streets were closed to ensure public safety Special Forces officers were deployed to the scene and took charge of the operation police are unable to provide further details as the investigation is still in its early stages formal actions at the scene have concluded and authorities are working to assess the full scope of the case Updates will be provided as more information becomes available Tourist Sexually Harassed In Blue Lagoon Tourist Held Hostage On May Day Culture Night Killer Sentenced To Prison Starbucks To Open In Reykjavík Soon An Ode to Flateyri Grapevine Events: The Clock, Other-Grounds Film Festival, Icelandic Sorcery Festival & More Police Officers Spied On Citizens For Iceland’s Richest Man From Army Brats To Luxury Flats has set itself a big goal: to become the world’s first carbon-neutral city by 2030 It hopes that going green can serve as a model for other places Akureyri is one of the few places in Iceland with forest It’s part of the town’s “green scarf,” an ever-growing swath of pines and other trees planted to create a giant carbon sink; trees absorb C02 has set itself a big goal — to become the world’s first carbon-neutral city by 2030 The 18,000 people who live there are ready to do what it takes to stop emitting more harmful greenhouse gasses than it absorbs But there are two challenges keeping Akureyri from being carbon-neutral currently The first is that most people fly in on commercial jets — that carbon footprint alone is giant The second is gas-guzzling cars — each licenced driver owns about two of them it can almost feel like a challenge to find ways to pollute here visitors can use a dedicated bike and scooter path for the 10-minute ride into town Hydroelectric plants provide 100% of Akureyri’s electricity powered by snow-fed rivers cascading down from the surrounding mountains “The power installation produces electricity for 8,000 to 10,000 electric vehicles,” said Gudmundur Sigurdarson the visionary behind Akureyri’s carbon-neutral plans we could produce all the electricity we need for transport from the local river,” said Sigurdarson who is also the town’s informal spokesman and a guide for all things green “We want the people living here to have all the opportunities to live as green a lifestyle as possible,” he said There are charging stations for cars and recycling stations everywhere there are no excuses not to take part in this green wave.”   From soda cans and plastic water bottles to heat-trapping greenhouse gasses like methane Sigurdarson walked up to the top of a grassy hill just outside town that used to be Akureyri’s main landfill but for the dozens of black pipes sticking up from the ground The pipes capture the tons of rising methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere over time the greenhouse gas gets pumped to a storage station for refinement as a fuel to run the town’s buses Same goes for Akureyri’s cooking oil recycling bins The oil gets turned into biodiesel for ships even animal carcasses get turned into compost “Today these are horses and pigs,” said Christian Olaffsson He was pointing to a long conveyor belt piled with animal remains It all gets mixed with wood chips and grass and other materials then stored outside for months before being given away — again seems to embody what Akureyri’s shooting for “We talk about the plant as a climate hero,” Sigurdarson said it reduces our emissions by 1 kilo of CO2.” But the second of the two things slowing Akureyri’s progress toward that goal are the gas-guzzling cars Getting people to go electric is proving tough there’s a parade every Wednesday when dozens of guys in vintage vehicles gather along the fjord and then roll out for a slow cruise — creating a lot of noise and exhaust One driver said he felt too old to consider switching to an electric vehicle Maybe I’ll be buried in a car like this,” he said That’s hardly the voice of a green revolution the vintage car fellows are a small group of people And Akureyri did have a milestone to celebrate around this year’s summer solstice: The number of electric vehicles registered in the town hit 1,000 delivered to your inbox every weekday morning Thanks to our sponsor PRX is a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS: #263347402 The Akureyri Swimming Pool’s facilities are falling well short of competitive standards, warns the vice-chairman of the local swimming club Odin, reports RÚV several competitive swimmers have already left the area moving either to southern Iceland or abroad where they can access better training facilities the current outdoor pool setup severely hampers the development of competitive swimming in Akureyri Iceland’s largest town outside the capital region He says that having an indoor pool would greatly improve facilities for elite training It would also be much more suitable for people with disabilities to be able to train indoors Swimming facilities in Akureyri are far from acceptable This is reported on Vikublaðið’s website Numerous training sessions have to be cancelled in winter due to cold weather Einar says this is partly due to increased risk of injuries but it’s also difficult to monitor swimmers in the steam rising from the water in the cold Einar says swimming is a winter sport with the competition season running from September to June they have had to plan competitions for autumn or spring It’s extremely important that improvements are made as soon as possible There has long been emphasis on the need for a 50-meter indoor pool in the town Einar says there are examples of promising swimmers moving south or even abroad for better facilities Parents have also expressed similar concerns about the facilities While you’ll find a fair number of points hotels in Reykjavik and the surrounding area there aren’t many points hotels in other parts of Iceland That’s why I’m excited to see this latest development as there’s a new property opening in 2025 Hilton has just announced plans to open two new hotels in Iceland thanks to a new franchise agreement with Bohemian Hotels the one planned for the north of Iceland is much more interesting to me It will be on the Hafnarstræti street “blending modern comforts with a nod to Iceland’s rich cultural heritage.” The hotel is expected to feature a lounge and lobby bar an all-day dining restaurant with an outdoor courtyard The north of Iceland is popular for its proximity to the Diamond Circle and Arctic Circle including for whale watching and observing the Northern Lights Admittedly this isn’t some luxury property that’s a destination in and of itself but instead it should be a good option for those in the Hilton Honors ecosystem who want to explore Iceland I’ve been wanting to return to Iceland for another trip and some time back was plotting out an itinerary I was going to drive around the entire country So it’s always exciting to have more options Akureyri even has an airport, with flights from EasyJet, Edelweiss, Icelandair, Transavia, and more. There was even an airline startup that was going to be based here but that didn’t end up being successful it sure would be nice to see more luxury and/or points properties outside of the Reykjavik area Of course Iceland is a destination you visit for the natural beauty However, you’d still think that there would be demand for something like a Six Senses property, since it’s a brand that’s very much about nature. The only real luxury property I know of outside of the Reykjavik area is Deplar Farm, and that’s painfully expensive So while this new Curio Collection property likely won’t be particularly luxurious I’m still delighted to have another points property that’s ideal if exploring Iceland we should see the opening of a new Hilton Curio Collection property in Akureyri It’s always nice to have more properties where you can redeem points What do you make of Hilton’s plans to open a new property in Iceland Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" their is also the Local Airline “Norlandair” with a really cool route to Constable Point in Greenland The Icelandic Aviation Museum is at the Akureyri aiport and really worth a visit - https://www.flugsafn.is/ my family and I have wonderful memories of our stay at the Canopy by Hilton in Reykjavik (I believe it was If the staff at this new hotel is only half as great as the Canopy staff were Have a soak at the beer spa just up the road Bring a designated driver since there are taps next to the individual soaking tubs Great hotel but for the possibility of running into a Separately I wonder what my associates would think of me at a Hilton instead of a Rosewood that you’re a pompous wannabe that spends his day trolling in the comments about a life he wishes he led… you've been on a roll today with stupid (don't by those chargers) obnoxious (incoherent comments insulting someone who hasn't commented and making sure that we all know you're rich and successful and downright rude (to @Julie) You probably make next to nothing as a paralegal in a third-rate firm Please either be nice or find another sandbox Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe The comments on this page have not been provided approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered You have successfully joined our subscriber list Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. See more about our ethics policies here Are you seeking to learn more about Iceland’s mysterious huldufólk Do you want to surround yourself with others who share a connection with Iceland’s interdimensional side Then the Tales of the Nature Spirits conference might just be the perfect gathering for you Tales of the Nature Spirits is an international conference that will be held at Hof Cultural Center in Akureyri on Saturday The conference will be presented in collaboration between Huldustígur Nature tours and Huldu Náttúruhugvísindasetur Huld Haflidadottir—founder of Spirit North and STEM Husavik—will act as mediator This year’s conference is organised by Bryndís Fjóla Pétursdóttir—sometimes called the Elf Whisperer Bryndís is known for her fun and educational huldufólk tours as part of Huldustígur (“The Hidden Trail”) in Akureyri’s beautiful botanical gardens Read more: Where to Find Icelandic Elves: A Guide to Akureyri’s Hidden Trail Space at Tales of the Nature Spirits is limited It is expected that between 300-400 people will attend the event competition for places was so high that Bryndís’ own family could not even buy a ticket… With that in mind there’s no better time to reserve your spot than right now This will be the second conference held by Huldustígur Last year’s event—also held at Hof Cultural Center 2024—was in Icelandic in order to source stories of Huldufólk (Hidden Folk) encounters from Iceland’s elder population Many of these fantastical tales had never been heard before making them invaluable sources to researchers and were even later illustrated by the storytellers’ grandchildren A conference focused on the teachings of invisible creatures might be considered to be outside of the norm—at least in most places around the world some people might scoff at the notion of mystical creatures living among them but Bryndís is quick to see the amusing side as we sit in the Iceland Review offices to discuss the conference the welcome presence of notable international speakers at Tales of the Nature Spirits proves that Icelanders’ spiritual beliefs have much in common with those elsewhere an open minded-ness towards realms beyond our knowledge could very well be the fabric that ties many different cultures together I realise that through this inclusive attitude she hopes to attract as many types of people to the conference as possible: farmers the more people hear her message—nature’s message—the better a belief in secretive beings can be used as a tool to help combat climate change These creatures are synonymous with the landscape is the willingness to believe we can do more to protect our planet No need to raise your eyebrow—utilizing Iceland’s pantheon of spiritual creatures and deities as a tool to protect the environment has a long history Icelandic folklore is renowned for its fascinating mystical creatures—Huldufólk and even Dragons—and the appearance of such beings Such lessons will no doubt be an important part of the conference but so too will be fascinating insights into the nature of belief and spiritual co-existence Existing in a dimension parallel to our own Icelanders interpret mystical beings in such a way as to be worth exploring did you know that Icelanders are among the only native peoples who approach nature spirits in silence Spiritual practice here is more akin to someone taking a pleasant walk in the countryside then inquiring as to the health and happiness of the flora and fauna around them Icelanders are very fortunate because the Huldufólk are still considered sacred Icelanders were not willing to give them up in the past—even upon Iceland’s Christianisation in 1000 AD—and they are not willing to give them up now The purpose of the Tales of the Nature Spirits conference is to enrich and This includes examining their impact not just on Icelandic culture but all cultures around the globe The conference provides the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people who share an interest in the country’s more secretive and spiritual side This meeting will also allow guests to collaborate in the fields of research and art Lecturers hailing from across the world will begin speaking at 9:30 am and finish at 3:00 pm You can expect mystically minded teachers from Kenya instilling an appreciation of unfamiliar local beliefs and forming bonds that go far beyond land borders These lecturers come with a warning—so much from their culture has been lost so their message is truly one of stepping back and listening to nature’s voice to make sure to protect it Bryndís herself will present the talk The Benefit of Sensing Nature must relearn how to listen and connect with nature in a meaningful way She will explore the idea that nature is not silent but constantly communicating—through the rustling of leaves and the shifting of the earth beneath our feet By developing a deeper awareness of these subtle messages we can foster a greater sense of harmony with the environment and even discover guidance in our personal lives encouraging attendees to embrace a more intuitive and respectful relationship with the natural world Auður Aðalsteinsdóttir Professor of Literature at the University of Iceland will also present a speech: How to Build a Troll Chair and Other Pest Control Hacks Her talk will explore the intersection of folklore and practical knowledge revealing how ancient myths often served as creative solutions to everyday problems She will also discuss the surprising ways in which these old tales continue to influence modern Icelandic culture and environmental practices Spanish-born Kenyan visual artist, Galadriel González Romero brings lessons and stories from Africa for their speech Raised amid the savannahs and forests of the red continent Galadriel possesses a kinship with the more-than-human Galadriel also has a long relationship with Iceland she collaborated with Akureyri Botanical Gardens on the works The Impossible Garden and A Portal to the End She is also a founding member of Snæfellsjökul fyrir forseta nominated Snæfellsjökull for President in 2024 American writer Nancy Marie Brown will also make an appearance at the conference which is fitting considering her bibliography eight of them about Iceland and the Viking Age One of her most famous books is about how Icelandic elves can save the world nailing the theme of the conference and bringing a literary appreciation to the proceedings Nancy has visited Iceland more than thirty times since 1986 she taught herself to read Old Norse as a graduate and now lives on a farm with her own Icelandic horses and Icelandic sheepdogs Other important and insightful speakers in attendance include:  Great news for those not in the country but still interested in attending and you can buy a link to participate from wherever you are in the world you can type in questions and provide your own ideas as to what should be discussed or organized for next year’s conference there will be a workshop held in Akureyri University’s Sólborg Hall during which the comments from the previous livestream will be discussed If the Tales of the Nature Spirits sounds like the type of event for you you’re going to want to make sure to plan ahead That not only means booking a ticket for the conference itself—remember there is fierce competition for spots—but also organizing your time in North Iceland Akureyri has plenty of great options when it comes to accommodation it is close to some of Iceland’s most beautiful points of interest Guests of the conference will take part in a variety of experiences that will make their stay in the north even more memorable They will take part in meditation sessions (Dragons in Iceland are considered protectors of water as they are in many other places around the world.) And remember, if you can’t make the event in person, you’re always welcome to check-in on the conference online by purchasing a link here Tales of the Nature Spirits is sponsored by SSNE, Fjord and Akureyrarbæ You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience This website uses cookies to understand how you use the website and to improve your experience. By continuing to use the website, you accept the University of New England’s use of cookies and similar technologies. To learn more about our use of cookies and how to manage your browser cookie settings, please review our Privacy Notice the stunning island nation of Iceland is the world’s most peaceful nation a fact visible in the country’s unique Nordic culture is located in northeast Iceland and is the nation’s second-largest urban area It is surrounded by mountains at the head of Iceland’s longest fjord Akureyri is the site of a robust cultural scene As an exchange student at the University of Akureyri you will live and take classes in a variety of subjects at the university while experiencing all that the unique country of Iceland has to offer UNE will work with the University of Akureyri to determine suitable housing options The exact type and location of housing is based on availability each semester and is typically a shared student apartment or guesthouse with whom the University of Akureyri collaborates You'll begin your study abroad experience before even leaving home by participating in information sessions and a Pre-Departure Orientation with the Global Education Program staff The orientation allows you to connect with others in the group reflect on what you want to get out of the program and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish The UNE Iceland program in Akureyri offers a curriculum that meets the needs of a broad range of undergraduate majors and international relations allow you to take the courses you need while experiencing life in a different culture All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise specified You should be flexible with course choices Fall semester students arrive in Iceland in late August and return home in mid-December Spring semester students arrive in Iceland at the beginning of January and return home in mid-May Students are required to have a 2.5 minimum GPA No Icelandic language experience is necessary Students keep all UNE scholarships and financial aid and are billed the same tuition as for a traditional on-campus semester plus the standard UNE rate for housing without a meal plan Students participating in a UNE semester abroad program will be automatically awarded a $500 Global Education Scholarship. Students may also apply for the Downs Family Travel Scholarship This scholarship was established by Mrs The Downs family are champions of global education and UNE’s campus in Morocco The scholarship was established to provide support for students who might not otherwise be able or inclined to participate in a semester abroad at the UNE Tangier Campus or other UNE semester-abroad programs.  Other outside scholarships may be available; visit the scholarship opportunities listing or contact the Global Education team for more details Ready to apply for a semester in Akureyri, Iceland? Fill out our easy online application or visit us at the Global Education desk on the 2nd floor of the Commons or Decary Hall 126 APPLY Akureyri Art Museum was buzzing with energy during the Boreal Screendance Festival The EU Delegation sponsored an event entitled "Europe in Focus" where four screendance videos by European choreographers were shown and where guests could also enjoy multiple art installations of the festival The event took place on 7 November 2024 in collaboration with Boreal Screendance Festival and the Akureyri Art Museum Akureyri Art Museum was buzzing with energy when the EU Delegation sponsored event "Europe in Focus" took place during the Boreal Screendance Festival at Akureyri Art Museum the event saw a great turnout of local festival-goers local politicians as well as the Mayor of Akureyri all of whom braved the storm to enjoy an evening of European cultural celebration Highlights of the evening included four screendance videos by European (EU) choreographers and video-artists guests could enjoy multiple different art installations of the festival while also enjoying a selection of food and drinks provided by the EU Delegation to Iceland The screendance pieces screened during "Europe in Focus" were: "Queens of Unwanted Things" by Anna Holström - Sweden Ruins Within Ruins by Lefteris Parasyris - Greece the EEA Agreement between Iceland and the European Union has served as a bridge connecting our citizens as the basis of the rich and successful cultural cooperation between Iceland and the EU is a great example of the many benefits EEA membership bring as billions of Icelandic króna have been invested in Icelandic creative industries and local artists Further underlining the importance of the EEA services and capital have allowed our artists to move freely across borders to collaborate create and to share their cultures and skills with people across Europe we are also celebrating 30 years of successful cultural cooperation between Iceland and the EU The EEA has allowed Iceland to actively engage in the EU's cultural programme bringing new opportunities for our artists and our cultural institutions to thrive This partnership has not only expanded our cultural horizons but has also strengthened the bonds between us - Sigríður Örvarsdóttir The main idea behind Boreal Screendance Festival was to create a bridge between my home country That’s the beauty of Boreal; it has the power to connect places The festival strives to showcase screendance without the participating artworks being subject awards or competition The aim of Boreal Screendance Festival is to connect The EU Delegation thanks the festival organisers and Akureyri Art Museum for the cooperation and for the chance to host such a successful event in Iceland's northern "capital" the Boreal Screendance Festival is an international videodance festival which takes place in Akureyri in close cooperation with Akureyri Art Museum.  The project promotes collaboration between countries with the main objectives of spreading and sharing videodance in Iceland Boreal has showcased art pieces from over 80 artists from 17 different countries Yuliana Palacios and the Assistant Director is Mr Clara Ganslandt / Sendiherra Evrópusambandsins // Sendiherra ESB ásamt bæjarstjóra Akureyrar Sigríður Örvarsdóttir / Safnstjóri Listasafnsins á Akureyri Artist pictured with her art installation // Listakona mynduð með verkinu sínu Boreal Festival organisers alongside artists The Akureyri Open was staged earlier this monthJohn McDonald wore a big smile on his face as he nodded along to Alexander-Veigar Þorvaldsson's entrance music he told Daily Star Sport: "This is what it's all about!" Those same volunteers were now in the crowd as McDonald announced Alexander-Veigar's opponent in the final Alexander-Veigar and Matthías were the final two in the Akureyri Open - a darts tournament in the far north of Iceland Icelandic darts descended upon this Arctic outpost for two nights in early April And while Akureyri can claim to be its current home Icelandic darts has humble routes down in Grindavík Hundreds of fans packed into the venueArticle continues belowA couple of years ago Grindavík was just like any other Icelandic settlement quite literally kept afloat by the fishing industry Even the throngs of tourists visiting the nearby Blue Lagoon didn't realise the tiny town existed This small town called to Matthías when he was a semi-professional footballer “There’s a dart board in every house in Grindavík," he joked "Or at least there used to be..." Grindavík has since hit international headlines due to the ongoing volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula Want to keep up with all of the latest sport news Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Off the Ball email newsletter Simply click on this link then provide your email address and that's it You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories You can also sign up for our Daily Star Football email for all the latest transfer news and breaking stories, right here It was in Grindavík where Matthías spearheaded the Icelandic darts revolution - he wanted to get better and so started to stream his matches "We wanted to improve and not just have a night out with friends," he explained but we wanted to do something to get better!" It was also Matthías who got the World Darts Championship streaming on Stöð Sport - Iceland's sports channel “I said it’s a massive party and it would be brilliant to have on Icelandic TV Matthías Örn Friðriksson has spearheaded Icelandic darts“I had been in contact with Matt Porter too so I connected them two together and they bought the rights!" With the game now on TV, it has started to grow in the far frozen north - there's even an Icelandic Premier League with Matthías joking it's like Ally Pally's finals night The Akureyri Open is a testament to just how much the game has grown in Iceland Hundreds crammed into the nightclub on finals night for a glimpse of the top eight men and the women's final It was all staged by Thór's darts department; David Orn Oddsson explained his excitement as the finals stage was being set up the tournament had attracted over 200 competitors in a town of just under 20,000 now in the evening and decked out in a suit was at the centre of its running - and as he rushed off to get everything set Vidar Valdimarsson opened up about the club with darts just one of a number of sports under the club's umbrella Locals can pay a fee to join the club and they hold practice at their headquarters every week The tournament took place in the far frozen north‌It's an impressive facility and the majority are kitted out with Target's Scolia system Vidar explained how they were gifted the building by the municipality - and they don't have to pay rent Vidar joked that when they were handed the facility he immediately went and tore down some of the walls to create the darts hall so the municipality couldn't change their mind all the money from membership fees or renting it to local businesses to have a throw can go directly back into trying to grow the sport a contingent of players were heading to the Faroe Islands for a tournament - while Vidar also added that they can help members get to Reykjavik were represented in the final - and he got his wish on the biggest stage he said: "It would be a blast to play on the stage with them and hopefully we hear his iconic call!" He took to social media a couple of days later to share the clip: "Have you experienced throwing a 180 on stage and having @Russ180 call it?" Russ Bray and John McDonald were in attendanceHowever Alexander-Veigar had been impressive throughout - and he was crowned as the champion after a final with an impressive level of quality on display Icelandic darts is on the up - for the past two years, they've had a team at the World Cup And Matthías thinks the sky is the limit for Icelandic darts - but it will take time "I took my practice time from football in 2019 and put it into darts "That was six years ago and now my average is over 80… in England that’s s*** easyJet Holidays offers a flight and four-night room package from £481pp. Stay at Kea by KeaHotels in Akureryi for four nights, flying from London Gatwick to Akureyri. Flying domestically in Iceland is like stepping back in time Just check in for your flight at the ticket counter Just check your big bags and walk on board with your carryons A very civilized process in an equally civilized country Our flight was from Reykjavik City Airport which is right in the center of the capital city flying to Akureyri in the north of the country The much larger international airport is 50km (30 statute miles) to the southeast We were a group of six; five of us from various media outlets and our very capable and patient Icelandair media wrangler Icelandair has two 76-seat DHC-8-400s and three 37-seat DHC-8-200s in its fleet; they acquired them in March of 2021 when the airline purchased Air Iceland Connect to create an integrated domestic/international route system 28 flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri started out uneventfully enough Our group got to the terminal about 35 minutes ahead of our scheduled departure time but we eventually walked out to the plane on the ramp and climbed on board The plane is configured for single-class economy the pilot made an annoucement that there was an problem with an engine that maintenance needed to check So we sat a bit longer and the engines were restarted so we were asked to deplane and return to the terminal it was annouced that a 757 was being brought in from KEF and our flight would be combined with the 11:30 am flight on a larger plane It roughly translates into “it will all work out OK.” many airlines would have simply canceled the first flight and tried to rebook everyone on subsequent scheduled flights Icelandair pulled together a crew and an aircraft not only did I get to experience a 45-minute Icelandic domestic flight but I got the awesome chance to fly on a 757 one way which was pressed into service for a few domestic trips before resuming international service The flight was so brief that we were only at cruise altitude for a few minutes and there was no time or need for a cabin service but there were lots of low clouds so the views would have been fleeting anyway It would be my first time to the northern part of the country We had less than an hour to see the whole Icelandic Aviation Museum it’s jammed full of cool aircraft and artifacts – I definitely didn’t get to see everything We were told that a new exhibit was in the works – an Icelandair 757 fuselage section would be installed inside near the entry area; sounds like I’ll need to plan a return visit After leaving the museum, Traveling Viking tours pulled together a last-minute van tour for for us; we had time for the quick drive up to Goðafoss waterfall. We drove Route 1 via the difficult-to-pronounce, 7.6km long, Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel it was time for a quick lunch at the gift shop restaurant nearby then a dash back to Arureyri to catch out flight back to Reykjavik which was built in 2000 and first delivered to SAS Scandinavian Airlines The boarding process at Akureyri was as smooth and simple as in Reykjavik; we got to the terminal about 40 minutes before boarding time got a coffee at the great little snack counter and watched an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter depart on a patrol and walked out to the ramp to board the flight Alaska Airlines has retired the last of its Dash-8s in favor of Embraer 175s; it was a great opportunity to be able to fly on one in scenic Iceland The turboprop planes do feel a bit dated in some regards… especially when it comes to cabin storage and the windows afford great views; I always enjoy flying on these aircraft The plane handled the return flight like a champ; it always feels solid and the Icelandair pilots are well used to the country’s gusty winds and low visibility making for some lovely views on the way back to Reykjavik I’m already looking forward to my next trip and transportation were paid for by Icelandair and other vendors EDITOR-AT-LARGE / DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - SEATTLE WA Francis Zera is a Seattle-based architectural [Trackback] [...] Read More on that Topic: airlinereporter.com/2010/01/listen-to-the-first-episode-of-jetpardy/ [...] [Trackback] [...] Information on that Topic: airlinereporter.com/2009/11/dfg/ [...] [Trackback] [...] Read More to that Topic: airlinereporter.com/2011/09/what-you-need-to-know-boeing-is-delivering-their-first-787-dreamliner-to-ana-this-monday/ [...] [Trackback] [...] Information to that Topic: airlinereporter.com/2008/07/atlanta-airport-the-busiest-in-the-world/ [...] Dive deeper into the enchanting world of Iceland with our Full Access Membership Unlock over 450 in-depth articles from Iceland's longest-running English publication A working group in Akureyri has introduced a new phone-free pact in elementary schools aiming to improve  students’ concentration and social lives by banning the use of smartphones during school hours starting in August While teachers are pleased with the changes with some expressing concerns about losing access to schedules and payment methods stored on their phones In November of last year, a working group on smartphone use in elementary schools in Akureyri, North Iceland, was established. The working group included elected representatives, parent and youth representatives, school staff, and personnel from the education and public health sectors. The group engaged in consultations with parents, students, and staff, as well as reviewing a UNESCO report on technology in schools In an article published in May of this year Heimir Örn Árnason and Gunnar Már Gunnarsson – members of the working group – stated that the group had detected a clear desire for change: “In all our conversations with parents and teachers a strong desire was expressed to make better use of their free time for open communication Students in grades 8-10 understood the potential negative effects of smartphones but emphasised the need to ensure diverse entertainment options in schools to replace the undisputed entertainment value of phones.” the group introduced new phone rules – the so-called “phone pact” (Símasáttmáli) – which are set to take effect at the beginning of the next school year this August As noted in a press release on Akureyri’s website the primary goal of the pact is to create “a peaceful working environment in schools and improve the well-being of students and staff.” the rules stipulate that students in elementary schools in Akureyri are not allowed to use phones during school hours either inside the school or on the school grounds This also applies to other smart devices that disrupt teaching and concentration students in grades 8-10 are allowed to use phones during recess in designated areas Following news that the phone pact had been approved, RÚV visited Naustaskóli in Akureyri to interview teachers and students. “I am extremely excited to see our teenagers get a little break,” Lovísa Oktavía Eyvindsdóttir “I think they are yearning for this without daring to admit it.” “I believe teenagers are stuck in deep ruts and can’t get out of them,” Lovísa continued stating her belief that many students were trapped by their addiction to smartphones “They should be able to come here to take a break and think about something else than the endless distraction from phones.” As noted by RÚV opinions among students at Naustaskóli about the proposed phone-free pact is divided; many are somewhat positive “This is simply not okay,” Selma Lárey Selma noted that many students relied on their phones to keep track of time and check their schedules “You never remember which class you’re going to and then you’re always being scolded for being late We have the schedule on our lock screens.” students also keep their bank cards in their phones “Many kids go to stores for lunch because they don’t like the school food or don’t eat it “Should I bring cash?” Selma asked “Or a card and keep it in my jacket pocket And you don’t know how much credit you have on your card; I don’t want to walk home to ask my mom.” With six long months of darkness and crippling storms that close roads and bridges much of the country becomes inaccessible from October to April Seasonal depression can afflict the population prompting many residents to vacation through the winter months Financial instability can often make these much-needed breaks impossible, as was the case during the Icelandic financial crash of 2008. Despite the economic uncertainty and hardships of winter, the northern city of Akureyri was determined not to lose spirit and adopted a unique strategy for beautifying the city and boosting citizens' morale: installing tiny glowing hearts inside of all the traffic lights In a 2013 interview with the Huffington Post Eiríkur Björn Björgvinsson, said the traffic lights were instigated after the financial meltdown to "remind the citizens what really mattered" and give people a reason to smile at crosswalks and intersections visitors to Akureyri will be surprised and enchanted to see these whimsical traffic controls scattered throughout downtown lighting up the streets and providing a warm and welcome glow to one of the northernmost cities in the world Visitors can also explore the huge heart that once "beat" in Mt. Vaðlaheiði on the opposite side of the fjord The light installation was constructed by private electric companies around the same time as the traffic lights it is still an impressive feat of artistic engineering; it consists of almost 400 lightbulbs and is about the size of a football field The hearts can be seen when the light turns red at all the stoplights in Akureyri This shining multicolored metro station deep under Naples is said to be the most beautiful in Europe Pillars made of 700 pieces of luggage climb to the ceiling of Sacramento Airport's baggage claim The unique traffic pattern named for an influential urban planner is also known as the Pedestrian Scramble Tune into an alternate universe at this immersive art installation 76-foot-high version of a Van Gogh painting in Canada’s sunflower capital interdimensional shopping center and portal to another universe by Meow Wolf An abstract sculpture that will be a work in progress for the next 1,000 years This public Skyspace created by artist James Turrell for his alma mater puts on a show every day at sunrise and sunset at the domestic airports operated by Isavia Isavia has stated that the introduction of paid parking at its major domestic airports is intended to cover expansion and renovation to the lots in question Some are unhappy with the decision to charge for parking who need to fly to the capital area often to access services there Isavia only intended to provide 15 minutes of free parking at its domestic airports that time has been extended to 14 hours at the Egilsstaðir and Akureyri airports to allow rural Icelanders to take day trips to the capital area the decision to charge for parking has still proven unpopular with many Icelanders One disgruntled Icelander protested the new fee by placing a red shirt over the new camera system temporarily blocking license plates from view stated in a video that he posted on his personal social media that he wanted to protest the fee and encourage others to speak out He also encouraged others to protest peacefully and not engage in any vandalism The shirt was removed shortly after the video was recorded Reynir Gretarsson, operator of the Lyst café in the Akureyri botanical garden, stated in conversation with RÚV his intention to transform the area over the winter. Stating that it’s important that activities in the Akureyri botanical garden aren’t just limited to the summer, he said that all proceeds from summer concerts this year will go towards winter services, among which are an intended “winter light garden.” Reynir also highlighted snow removal as another key winter service that is currently lacking in the garden, but could help increase accessibility to the area during the winter months. Currently, much of the park is not serviced during winter, with many steps and paths completely iced over. Halla Björk Reynisdóttir, president of the local town council, stated to RÚV that she welcomes the plans for increased services, but that the idea is still in its early stages. 11 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Thor Akureyri vs FH Hafnarfjordur on Tue The current head to head record for the teams are Thor Akureyri 0 win(s) Have scored 8 goals in their last 5 matches Who won between Thor Akureyri and FH Hafnarfjordur on Tue 11 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT?Thor Akureyri vs FH Hafnarfjordur on Tue 11 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT ended in a 2–2 tie.InsightsHave scored 9 goals in their last 5 matches Thor Akureyri is playing home against FH Hafnarfjordur on Tue July 26, 2017JPEG Most of the 109 fjords of Iceland are clustered in a small area in the east or around the large peninsula in the northwestern part of the island. There are just a handful of fjords along the northern coast. Among them is Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord Eyjafjörður spans more than 60 kilometers (40 miles) from its mouth to Akureyri, a city known as Iceland’s “northern capital.” The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this image of the fjord on July 26 Eyjafjörður has become a prime destination for whales, scientists, and tourists. Humpback, bottlenose, blue, and minke whales frequent the sheltered, nutrient-rich waters to feed on plankton. Scientists are drawn to study the unusual hydrothermal vents found in its shallow waters And with an ice-free port and a surprisingly mild climate Akureyri is typically visited by more than 100 cruise ships per year The fjord was created by many thousands of years of glacial activity When this part of Iceland was cooler and icier narrow valley by grinding against the land surface as they slid toward the sea rising sea levels filled the valley to create the fjord South of the fjord, pastures and farms are concentrated in the valley. It is one of the few areas in the rugged rocky terrain of Northern Iceland with a significant amount of farmland NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey View this area in EO Explorer Eyjafjörður is a prime destination for whales a new fissure has opened on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwestern Iceland A steam plume marks the site of a new volcanic fissure in the Fimmvörduháls Pass region of southern Iceland “Look for the statue of a giant man,” I told my passengers as we headed up Svalbarðseyri in Eyjafjörður being tailgated on the narrow highway while searching for the elusive left turn to our destination The giant statue was the beacon of Safnasafnið (“The Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum”) a gem of an institution housing some uniquely intriguing works of local art and handcraft Founded in 1995 by married couple Níels Hafstein and Magnhildur Sigurðardóttir and translating directly to “The Museum Museum,” the building itself is an architectural preservation of historic houses that were emblems of social and cultural life in the region The museum’s original premises are in the former elementary school and community centre of Svalbarðsstrandarhreppur the building of the region’s former cooperative store Gamla-Búð was moved to the museum grounds and adjoined by a modern building by Ragnheiður Þóra Ragnarsdóttir There is a very particular kind of dream that is common to many and as you make your way through it more rooms begin to unfold and reveal themselves to you unveiling more wonder and surprise with each new chamber as though I was in someone else’s dream of new rooms in their home Masterfully cobbled together with idiosyncratic coherence the outside of the museum at first glance just looks like one big house built in a corner It becomes more apparent after one moves through the entrance that all is not what it seems a series of enfiladed chambers open up on each other in an ever-expanding layout of pathways I found myself exclaiming a delighted “Oh!” and crossing the threshold with the curiosity of a cat in a new home There was something both entirely unknown and uncannily nostalgic about it Although I have spent a great deal of time in fine and contemporary art spaces as I get older I’ve realised that I’ve always connected more profoundly with forms of folk art Being in this museum drove that revelation deeper particularly as I’ve found myself growing less engaged with and interested in art that comes out of academia there was a palpable and almost overwhelming humanity and aliveness to the pieces especially those of autodidact outsider artists Even in the group exhibition Aesthetics of Senses and Delights showing the works of many educated artists incredibly low levels of pretence were a welcome relief The paintings by Sigurlaug Jónasdóttir in the exhibition Ordinary Life depict scenes from 18th century life in Breiðafjörður and drew me in with their vibrant colours and almost children’s book-like tableaus Equally stunning and colour-saturated scenes of Iceland were found in the tufted needlepoint works of Þórunn Franz’s exhibition Mountain View along with a pieces of her own furniture and audio of her famous compositions performed by Ellý Vilhjálms and Ragnar Bjarnason was the blossom-filled solarium in a corner just off an exhibition of historic dolls from around the globe I see small paper and pipe-cleaner figures hiding in and among the plants as this was the Flower Fairies exhibition by children from the Álfaborg preschool which the museum collaborates with annually on initiatives to engage children with art But the display I found myself planted in front of for the longest time was a large vitrine full of vintage and antique perfume bottle Installed on a wall in the museum’s Jenný Karlsdóttir Room for historical textiles I was absolutely thrilled by these beautiful flasks of potions and flooded with memories of why I have this fascination to begin with I could recall how and where I placed them in my life After making my way through the entire museum — or so I thought — I doubled back over all the rooms I had just made my way through in the reverse order When I returned to the first suite of rooms I visited in the exhibition Assortments by Örn Karlsson who had been performing at the festival Mannfólkið Breytist í Slím the night before Member Gígja Jónsdóttir informed me that her grandfather Yngvi Örn Guðmundsson’s works were in the entrance of the building Shown within the exhibition Dark Deeds and the Light of Hope his works were composed of bird bones reclothed as ominous and rebellious figures holding protest signs and exuding anarchic energy This sudden connection was Icelandic folksiness to the core I turned towards a glass door and realised that just outside was a wooden deck leading to a small enclosed gazebo on a platform I immediately walked out into the drizzling rain to go enjoy my coffee in this outdoor nook of exposed wood adorned with earth-toned squiggles and splatters I felt like I could have stayed in this place for several more It is theorised by experts that a dream in which you discover new rooms in a familiar place signifies a need or desire to look beyond your perceived limitations The expansion of perceptual biases and limitations is precisely the source of imagination that flows throughout Safnasafnið it was as though my own mind revealed itself to me From the unconventional and mesmerising works of autodidacts who perhaps would never have labelled themselves as artists to the intentional pieces created within a specific academic practice the collected found objects displayed in uniquely curated manner the entirety of the museum was a continuous revelation There is a sort of comforting melancholia that came from my languid escapade through the museum that I still can’t put my finger on I still feel like maybe there was another secret room that was in the corner of my eye and I just didn’t see extending the museum far beyond its limits Safnasafnið is open May 12 to September 22, 2024 from 10:00 – 17:00. Check safnasafnid.is for more information and 2025 opening hours Read more about Icelandic art here whenever I had the chance to watch cable TV at a friend’s house it was all about Nickelodeon game shows where the greatest thrill came from contestants getting a bucket of green goop surreptitiously dumped on their heads tasted and sounded as it splooshed atop one’s cranium playful and impish energy exudes at Mannfólkið Breytist í Slím (“the people turn to slime”) a music festival centring Akureyri’s small yet mighty local scene the festival will seep through Iceland’s northern capital for three days of gooey fun but there are very few places where people can play and be seen,” says Jón Haukur Unnarsson the festival’s project manager and “Minister of Slime,” who spoke to us about the upcoming seventh edition “The aim is there to create a platform for local artists to give them a voice and to foster community.” the Mannfólkið Breytist í Slím (MBS) collective comprised friends who were sharing rehearsal and recording spaces in Akureyri at that time The first sliming took place in 2018 as a one-day street party made possible by a tiny grant and a lot of gumption because we just took the equipment that we had in the rehearsal space out into an alley behind it,” says Jón Haukur “It was a very convenient place for concerts we got other artists not only from the collective but also people that were active in Akureyri at the time.” After ramping up to a two-day event in 2020 and having moved from the streets into an empty industrial factory turned concert space MBS really hit their stride in 2021 with the addition of artistic director Aldís Dagmar Erlingsdóttir Svarkur whom Jón Haukur says brought the festival to another level aesthetically That year also saw the festival bringing in more artists from outside of Akureyri while retaining its two-thirds-local policy that still holds Though this year will be MBS’ seventh edition it is also a year of many firsts — it will be their first three-day edition the first time it’s held in the same factory space as the previous year and their first time with a licence to sell alcohol “We set out with a very clear goal of not growing we just want to make it a little bit better than we did last time because we don’t have the time or resources to make it bigger,” says Jón Haukur I don’t think it’s really sustainable The idea from the beginning was not growing fast but consistently throughout the years and learning as we go.” Jón Haukur says they have three benchmarks against which they measure the quality of their programme: versatility of artists These core principles are exemplified on the eclectic lineup Reykjavík city-slickers on the bill include Spacestation “This year we have a lot of MBS OGs,” says Jón Haukur who is also an MBS founding member and he played the first edition with two acts We have Aska coming back from exile of sorts who has not played the festival before but has been very active in Akureyri.” While I’ll never know the glory of getting slimed on ’90s cable TV I suspect getting turned into slime at Mannfólkið Breytist í Slím is far more satisfying “We’ve gotten really good at converting people into slime,” says Jón Haukur “If you need a reason to leave the southwest corner of Iceland and you’re free this weekend Find out more at mbsskifur.is Best price guaranteeFree pickupInstant confirmationFree cancellation24/7 customer supportBest price guaranteeFree pickupInstant confirmationFree cancellation24/7 customer supportBest price guaranteeFree pickupInstant confirmationDescriptionSummaryTour startsAkureyri IcelandDuration9 hoursDifficultyEasyLanguagesEnglishMinimum age8 years old3,123 reviewsDescriptionDiscover the wonders of one of Iceland's most beautiful regions and zoom across the ice on this classic Lake Myvatn and snowmobiling tour This nine-hour adventure takes travelers to the Myvatn region's various attractions and lets them experience the thrill of riding a powerful recreational vehicle for winter The day begins when a friendly local guide picks you up from your Akureyri accommodation You'll then ride a comfortable vehicle that will take you to Lake Myvatn the guide may take you to a quick stop at the mighty Godafoss waterfall Also known as the "Waterfall of the Gods," Godafoss waterfall stretches 100 feet (30 meters) wide with water cascading down a 40-foot (12-meter) high horseshoe-shaped drop After enjoying the majestic views of the Godafoss waterfall the guide will continue driving toward Lake Myvatn the guide will give you the necessary gear for a safe and fun ride They will also discuss the basics of operating a snowmobile you'll experience the thrill of speeding across the frozen terrain with the crisp Arctic air rushing against your face One of the highlights of snowmobiling in this area is the chance to explore the diverse geological features that make Lake Myvatn so unique Since you'll be joining other travelers on the standard Lake Myvatn Classic Tour you'll also visit the region's main attractions The guide will take you to the fascinating Skutustadagigar pseudocraters which give the Lake Myvatn area its moon-like appearance You'll also visit the Dimmuborgir lava fields Often referred to as the "Dark Castles," Dimmuborgir has a landscape of bizarre and intricate lava formations similar to the ruins of an old fortress where the Hverir geothermal area is located The area is rich in geothermal wonders like steaming fumaroles check out how the ground is stained with shades of red created by the various minerals brought to the surface by geothermal activity The guide will also take you to Grjotagja cave an underground wonder known for its striking geothermal hot spring you'll find a rift separating the Eurasian and American continents These features made the Grjotagja cave one of the filming locations for the Game of Thrones TV series your guide will take you back to your Akureyri accommodation with an option to stop at the Myvatn Nature Baths to relax your mind and body Often called the "Blue Lagoon of the North," the Myvatn Nature Baths feature mineral-rich geothermal water from underground hot springs Take advantage of this rare opportunity to experience the thrill of snowmobiling and discover the wonders of the Lake Myvatn region on this nine-hour adventure from Akureyri Download Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link Book your complete trip with the best companies only utterly indifferent to my wide-eyed wonder at getting so close to such a major star merely spurts a few dozen litres of water out of his blowhole and disappears that sentence probably needs some explanation is the name of a humpback whale — a male humpback whale for some reason — who can often be found disporting in the cold (“Disporting” seems a little more polite than “spurting water out of your blowhole”.) And if any of that seems weird … well You may think you know about Iceland — about hip Reykjavik even more ethereally beautiful — and now accessible too thanks to new direct flights to Akureyri and neat fly-drive itineraries So where once you’d have needed a Viking longship to explore this coastline A humpback whale off the coast of IcelandDRANGEY TOURSThose are readily available to rent at Akureyri airport (along with somewhat beefier vehicles) mine will carry me west to the whaling town of Siglufjordur and the horse-strewn dales of Skagafjordur then east to the volcanic highlands and god-scale waterfalls around Lake Myvatn You won’t need wheels for the first day or two as you’ll want to investigate Akureyri itself: a couple of sweet two-room museums and galleries; a good long weekend’s worth of excellent bars and restaurants; and a neat botanical garden that’s apparently home to a thriving community of elves one of the 54 per cent of Icelanders who believe in “the hidden people” can introduce you on one of her daily tours (£34; huldustigur.is) Prepare to join that 54 per cent once you head out of Akureyri because everything up here looks mythic when snow lay dusted across the coastal lowlands like icing sugar on something from Bake Off Sheep-speckled valleys glittered with frost in a low milky sunshine that seemed to make early morning last all day (you’re mere miles from the Arctic Circle here) and the rivers that shimmer across the dales foamed fast and free and boisterous like they were laughing out loud in their melt-water pomp sheening bright moon-silver when the sun rose high enough to hit them Some roads in Iceland are built to bypass those spots thought to be home to the hidden folk so as to not disturb them and invite their mischievous ire But Route 1 skims without a detour through the serene landscape out of Akureyri so it’s kept open in all but the most brutal midwinter conditions That makes this road trip feasible for nine months of the year Although direct flights operate only from autumn to spring the rest of the year Akureyri is a mere 45-minute Akureyri has galleries and museums to explore alongside restaurants serving excellent foodOnce there the driving is effortless — all empty roads well signposted and well maintained (even in the middle of nowhere and beyond) But the views are even better without a windscreen so I soon head out west to the Skagafjordur valley Iceland’s horses are known for their sturdiness which turns out to be basically a trot but without the sore bottom you normally get from all that bumping uniformly good-natured (rides from £51; riding.is) “Icelanders are extremely strict and put horses in trouble at the first sign of a nip or kick.” “The slaughterhouse.” (I avoid horse meat for the rest of the trip but Gracina says that in common with most Icelanders she’s pretty partial to it herself.) Ed Grenby exploring Iceland on horsebackMy steak-to-be carries me effortlessly up some treacherously stony riverside slopes until we reach a cheerful many-braided waterfall where the spray mingles with steam from the thermal springs behind I gaze from horizon to horizon and see not a single thing in the whole vast unchanged sagascape to interfere with my fantasy that I’m a bloodied Norseman surveying the lands I’ve conquered My fancy is further fuelled up the road in Saudarkrokur at a “virtual and augmented reality museum” called 1238: The Battle of Iceland (1238.is Here I prove beyond doubt that I’ve got what it takes to be a Viking by donning a sort of high-tech jerkin that replicates the blood and iron of war … in vibrating lightly when an AR enemy impales me with a spear Thor might not be happy but then he probably wouldn’t be crazy about the natty bright yellow fish-skin bow ties that are inexplicably on sale in the gift shop • How to see the northern lights: 11 top tips I overnight next door at the cosy Hotel Tindastoll (B&B doubles from £100; arctichotels.is) which like everywhere I stay or eat at on this four-night trip has an unshowy Icelandic emphasis on no-nonsense looks and excellent food (this time exquisitely smoky-salty dried lamb to start But before bed there’s the small matter of the aurora borealis I’ve been to southern Iceland six or eight times and not seen so much as a 12-watt bulb’s worth just pottering about by the side of the road I happen to glance up and catch a river of spectral grey-green light sidling casually across the sky like it’s no big deal yet rippling and fluttering its way indelibly into the favourites folder of my photos app (not to mention my mind’s) Akureyri has picture-postcard good looksI wasn’t so lucky on subsequent nights (damn clouds) but Iceland’s waterfalls never disappoint all white and frothy as if Odin’s pouring out a massive piña colada I’m quietly enjoying the lovely squeak-crunch of virgin snow under Vibram sole on wooden walkway when the entire world drops away and in the resulting chasm is a biblically powerful 100m wall of water thundering like the beginning of the end of the world By now I’ve come off Route 1 and onto the Diamond Circle a 160-mile route of pure car-advert visuals — long sinuous curves of narrow asphalt arcing up the sides of mountains Eventually it delivers me to serene Lake Myvatn where a guide from Geo Travel hauls me up into the icy highlands by Superjeep and snowmobile past a pair of pale ptarmigan corpses hanging from the eaves of a house ready to eat for Christmas but looking a little Blair Witch-y to me (tour £157; geotravel.is) there’s a midwinter-in-Mordor vibe: bare black volcanic rock poking through the snow; smoky fissures belching forth sulphur; basalt spew-shapes from the last eruption is a sleek alternative to the Blue Lagoon with knockout viewsFrodo and Sam would have loved the snowmobiles back in Dalvik in time for a matinee performance from Aretha going fast enough to make your cheeks wobble One fjord further up the coast is sleepy Husavik At the fishing town’s Whale Museum I learn that cetaceans “show emotions such as parental love joy and grief” — so I wonder which emotion they’d feel seeing a porpoise’s goolies in a display jar here My own get an airing just up the hill at the town’s new geothermal baths complex as it’s the actual law to shower naked before entering any kind of public pool These are ubiquitous in Iceland — even the smallest towns have one like a watery village pub — but GeoSea is one of my favourites (£37; geosea.is) It’s a sleek Scandi-modern blend of wood and stone cut into the hillside like a Bond villain’s lair if the Bond villain really valued the effect of mineral-rich seawater on his skincare regime Myvatn Nature Baths near Lake MyvatnGETTY IMAGESIf you’re looking to avoid the crowds at the perennially busy Blue Lagoon northern Iceland is one of the best places to do so: Myvatn Nature Baths (£39pp; myvatnnaturebaths.is) is smaller There are many other geothermal pools to discover including the spectacular one at Hofsos (£6pp; facebook.com/sundlauginhofsosi) A hike around the volcanic craters at Viti Krafla and Hverir gives you an insight into Iceland’s geological activity while the area around Dimmuborgir shows what happens once the lava cools: the weird basalt towers here are straight out of Mordor Northern Iceland is also great for road trips: the Trollaskagi peninsula Skagafjordur and Eyjafjordur are packed with scenic drama and dotted with little fishing villages book a boat trip to the islands of Drangey or Flatey to see huge seabird colonies including everyone’s favourite Akureyri itself has some interesting museums and galleries and there are even more to be found out in the countryside such as the oddball Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum (£10pp; safnasafnid.is) the surprisingly fascinating Herring Era Museum on Siglufjordur (£14; sild.is) and Sigurgeir’s Bird Museum with a spooky collection of stuffed seabirds located out in the middle of nowhere (£14pp; fuglasafn.is) A visit to Glaumbaer (£11pp; glaumbaer.is) is worthwhile too: it’s the best place in Iceland to see traditional Icelandic turf houses which were in use right up until the 20th century and surely must have provided some inspiration for Bilbo Baggins’ house at Bag End (fittingly You’re way out in rural Iceland here but that doesn’t mean you won’t be eating well The charming café at Vogafjos is a must visit It’s based on a working dairy farm where you can watch the cows being milked and taste homemade skyr ice cream and fresh bread baked underground using geothermal heat (mains from £22; vogafjosfarmresort.is) a perfect small-town café with mix-and-match decor and hearty home-cooked grub (mains from £10; facebook.com/bakkabraedurkaffi) Husavik is renowned for its seafood: try the fish soup and langoustines at the seasonal Naustid restaurant which reopens in March 2025 (mains from £16; facebook.com/naustid) head to Fjallakaffi in Modrudalur for farm-to-table dining and homemade cakes (mains from £13pp; fjalladyrd.is) Luxurious Deplar Farm riffs on traditional Icelandic turf housesELEVEN EXPERIENCELike many Icelandic towns and cities Akureyri’s hotel choice is a little underwhelming so you’ll find more character by heading out into the country a super-luxurious spin on Icelandic turf houses located in the lovely Fljot Valley (minimum three nights’ full-board doubles from £3,195; elevenexperience.com) minimalist choice (B&B doubles from £120; islandshotel.is) while Kaldbaks-Kot goes in the other direction with sweet log cabins that look like something from an Icelandic fairytale (minimum two nights’ self-catering for two from £251; kaldbakskot.com) timber-clad Husavik house dating from 1903 (room-only doubles from £97; arbol.is) Become a subscriber and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and X The general public is invited to take part in cleaning the coastline of Eyjafjörður This is part of an ongoing project that aims to clean more of Iceland’s coastline volunteers will depart to the area where the cleanup will begin This cleanup will take about two to three hours, and will occur every Sunday until July. Refreshments will be offered by Ocean Missions who are the main organisers of this project Anyone wishing to take part who needs a ride to the cleanup site is asked to send an email to akureyribeachcleanups@gmail.com On the official page about this project Ocean Missions states that they “follow [a] standardized protocol developed by the OSPAR Commission that will help us to formulate recommendations and to implement effective management to actively find short and long term solutions” They seek both individuals and groups to take part in these coastline clean-ups and the aforementioned page also contains a sign-up form for those wishing to participate in their ongoing projects or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.