Tagged With "Icelandic Meteorological Office"
Comment
Re: Iceland: 'No we're not Disneyland'
Now that Rekyjavik is on the European Budget Airlines destinations list its hard to avoid a rush. It was one of those places you wouldn't visit unless you had a business interest and an expenses account. They're still advertising Iceland on TV, so someone must be pleased with the extra income tourism brings.
Comment
Re: Iceland: 'No we're not Disneyland'
Iceland is a great destination, but it has limited tourist facilities. The population of the entire island is about 300,000 and there aren't all that many hotel or B&B choices in smaller places. I think the lack of infrastructure is the main problem. They certainly have the space and ability to handle more tourists, but need to develop services for them outside Reykjavik.
Comment
Re: Black Ancient Beach Lava, Iceland
You can visit Iceland with the Intrepid Berkeley Explorer's travel video, "Land of Lava, Waterfalls & Glaciers". Video plays at: http://www.adventurepics.com/I....aspx?VF=Iceland.MP4 Stills Picture Gallery at: http://intrepidberkeleyexplorer.com/Page38.html
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 23, 2013: Iceland's Black Sand Beach
The mist ads a great effect to your photos, PHeymont!
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 23, 2013: Iceland's Black Sand Beach
Beautiful Photos indeed Paul. I often think travellers who choose the best weather for a vacation miss out on moments like these. I blame the TV weather forecasters who always call a Rainy Day "Bad Weather". If you don't get rain then you wont get Rainbows !
Comment
Re: A journey around Iceland: 3) South Iceland
Undeniably Iceland is the most stunning place on earth and you will truly be fascinated by the clear blue lakes, natural geysers, rolling meadows, volcanic craters and abundance of wildlife. I have been lucky to have vacation in this beautiful spot when we have visited this place by the help of KosherTravelers. This place is rich with culture and history, having lots of eye catching sightseeing to visit that has truly become the amazing trip of my lifetime.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov. 18, 2013: Strokkur Geysir, Iceland
I know what you mean about how close people get! This couple had their backs to it, too close for my comfort, with their iPhone and smiles ready for the geyser to fill in the background of the picture...
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov. 18, 2013: Strokkur Geysir, Iceland
I hope that phone is waterproof!
Comment
Re: Wow! Iceland Express successor adds U.S. flights
I really am excited about hearing this.I was a big fan of Iceland Express, so I'm hoping Wow will offer the same consistent low prices to North America as they did.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day September 9, 2013: Thingvellir National Park, Iceland
I like the idea! We'll put the idea out there as bait for our members. Anyone want to write about the origin of their country (or some countries that interest them), especially from a modern travelers perspective?
Comment
Re: Harpa, Reykjavik, Iceland. Where Gumbo Was #62
These are really some of the best photos I've seen of the Harpa! Sometimes photos capture what you remember and other times they captures what you miss. In this case, your photos show how much I missed looking at the same glass .
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 19, 2014. Reykjavik, Iceland
Couldn't agree more that the late spring, early summer is the time to go!
Comment
Re: Heads Up for Travelers: Iceland's Volcanoes May Disrupt Travel Again
I happened to travel to Europe in 2010 fairly soon after air traffic was started back up and there were a lot of hotel bargains to be had whole summer as many people canceled in advance. Then I traveled again in May of 2011 and another volcano disrupted some traffic for a few days and similar bargains were out there.
Comment
Re: Heads Up for Travelers: Iceland's Volcanoes May Disrupt Travel Again
There can be an up side to travel during an eruption. My plans proceeded during the 2010 eruption and the first result was a southern route to Rome and a spectacular view of the Pyrenees, flying parallel to them. I learned how big those mountains are, had had no idea. After arrival in Rome I immediately booked sleeper compartment tickets from Budapest to London (already had Rome-Budapest), to replace the flight I'd booked. As it transpired, the flight ban was over by the time I got on the...
Comment
Re: Iceland's new attraction: tunnel into a glacier
Glaciers are constantly moving, and not all parts at the same rate! Makes you wonder how they plan on keeping the tunnel safe and in good condition all the time?
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland
Does this ever freeze solid ? - Like Niagara falls ? I presume this was in the summer months !
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland
Thanks for the comment, Garry, and a good question. The waterfall is almost a sea level and only a few kilometers from the ocean. So it is very moderated by the Gulf stream. So far as I could tell, the cliff and ground around it are caked in ice in January and February and hard to navigate. Flow is down, but the water continues flowing even in the coldest months. This photo was taken mid-September. It was a cold and windy day, but most days in Iceland are.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland
Thank goodness for the Gulf Stream. Keeps me warm in the winter at 52' north. Unlike Calgary - also 52' north - who get quite a chill. Less than a thousand miles to Iceland and I still haven't been !
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland
Thanks you for your comments Garry and DrY. Garry, Iceland is worth a visit. It seems a raw land newly poured from the mold. Fascinating landscapes.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 26, 2014: Dritvik - Djupalonssandur, Iceland
Hard to believe that those small pieces of rusty metal are all that remain of a ship! But it looks like a cool place to explore.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 26, 2014: Dritvik - Djupalonssandur, Iceland
great post, Ottoman...volcanoes are fascinating places to visit, especially when you understand the science and history behind them..
Comment
Re: Iceland's newest museum: 23 full-size whales!
That's a lot of whales! Iceland also has a brilliant whale museum to the north, the small costal town of Husavik. An great place to spend a half day. Husavik also is home to the phallus museum (you read that correctly).
Comment
Re: Iceland's newest museum: 23 full-size whales!
Actually, the phallus museum, looking to expand and reach a wider audience, relocated to Reykjavik two years ago...
Comment
Re: Iceland's newest museum: 23 full-size whales!
Originally Posted by PHeymont: Actually, the phallus museum, looking to expand and reach a wider audience, relocated to Reykjavik two years ago... What!?! They've relocated the phalluses???
Comment
Re: Iceland's newest museum: 23 full-size whales!
Yes, and perhaps we’d better leave the double entendres at this point… But yes, in 2012, the collection was moved to Laugavegur 116, just near the Hlemmur bus station.
Comment
Re: Icelandair adds Montreal as 5th Canadian city
I've flown Icelandair several times. The fares are reasonable but there's nothing exceptional about the flight experience except the opportunity to visit Iceland at no extra charge. THAT is well worth doing!
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
A lot of questions! Let me try a few answers... Absolutely I'd say stop in Iceland. Every place in the world is unique, but Iceland is more so, geographically, in climate, and in history. Half a week (or even a week) won't do more than scratch the surface, but you'll be able to visit incredible waterfalls, climb on glaciers, see evidence of recent volcanic activity, and realize that under it all is a huge pool of thermally heated water that provides over 70% of the nation's energy. If that...
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Well, I said so much about Iceland, I decided to leave the rest for another post. Getting from Barcelona (or Madrid) to Lisbon: the only practical way is to fly. Train takes too long for this one, and costs more! From Barcelona to Lisbon, flights on Vueling, Iberia, TAP, etc. run from $35 one-way to about $80 before you hit the high-priced ones. I just looked in May; Vueling and Iberia have $68 in the morning and $35 at 7:30 pm. Madrid-Lisbon, there's a $40 mid-day flight, but most other...
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
PHeymont has given you some excellent advice, Travel Luver. By all means, spend some time in Iceland. If you can fit it into your trip, 4 days would be my minimum stay here. As Paul pointed out so well, Iceland is unique. It is also very sparsely populated, with only 300,000 people on the island and two thirds of those living in Reykjavik. And it is a newly form volcanic land with tons of glaciers, waterfalls, and geothermal events. So by all means, see it. When you land at Keflavik airport...
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Hey, I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but no matter how cold it is, they keep the outdoor pools open in Iceland with underground hot water. We went to the Blue Lagoon in February, and it was funny...usually people get OUT of a pool because they are getting cold, but there we stayed IN to keep warm!
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Hot springs are to die for. You always see pictures of the Blue Lagoon. Are there other places to go for a warm swim in Iceland ?
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Originally Posted by voyager: Hot springs are to die for. You always see pictures of the Blue Lagoon. Are there other places to go for a warm swim in Iceland ? There are lots of places to go for geothermal swims in Iceland, Voyager. Almost every small city and town has a public geothermal pool. The most famous is the Blue Lagoon, but it's also quite pricy, especially if you go for a family. This website gives you some idea of all the pools you can access in Iceland. Here's that link.
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
I never knew that there are public geothermal pools all over Iceland. No one has mentioned this before. This is terrific to know. thanks
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Well, thanks everyone. You've been great and this has all been very helpful. So yes, I will go to Iceland for 4 days. I will base myself at a hostel in Reykjavik (all I can afford), and I'll do 2 day trip tours, still researching which ones but those recommended look great. And I love hot springs, so I plan to soak the evenings away after enjoying the "youth scene" over there. I need to check out a good Icelandic beer. Any recommendations. And I will visit Iceland at the of my trip, rather...
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
You're most welcome, Travel Luver! Give the VIKING beer a try -- it's pretty good. And made with that great Icelandic water that has a unique taste (and pleasant at that). Also be sure to try their Coca Cola, made with Icelandic water and sugar (not corn syrup as in North America) -- definitely a better product.
Reply
Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Speaking of good things to eat, stop in a local store for some skyr--that's Icelandic yogurt made from skimmed milk. Slightly tart and wholly delicious.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sept. 29: Reflections on Reykjavik's Tjornin
That's a great photo, Pheymont! Guess I'll have to add Iceland to my trip of destinations -- after Portugal, that is!
Comment
Re: Iceland's Secret Life as a Film Star (Really!)
Anyone who has traveled to Iceland wouldn't be surprised by this. It's a country of amazing rugged beauty, just made for cinema. And with Icelandair, it's quite easy to do get there now both from North America and Europe. I suggest people look at some of the scenery in the Golden Circle and South Iceland to understand what I mean by this.
Comment
Re: Fjorubordid restaurant, Stokkseyr, Iceland
Thanks,exactly the review I was looking for!And what great photos!I tried to find unique restaurants in Iceland that incorporated their seafood and somehow I missed those. I'll definetly go there upon my return to Iceland
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 13, 2014: Jokulsarlon, Iceland
Amazing photo's ! Natural beauty and unlike anything I've seen before. Thanks !
Blog Post
Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland
Iceland is a land of dramatic rugged scenery, especially along its south shore. There are lots of great sites here, one of my favorites being Skógafoss . Located in the pretty little town of Skogar, this...
Topic
Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
A number of you have helped me plan a trip to Portugal and Barcelona. I've decided to go on this trip next May when I'll have a few more days of vacation. Checking out different airline websites, I came across Icelandair, which flies...
Blog Post
Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov. 18, 2013: Strokkur Geysir, Iceland
Geysers got their name in Iceland sometime in the 12th century. Iceland has abundant geothermally heated water, many homes not even having a hot water heater, just naturally hot water pumped in. While it's no longer very...
Blog Post
Wow! Iceland Express successor adds U.S. flights
The headline's not a pun; Wow Air is the company that bought budget carrier Iceland Express in 2012. The carrier will now re-enter the U.S. market with roundtrip Boston-Reykjavik-London Gatwick flights, connecting in Reykjavik with its other European...
Blog Post
Iceland's new attraction: tunnel into a glacier
As if Iceland didn't already have enough to attract tourists and keep them busy, a new tunnel, dug deep into the heart of a glacier, will open in June. The tunnel, the world's first on an ice-cap glacier, goes into the western side of...
Blog Post
Move over, Siri: Guðmundur has Iceland answers.
What Iceland is billing as "the World's First Human Search Engine" has been launched. Seven Icelanders, each named Guðmundur or Guðmunda, and each expert in his or her home region of Iceland, are taking questions via social media and...
Blog Post
Iceland's newest museum: 23 full-size whales!
Iceland has another new attraction—Whales of Iceland, a permanent exhibit of 23 full-size whale models near Reykjavik's harbor. It's the world's largest whale exhibit. Photo: Whales of Iceland Whales are popular everywhere these days, and...
Blog Post
Gumbo's Pic of the Day September 9, 2013: Thingvellir National Park, Iceland
(Oxara River, Thingvellir National Park, Iceland) Thingvellir National Park is of great historic and geologic importance in Iceland. This was the site of Iceland's first parliament more than 1,000 years ago. The Icelandic...
Blog Post
A journey around Iceland: 1) Reykjavik
(View of Reykjavik, from Hallsgrimkirkja) I love visiting places that are rich in scenery, mountains, rivers, waterfalls and hiking; Iceland seemed a good fit for me. Until a few years ago the cost of a trip to Iceland was...