Hörgshlíðarlaug Is A Pearl Of The Westfjords
As we began heading south and east from the Westfjords to the “mainland”, intrepid assistant photographer Katharina Volgger told us there was a natural hot spring for bathing o
Joining The Queeropean Union
Three topics—fisheries, agriculture and currency—have been prominent in the Icelandic debate on the European Union since the country applied for EU membership in July of 2009.
American Tall Ship To Dock In Reykjavík
A press release from the US embassy announces the arrival of a tall ship from the US Coast Guard will dock tomorrow morning at Reykjavík’s harbour: The U.S. Coast Guard [&he
New Single From Björk Online Now
A single from Björk Guðmundsdóttir’s upcoming album is now available online. Tickets for the world premiere of her Biophilia live show in Manchester, UK are also still ava
Icelander Helped Catch Notorious Fugitive
A gangster on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list who had been in hiding for 16 years was apprehended last week, thanks in large part to a tip from an […]
Reykjavík City Hostel Opens “Green Info Desk”
A press release from the capital’s hostel services announces the creation of a green info desk: “An information desk on green options in travel and lifestyle opened at
Sauðárkrókur Might Be The “Real” Iceland
Something that commonly comes up in conversation with tourists is the desire to see “the real [place name here]”. This invariably means wanting to see a town, village or locati
Stealing Mountains
For three months, Mike Lindsey has lived alone in a cottage in northeast Iceland. Having gained some notoriety as a founding member of British alt-folk gang Tunng, he decided last
Building Giant ATMs
Real estate prices, which had remained stagnant in real terms between 1988 and 2003—that is, they simply followed inflation—took off. Between 2003 and 2007 however, real estate
Fearing Elves Have Been Angered, Town Meets With Priest
Many residents of the town of Bolungarvík suspect that construction of a tunnel has displeased the nearby mountain elves, and that they are responsible for machinery breaking down
Skjaldborg: A Very Short Introduction
Time travelling at a documentary film festival in the WestfjordsGrapevine pays a visit to the infamous Skjaldborg documentary film festival in Patreksfjörður. Fun times ensue! &#
Demanding The Closing Of A Mink Farm
Landowners and people renting summerhouses near a mink farm in Mosfellsdal are asking city and health authorities to shut the place down, due to the pollution given off by the [&he
Reykjavík Mayor Explains Drop In Support
Mayor of Reykjavík Jón Gnarr is proud of the work the Best Party has done and is doing, saying that the party’s drop in support is normal considering the circumstances. [&h
Finance Minister: Driver’s Group Demands “Unrealistic”
Minister of Finance Steingrímur J. Sigfússon has responded to requests from the Icelandic Automobile Association (FÍB), saying that their wishes are out of touch with reality. A
You Will Believe In Bíldudalur: Visiting The Sea Monster Museum
Bíldudalur is like many small towns and villages in the Westfjords—nestled deep in a fjord against some intimidating mountains, comprised of what appears to be two or three stre
Getting To Akureyri, And Enjoying It
Billed as “the capital of the north” more times than I could count in a lifetime, Akureyri is, to many tourists, the place you stay when you’re up north. And […]
At Least The Grappa Was Good
Tis the season I am usually consuming a heavy dose of fine art washed down by the afternoon spritz and evening prosecco of a Venetian piazza. Alas, I must pass […]
Pure Iceland?
Iceland is—against all common notions and expectations—not a very environmentally friendly country. In many ways, the environmental legislation does not go as far as EU rules c
The Amazingly Accurate Relationship Checkup
The Icelandic dating scene might at first seem like one gigantic free-for-all. But as any sociologist worth his salt will tell you, even the most anarchic system follows its own [&
Iceland’s President Praises Sarah Palin
Icelandic president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson had many kind words to say about former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin’s political ability. The president, visiting Alaska, was met
Selárdalur: The Cute Kind Of Scary
As if learning all about local sea monsters in Bíldudalur wasn’t spooky enough, we were advised to drive west from there, along the south shore of Arnarfjörður, until we r