Iceland Travel Tips!

ICELAND TRAVEL TIPS! By the ÁRNI FAMILY - Tristan, Stefán, Tara, Milla & Leela So many friends ask us for travel advice in Iceland I decided to write up a list of Iceland Travel Tips - and get the family to chime in. Note: This list is a work in progress because Iceaænd is always evolving - hope you find this helpful! Tristan has weekly Healing Flow Meditations on Sunday evenings (except for in June and July) – not to miss! Be sure to Like Tristan’s Flow Meditation page: where you will find all the details – where, when, what to bring, etc. Handpicked Iceland: picked by picky locals- pick up a brochure at Handpicked stores - and try the app! Sights in Reykjavik you won’t want to miss: Sky Lagoon - Official Website - Iceland’s all-new geothermal lagoon is located oceanside, just minutes away from Reykjavík’s city center. Harpa Concert Hall – stunning architecture, light shows at night, and fantastic line-ups in music and entertainment! The Settlement Museum – a fascinating place to learn about what is currently considered Iceland’s very first settlement from the year 871 +/- 2 which happened to be found in an archeological excavation in Reykjavik in 2002 – directly under the house where Stefan’s father and grandmother and great-grandmother were all born! http://www.minjasafnreykjavikur.is/.../deskto.../tabid-4206/ Iceland’s National Museum – Þjóðminjasafnið For information on The Sagas, the history of Iceland and great coffee. Fly Over Iceland - Official Website - SWEEPING GLACIERS, STUNNING FJORDS & ANCIENT MYSTERIES. FlyOver Iceland utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you the feeling of flight. You will hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen while our film whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across Iceland. Special effects, including wind, mist, and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience. Hallgímskirkja in the center of town - take the elevator to the top and see Reykjavik in 360 degrees from the sky! Note: free parking around the church. Stefan and Tristan were married there! Laxness Horse Farm - just 25 minutes from city center - horsebackriding in paradise! We’ve known this family run farm since 1995 - really one of the best experiences you can find! Grótta Lighthouse - beautiful nature walk by the coast, you might see some surfers! Kólaportið - Reykjavik’s flea market - great place to find a handknit sweater! Verzlunarhölinn - Second hand Icelandic clothing - locals love this place! Hotels: Our friends have had good luck renting from Air BnB. If you are looking for a fancy hotel experience we recommend the Canopy or Edition. They have a great restaurants and bars with exotic original cocktails. If you are traveling around the countryside, some of our friends have rented from ‘Happy Campers’ and have had wonderful experiences. This might be more comfortable than tenting - as weather can be unpredictable - and Iceland is the most windy inhabited country on earth. SWIMMING: Take advantage of the wide range of swimming pools all over Reykjavik and all over the country! Being in Iceland is like living in a spa! Each pool will have a sauna, a steam room, a cold plunge pool and jacuzzis with massage jets - not to be missed! Places to Eat: Sisterhood Cafe - aka Systrasamlægið - all organic! Fantastic soup, coffees, cacaos, all kinds of smoothies, juices, and sandwiches. Tristan’s favorite. ;-) Reykjavik Roasters – considered by many to have the best coffee in town. They use Organic Milk whenever possible! For that reason, it is my favorite. There are three locations - our favorite location: Freyjugata near Hallgrímskirkja. Note: there is an art gallery upstairs and downstairs! A favorite vegetarian café: Ecstasy’s Heart Garden: http://www.heart-garden.is/ Great peaceful vibes here and always a wonderful lunch. Mama Reykjavik - a local vegan cafe with cacao, great vegetarian food and cozy atmosphere. NETTÓ. Best Icecream! SKÚBB - ORGANIC and amazing, also available in liter size at Heilsuhusið has fresh RAW ORGANIC JUICE – and is the only place that sells ORGANIC JUICE, and for that reason, it is my favorite juice place! Other places that do great juices and smoothies are JOE and the JUICE and Lemon. Kaffi Mokka – a place for delicious hot chocolate, coffee and waffles. Founded in 1958, the place is charming as it has not changed - except it’s really crowded these days with tourists. Has new art exhibits every two weeks! Best bakeries: Bakeries that makes artisinal breads using only the best ingredients BAKABAKA SANDHOLT BAKARI They also serve lunches, coffees, etc. YUM! Buying Food: Shop at BÓNUS to save money, and shop at NETTÓ to find a good selection of Organic products. TO AVOID GMOs in Iceland - you have to be careful and buy organic products, for example milk products, greek yogurt and milk from BÍO-BÚ - available nearly in every store. The normal dairy products sadly contain GMOS. Buy Organic eggs in the light green box. All other egg producers use GMO feed. Lamb meat is organically raised and therefore GMO free. Fantastic seafood Höfnin: http://www.hofnin.is/ Messinn Kaffivagninn Out at night Happy hour at Hotel Holt – sit in a cozy place surrounded by artwork by Icelandic masters Kjarval and others. http://www.holt.is/english/about/our-art/ Tolf Tonar - Official Website - 12 Tónar, established in 1998, is a legendary record store and a label in the heart of Reykjavík. In 2019 we added a bar and a café which is very popular with the locals. We regularly host concerts and events in the store or in our beautiful backyard, where the sun always shines. Bío Paradís - Official Website - Reykjavik’s cult art house cinema, the largest of its kind in Europe and a hot spot for culture and the best films. Tara Njála works there! Awesome Products to buy - Shopping Icelandic design & quality Taste of Iceland on Laugavegur has all the best local and handmade products! TARAMAR - Best most pure skincare line ever! SÓLEY - Amazing skincare line featuring Icelandic herbs 66°NORTH - Outdoor apparel FARMER’S MARKET - Icelandic Fashion brand Aftur; http://www.aftur.is/ Hanknitter’s Association of Iceland: The BEST place to buy Icelandic woolens: http://www.handknit.is/en/user/home Geysir: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Geysir/138860732810963 Hildur Yeoman - designs clothes for Lorelee of Kraungbin! Note: do not buy from IceWear or tourist shops known as “Puffin stores” Fashion and not eco-friendly! - this is Fast Innovation scene: KLAK - at Gróska Ocean Cluster - Grandagarður 16 - in the harbour area Art galleries! Listasafn Reykjavikur Hafnarhúsið Kjarvalsstaðir West Coast: Snæfellsness Peninsula: If the weather is sunny and clear we suggest this is the most magical area you can find in Iceland! There are many wonderful places around the Snæfellsnes Pensinsula and these are our top picks: Hotel Búðir for a cup of coffee or a meal and the view and walks around that area are stunning. http://www.hotelbudir.is/ Hellnar Café: http://www.west.is/en/west-iceland-regions/hellnar Djúpalónssandur: https://guidetoiceland.is/.../djupalonssandur-beach---a... https://www.google.com/search?q=dj%C3%BApal%C3%B3nssandur... The Freezer Hostel – a theatre and hostel and the BEST place on the peninsula for soulful time – be sure to stop by and meet Kári Viðars who made this place from nothing! Give him an Oscar! http://www.thefreezerhostel.com/ Some more photos of the area to be found here: https://www.re.is/day-tours/the-wonders-of-snaefellsnes and https://www.google.com/search?q=sn%C3%A6fellsnes... South Coast: Gullfoss and Geysir https://www.google.com/search?q=sn%C3%A6fellsnes... Sólheimar Eco Village – Scandinavia’s oldest Eco Village – over 80 years ago a close disciple of Rudolph Steiner founded this place in the heart of the fertile Grímsbæ area. Art, crafts, organic growing, Café, - all the best things. On a very personal note Tristan’s Dad connected Sólheimar to the Global Eco Village Network in 1996. His ashes are to be buried there at the chapel churchyard this summer as was his wish. http://www.solheimar.is/ The North: Akureyri - Botanical Gardens Syðra Holt - Biodynamic farm - Family-run Organic Farm with Biodynamic approach at Svarfaðardalur