Social
events and excursions
Tuesday 21 October
17:00 – 19:00 Welcome reception, University of Iceland. Incl. in the
conference fee.
Thursday 23 October
19:00 Gala evening at the Restaurant Pearl
Special excursions for conference guests
The following excursions can be arranged by Gestamottakan -Your
Host in Iceland.
For further information contact Gestamóttakan
yourhost@yourhost.is
Most excursions require a minimum number of participants. Other
excursions are available upon request.
Horseback Riding
This
tour is an ideal choice for beginners. During this comfortable ride
you will experience beautiful riding tracks through bushy hills and
moss covered lava fields. Enjoy the view of the beautiful Bláfjöll
Mountains on the horizon. After the tour, you can enjoy an Icelandic
treat with coffee/tea before you head back.
Departure at:
14:00 (pick up at 12:45)
Duration:
2 hours (1 hour riding)
Price:
EUR 60 (refreshments included in the tour price).
Whale Watching
Join
us in an adventure at sea with an unforgettable trip into the world
of whales and sea birds. The various types of whales commonly
sighted include minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor
porpoises, the popular humpback whales and killer whales (orcas). We
will be accompanied by sea birds such as gannets, puffins,
guillemots, cormorants, gulls, kittiwakes, arctic terns, and many
more. Our trips take us past several islands inhabited by colonies
of puffin.
Departure at:
13:00 (departures also at 09:00 and 17:00)
Duration:
around 4 hours
Price:
EUR 46 (pick up at hotel incl.)
The Blue Lagoon
The
Blue Lagoon Express is not to be missed while you are in Iceland.
The Blue Lagoon's warm water and natural active ingredients; mineral
salts, silica and blue green algae help you relax and unwind while
the Blue Lagoon white silica mud gently cleanses and exfoliates the
skin. The mineral salts balance and relax body and soul. This tour
departs at 14:00 and you can return at one of our
flexible return
times.Other departures are available all year at
10:00,
11:00,
13:00,
16:00
and
18:00.
Return times
are always flexible.
Departure at:
14:00 (pick up at 13:30)
Price:
EUR 44
(Incl.:
bath fee to the Blue Lagoon, pick up)
The
Golden Circle – An All Time Classic
The
Golden Circle is without doubt one of the most popular tourist
destinations in Iceland, and not without reason. The tour consists
of the Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir hot springs and Þingvellir
national park, all of which are famous in their own right, but can
easily be enjoyed in the course of one day, making for an ideal day
tour. Gullfoss, or the “Golden Waterfall” as the name implies, is
located on the Hvitá river. The falls cascade 32m down in two
stages. Often, colorful rainbows created by the sun on the spraying
water can be enjoyed. In winter, massive ice formations decorate the
falls. Not to be missed by anyone, the beauty of this waterfall can
hardly be expressed fully in words. The geothermal field in
Haukadalur is a natural wonder of hot springs and boiling mud pools.
The “Great Geyser” even gave its name to this spectacular
phenomenon. Today, the Geysir itself is no longer erupting, but
nearby Strokkur sends up a column of water and steam up to 30 meters
high every few minutes to the delight of onlookers, who strive to
catch the moment on film. At the Geysir center visitors can enjoy a
multimedia exhibition and learn more about the geology and history
of the area. Also on spot is a restaurant and accommodation for
those wishing to stay overnight. In summertime, the highland route
of Lyngdalsheiði provides a convenient shortcut to Þingvellir for
those traveling on four wheel drive.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Þingvellir national park is of immense
historic and symbolic importance to Icelanders. It was long the site
of the original Althing, or national parliament of the settlers, and
the setting for many of the most important events in the history of
the island. Established in 930, the Althing was an assembly of free
men that gathered at Þingvellir for two weeks each summer to settle
disputes, set laws and arrange marriages. Þingvellir is also
renowned for its geological significance. The area is located on the
Mid-Atlantic ridge, where the continents of Europe and America drift
apart, causing earthquakes and volcanic activity. Standing in the
Almannagjá fissure, the visitor is literally situated between the
continental plates. Þingvellir is also known for its exquisite
beauty. The birch-covered lava fields and the clear blue waters of
Lake Þingvallavatn produce a harmonious, almost serene landscape.
Departure at:
09:00
Duration:
8 hours
Price:
EUR 86 (lunch included)
Travel & General
Information
Travel from Europe to Iceland is easy with Iceland’s international
airport at Keflavik only about three hours away from London, Paris,
Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm. Iceland’s national
carrier, Icelandair, operates regular flights from many European
cities and a new low-budget airline, Iceland Express, flies to
Keflavik Airport from Copenhagen-Kastrup and London-Stansted, which
are served by low-budget airlines that fly to cities all over
Europe. Scandinavian Airlines operates flights from Oslo to Iceland.
Conference participants can book their flights online at the
following links and Your Host in Iceland is more than willing to
assist participants in booking flights and other travel
arrangements. Just contact
yourhost@yourhost.is
Information about flights
www.icelandair.com
www.icelandexpress.com
www.scandinavian.net
Flybus information
Flybus
arrival:
Operated all year daily from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik in
connection with all arriving flights. The Flybus is located right
outside the Keflavik International Airport. The Flybus brings
passengers to the BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik near to the
capital´s centre. From there passengers are brought to some of the
major hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavik. Kindly note that not all
hotels and gueasthouses are provided with this service. Taxis are
available outside the terminal for any destination. Duration: 40 -
50 minutes.
Flybus departures:
In connection with all departing flights. A free pick-up service is
available from some of the major hotels and guesthouses in
Reykjavík. The day before departure, passengers need to inform the
reception desk staff of their hotel that they want the Flybus to
pick them up the next day. The Flybus has a special schedule based
on departures from the BSÍ terminal, picking up passengers
approximately ½ an hour prior at the hotels.
General information on Iceland
Iceland
looks like a tiny spot on the world map, but considering its size
(app. 103.000 sq. km) the country has an incredible diverse
landscape, dominated by mighty glaciers and mountains, desolate
highlands, fertile river valleys, volcanoes and lava fields. Iceland
is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge dividing the European and
American continental plates, slowly pulling the two in separate
directions (2 cm each year). The ridge runs through the whole
country, resulting in volcanic eruptions, geothermal activity such
as geysers and hot springs, as well as occasional earthquakes.
Hundreds of volcanoes dot the landscape, although not all of them
are active.
The
most famous ones include: Hekla, which was once believed to be the
entrance to hell, Katla on the Myrdalsjökull glacier and Krafla in
North-Iceland. All of
them
have erupted within the last century. On average there is a volcanic
eruption every five years. Lava fields cover some 11% of the island.
Geothermal power is harnessed to produce energy and heat. In fact
more than 90% of Icelandic homes are heated in this way. Fossil
fuels are used only for transportation, and hydropower to produce
electricity. As a consequence Icelanders can enjoy a clean pollution
free environment. Approximately 11% of the total area of the country
is covered by glaciers. The largest one is Vatnajökull glacier,
which is up to a kilometre thick. The glacial melt water ends in
rivers, some of which offer possibilities for river rafting whereas
others give rise to beautiful waterfalls, such as the famous
Gullfoss waterfall on the Hvitá river. Many of the spring fed rivers
and lakes offer fabulous chances for fishing salmon, trout and
Arctic char. Iceland is renowned for its natural beauty, and not
without a cause.
Icelandic water – the best in the world!
Icelanders
have the fortune of having access to an almost unlimited and
inexpensive supply of natural hot and cold water, a resource that is
becoming scarce in many places around the world. In addition,
Icelanders can be proud of the drinking water quality, which is one
of the purest in the world. The cold water from the tap is pure
spring water, without any additives such as chlorine.
About the Icelanders
Icelanders are in many ways forged by the country they live in.
They may appear a bit rough and cold sometimes – even indifferent,
but also determined and relentless. Giving time, they will reveal
themselves as sensitive, kind, poetic, warm, loyal and emotional.
The Icelandic people have shown their ability and determination in
adapting, learning and developing. Today, the standard of living is
among the highest in the world. Icelandic industry is very
competitive, be it in genetic research, power plant engineering or
the fishing industry to name a few. In short, one could say that
Icelanders are a hard-working bunch, somewhere between Europe and
America, who have learned to be self-sufficient but still crave for
the outer contact and thoroughly enjoy and take pride in living in a
postcard.
Reykjavík - Hot Destination
Reykjavik
is famous for its lovely cafés and vibrant nightlife. It is said
that Reykjavik has become one of the hottest destinations for
nightlife in Europe. We leave it to you to judge whether this
statement is true and encourage you to try as many venues as
possible. The nightlife does not really start until midnight, mostly
because many people are at private parties until midnight or even 1
AM. One of the reasons might be the notoriously high prices for
alcoholic beverages. Go ahead and experience Reykjavik the way the
locals do it!
Good links for further information on Iceland and Reykjavík
For further
information / assistance contact:
Tel. (+354) 551 1730
Fax (+354) 551 1736
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