Local Information

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.jpgIceland 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 sandur.jpgthem 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!

 

sund 2.jpgIcelanders 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. icelanders.jpg
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!


city-hall-and-tjornin-lake.jpg

 







Good links for further information on Iceland and Reykjavík

 

For further information / assistance contact:

 

 

yourhost@yourhost.is

www.yourhost.is

Tel. (+354) 551 1730

Fax (+354) 551 1736