UN votes Iceland ‘Best Country to Live In’
Iceland has managed to top its previous acclaim in 2006 for being the ‘happiest place to live’ and has now been voted by the UN as being the ‘best country to live in’ and taken over the number one spot that Norway held for 6 years!
Now you may be asking yourself, why is Iceland the ‘best country to live in’, well read on and you’ll soon see why.
Iceland has something for everyone and the capital city Reykjavik with a population of 200,000 inhabitants is probably one of safest 
and cleanest cities in the world. The country has pollution-free air and water and it is unique in the sense that 72% of all energy used is renewable, clean and relatively inexpensive. Icelanders have a long life expectancy too due this clean and healthy environment which is enhanced by outdoor heated pools. Yes, you read that right. Research has shown that swimming outdoors in thermal, hot water, whilst at the same time breathing in clean, fresh air has a positive effect on the heart and respiratory system and with the numerous outdoor pools in Iceland, you'll never be far from this beneficial source. The cuisine plays a positive role in Icelandic lives too. Pure and natural Icelandic ingredients are used in the cooking and even the meat and dairy products are free from additives and growth hormones.
So, can you now see why Iceland has been voted the best country to live in? Perhaps go and see for yourself but be warned you may never want to leave!
Posted on July 17, 2008 in Iceland | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Iceland’s Youngest Volcanic Island on UNESCO World Heritage List
After a meeting in Quebec, the World Heritage Committee extended its UNESCO World Heritage listing by 27 sites which includes a further Icelandic location, the volcanic island of Surtsey.
On the 8 July the World Heritage Committee added 19 cultural sites and 8 natural sites to the listing. Surtsey being in the latter category and selected due to its incredible ‘living laboratory’ environment untouched by humans. The island was 4 years in the making - a succession of oceanic volcanic eruptions from 1963-1974 created this unique land 32 km off Iceland’s south coast.
From Surtsey’s very beginnings scientists have been fascinated by its conception and development over time and as a 
result the island limits its access solely to scientists whose work ranges from volcanology research to investigations into colonisation by plants and animals.
So if Surtsey has ignited a desire to see an untouched world and you aren’t a scientist there are other ways to have a peek at this special place. Viking Tours give you the opportunity to take a 4 hour boat trip around the island……so there you go, just when you felt like you were missing out on a wonder of the world! Alternatively if you don’t have sea legs I suggest you visit the Culture House in Reykjavik and the Surtsey – Genesis Exhibition. Here you can watch footage of mother nature in action and observe Surtsey’s conception!
If you would like to experience a volcanic eruption first hand, subscribe to our Volcano Hotline and whenever there is a volcanic eruption in Iceland, Discover the World run special trips. So if you fancy seeing an eruption sign up and all you have to do is it wait!
Posted on July 11, 2008 in Iceland | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Blue Lagoon Achieves Environmental Recognition
Ever wondered why Icelanders have such a fantastic sense of well-being? Well, some say it’s due to the positive effects of lounging in mineral rich bathes dotted around the country….and one bath in particular, the Blue Lagoon has just achieved environmental recognition and awarded, for the sixth consecutive year, a Blue Flag for 2009/10.
The independent and non-for-profit organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) owns and operates The Blue Flag programme which works towards sustainable beach development. Each beach or marina that is awarded a Blue Flag has fulfilled a strict criteria set by the FEE and thus provides the public with a recognised level of assurance.
So if you’re ever in Iceland and fancy a dip at the Blue Lagoon you can be safe in the knowledge that the water is clean, facilities are well maintained and any information you require regarding protecting the environment is available. So for those of you who are yet to experience the delights of an Icelandic bath or even the Blue Lagoon it is a place not to be missed. Indulge your senses and while away an afternoon by immersing yourself in the 35-40°C powder-blue mineral rich waters mixed with sea water and leave feeling fabulous!
Posted on July 7, 2008 in Iceland | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Origins of Icelandic Place Names
It’s a curious thing that some holidaymakers are content to soak in the atmosphere and culture of their unfamiliar surroundings without so much as a guided tour, whilst others insist on gaining a historical insight into their selected destination. I find myself frequently in the former camp, though whenever I am enlightened on a country’s cultural beginnings I am genuinely fascinated. I realise that many of you out there will be intrigued by the prospect of a visit to Iceland, and to save you the hassle of extensive research prior to your departure, I’ve done all the hard work for you - below is a list of Icelandic place names and their historical meanings: 
Reykjavik - this translates literally to “Bay of Smokes”, in reference to the steam rising from hot springs in the region
Keflavik - though the origin of this name is unclear, the town is also known to locals as “Bitlabaerinn”, literally “the Beatle town”; referring to its rich source of musicians in the 60’s and 70’s
Leifur Eiriksson Airport Terminal - named after the first settler in Keflavik, Leif Ericson, an explorer and son of the legendary Viking “Erik the Red”
Hofn - a renowned fishing town, the name translates literally as “harbour”
Hveragerdi - this town is situated on an active geothermal field and consequently its name means “hot springs garden”
Lake Myvatn - The use of the word “lake” in the title is technically unnecessary, as the “vatn” in “Myvatn” is Icelandic for lake. “Myvatn” translates literally as “Lake of Midges”, something which is attributed to the overwhelming presence of flies (or midges) during the summer.
So, there you go! I hope this has been informative, and maybe even persuaded some of you to pay a visit to a country blessed with a rich cultural history.
Posted on July 4, 2008 in Iceland | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
'Journey to the Center of the Earth'
Based on the 1864 Jules Verne novel ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’, this film first appeared on our screens in 1959, now revived we will see it once again on 11 July 2008 in an entirely digital 3D format – a world first for a live-action film to be shot in this way.
Journey to the Center of the Earth was shot in Montreal, Canada and Iceland and is the story of a journey into the unimaginable….
Professor Trevor Anderson (played by Brendan Fraser – previously in films such as The Mummy and Crash) with his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) and local guide Hannah (Anita Briem) make an unusual discovery whilst on an expedition in Iceland which leads them on an extraordinary journey beneath the Earth’s surface. Together they travel through undiscovered worlds and encounter inconceivable types of creatures. This epic adventure takes the audience for a wild ride into the unknown.
So the only question that remains is - will you be watching this action packed film as intrepid handsome men travel to the centre of the earth?!.....I think I will be!
For your very own exploration of Iceland visit our website and make your own discoveries!
Posted on July 1, 2008 in Film , Iceland | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Spitsbergen & the 'Polar Circle'
For those of you who are looking forward to an Arctic Voyage this summer with Discover the World, the Norwegian Met Office's website has handy updates as to weather forecasts for the Svalbard archipelago, including Longyearbyen, Ny Alesund, Hopen and Bjornoya. Remember, during the Arctic summertime there are plenty of daylight hours to enjoy the stunning scenery of the magnificent fjords and glaciers, and of course be on the look out for wildlife.
The hours of daylight also dictate the lines known as the 'polar circles'. Polar circles are found in both the northern and southern hemispheres and are defined as the lines around the globe at which the sun does not set for at least one night of the year. Currently, this is the case north of 66.5 degrees northern and southern latitude. The closer you are to the Poles (90 degrees), the more nights in summertime that the sun will stay above the horizon - about half of the year at the poles themselves. This phenomenon of sunlight all around the clock is often called the 'midnight sun' or 'polar day'. In central Spitsbergen, the polar day lasts for about four months without any sunset.
The midnight sun begins in Longyearbyen on around 20 April, and stays until around 22 August. The sun sits amazingly high in a bright blue sky on midsummer nights, even at midnight! In high summer therefore, this is a very special time to visit and the stillness of a land excursion at midnight in such spectacular surroundings is simply magical. True summer in central Spitsbergen lasts from late June to late August, when most of the non-glaciated terrain is free from lasting snow and plants are in bloom. Get those cameras and sunglasses at the ready!
Posted on June 26, 2008 in Arctic , Scandinavia , Spitsbergen , Travel | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
New Yorker Attempts to Circumnavigate Iceland in a Kayak
On Friday 6 June 2008 New Yorker Marcus Demuth began a solo 2½ month 1,450 mile clockwise voyage around Iceland in a kayak, with the aim of raising awareness and funds for ICE-SAR – a voluntary run Icelandic sea & mountain rescue organisation. Most recently, Marcus Demuth circumnavigated Ireland in a kayak whilst raising funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Association (RNLI).
If successful in his current venture, Marcus Demuth will be the second person ever to complete this circumnavigation solo; the journey has been attempted solo twice before but completed only once. The Atlantic swells, ferocious Arctic winds and fast changing weather patterns make this a gruelling undertaking and I wish him the very best of luck on his journey….
You can follow Marcus’ progress on his expedition blog which will rely on ‘the kindness of strangers’. Visit the website to find out more!
If this venture has fuelled an interest in Iceland or sea expeditions (in larger vessels!) then please visit our website for further information regarding Iceland holidays and Polar expeditions - a truly unique way to experience a spectacular environment.
Posted on June 10, 2008 in Iceland | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Geysir Revived by Earthquake
On Thursday 29th May, the day the southern Icelandic town of Selfoss experienced an earthquake, Iceland’s largest hot spring Geysir was revived!
Located in the geothermally active Haukadalur Valley, Geysir had been dormant for years but since Thursday’s earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, Geysir has been heating up and occasionally erupting! Earthquakes have been known to revive Geysir in previous years; with the earliest recording being an earthquake in 1896 causing the geyser to erupt numerous times a day but prior to that had been relatively dormant.
Interestingly, Geysir is the oldest known geyser and it is thought that the English word ‘geyser’ is derived from Geysir, originating from the Icelandic word gjósa – ‘to erupt’. This natural phenomenon is fascinating to observe but a word of warning….Geysir eruptions have been known to shoot an astounding 60 metres of boiling water up into the air, so be careful not to stand too close!
If this geyser spectacle has sparked an interest in geothermal activity or perhaps Iceland itself, we offer tailor-made trips to Iceland including a Reykjavik city break with optional excursions, one being to visit the geysers. The classic day excursion from Reykjavik, the ‘Golden Circle’, encompasses Iceland’s trio of sights, namely Geysir with its spouting geysers!
If you would like to see this impressive geyser phenomenon in a country with incredible beauty feel free to visit our website.
Posted on June 5, 2008 in Iceland | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Icebergs in the morning
Claire, one of our Iceland specialists travelled to Iceland in April and here she reveals the delights of springtime in the ‘land of fire & ice’.
“As we drive on the Ring Road from Skaftafell to Hofn, enjoying the landscapes, suddenly springs up the most amazing scenic view. And like many travellers arriving here, we are speechless. This is Jokulsarlon, the glacial Lagoon which lies at the foot of Breidamerkurjokull (one of the tongues of the glacier Vatnajokull).
Jokulsarlon is definitely my favourite part of Iceland. The most incredible place I have ever seen. We visited in April, when the country is still mostly covered in snow, and in the early morning when the daylight is still soft. We were the only ones there. Everything was silent and white and all you could hear was the sound of the glacier calving and the seals swimming and diving in the ice cold water of the lagoon. Flocks of birds migrating from Europe flew over us, letting us know that spring had officially arrived in Iceland. There was the one iceberg, emerging from the depths of the sea. Its sharp edges and the blue tint on its sides seemed pure and sheer... it looked almost unr
eal.
Of course April is not conventionally the “best time” of the year in Jokulsarlon - the boat trips which bring you up close to the icebergs do not start until May, so you can only admire it from the shores. However, it seemed to me that this was a unique experience conveying the majesty of the nature in Iceland. And we had to share this moment with no one but the seals... What an exclusive way of discovering the Vatnajokull region!
It was a wonderful thing to stand alone in this scenery, feeling so small and facing this mighty glacier. It was also a great opportunity to take amazing pictures of the lagoon in the morning light and I definitely recommend two stops there: one in the early morning and one in the evening, to catch the sunset as well”.
Posted on May 22, 2008 in Iceland | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Finland Log Cabins - Grand Designs
A few of us here in the office are avid 'Grand Designs' viewers, and were delighted to see a family build their very own Finnish log cabin on last night's programme. It looked absolutely stunning, and true to form, is very sustainable and earth-friendly. If, like us, your budget and DIY skills don't quite stretch to building a cabin, then why not enjoy a stay in one - contact us to discuss the accommodation options available for a short break deep in the Finnish countryside amidst tranquil, snow-cloaked forests. A roaring fire would be just blissful right now... *sigh*.
Posted on April 10, 2008 in Finland , Scandinavia , Television , Travel | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Giant Underwater Volcano discovered in Iceland
Volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson from the University of Iceland and a team of scientists recently discovered a more than 50-square-kilometre volcano off the Reykjanes peninsula, in southwest Iceland, and expect it to erupt at any time. In the centre of the volcano there is a caldera measuring ten kilometres in diameter. The volcanologist stated that, “people shouldn’t be surprised if there would be an extensive volcanic eruption underwater there soon. Nothing has happened for hundreds of years and it is in fact only a matter of time before there will be an eruption,”.
Since the volcano is at a depth of 1,500 metres eruptions would not have any effect on Iceland, except perhaps causing minor earthquakes. The volcano’s discovery is considered significant because geographers believed it couldn’t exist in that area. “Such large volcanoes are not typically located on oceanic ridges. They are always drifting apart and that prevents a volcano from being created. This is why the volcano’s existence came as such a surprise,” Höskuldsson said. In summer, Höskuldsson and his team will present the conclusions of their studies at the annual conference of the International Association of Volcanologists, which will be held in Iceland. Nine hundred people have already registered for the conference. In summer 2009 they plan use a small submarine to undertake more detailed research of the underwater volcano.
Remember, Discover the World has a 'Volcano Hotline' which springs into action (running special trips) as volcanoes errupt in this active geothermal area. Thanks to its unique position on the edge of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, Iceland has a wealth of volcanoes which dot the landscape - yet another reason to visit this spectacular country.
Posted on April 8, 2008 in Arctic , Current Affairs , Iceland , Science | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
