Iceland

Iceland - Short Introduction

In Iceland tourists can practice a variety of outdoor activities surrounded by nature; when we think about Iceland we imagine cold and snow, and, for this reason, this coutry represents a paradise for winter sports, such as skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, trekking on glaciers, but there are also a lot of other possibilities, for example cannoning on the lakes, horse riding, sport fishing, cycling and golf.

Sleigh Dogs And Snowmobiles 

A particular activity to try all year round is sleigh dog, which is an excursion on slide moved by huskies. People can participate to tours organized specially for tourists, and it’s really fun and a beautiful experience, but it’s important to follow the instructions of the guide and not to go away alone, because it’s seriously dangerous. This activity has an important traditional value, because it has been the only means of transport in these areas for a long time, also until the sixties.However you can do also an excursion on a snowmobile, although it’s a little expensive. It’s easy to find agencies which provide the necessary equipment, and this experience will be certainly amazing, in particular if the weather will be nice.

Trekking in Iceland

In Iceland, tourist season starts in June in ends in late August, when last snow melts and night becomes day, touristic industry starts to work very hard; hotels open, buses begin to move around and outdoor activities start to be organised. 

Even if icelanders love spending time outside, generally they spend more time at work instead of having fun. For this reason, activities organized by agencies are addressed more to outside visitors. 

Trekking is the best way to discover Iceland but, even in summertime, bad or good weather can make the difference between the most incredible journey in your life and the worst rainy experience ever, but if you want to visit Iceland you should consider that bad weather or suddenly storms are part of Iceland's essence.

 
Trekking in Hornstandir

Tourists can enjoy many different tours, in order to satisfy their inner desire of adventure and nature. The most popular starting point of tours is in the old village of Sæból, from whom tourists can reach the oldest Norwegian whale station only by foot across the iconic coast.
This tour in Hornstandir will also head tourists through Glumsdalur valley in wich they will find the graceful lake of Fljótavatn.
It is important to ask for advice before starting every walking tours because paths in the coast aren't very defined and sometimes they are dangerous and certain paths could be inaccessible during winter beacuase of snow.
  
Rafting

In the South Iceland the most popular attraction is river rafting, here agencies organised tours, especially in the Golden Circle, available with pick-up directly from Reykjavík city.
The canoes are inflated and contain a self rescue, meaning that they do not fill with water and they are easy to maneuver. Two or three people sit together in the canoe under the watchful eyes of a guide in a raft.
For 20 years the River Fun rafting trip has been Iceland´s most popular adventure activity for all the crazy tourists. With a perfectly balanced mix of serene canyons and adrenaline pumping waves and rapids, rafting in Hvítá (pronounced: Kveetau) is a memorable experience.

Prices:9.990 ISK per person, without pick-up from Reykjavík.
14.990 ISK per person, with pick-up from Reykjavík at 8:00 - 8:30 and a lunch buffet.
15.990 ISK per person, with pick-up from Reykjavík at 12:00 - 12:30 and a BBQ dinner.
Included: river rafting on Hvítá river and entry to the sauna.

The North Iceland offers whitewater rafting day-trip on the East Glacial River.
A spectacular combination of canyon scenery and relentless heart-pumping whitewater, the East Glacial River has consistently been rated one of Europe's best rafting rivers and topped popular guide books' lists of Iceland's "must-do" highlights. This whitewater adventure delivers an unforgettable journey into the beauty of Iceland's river wilderness and a dose of adrenaline strong enough to satisfy the most powerful of cravings!
What to Bring:
– Thermal underwear
– Wool sweater
– Fleece pants
– Thick wool socks
– Dry change of clothes for after the trip 


Be prepared to get wet! All clothing worn on the river should be made of fleece, wool, or other synthetic materials that keep their insulating ability when wet. NO COTTON!

Prices:
19.990 ISK per person without pick-up.
24.990 ISK per person with pick-up from Akureyri.
Includes: all rafting equipment (drysuits, helmets, PFDs, booties, gloves), professional guides & safety kayakers, transportation between rafting base and the river, riverside refreshments, Iceland's best rafting experience!


 Icelandic Horse
The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse typical of Iceland and they are one of the purest breeds of horses in the world. They are strong and small in fact sometimes they are called also Icelandic pony.
They were the only means of transport until 1900 in fact they helped a lot of farmers to cultivate land or delivered the post, so they were very important. 
Now there is a law against people who want to export this animals from Iceland.
Vikings brought this horses to Iceland and then fortunately they have adapted perfectly to Icelandic’s cold and  wild environment, for example they have survived thought volcanic eruptions.
There are official Icelandic horserace, the first was in 1874 at Akureyri.
This animals are also venerated in Nordic mythology.
There are a lot of tour that people (in particular tourists or visitors) can enjoy: for example in two hours “the lava tour”, where they can see the helgafell volcano, or “the heritage tour” where they can see the Icelandic’s agriculture.
In Iceland horse trekking is very popular so it’s very important for the economy of this country because tourists are fascinated by horses.


Sport Tour In Reykjavik, Fishing and whales watching
This is the perfect tour for fishing sport lovers and for all people who want to discover nature and its secrets, in fact during this tour, in addition to admire the stunning Iceland landscape, you can enjoy  the beauty of the whales and their nice songs.
Iceland is a land full of rivers and almost everywhere it’s possible to fish different kind of fishes like the Atlantic salmon, the brown trout, the Arctic char, the stickleback and the eel.
The best seasons to fish these type of fishes are spring and summer, but during summer the cost of the stay and the flight will be very expensive and for this reason this tour is organized in May, also because this is the best period for whale watching.
Target: all people who love sport fishing and nature
Length of the stay: 5 days and 4 nights
Period of the tour: the end of May
Departure: from Milan by schedule flight
Accommodation: ***hotel with full board
Means of transport: plane
Price: 1120€
Price Includes: flight, accommodation with full board, trip for your whales vision, fishing equipment, a guide and  insurance
Supplement: all items not mentioned above

The Tour - From 25 to 29 May 2012

DAY ONE  Milan – ReykjavikDeparture by scheduled flight from Milan at 10 a.m. and arrival in Reykjavik at 2 p.m. accommodation and lunch in hotel.
Afternoon free to visit Reykjavik and admire its beautiful landscape. Dinner and night in hotel.
Every evening you can enjoy the Reykjavik night life or have fun with expert entertainers in hotel.

DAY TWO  ReykjavikBreakfast in hotel and all day is dedicated to your passion, fishing, with a guide who accompanies you at the best basins in Reykjavik.
Lunch, dinner and night in hotel.

DAY THREE  ReykjavikBreakfast in hotel and all day is dedicated to your passion, fishing, with a guide who accompanies you at the best basins in Reykjavik.
Lunch, dinner and night in hotel.

DAY FOUR  ReykjavikBreakfast in hotel and departure at 9 a.m. with a catamaran for whale watching along the Reykjavik coasts accompany by a guide. This trip is from 5 to 8 hours long and during it, you may spot whales, dolphins, porpoises, and sometimes killer whales and blue whales. Packed lunch.
Dinner and night in hotel.

DAY FIVE  Reykjavik – MilanBreakfast in hotel.
Morning free and if you want you can visit Reykjavik.
Departure at 2 p.m. by schedule flight for Milan.