“Mums Gone To Iceland!”…

The country that is…not the well-known food store. What does ‘mum’ know that we have yet to discover?

So why Iceland?  What’s so special about it?  Ash clouds, Volcanoes? Snow? Er….Ice? Unpronounceable place names??   For those of you who haven’t already discovered the wonders of such a beautiful country, myself included, here’s why we need to put it on our ‘Bucket Lists’.   Firstly did you know?…..

• There are no motorways or railways in Iceland!  – Bliss for all us traffic weary travellers.
• Beer was banned until 1989 – not so good, but this glaring error has since been rectified
• 8 out of 10 Icelandic’s believe in Elves!  You can even get a map from the tourist office which shows where they live!  What a great story to tell the kids!
• Both men and women are obsessed with knitting…..hmmm…, what man do you know would admit to an ‘obsession’ for knitting?
• In 2006 it was rated the 4^th happiest nation in the World!  Where does the UK come in this chart I wonder?? Could it have something to do with the ‘Midnight Sun’? Which means that because of its geographical position, in June and July especially, the sun only goes down for as little as half an hour! 23 1/2hrs of sun a day would certainly make me happy!

This fascinating country is best seen from a cruise ship. From here you can discover stunning Volcanic Landscapes, (130 volcanic mountains across the country) Icecaps, Glaciers, Steaming larva fields, geysers and hot pools, and of course the awe-inspiring Northern Lights.

From Reykjavik you can visit the ‘Big 3’,  Gullfoss Waterfall, the Geysir area and Thingvellir Natural park where the Eurasian & American tectonic plate meet.

From Akureyi you can Whale watch up to 23 species. So close you can almost touch them!

See the ‘Jewels Of The North’, Godafoss waterfall, in the shape of a horseshoe, Lake Myvatn, and the Geothermal field at Namaskard with mud pools, steam vents and boiling springs.

Visit Eskifordur, a small fishing town set in its own mini Fjord. Visit Elf Hill and learn about the mythology the Icelandics believe in wholeheartedly.

Isafjordur, where you can take a boat to Vigur Island with a population of 10! To see puffins, guillemots, razorbills for all you birdwatchers out there.  Also cruise through the Glacier Fjords past Latrabjarg, Europes  largest bird cliff.  Which hosts 40% of the worlds population.

See what I mean by the  unpronounceable names??

Now if this has whetted your appetite to discover for yourself the many wonders of Iceland, you’ll be pleased to know that Fred Olsen are offering four cruises during Summer 2014,  on three of their magnificent ships from four different departure ports around the UK, Liverpool, Newcastle, Avonmouth & Southampton, to give us all a chance to experience for ourselves the wonders of Iceland.  At surprisingly low prices!

Iceland & Norway – 31 May 2014

Iceland & Norwegian Fjords – 14 June 2014

Norway & Iceland – 20 July 2014

Iceland – 17 August 2014

Their sale ends on 28th February, so please call me now and lets find some Elves!