It is August 2024. Since the return of travel in early 2022 following the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines have faced staff shortages, strike action (actual and threatened), tightening regulations, and higher operating costs. These conditions, in addition to the challenges of regular operations, can seriously affect an airline’s level of service. …
We want to paint a picture for you. Imagine you’re at a gathering with friends and acquaintances. It’s a fairly large group, let’s say around 15-20 people. Just as you begin to get hungry, someone brings out a large, layered cake. It’s smothered in rich, chocolate buttercream frosting – …
Way back in 2017 I wrote a blog in recognition of Canada Day; 50 Great Things Canada Contributed to the World. Since I wrote that blog I’ve been studying about the Indigenous peoples who have lived on this land we now call Canada for millennia – the First Nations and …
Saint Patrick’s Day brings Ireland and all things Irish to a lot of people’s minds. And, those of us lucky enough to be Irish or are of Irish descent, particularly so! My ancestors on both sides of my family emigrated to Canada from Ireland back in the mid to late …
There are so many things that we miss when it comes to travel, such as exploring new places, trying new things and meeting new people. What I miss the most, are those extremely peaceful moments where you can just take it all in. Whether you are enjoying a beautiful hike, …
Every now and again I read something that makes me say “H’uh? Really? Wow!”, and this story was one of those.
Posted by Yahoo Lifestyle based on a posting to Reddit, it’s about a tourist that drew a map on an envelope in lieu of an address to a remote farm in Iceland, and it actually got delivered! https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tourist-drew-map-postcard-lieu-195106212.html Read More >
I had extremely high expectations of my first trip to Iceland in September as I have been training for the past seven months to become an Iceland Specialist. I am happy to report that Iceland more than exceeded my expectations! Immediately after leaving the airport I realized I was in a very special place. As my transfer left the airport, I noticed the immense lava field we were driving through. Rough, jagged black lava rocks covered the ground all around me. I honestly felt like I was on a different planet. It had been raining, so many of the black lava rocks were covered in lime green moss, it felt very mythical. I half expected to see a troll peek around one of the rocks and wave at me. Read More >
Iceland is considered one of the world’s hottest international destinations right now for several reasons:
1. Safety. Iceland comes out on top on most lists of safest places to visit worldwide.
2. Nature. Iceland has it all – pristine coastlines, glaciers and volcanoes galore. Hiking, kayaking and taking in the incredible views are among many ways to experience this land of contrasts.
It’s easy to get to. With several airlines offering flights to Iceland from an ever increasing number of gateways getting this is easier than before. Airfares are competitively prices, with advance purchase and seat sale fares often on offer.
Why take an Iceland ProCruises trip?
1. Iceland is a maritime country. Cruises allow you to see the country as the early explorers did (but much more comfortably) – arriving at ports by sea and then going inland to explore.
2. There is a major hotel shortage in Iceland, especially in smaller villages and towns. Last year, hotel space was basically “sold out” by the middle of February for the period May to September. This year we started getting sold out messages in late December. Think of your cruise ship as a floating hotel! You have a room that you return to each evening, only unpack once, maximizing your sightseeing time. You will arrive in the ports early in the morning and then you have a wide range of optional activities to enjoy the area.
3. You can be as active (or inactive) as you like. Optional excursions range from kayaking, whale watching, hiking, fishing, horseback riding and golfing to bus tours, some with a special focus such as a Viking Sushi tasting and visiting local museums.
4. Who doesn’t want to travel with Vikings? Iceland ProCruises is proudly Icelandic owned! Their guides are passionate about their country and everything Iceland (and Greenland). There’s nothing better than local knowledge to enhance your experience and make your trip the best it can be.
Wheels up in Winnipeg at 2:45pm, down in Toronto long enough to have some dinner, then 4 hours and 50 minutes later we landed at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. With black lava fields all around it felt a bit like I think it might feel to land on the moon!
What’s the food like in Iceland? We get asked that a lot. I had the good fortune to sample a variety of local, Icelandic foods during my week here with my family. It was fresh, a lot local and organic, innovative and all delicious!
One of my favourite eateries in Reykjavik is the Tapas Restaurant. A 16 year old restaurant set in a cave-like setting it’s warm with the right amount of lighting and is very quiet despite being full of people. An amazing group of the most attentive staff on the planet! Great service and the managers knew absolutely every single ingredient in every dish of an extensive menu.
Serrano with fresh figs and chilled honey Puffin* with blueberry sauce and nuts
*I’m sorry – I know puffins are cute! But, they’re also plentiful (by the millions here in Iceland in the summer) and are a popular food in the Nordic countries.
Tapas – small dishes served when perfectly done. The three of us shared 10 dishes in total and were full by meal’s end. 10 dishes, 4 glasses of house red, a beer and our bill was ISK21,200 (about US$190/CA$250), which we felt was very good value.
And how could we not try the iconic Icelandic pylsur (hot dog), made mostly from fresh, organic, Icelandic lamb mixed with a bit of pork and beef. The casing is natural, giving the hot dog a nice “snap” when you bite into it. Order “ein með öllu” (roughly pronounced “ane meth alt) and you’ll get one with the works – a hot dog in a soft, steamed bun topped with raw white onions, crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard called pylsusinnep and remoulade, a delicious, creamy sauce made with mayonnaise, capers, mustard, and herbs. You can choose to leave off some of the toppings, but we’d recommend you try “one with everything”, just like the Icelanders do!
Food, glorious food, Icelandic style!
I had the good fortune to stay for a week in the remarkable, capital city of Reykjavik with my wife Margot and our son David.
Thanks to Elfa Bjork, manager of one of the apartment properties we use for our clients, we stayed in a beautiful, centrally located, two-bedroom apartment. Read More >
I had a few extra days before and after a conference I was attending in Iceland so my wife, Margot and one of our sons, David, decided to come along for a vacation in this amazing country.
On October 2nd, David and I went scuba diving and Margot went snorkelling and experienced the clearest water in the world. We were diving in a rift between the North American and European tectonic plates in Thingevillir Park, at a dive site named Silfra. Read More >
It could be both! New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík and, indeed, throughout Iceland, is a crackerjack of a holiday!
If you would like to go somewhere special for New Year’s but also want to do some Northern Lights hunting, look no further. Think Iceland!
“Tapas” is an upscale restaurant very close to the harbour in Reykjavik. Would be a great place to go with a group as the portion sizes were very large. There was also a “chef selection” of 6 items that cost 7500 ISK (about $75 CDN). Various groups that I spoke to found the food, and the prices, to be exceptional.
I had only 2 of some 60 possible tapas selections and it would have been a true pleasure to have dined their every night. It is “underground” and you have the feeling that you are going into a cavern or a cellar. The manager was exceptional as I was the only single diner and he seemed to spend a fair amount of time talking to me about the food.
I will definitely be dining again on my next trip.
“Icelandic Tapas” was a small restaurant in downtown Reykjavik that served their offerings in jars. You could buy a “single” jar or there was a 4 jar or a 6 jar price or a “chef 6 jar” offering. I selected the 6 jar offering but chose them myself. Read More >
