ICELAND’S POPULAR VOLCANO TOUR TO REOPEN AGAIN THIS SUMMER

 One of last year’s most popular tourist attractions, the Thrihnukagigur Volcano in Iceland, is set to reopen again this year. From 15^th May, the tours which are entitled “Inside the Volcano’ will offer visitors the chance to see just what a volcano looks like from the inside of a magma chamber.

Thrihnukagigur Volcano is 20 miles from Iceland’s capital Reykjavic, and as it is dormant, it is currently the only place on the planet where it is safe to explore the huge magma chamber. And huge it most certainly is, around the size of three full size basketball courts and you could fit the Statue of Liberty in there!

To enter, visitors descend through the top crater, all the way down to the magma chamber and are to be accompanied by experienced and special trained guides. A cable lift will carry participants up and down the chamber.

This has to be an amazing opportunity for volcanologists or anyone with an interest in the magnificent and natural wonders of the world.

The tour will run from 15^th May – 10^th September, with several confirmed departures each day.

For more information, visit http://www.insidethevolcano.com

ROUGH GUIDE 2013 TRAVEL HOTLIST - NORDIC SPOTS TO SEE

 We would like to wish everyone a very happy new year. It was good start for two Nordic Countries as they were named in the Rough Guide’s 2013 Travel Hotlist.  The travel trending two are Stockholm, the Swedish capital and the North East of Iceland.

So what do these places have to offer? Well, in a nutshell…

STOCKHOLM

Climb the City Hall tower and enjoy the splendid view over the city.

Take a walk around Gamla Stan, an amazing medieval city centre.

Visit the Royal Palace, Stockholm cathedral and the Vasa museum, which just happens to be the only preserved 17^th century ship on the planet.

Do a spot of sightseeing by boat on an organised tour.

Check out the new Stockholm landmark, the world’s largest spherical building, the Ericsson Globe, and enjoy the trip to the top in one of the gondolas.

Enjoy a drink at the Gondolen bar, which is situated at the top of the Katarina lift.

Find your inner Pippi (or Philip) Longstocking and run free at Junibacken, a mini indoor theme park. You can ride a fairytale train or dress up as Pippi and slide down the roof of her house.

NORTH EAST ICELAND

Go whale watching. This is where whale-watching tours first started and is a marvelous spot to see several species including humpback whales, blue minke whales, white beaked dolphins and pilot whales.

If feathered creatures are more your thing, you can follow a birding trail put together by experts and enthusiasts.

Just walk through this magnificent landscape for the sheer fun of it. Or you could explore it on horseback.

Conditions for cross-country skiing are excellent and in the mountains west of Skjalandi Bay are superb ice climbing areas.

There is no better way to relax after a day of exertion in the great outdoors than to soak and relax in one of the region’s geothermal pools and spas.

Visit the Husavik Whale museum to learn all about the life’s and loves of Cetaceans. 

Hope these nuggets of information have whetted your appetite with regards to these two Nordic areas. If you have any other suggestions places to see, things to do, local foods and customs that make Stockholm and North East Iceland special then please let us know.