it is a Travel and Tourism Management project

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From Southern Virginia to the Northern Lights

A Senior Year Winter Break Trip to Iceland

XXXXXXXXX January 10, 2014

Travel and Tourism Management

Introduction

Conformity is overrated. While our peers may be gearing up for a week skiing

in Vail, or travelling to Mexico to escape the cold, my sister and I are going to travel

to Reykjavik, Iceland for our winter break. It has always been a dream of ours to see

the famous Northern Lights and now we are going to make that dream a reality.

Lucky for us, Iceland has so much more to offer than just the Northern Lights (as if

that wasn’t reason enough!). We are both outdoor enthusiasts so we will spend our

days exploring the beautiful, natural landscape Iceland has to offer. We are also

going to be able to fit some shopping in as well as a concert! My sister studied

abroad in Denmark last semester and had the time of her life. She could not be more

ecstatic about visiting that region of the world again, and I could not be more

ecstatic to experience it for the first time.

History and Customs

Iceland has a very old and rich history. Reykjavik is thought to be the oldest

city in Iceland, settled in 871 by Norsemen, according to Iceland’s official website,

Iceland.is. Less than one hundred years later the chieftains of Iceland created their

first form of government, called the Althing. In the eleventh century Iceland was

brought under Norwegian rule when the chieftains accepted the sovereignty of the

King of Norway. Iceland then suffered for many years due to plagues, a volcanic

eruption, and harsh climate conditions. Finally, in 1904, Iceland was granted in

home rule and in 1918 received full sovereignty, although they remained in a royal

union with Denmark. It was not until 1944 that the Republic of Iceland was formally

established (Iceland.is, 2014). I was very surprised to learn that Iceland has

technically only been a fully independent nation for seventy years. In more recent

history, there were three things that stuck out in my mind. In 1986 Iceland hosted

the Reykjavik Summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. In 1994

Iceland officially joined the European Economic Area, which is an economic

agreement with the EU. Lastly, in 2009 Icelanders elected their first female prime

minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir. Not only that, but she was also the world’s first

openly gay prime minister (Iceland.is, 2014). That was another fact I never knew

and thought was incredibly interesting.

While I was researching the traditions I found that Iceland seems to be a very

fun and friendly country. It made me all that more excited for the trip! I was

disappointed to find out that New Year’s is a very popular holiday in Iceland where

many people set off their own fireworks since my sister and I would be travelling

there after the holiday. It sounded like a lot of fun! Thankfully for us, Icelanders

celebrate January 6th as the last day of Christmas, marked by bonfires and fireworks

displays, so we will not have to miss all of the holiday fun! (Iceland.is, 2014) It was

lucky for me to find out that many Icelanders still believe in the existence of elves so

we do not offend anyone by refuting the idea. Tipping is also not a traditional

custom in Iceland, something that will surely save my sister and me a lot of money! I

also learned that swimming is a big tradition in Iceland. There are several

geothermal swimming locations found in Reykjavik, something my sister and I plan

on doing. When dining, I found that it is customary to say, “Takk fyrir mig” which

means, “thank you” to the host or to whomever cooked the meal. Greeting people in

Iceland is to be done using a single kiss on the cheek, or a more formal handshake if

you are not well acquainted with the person. Home visit invitations are very

common in Iceland, so we should not be surprised if people invite us over for a meal

or to spend time after a meal. We should remember to take our shoes off, however,

when we first enter the home. Lastly, for the most part dress in Iceland is casual.

Aside from traditional formal events, most people dress casually, even to bars and

nightclubs (Gunnarsdottir).

Tourist Attractions

There are so many reasons to visit Iceland. One of the main reasons, as I have

mentioned earlier, is the Northern Lights. Aurora Borealis is the display of bright

lights that illuminate the sky during the winter months. They can only be seen from

a few places in the world and are a major attraction for those travelling to this part

of the world. Iceland also has some of the most beautiful parks and natural reserves

of the north. There are countless trails, rivers, and mountains that surround

Reykjavik that are incentives for outdoor enthusiasts like my sister and me. These

parks provide great opportunities for hiking and fishing in the rivers. Besides the

parks, there are also several geothermal swimming locations where the water is

heated naturally by the earth. People from Iceland love to spend their days

swimming and spas that use the naturally heated water. Iceland is also a great place

to go whale watching. It is not difficult to find whale-watching opportunities since

Iceland is completely surrounded by water. The proximity to the ocean also

provides ample opportunity for other water activities, such as ocean fishing,

kayaking, and cruises. Lastly, Reykjavik has a vast and exciting nightlife. There are

countless local eateries, bars, and clubs for people to visit. Most people who go out

in Reykjavik do so after midnight, and stay at the bars or clubs until very late at

night. If you are looking for a good time and do not have a strict bedtime, the

nightlife in Reykjavik will certainly interest you.

Overview of Tourism Development

Tourism is a respectable part of the Icelandic economy. In 2010, tourism in

Iceland contributed to 6% of the total GDP (Oladottir). However, Iceland’s tourism

is very concentrated. From the same report published by Oddny Oladottir, she states

that 51% of Iceland’s tourism is centered around the capital city of Reykjavik. The

remaining 49% of Iceland’s annual tourism is spread throughout the rest of the

country. It is clear that Reykjavik and its surrounding areas are the biggest

destination for tourists.

From the most recent data, about 673,000 people visited Iceland in 2012.

This is more than double the visitors in 2000 and this number has been rising at an

average of 7.3% annually. If this rate continues, Iceland will have 1 million visitors

in 2020. 96% of these visitors entered Iceland through the Keflavik airport located

in Reykjavik. The record for number of entries was broken during every month of

2012. About 47% of these visitors came during the summer, obviously to take

advantage of Iceland’s warmest months (Oladottir).

In 2012, Iceland had 22,525 beds available in 368 hotels and guesthouses.

37% of these lodgings were located in the Reykjavik area. The highest rates of

occupancy occurred during the summer months, understandably due to the higher

rate of travel during these months. However, camping is also a popular alternative

to hotels during the summer (Oladottir). VisitReykjavik.is provides an abundance of

information concerning local dining, nightlife, transportation, and activities. There

are dozens of restaurants featuring traditional Icelandic or Nordic cuisine, as well as

restaurants with themes from other nationalities such as French, Indian, and Italian.

The website also displays dozens of clothing and jewelry shops located in the

Reykjavik area. It also includes two large malls that tourists can visit. The Kringlan,

located just east of the center of Reykjavik has over 150 shops while the Smaralind

is located in the center of the city and has around 70 shops to choose from. There

are also 35 bars, pubs, and nightclubs that are advertised on the site. These

establishments range from cozy cafes and traditional pubs to upscale cocktail bars

and dance clubs. It seems Reykjavik has a hangout for anyone’s mood. The website

declares that people visiting must try the exceptional local beer and the famous

Icelandic schnapps! Lastly, the website has categories for: nature, parks, and

gardens; arts and culture; swimming in Reykjavik; places of interest; and health and

wellness. Reykjavik really has something to offer everyone.

In relation to the carrying capacity of Iceland there is not very much relevant

data. There were some studies done regarding the pre-industrial carrying capacity

of the country, however, that data is not pertinent since it regards the state of the

country 200 year ago. There are some studies being conducted currently but there is

no official data available yet. However, it is thought that since its settlement, over

1,000 years ago, Iceland has lost nearly half of its vegetation and 90% of its forest

cover. Because of the long timeline scientists are unable to accurately attribute what

portion of this loss is due to tourism. Besides the potential vegetation loss, there are

not many negative outcomes of tourism I found in my research. There has been a

slight elevation of petty crime in Reykjavik, but this is typical of a major city in any

country. According to the State Department, Iceland has a low crime rate with rare

instances of violent crime. There is no extreme danger of war or disease. The

Icelandic economy has suffered greatly due to the global economic crisis, but

tourism does not seem to be making that situation worse. If anything, it seems to be

helping (CNN.com, 2014).

Currency/Visa Requirements

Iceland is not a part of the European Union; therefore they do not use the

Euro. The form of currency used in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona, or ISK. Compared

to the US dollar, one dollar is the equivalent of about 117 ISK. In other terms, one

ISK is equal to a little less than one US penny (themoneyconverter.com, 2014).

According to the State Department’s website, a US citizen can enter Iceland for

tourist purposes for up to 90 days without a visa. These rules are applicable for

many countries with which Iceland has an agreement. However, there are many

countries where citizens are required to have a visa to simply enter the country.

Both sets of lists can be found on the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration website.

Itinerary

Saturday, January 4, 2014 Departure: 7:40 pm, Washington Dulles IAD Arrival: 6:20 am, Reykjavik KEF

Via Icelandair, nonstop flight, 2,804 miles, 5 hours 40 minutes Cost: 865 USD / 101,205 ISK

Sunday, January 5, 2014 6:50 am Purchase rental car from Alamo Car Rental Cost: 37 USD per day / 4,329 ISK 7:20 am Hotel check-in Hotel Fron Laugarvegur 22A, Reykjavik, Iceland, 101 Cost: 75 USD per night / 8,775 ISK 7:40 am Nap and freshen up Cost: free 10:30 am Breakfast at the hotel 11:30 am Walk to Laugavegur (shopping street) 11:35 am Shopping at Laugavegur Cost: 200 USD / 23,400 ISK 2:15 pm Walk to lunch 2:30 pm Lunch at Café Gardurinn Cost: 9 USD / 1,050 ISK 4:00 pm Walk to hotel and retrieve rental car 4:15 pm Drive to old harbor 4:30 pm Scooter tour of Reykjavik Cost: 72.65 USD / 8500 ISK 6:30 pm Drive back to hotel 6:45 pm Get ready for dinner and a night out 8:00 pm Walk to B5 restaurant/bar 8:15 pm Dinner and drinks at B5 restaurant Cost: 40 USD / 4,680 ISK 10:00 pm Walk to bar near hotel 10:15 pm Drinks at Dillon Whiskey Bar Cost: 20 USD / 2,340 ISK 12:30 am Walk back to hotel for the night Monday, January 6, 2014 7:30 am Wake up 8:00 am Breakfast at the hotel 8:30 am Pick up for glacier hiking tour Cost: 196.50 USD / 22,990 ISK (price for entire day) 11:30 am Arrive at glacier, begin glacier hike/ice climbing tour 3:30 pm Return to base camp, eat lunch provided by tour 4:00 pm Depart for Reykjavik

6:30 pm Arrive back at hotel 8:00 pm Walk to restaurant for dinner 8:15 pm Dinner and drinks at Café Rosenberg Cost: 32 USD / 3,744 ISK 10:30 pm Walk back to hotel

Watch fireworks displays on the way back celebrating the last day of Christmas (Prettadin)

11:00 pm Arrive at hotel and turn in for the night; it’s been a long day Tuesday, January 7, 2014 10:00 am Wake up 10:30 am Breakfast at hotel 11:30 am Drive to Mount Esja for day hike 12:00 pm Arrive at Mount Esja, begin hike 2:00 pm Reach peak, eat packed lunch Cost: 10 USD / 1,170 ISK 2:30 pm Begin descent 4:30 pm Drive back to hotel 5:00 pm Arrive at hotel 6:00 pm Walk to restaurant for dinner 6:20 pm Dinner and drinks at Icelandic Fish & Chips restaurant Cost: 24 USD / 2,808 ISK 7:45 pm Walk to bar for drinks 7:50 pm Drinks at Hressingarskalinn bar/club Cost: 30 USD / 3,510 ISK 11:00 pm Walk back to hotel 11:15 pm Return to hotel for the night Wednesday, January 8, 2014 9:30 am Wake up 10:00 am Breakfast at the hotel 11:00 am Drive to Smaralind shopping center 11:10 am Shopping at Smaralind Cost: 100 USD / 11,700 ISK 12:45 pm Drive to harbor 1:00 pm Take a whale watching tour Cost: 68.40 USD / 8000 ISK 4:00 pm Return from whale watching tour 4:15 pm Arrive at hotel, get ready for evening 6:45 pm Drive to restaurant 7:00 pm Dinner, drinks, and stand-up show at Slipp Bar Cost: 46 USD / 5,382 ISK 1:00 am Return to hotel for the night

Thursday, January 9, 2014 10:30 am Wake up 11:15 am Walk to brunch 11:30 am Brunch at C is for Cookie restaurant Cost: 10 USD / 1,170 ISK 12:45pm Walk to hotel to pick up the car 1:00 pm Drive to Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach Cost: 4.30 USD / 500 ISK 6:00 pm Drive back to the hotel, get ready for evening 7:50 pm Walk to restaurant 8:00 pm Dinner and a movie at Bio Paradis (restaurant and cinema) Cost: 24 USD / 2800 ISK 11:00 pm Return to hotel for the night Friday, January 10, 2014 9:00 am Wake up 10:00 am Breakfast at the hotel 10:30 am Drive to Mount Keilir for day hike 10:50 am Arrive at Mount Keilir 2:00 pm Reach peak, eat packed lunch Cost: 10 USD / 1,170 ISK 2:30 pm Begin descent 5:30 pm Reach car, drive back to hotel 6:00 pm Arrive at hotel, get ready for evening 7:30 pm Walk to restaurant 7:45 pm Dinner at Prikid restaurant (oldest restaurant café in Iceland!) Cost: 18 USD / 2,106 10:00 pm Walk to club for late night partying! 10:05 pm Arrive at Austur for dancing and drinks Cost: 45 USD / 5,265 ISK 2:00 am Walk back to hotel for the night Saturday, January 11, 2014 10:00 am Wake up 10:30 am Breakfast at hotel 11:30 am Drive to Heidmork Nature Reserve 12:00 pm Arrive at Heidmork Nature Reserve, spend day hiking trails 1:30 pm Eat packed lunch Cost: 10 USD / 1,170 ISK 5:00 pm Drive back to hotel 5:30 pm Arrive at hotel, get ready for evening 7:00 pm Walk to restaurant 7:15 pm Dinner at Café Solon Cost: 22 USD / 2,574 ISK 9:30 pm Return to hotel

10:00 pm Pick-up for Northern Lights excursion!!!!!! Cost: 167 USD / 19,500 ISK 2:00 am Return to hotel Sunday, January 12, 2014 10:00 am Wake up 11:00 am Walk to brunch 11:05 am Brunch at Café Roma Cost: 15 USD / 1,755 12:30 pm Walk back to hotel to get the car 12:35 pm Drive to Kringlan shopping center 12:45 pm Shopping at Kringlan Cost: 150 USD / 17,550 ISK 4:00 pm Return to hotel to get ready for evening 5:45 pm Drive to restaurant 6:00 pm Dinner at Borg Restaurant Cost: 55 USD / 6,435 ISK 7:45 pm Leave restaurant, drive to Reykjavik Art Museum 8:00 pm Elektra Ensemble concert at Reykjavik Art Museum Cost: 21.40 USD / 2500 ISK 9:30 pm Return car to hotel 10:00 pm Walk to club for last night shenanigans 10:20 pm Arrive at Café Amsterdam for late night clubbing Cost: 40 USD / 4,680 ISK 1:00 am Return to hotel for the night Monday, January 13, 2014 10:30 am Wake up 11:00 am Breakfast at hotel 12:00 pm Walk around Laugavegur, do any last minute shopping Cost: 100 USD / 11,700 ISK 2:00 pm Drive to airport 2:30 pm Arrive at airport, return rental car 5:00 pm Icelandair flight, 1 stop, 2,873 miles, 7 hour 45 minutes

Departure: 5:00 pm Reykjavik KEF Arrival: 5:40 pm Boston BOS (layover) Departure: 6:20 am Boston BOS Arrival: 8:15 am Washington Dulles IAD Cost: prepaid

Total Cost of Vacation