Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [264]
* * *
Return to beginning of chapter
FAEROES
At the end of 2007, National Geographic proclaimed the Faeroes as the most ‘authentic and unspoilt’ island destination in the entire world – we were not surprised. Flung out into the North Atlantic, halfway between Norway and Iceland, these enchanting islets seem almost to lie on the edge of the earth, and their remote location and low profile lend them a genuine air of mystery.
In many ways the fiercely independent residents of these 18 wind-scoured islands remain closer to their Viking roots than any of their neighbours. Their ancestors can be traced back to the first seafaring explorers who set out from southern Norway in the 9th century and claimed Orkney, the Shetland Islands, Iceland and Greenland – and maybe even America. Today most people earn a living from farming or fishing, and the laid-back atmosphere of the cosy villages is more reminiscent of the Scottish islands than Iceland. The landscape, too, resembles the Scottish highlands, with Munro-like peaks and towering grass-topped sea cliffs, mobbed by nesting sea birds.
These marvellous islands can easily be tackled on a three-day layover between flights or ferries (see the boxed text, above). Boats dock in central Tórshavn, the capital, while planes land on Vágar, an island further west. A brilliant network of paved roads, tunnels and car ferries link the various islands, providing access to remote fjord-side villages and humbling ocean landscapes.
For more information on the Faeroes, contact the Faroe Islands Tourist Board ( 298 30 61 00; www.visitfaroeislands.com; Bryggjubakka 12, FO-110 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands), or www.faroeislands.com.
Return to beginning of chapter
Directory
* * *
CONTENTS
Accommodation
Activities
Business Hours
Children
Climate Charts
Customs Regulations
Dangers & Annoyances
Discount Cards
Embassies & Consulates
Food
Gay & Lesbian Travellers
Holidays
Insurance
Internet Access
Legal Matters
Maps
Money
Post
Shopping
Smoking
Solo Travellers
Telephone & Fax
Time
Tourist Information
Travellers with Disabilities
Visas
Volunteering
Women Travellers
Work
* * *
ACCOMMODATION
There’s no shortage of accommodation in Iceland; there’s a huge range, from luxury hotels to mountain huts, campsites, hostels, homely farmhouses, guest houses and summer hotels set in rural schools. It must be said, however, that accommodation is often of a lower standard than you might expect from a developed European destination. Although rooms are generally spotless, they are usually small, with thin walls and limited facilities – this can come as a shock to those who are accustomed to a certain amount of space and comfort on their travels.
Iceland’s best-kept secret is the sleeping-bag option (designated ‘sb’ in this guide) offered by numerous guest houses and some hotels. For a fraction of the normal cost you’ll get a bed without a duvet or blanket; just bring your own sleeping bag and you can keep costs down substantially.
* * *
WARNING: POSTCRASH PRICES
Iceland’s horrific economic problems (Click here) mean that the króna is extremely vulnerable and prices are unstable. Many Icelandic companies have begun listing prices in euros only, as it’s a more stable currency. Where this is the case, we have followed suit rather than attempting to convert using ever-fluctuating exchange rates.
Throughout this book, we have given prices being used in summer 2009, but the tremendous financial uncertainty means that nothing is set in stone. Prices may look very different by the time you get here.
* * *
In this guide accommodation reviews are listed according to price: for a double room with linen and bathroom, budget accommodation costs up to Ikr12,000, midrange Ikr12,000 to Ikr22,000 and top-end