| app |
stdClass Object
(
[modules] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[name] => hotels
[status] => 1
[order] => 1
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[name] => flights
[status] => 1
[order] => 2
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[name] => tours
[status] => 1
[order] => 3
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[name] => cars
[status] => 1
[order] => 5
)
)
[slider] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[slide_id] => 50
[slide_position] => main
[slide_title_text] => Travel the world
[slide_desc_text] => Find your passion and drive the way you love
[slide_optional_text] =>
[slide_link] =>
[slide_link_name] =>
[slide_image] => 76ejktjn6y88ckk.jpg
[slide_status] => Yes
[slide_order] => 2
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[slide_id] => 51
[slide_position] => main
[slide_title_text] => Travel to the World
[slide_desc_text] => Discover the hidden beauty from top to bottom
[slide_optional_text] =>
[slide_link] =>
[slide_link_name] =>
[slide_image] => ah3a13mnuz48sgg40.jpg
[slide_status] => Yes
[slide_order] => 1
)
)
[payment_gateways] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[title] => mercado-pago
[c1] => chimango1
[c2] => chimango2
[c3] => chimango3
[c4] => chimango4
[c5] => chimango5
[dev] => 1
[dev_endpoint] => envuelo.com
[pro_endpoint] => envuelo.com
[order] => 1
)
)
[extras] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[title] => newsletter
[status] => 1
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[title] => locations
[status] => 1
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[title] => offers
[status] => 1
)
)
[currencies] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 1
[name] => USD
[symbol] => $
[code] => USD
[rate] => 1
[decimals] => 2
[symbol_placement] => before
[primary_order] => 1
[default] => 1
[status] => 1
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 2
[name] => ARS
[symbol] => $
[code] => ARS
[rate] => 0
[decimals] => 2
[symbol_placement] => before
[primary_order] => 0
[default] =>
[status] => 1
)
)
[languages] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 1
[name] => Arabic
[rtl] => RTL
[country] => sa
[default] =>
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 2
[name] => German
[rtl] => LTR
[country] => de
[default] =>
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 3
[name] => English
[rtl] => LTR
[country] => us
[default] =>
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 4
[name] => Spanish
[rtl] => LTR
[country] => es
[default] => 1
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 5
[name] => Farsi
[rtl] => RTL
[country] => ir
[default] =>
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 6
[name] => French
[rtl] => LTR
[country] => be
[default] =>
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 7
[name] => Russian
[rtl] => LTR
[country] => ru
[default] =>
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 8
[name] => Turkish
[rtl] => LTR
[country] => tr
[default] =>
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 9
[name] => Vietnamese
[rtl] => LTR
[country] => vi
[default] =>
)
)
[cms] => stdClass Object
(
[header] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[Compañía] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => compa-ia
[target] =>
[title] => Compañía
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => about-us
[target] =>
[title] => Sobre Nosotros
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => terms-of-use
[target] =>
[title] => Términos de Uso
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => faq
[target] =>
[title] => FAQ
)
)
)
)
[footer] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[Compañía] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => compa-ia
[target] =>
[title] => Compañía
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => about-us
[target] =>
[title] => Sobre Nosotros
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => terms-of-use
[target] =>
[title] => Términos de Uso
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => cookies-policy
[target] =>
[title] => Política de Cookies
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => privacy-policy
[target] =>
[title] => Políticas de Privacidad
)
)
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[Support] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => supprt
[target] =>
[title] => Support
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => faq
[target] =>
[title] => FAQ
)
)
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[Servicios] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => services
[target] =>
[title] => Servicios
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[href] => offers
[target] =>
[title] => Ofertas
)
)
)
)
)
[app] => stdClass Object
(
[appname] => Al Destino
[site_url] => https://www.aldestino.com
[offline] => 0
[offline_msg] => Nuestro Sitio se encuentra Offline actualmente.
[restrict_website] =>
[allow_registration] => 1
[allow_agent_registration] => 1
[suppliers_registration] =>
[gmap_key] => AIzaSyDk_iQ6QWOTHW-TWoXSFLwbcnhaxlcnXXk
[default_language] => es
[multi_currency] => 1
[multi_language] =>
[currency_code] => USD
[copyright] => All Rights Reserved
[email] => aldestino@aldestino.com
[phone] => ---
[address] => Córdoba - Argentina
)
[social] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[social_id] => 9
[social_name] => Facebook
[social_link] => https://aldestino.com
[social_position] => footer
[social_order] => 1
[status] => 1
[social_icon] => slufm6otpasooc.png
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[social_id] => 10
[social_name] => Twitter
[social_link] => https://aldestino.com
[social_position] => footer
[social_order] => 2
[status] => 1
[social_icon] => 9ztbr148kh4o8c8.png
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[social_id] => 14
[social_name] => Instagram
[social_link] => https://aldestino.com/
[social_position] => footer
[social_order] => 6
[status] => 1
[social_icon] => 729370rs.png.png
)
)
[featured_hotels] => Array
(
)
[featured_flights] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 12
[title] => Srilanka Airways
[from] => DXB Dubai
[to] => RML Colombo
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/175znubux0pw4gw.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 780
[currCode] => USD
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 11
[title] => Air Phillpines
[from] => CGK Jakarta
[to] => DPS Bali
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/b47cgm5h3tc8sw0.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 450
[currCode] => USD
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 10
[title] => Gulf Air
[from] => CAI Cairo
[to] => ANK Ankara
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/91raniksw5wc404.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 650
[currCode] => USD
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 9
[title] => Etihad Airways
[from] => SHJ Sharjah
[to] => KHI Karachi
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/9nl4tj6jspgco00.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 800
[currCode] => USD
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 8
[title] => Canadian Airways
[from] => YXC Canada
[to] => JFK New York
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/rd28iqxqv808gk.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 860
[currCode] => USD
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 7
[title] => Turkish Airlines
[from] => IST Istanbul
[to] => DXB Dubai
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/2qccdvq0wvy840c.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 800
[currCode] => USD
)
[6] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 6
[title] => Air India
[from] => BOM Mumbai
[to] => DXB Dubai
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/7lcw4cf8hwo480w.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 450
[currCode] => USD
)
[7] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 5
[title] => Emirates Airlines
[from] => DXB Dubai
[to] => KWI Kuwait
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/20tegedgl4yswgk.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 900
[currCode] => USD
)
[8] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 4
[title] => American Airlines
[from] => MTH Florida
[to] => YXC Canada
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/ae838q1tjrscs8k.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 1200
[currCode] => USD
)
[9] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 3
[title] => Pakistan Airlines
[from] => ISB Islamabad
[to] => JED Jeddah
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/ybaegc18zpc4ko.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 620
[currCode] => USD
)
[10] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 2
[title] => Malaysia Airlines
[from] => KUL Malaysia
[to] => SIN Singapore
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/1gmmwudrvzi888k.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 800
[currCode] => USD
)
[11] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 1
[title] => Qater Airlines
[from] => EZE Buenos Aires
[to] => DXB Dubai
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/flights/slider/e2kkchakfxw80w8.png
[desc] =>
[price] => 999
[currCode] => USD
)
)
[featured_tours] => Array
(
[0] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 24
[title] => Sheraton Trip
[slug] => https://aldestino.com/api/tours/united-arab-emirates/dubai/Sheraton-Trip?date=22/06/2026&adults=1
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/tours/slider/thumbs/9.jpg
[stars] => <i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i>
[starsCount] => 5
[location] => Dubai
[desc] => Experience hospitality at the city, from its stunning to vibrant culture, architecture and exquisite cuisines.
Take a weekend trip on the occasion and create a memorable experience with your loved one. If you are a sun and sea lover, this paradise offers you an array of splendid sandy beaches, where you can spend time relaxing or go on a refreshing yacht experience. And if you are a history lover, explore the birthplace of many civilizations, empires, historic figures and legends together with diverse mixture of many different ethnic origins.
Day 1
Arrive to the city and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the day at leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
Day 3
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
Day 4
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and spend the day shopping and exploring the city on your own. In the evening, transfer to the airport and board your flight and return home with great memories of your holiday.
[amenities] =>
[avgReviews] => stdClass Object
(
[clean] => 0
[comfort] => 0
[location] => 0
[facilities] => 0
[staff] => 0
[totalReviews] => 4
[overall] => 5.5
)
[latitude] => 21.8768446
[longitude] => -159.4646715
[discount] => 25
[price] => 200
[currCode] => USD
[inclusions] =>
[tourDays] => 13
[tourNights] => 12
[tourType] => Holidays
)
[1] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 26
[title] => Big Bus Tour of Dubai
[slug] => https://aldestino.com/api/tours/united-arab-emirates/dubai/Big-Bus-Tour-of-Dubai?date=22/06/2026&adults=1
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/tours/slider/thumbs/dubai.jpg
[stars] => <i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i>
[starsCount] => 5
[location] => Dubai
[desc] => Experience hospitality at the city, from its stunning to vibrant culture, architecture and exquisite cuisines.
Take a weekend trip on the occasion and create a memorable experience with your loved one. If you are a sun and sea lover, this paradise offers you an array of splendid sandy beaches, where you can spend time relaxing or go on a refreshing yacht experience. And if you are a history lover, explore the birthplace of many civilizations, empires, historic figures and legends together with diverse mixture of many different ethnic origins.
Day 1
Arrive to the city and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the day at leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
Day 3
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
Day 4
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and spend the day shopping and exploring the city on your own. In the evening, transfer to the airport and board your flight and return home with great memories of your holiday.
[amenities] =>
[avgReviews] => stdClass Object
(
[clean] => 0
[comfort] => 0
[location] => 0
[facilities] => 0
[staff] => 0
[totalReviews] => 4
[overall] => 4.5
)
[latitude] => 25.2541523
[longitude] => 55.33096249999994
[discount] =>
[price] => 60
[currCode] => USD
[inclusions] =>
[tourDays] => 2
[tourNights] => 2
[tourType] => Holidays
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 28
[title] => Day Visit of Petra from Oman
[slug] => https://aldestino.com/api/tours/oman/petra/Day-Visit-of-Petra-from-Oman?date=22/06/2026&adults=1
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/tours/slider/thumbs/petra.jpg
[stars] => <i class='fa fa-star-o'></i><i class='fa fa-star-o'></i><i class='fa fa-star-o'></i><i class='fa fa-star-o'></i><i class='fa fa-star-o'></i>
[starsCount] => 0
[location] => Petra
[desc] => Experience hospitality at the city, from its stunning to vibrant culture, architecture and exquisite cuisines.
Take a weekend trip on the occasion and create a memorable experience with your loved one. If you are a sun and sea lover, this paradise offers you an array of splendid sandy beaches, where you can spend time relaxing or go on a refreshing yacht experience. And if you are a history lover, explore the birthplace of many civilizations, empires, historic figures and legends together with diverse mixture of many different ethnic origins.
Day 1
Arrive to the city and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the day at leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
Day 3
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
Day 4
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and spend the day shopping and exploring the city on your own. In the evening, transfer to the airport and board your flight and return home with great memories of your holiday.
[amenities] =>
[avgReviews] => stdClass Object
(
[clean] => 0
[comfort] => 0
[location] => 0
[facilities] => 0
[staff] => 0
[totalReviews] => 2
[overall] => 6.5
)
[latitude] => 32.5473468
[longitude] => 35.85254609999993
[discount] => 15
[price] => 66
[currCode] => USD
[inclusions] =>
[tourDays] => 1
[tourNights] => 1
[tourType] => History / Culture
)
[3] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 29
[title] => Hurghada Sunset Desert Safari
[slug] => https://aldestino.com/api/tours/egypt/hurghada/Hurghada-Sunset-Desert-Safari?date=22/06/2026&adults=1
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/tours/slider/thumbs/hurghada.jpg
[stars] => <i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i>
[starsCount] => 5
[location] => Hurghada
[desc] => Experience hospitality at the city, from its stunning to vibrant culture, architecture and exquisite cuisines.
Take a weekend trip on the occasion and create a memorable experience with your loved one. If you are a sun and sea lover, this paradise offers you an array of splendid sandy beaches, where you can spend time relaxing or go on a refreshing yacht experience. And if you are a history lover, explore the birthplace of many civilizations, empires, historic figures and legends together with diverse mixture of many different ethnic origins.
Day 1
Arrive to the city and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the day at leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
Day 3
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
Day 4
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and spend the day shopping and exploring the city on your own. In the evening, transfer to the airport and board your flight and return home with great memories of your holiday.
[amenities] =>
[avgReviews] => stdClass Object
(
[clean] => 0
[comfort] => 0
[location] => 0
[facilities] => 0
[staff] => 0
[totalReviews] => 4
[overall] => 5.5
)
[latitude] => 27.2578957
[longitude] => 33.81160669999997
[discount] =>
[price] => 50
[currCode] => USD
[inclusions] =>
[tourDays] => 4
[tourNights] => 5
[tourType] => Adventure
)
[4] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 30
[title] => Legoland Malaysia Day Pass
[slug] => https://aldestino.com/api/tours/malaysia/johor-bahru/Legoland-Malaysia-Day-Pass?date=22/06/2026&adults=1
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/tours/slider/thumbs/malaysia.jpg
[stars] => <i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star-o'></i><i class='fa fa-star-o'></i><i class='fa fa-star-o'></i>
[starsCount] => 2
[location] => Johor Bahru
[desc] => Experience hospitality at the city, from its stunning to vibrant culture, architecture and exquisite cuisines.
Take a weekend trip on the occasion and create a memorable experience with your loved one. If you are a sun and sea lover, this paradise offers you an array of splendid sandy beaches, where you can spend time relaxing or go on a refreshing yacht experience. And if you are a history lover, explore the birthplace of many civilizations, empires, historic figures and legends together with diverse mixture of many different ethnic origins.
Day 1
Arrive to the city and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the day at leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
Day 3
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
Day 4
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and spend the day shopping and exploring the city on your own. In the evening, transfer to the airport and board your flight and return home with great memories of your holiday.
[amenities] =>
[avgReviews] => stdClass Object
(
[clean] => 0
[comfort] => 0
[location] => 0
[facilities] => 0
[staff] => 0
[totalReviews] => 3
[overall] => 7.3
)
[latitude] => 1.426637
[longitude] => 103.63179030000003
[discount] => 15
[price] => 45
[currCode] => USD
[inclusions] =>
[tourDays] => 1
[tourNights] => 0
[tourType] => Holidays
)
[5] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 32
[title] => Sydney and Bondi Beach Explorer
[slug] => https://aldestino.com/api/tours/australia/sydney/Sydney-and-Bondi-Beach-Explorer?date=22/06/2026&adults=1
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/tours/slider/thumbs/sydney.jpg
[stars] => <i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star'></i><i class='fa fa-star-o'></i><i class='fa fa-star-o'></i>
[starsCount] => 3
[location] => Sydney
[desc] => Experience hospitality at the city, from its stunning to vibrant culture, architecture and exquisite cuisines.
Take a weekend trip on the occasion and create a memorable experience with your loved one. If you are a sun and sea lover, this paradise offers you an array of splendid sandy beaches, where you can spend time relaxing or go on a refreshing yacht experience. And if you are a history lover, explore the birthplace of many civilizations, empires, historic figures and legends together with diverse mixture of many different ethnic origins.
Day 1
Arrive to the city and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the day at leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
Day 3
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
Day 4
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and spend the day shopping and exploring the city on your own. In the evening, transfer to the airport and board your flight and return home with great memories of your holiday.
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After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
Day 3
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
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After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
Day 3
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
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Day 1
Arrive to the city and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the day at leisure.
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After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
Day 3
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
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[desc] => Experience hospitality at the city, from its stunning to vibrant culture, architecture and exquisite cuisines.
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Day 1
Arrive to the city and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the day at leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast, go on the Boshphorus cruise and the Spice market tour. Enjoy the traditional excursion along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Witness major highlights whilst sailing such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks and pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. Visit the colorful Spice Market to buy local spices and shop for souvenirs.
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Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and go on your city tour on seat in coach basis, the heart of the Imperial Center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires once ruled. Explore the Hippodrome, a beautiful park known as the Byzantine chariot racetrack – a stadium capable of holding 100,000 people. There are three great monuments in the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of 1500 BC, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later visit the Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia and features six towering minarets and spectacular interior covered by overwhelmingly blue Iznik tiles.
Day 4
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and spend the day shopping and exploring the city on your own. In the evening, transfer to the airport and board your flight and return home with great memories of your holiday.
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[title] => Virgin Gorda beaches and lobste
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[desc] => <p>This is the second leg of a truly fun week. There are adventures to get each morning when we land somewhere else, but also fun time on the boat itself. </p>
<p>The Club Med 2 has an open bar. Yes, that means free flow of pretty good things...all day long. So being on a French boat, you have Ricard for aperitif at lunch time if you are on the boat at lunch time...and pina colada by the pool before sunset, and obviously wine during meals. We are in the North Hemisphere end of November, so sunsets are early at around 5.30pm each day...with some pretty cool views from the swimming pool bar on the back deck. By 6pm, it's champagne time...all night long. Well, first it's shower time and getting change for the evening obviously...this is still a French place! And as we all now that mixing different alcohol drinks is not a great idea, I found a fun group of people ready to go on the champagne all night long, each evening, for great and fun time! More in the next entries of this truly fun group of people. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Little warning, Club Med 2 <br />
Club Med 2Club Med 2<br />
Club Med 2<br />
is French, and it feels. Out of the 280 guests on the boat this week, I don't think a single one doesn't speak at least some French. It would be a pretty boring week if you can only speak English here...and as you may be aware...French people living in France suck when it comes to speak something else than French. You've been honestly warned! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>So this morning, it's BVI time. No I'm not coming for business here. And BVI doesn't only stand for offshore companies...it does too stand for gorgeous beaches, yachts, and British Virgin Islands. We have sailed all night long from Dominica...Dominica is Commonwealth and poor....BVI is British Territory and pretty wealthy. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I spent my day with Thierry....same age as me, and ready to have some fun this week. Because at the end of the day we know you don't find single ladies in their thirties on these cruises...we knew we would need to get organized to do something else than read our books! Didn't do my homework about Virgin Gorda. I kew the diving was average, and that the cruise had a BBQ lunch of lobster organized for us on the <br />
Lobster time...Lobster time...<br />
Lobster time...<br />
beach! So we took a "beacher" with the intention to simply go on the beach for the morning. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>There was a shuttle to "a" beach rented for the morning by Club Med. We set next to the rasta driver...yeah man...and he dropped us on the way. That was off-plan, completely out of the blue! It was time for us to go explore the National Park of "The Baths". This is some kind of a National Park...it is a series of beaches separated by granite rocks. I first felt in the Seychelles...before finding myself rather in some kind of adventure hike for teenagers ready to have some serious fun. Wow, that place is amazing! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>We spent the all morning going from beach to beach and climbing those huge rocks...even getting lost on deserted beaches as wandering if we were only on the right trail. The water was beautiful and warm....the yachts were around, it was just plain full fun...simple!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>We made our way back to the Club Med beach, just on time for the last shuttle. Good idea, as we had no idea where the BBQ was, and the ride back to <br />
Little pina colada by the pool...Little pina colada by the pool...<br />
Little pina colada by the pool...<br />
the landing point of the cruise was quite a walk away. Lobster BBQ! That simply cannot be bad just by the way it sounds. It was another of these...free flow of rose wine...of salad, and yes, of lobster too! The sun was there, at the end of the lunch...our faces ended the same color as the lobsters on the grill....but one more time...fun it was! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Back on the boat before the crowds for a good nap and some swimming pool time. Not that 280 guests makes you feel crowded on such a huge sail boat...but queueing is simply really not our thing. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Another really fun night was awaiting us...and a short sail to the land of Uncle Sam...or pretty close to this actually, for another fun adventure...on which I will have to write pretty soon!</p>
<p> </p>
[shortDesc] => This is the second leg of a truly fun week. There are adventures to get each morning when we land somewhere else, but also fun time on the boat itself.
The Club Med 2 has an open bar. Yes, that means free flow of pretty good things...all day long. So being on a French boat, you have Ricard for aperitif at lunch time if you are on the boat at lunch time...and pina colada by the pool before sunset, and obviously wine during meals. We are in the North Hemisphere end of November, so sunsets are early at around 5.30pm each day...with some pretty cool views from the swimming pool bar on the back deck. By 6pm, it's champagne time...all night long. Well, first it's shower time and getting change for the evening obviously...this is still a French place! And as we all now that mixing different alcohol drinks is not a great idea, I found a fun group of people ready to go on the champagne all night long, each evening, for great and fun time! More in the next entries of this truly fun group of people.
Little warning, Club Med 2
Club Med 2Club Med 2
Club Med 2
is French, and it feels. Out of the 280 guests on the boat this week, I don't think a single one doesn't speak at least some French. It would be a pretty boring week if you can only speak English here...and as you may be aware...French people living in France suck when it comes to speak something else than French. You've been honestly warned!
So this morning, it's BVI time. No I'm not coming for business here. And BVI doesn't only stand for offshore companies...it does too stand for gorgeous beaches, yachts, and British Virgin Islands. We have sailed all night long from Dominica...Dominica is Commonwealth and poor....BVI is British Territory and pretty wealthy.
I spent my day with Thierry....same age as me, and ready to have some fun this week. Because at the end of the day we know you don't find single ladies in their thirties on these cruises...we knew we would need to get organized to do something else than read our books! Didn't do my homework about Virgin Gorda. I kew the diving was average, and that the cruise had a BBQ lunch of lobster organized for us on the
Lobster time...Lobster time...
Lobster time...
beach! So we took a "beacher" with the intention to simply go on the beach for the morning.
There was a shuttle to "a" beach rented for the morning by Club Med. We set next to the rasta driver...yeah man...and he dropped us on the way. That was off-plan, completely out of the blue! It was time for us to go explore the National Park of "The Baths". This is some kind of a National Park...it is a series of beaches separated by granite rocks. I first felt in the Seychelles...before finding myself rather in some kind of adventure hike for teenagers ready to have some serious fun. Wow, that place is amazing!
We spent the all morning going from beach to beach and climbing those huge rocks...even getting lost on deserted beaches as wandering if we were only on the right trail. The water was beautiful and warm....the yachts were around, it was just plain full fun...simple!
We made our way back to the Club Med beach, just on time for the last shuttle. Good idea, as we had no idea where the BBQ was, and the ride back to
Little pina colada by the pool...Little pina colada by the pool...
Little pina colada by the pool...
the landing point of the cruise was quite a walk away. Lobster BBQ! That simply cannot be bad just by the way it sounds. It was another of these...free flow of rose wine...of salad, and yes, of lobster too! The sun was there, at the end of the lunch...our faces ended the same color as the lobsters on the grill....but one more time...fun it was!
Back on the boat before the crowds for a good nap and some swimming pool time. Not that 280 guests makes you feel crowded on such a huge sail boat...but queueing is simply really not our thing.
Another really fun night was awaiting us...and a short sail to the land of Uncle Sam...or pretty close to this actually, for another fun adventure...on which I will have to write pretty soon!
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[id] => 34
[title] => Fiercely Independent Cultures
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/blog/696228_2.jpg
[desc] => <p>In a world that is increasingly homogenous, fiercely independent cultures and places are especially intriguing. Likely a result of it's geographical isolation from both mainland Europe and North America, Iceland has always taken it's own unique path. Icelandic architecture and fashion is a reflection of it's unusual geography, the Icelandic palette is most comfortable when quality local ingredients are cured, cultured, fermented, or pickled, and the Icelandic people revel in self sufficiency and environmental sustainability. Iceland has always been deeply rooted in nordic liberal sensibilities, but unlike any other nation, they refused to bail out their banks after the 2008 recession, in 2009 they elected the world's first openly gay female prime minister and in 2010, Reykjavik elected John Gnarr, punk rock singer, comedian, and self proclaimed anarchist as their mayor. The physical landscape is as striking and unique as the culture itself; an island covered in black volcanic rock, lush green fields, geothermal vents and dramatic volcanoes. It was with this in mind, that Dennie, Henry and I boarded a plane for Reykjavik over Easter holidays, where we would spend 9 days swimming in hot pools, driving through fjords, and eating delicious Skyr (Icelandic yogurt). </p>
<p>Iceland is expensive. As <br />
Hiking near EyjafjallajökullHiking near Eyjafjallajökull<br />
Hiking near Eyjafjallajökull<br />
a way to mitigate the costs our plan involved renting an old, rusty but mainly reliable car from Sadcar (a 2002 Yaris with 280,000 Kms), cooking 2 out of 3 meals a day at our rental apartment with Bonus brand groceries and doing as little shopping as possible. Upon walking through customs I began to have some minor reservations about our plan to be budget oriented when we were greeted by what I assume is one out of the two Sadcar employees who took us to a quonset in a field 10 minutes from the airport. When we inquired about a carseat for Henry, they directed us to the back of the auto body shop/rental car graveyard where 3 very used and slightly broken carseats sat amongst mufflers and cooling fluids. Dennie chose the most functional of the lot, we loaded into our Sadcar and took off towards Reykjavik through a minor snow storm. </p>
<p>Our little Ikea apartment was perfectly located down the street from Hallgrimskirka, the spired Lutheran church that provides a compass for travellers exploring the city. This was a great location to have as home base, as most of our mornings were spent wondering the streets <br />
Hank and I inside the HarpaHank and I inside the Harpa<br />
Hank and I inside the Harpa<br />
of the old town where colorful terraced houses with main floor commercial space provide a vibrant and walkable downtown dotted with record shops with comfy couches and free espresso (12 Tonar), Icelandic design and furniture stores, vegetarian cafes, pubs, clubs and curry houses. We visited all three locations of the Reykjavik Art Museum (Hafnarhus, Kjarvalsstadir, Asmundarsafn) where the post modern works of Erro and the cubist and abstract landscape paintings of Kjarval hang next to rotating exhibits from contemporary Icelandic artists. We stumbled upon an Easter egg hunt in the Einar Jonsson Sculpture Park, played cards in the sprawling lounges inside The Harpa, and took in the Reykjavik Museum of Photography (inside the public library), the Viking Saga Museum, the Reykjavik Children's Park and "zoo" (more of a petting zoo) and took the elevator to the observatory at The Pearl. The city is surprisingly cosmopolitan yet retains a small town hospitality that acts as a reminder that there are only 120,000 people within city limits. </p>
<p>Despite the high cost of bars and restaurants in Reykjavik's centre we managed to find a number of reasonably priced eateries serving delicious and fresh food. Here are some of our recommendations: Babalu (grilled <br />
Easter Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture GardenEaster Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden<br />
Easter Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden<br />
Hallgrímskirkja in the background.<br />
cheese and tomato soup), C is for Cookie (homemade soup and sandwiches with great cheesecake), Laundromat Cafe (lake trout with root vegetables was outstanding and the children's play area in the basement is something to behold!), Austur India Fjelagid (delicious vegetarian Thali), Graen Kostur (Eastern inspired fusion veggie food with two lunch options daily). For drinks, Microbar has a lot of local craft beers on tap (Happy Hour from 5-8 pm). The Labowski Bar also seemed like an amazing place but they were having pub trivia when we walked in so we didn't stay for a drink. </p>
<p>Our Sadcar managed a number of day trips from Reykjavik; we drove north through the Hvalfjorour (Whale Fjord), stopping for a picnic near some rapids. We drove to the geothermal town of Hveragerði and onto the famed Eyjafjallajokull volcano which erupted in 2010 causing flight cancellations across Europe. We drove the Golden Circle with stops at Geyser, Pingvellir National Park and the Gulfoss waterfall. Once you leave Reykjavik the geography is stark but majestic with green fields punctuated with black volcanic rock, rolling hills, steep mountain passes and steam rising into the air from thermal vents dotting the landscape throughout. </p>
<p>Dennie <br />
Outside of the Blue LagoonOutside of the Blue Lagoon<br />
Outside of the Blue Lagoon<br />
and I have fast come to the realization that when travelling with a baby, the experience is more fun for all if all planning revolves around the baby. And while Reykjavik's legendary nightlife may have called my name once or twice, parenting with a hangover certainly did not. As such, we spent a good deal of our time in Iceland immersing ourselves into the thermal pool culture. With 122 thermal pools and 17 in Reykjavik alone, we made it our mission to swim in a new pool each day. In Reykjavik we swam at Laugardalslaug, Sundhollin, Arbaejarlaug, Grafarvogslaug, Sudurbaejarlaug, and Asvallalaug. During our day trips around the Icelandic country side we also had the opportunity to swim at the beautiful pool at Hverageroi, naked in the deserted Seljallalaug located in a mountain valley surrounded by waterfalls, and on our last day at expensive but amazing Blue Lagoon. 9 pools in 9 days. The water in all public pools is chemical free, heated through geothermal, and nearly all have a number of "hot pots", saunas, lanes for swimming, kids pools, and water-slides. I got the impression from my time sitting in "hot pots" chatting with locals that thermal pools are important <br />
Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool <br />
Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool<br />
gathering places for members of the community. Old and young alike move between the various pools and openly converse with strangers and friends. In moments where Henry was grumpy or tired we always knew we were within a few minutes from a pool where he would immediately be transformed back into the smiling Hank we have become used to. While the pools certainly made travelling in Iceland with a baby much easier, it is the Icelandic people who really make Iceland a child friendly locale. Almost every restaurant we went to had a children's play area, there was signage that encouraged breastfeeding, and all bars and pubs allow children. Icelandic people were warm and outgoing but not loud or obnoxious and no matter where we went, it seemed they had thought about ways to welcome children. </p>
<p>On our final morning in Iceland, I walked down the street from our apartment to pick up a couple cd's at Tonar 12. I sat on their comfy couches listening to FM Belfast and Seabear while Henry rummaged through the stacks. Without asking, the man running the shop brought me an espresso. I picked up a Reykjavik guidebook from a coffee table and <br />
Dennie driving our Sad CarDennie driving our Sad Car<br />
Dennie driving our Sad Car<br />
opened the book to the first page to read the mayor's welcome message for visitors. Jon Gnarr (the mayor) foretold his version of the country's origin. I read, </p>
<p>"But how can it be that such a warm country came to possess such a frigid name? Yes, the explanation is simple: MISUNDERSTANDING. Ingólfur Arnarson, the first man that found Reykjavík, wasn’t on his way here at all. He was en route to the United States of America, to buy grapes and other fast food that grew wild there in those days. He was very interested in food. And also homicide. On his way he noticed a cloud of smoke ascending to the heavens from an unknown country. His curious nature got the best of him, and he changed his course and set sail to Reykjavík (Reykjavík literally means “smoky bay”!). </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>As he disembarked his ship, he saw that the smoke was in fact steam rising from Reykjavík’s many swimming pools. He was therefore quick in tearing off the suit of armour that he had worn in case he’d encounter some Native Americans while picking grapes, and jumping into some swim trunks. After swimming a good <br />
Hank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in ReykjavikHank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in Reykjavik<br />
Hank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in Reykjavik<br />
500 metres he sat in the hot tub and relaxed. After a fun chat with the locals he had forgotten all about America. Who needs to travel all the way to America to pick grapes when there’s a shop on Laugavegur called Vínberið (Vínberið literally means: “the grape”)? Ingólfur decided to settle here. He rented a small apartment along with his wife, Hallveig Fróðadóttir, who many claim was the daughter of Frodo from ‘Lord Of The Rings’. Nothing has been proven about that, however.</p>
<p>One day Ingólfur and Hallveig were taking a stroll around town. They were walking their dog, who was called Plútó and was a Great Dane. It was a sizzling hot summer’s day. It was long before the t-shirt was invented. They were both dressed in full suits of armour, with swords and shields and helmets and everything. They stopped by at Ísbúð Vesturbæjar in Hagamelur to get some ice cream and cool down. The story goes that Ingólfur asked the clerk whether she knew what the country was called. </p>
<p>She thought it was called Thule. Ingólfur felt that was a stupid name. </p>
<p>“No country can be called Thule”, he said. </p>
<p>Outside the <br />
Henry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatreHenry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatre<br />
Henry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatre<br />
ice cream shop, a crowd had gathered. They had heard that foreign visitors were in town. A lot of those people were elves. Ingólfur then approached the crowd, raised his ice cream cone aloft and shouted: </p>
<p>“Henceforth this country will be called Iceland, because one can get the world’s best ice cream here!”. </p>
<p>Today we have a statue of Ingólfur. The statue depicts Ingólfur dying of heat, leaning on his dog. </p>
<p>Don’t be a stranger, be like Ingólfur! " </p>
<p>Only in Iceland! </p>
[shortDesc] => In a world that is increasingly homogenous, fiercely independent cultures and places are especially intriguing. Likely a result of it's geographical isolation from both mainland Europe and North America, Iceland has always taken it's own unique path. Icelandic architecture and fashion is a reflection of it's unusual geography, the Icelandic palette is most comfortable when quality local ingredients are cured, cultured, fermented, or pickled, and the Icelandic people revel in self sufficiency and environmental sustainability. Iceland has always been deeply rooted in nordic liberal sensibilities, but unlike any other nation, they refused to bail out their banks after the 2008 recession, in 2009 they elected the world's first openly gay female prime minister and in 2010, Reykjavik elected John Gnarr, punk rock singer, comedian, and self proclaimed anarchist as their mayor. The physical landscape is as striking and unique as the culture itself; an island covered in black volcanic rock, lush green fields, geothermal vents and dramatic volcanoes. It was with this in mind, that Dennie, Henry and I boarded a plane for Reykjavik over Easter holidays, where we would spend 9 days swimming in hot pools, driving through fjords, and eating delicious Skyr (Icelandic yogurt).
Iceland is expensive. As
Hiking near EyjafjallajökullHiking near Eyjafjallajökull
Hiking near Eyjafjallajökull
a way to mitigate the costs our plan involved renting an old, rusty but mainly reliable car from Sadcar (a 2002 Yaris with 280,000 Kms), cooking 2 out of 3 meals a day at our rental apartment with Bonus brand groceries and doing as little shopping as possible. Upon walking through customs I began to have some minor reservations about our plan to be budget oriented when we were greeted by what I assume is one out of the two Sadcar employees who took us to a quonset in a field 10 minutes from the airport. When we inquired about a carseat for Henry, they directed us to the back of the auto body shop/rental car graveyard where 3 very used and slightly broken carseats sat amongst mufflers and cooling fluids. Dennie chose the most functional of the lot, we loaded into our Sadcar and took off towards Reykjavik through a minor snow storm.
Our little Ikea apartment was perfectly located down the street from Hallgrimskirka, the spired Lutheran church that provides a compass for travellers exploring the city. This was a great location to have as home base, as most of our mornings were spent wondering the streets
Hank and I inside the HarpaHank and I inside the Harpa
Hank and I inside the Harpa
of the old town where colorful terraced houses with main floor commercial space provide a vibrant and walkable downtown dotted with record shops with comfy couches and free espresso (12 Tonar), Icelandic design and furniture stores, vegetarian cafes, pubs, clubs and curry houses. We visited all three locations of the Reykjavik Art Museum (Hafnarhus, Kjarvalsstadir, Asmundarsafn) where the post modern works of Erro and the cubist and abstract landscape paintings of Kjarval hang next to rotating exhibits from contemporary Icelandic artists. We stumbled upon an Easter egg hunt in the Einar Jonsson Sculpture Park, played cards in the sprawling lounges inside The Harpa, and took in the Reykjavik Museum of Photography (inside the public library), the Viking Saga Museum, the Reykjavik Children's Park and "zoo" (more of a petting zoo) and took the elevator to the observatory at The Pearl. The city is surprisingly cosmopolitan yet retains a small town hospitality that acts as a reminder that there are only 120,000 people within city limits.
Despite the high cost of bars and restaurants in Reykjavik's centre we managed to find a number of reasonably priced eateries serving delicious and fresh food. Here are some of our recommendations: Babalu (grilled
Easter Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture GardenEaster Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden
Easter Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden
Hallgrímskirkja in the background.
cheese and tomato soup), C is for Cookie (homemade soup and sandwiches with great cheesecake), Laundromat Cafe (lake trout with root vegetables was outstanding and the children's play area in the basement is something to behold!), Austur India Fjelagid (delicious vegetarian Thali), Graen Kostur (Eastern inspired fusion veggie food with two lunch options daily). For drinks, Microbar has a lot of local craft beers on tap (Happy Hour from 5-8 pm). The Labowski Bar also seemed like an amazing place but they were having pub trivia when we walked in so we didn't stay for a drink.
Our Sadcar managed a number of day trips from Reykjavik; we drove north through the Hvalfjorour (Whale Fjord), stopping for a picnic near some rapids. We drove to the geothermal town of Hveragerði and onto the famed Eyjafjallajokull volcano which erupted in 2010 causing flight cancellations across Europe. We drove the Golden Circle with stops at Geyser, Pingvellir National Park and the Gulfoss waterfall. Once you leave Reykjavik the geography is stark but majestic with green fields punctuated with black volcanic rock, rolling hills, steep mountain passes and steam rising into the air from thermal vents dotting the landscape throughout.
Dennie
Outside of the Blue LagoonOutside of the Blue Lagoon
Outside of the Blue Lagoon
and I have fast come to the realization that when travelling with a baby, the experience is more fun for all if all planning revolves around the baby. And while Reykjavik's legendary nightlife may have called my name once or twice, parenting with a hangover certainly did not. As such, we spent a good deal of our time in Iceland immersing ourselves into the thermal pool culture. With 122 thermal pools and 17 in Reykjavik alone, we made it our mission to swim in a new pool each day. In Reykjavik we swam at Laugardalslaug, Sundhollin, Arbaejarlaug, Grafarvogslaug, Sudurbaejarlaug, and Asvallalaug. During our day trips around the Icelandic country side we also had the opportunity to swim at the beautiful pool at Hverageroi, naked in the deserted Seljallalaug located in a mountain valley surrounded by waterfalls, and on our last day at expensive but amazing Blue Lagoon. 9 pools in 9 days. The water in all public pools is chemical free, heated through geothermal, and nearly all have a number of "hot pots", saunas, lanes for swimming, kids pools, and water-slides. I got the impression from my time sitting in "hot pots" chatting with locals that thermal pools are important
Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool
Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool
gathering places for members of the community. Old and young alike move between the various pools and openly converse with strangers and friends. In moments where Henry was grumpy or tired we always knew we were within a few minutes from a pool where he would immediately be transformed back into the smiling Hank we have become used to. While the pools certainly made travelling in Iceland with a baby much easier, it is the Icelandic people who really make Iceland a child friendly locale. Almost every restaurant we went to had a children's play area, there was signage that encouraged breastfeeding, and all bars and pubs allow children. Icelandic people were warm and outgoing but not loud or obnoxious and no matter where we went, it seemed they had thought about ways to welcome children.
On our final morning in Iceland, I walked down the street from our apartment to pick up a couple cd's at Tonar 12. I sat on their comfy couches listening to FM Belfast and Seabear while Henry rummaged through the stacks. Without asking, the man running the shop brought me an espresso. I picked up a Reykjavik guidebook from a coffee table and
Dennie driving our Sad CarDennie driving our Sad Car
Dennie driving our Sad Car
opened the book to the first page to read the mayor's welcome message for visitors. Jon Gnarr (the mayor) foretold his version of the country's origin. I read,
"But how can it be that such a warm country came to possess such a frigid name? Yes, the explanation is simple: MISUNDERSTANDING. Ingólfur Arnarson, the first man that found Reykjavík, wasn’t on his way here at all. He was en route to the United States of America, to buy grapes and other fast food that grew wild there in those days. He was very interested in food. And also homicide. On his way he noticed a cloud of smoke ascending to the heavens from an unknown country. His curious nature got the best of him, and he changed his course and set sail to Reykjavík (Reykjavík literally means “smoky bay”!).
As he disembarked his ship, he saw that the smoke was in fact steam rising from Reykjavík’s many swimming pools. He was therefore quick in tearing off the suit of armour that he had worn in case he’d encounter some Native Americans while picking grapes, and jumping into some swim trunks. After swimming a good
Hank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in ReykjavikHank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in Reykjavik
Hank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in Reykjavik
500 metres he sat in the hot tub and relaxed. After a fun chat with the locals he had forgotten all about America. Who needs to travel all the way to America to pick grapes when there’s a shop on Laugavegur called Vínberið (Vínberið literally means: “the grape”)? Ingólfur decided to settle here. He rented a small apartment along with his wife, Hallveig Fróðadóttir, who many claim was the daughter of Frodo from ‘Lord Of The Rings’. Nothing has been proven about that, however.
One day Ingólfur and Hallveig were taking a stroll around town. They were walking their dog, who was called Plútó and was a Great Dane. It was a sizzling hot summer’s day. It was long before the t-shirt was invented. They were both dressed in full suits of armour, with swords and shields and helmets and everything. They stopped by at Ísbúð Vesturbæjar in Hagamelur to get some ice cream and cool down. The story goes that Ingólfur asked the clerk whether she knew what the country was called.
She thought it was called Thule. Ingólfur felt that was a stupid name.
“No country can be called Thule”, he said.
Outside the
Henry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatreHenry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatre
Henry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatre
ice cream shop, a crowd had gathered. They had heard that foreign visitors were in town. A lot of those people were elves. Ingólfur then approached the crowd, raised his ice cream cone aloft and shouted:
“Henceforth this country will be called Iceland, because one can get the world’s best ice cream here!”.
Today we have a statue of Ingólfur. The statue depicts Ingólfur dying of heat, leaning on his dog.
Don’t be a stranger, be like Ingólfur! "
Only in Iceland!
[slug] => https://aldestino.com/api/blog/Fiercely-Independent-Cultures
)
[2] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 33
[title] => Peace Train A Long Time Coming
[thumbnail] => https://aldestino.com/api/uploads/images/blog/120331_3.jpg
[desc] => <p> mainland Europe and North America, Iceland has always taken it's own unique path. Icelandic architecture and fashion is a reflection of it's unusual geography, the Icelandic palette is most comfortable when quality local ingredients are cured, cultured, fermented, or pickled, and the Icelandic people revel in self sufficiency and environmental sustainability. Iceland has always been deeply rooted in nordic liberal sensibilities, but unlike any other nation, they refused to bail out their banks after the 2008 recession, in 2009 they elected the world's first openly gay female prime minister and in 2010, Reykjavik elected John Gnarr, punk rock singer, comedian, and self proclaimed anarchist as their mayor. The physical landscape is as striking and unique as the culture itself; an island covered in black volcanic rock, lush green fields, geothermal vents and dramatic volcanoes. It was with this in mind, that Dennie, Henry and I boarded a plane for Reykjavik over Easter holidays, where we would spend 9 days swimming in hot pools, driving through fjords, and eating delicious Skyr (Icelandic yogurt). </p>
<p>Iceland is expensive. As <br />
Hiking near EyjafjallajökullHiking near Eyjafjallajökull<br />
Hiking near EyjafjallajökullIn a world that is increasingly homogenous, fiercely independent cultures and places are especially intriguing. Likely a result of it's geographical isolation from both<br />
a way to mitigate the costs our plan involved renting an old, rusty but mainly reliable car from Sadcar (a 2002 Yaris with 280,000 Kms), cooking 2 out of 3 meals a day at our rental apartment with Bonus brand groceries and doing as little shopping as possible. Upon walking through customs I began to have some minor reservations about our plan to be budget oriented when we were greeted by what I assume is one out of the two Sadcar employees who took us to a quonset in a field 10 minutes from the airport. When we inquired about a carseat for Henry, they directed us to the back of the auto body shop/rental car graveyard where 3 very used and slightly broken carseats sat amongst mufflers and cooling fluids. Dennie chose the most functional of the lot, we loaded into our Sadcar and took off towards Reykjavik through a minor snow storm. </p>
<p>Our little Ikea apartment was perfectly located down the street from Hallgrimskirka, the spired Lutheran church that provides a compass for travellers exploring the city. This was a great location to have as home base, as most of our mornings were spent wondering the streets <br />
Hank and I inside the HarpaHank and I inside the Harpa<br />
Hank and I inside the Harpa<br />
of the old town where colorful terraced houses with main floor commercial space provide a vibrant and walkable downtown dotted with record shops with comfy couches and free espresso (12 Tonar), Icelandic design and furniture stores, vegetarian cafes, pubs, clubs and curry houses. We visited all three locations of the Reykjavik Art Museum (Hafnarhus, Kjarvalsstadir, Asmundarsafn) where the post modern works of Erro and the cubist and abstract landscape paintings of Kjarval hang next to rotating exhibits from contemporary Icelandic artists. We stumbled upon an Easter egg hunt in the Einar Jonsson Sculpture Park, played cards in the sprawling lounges inside The Harpa, and took in the Reykjavik Museum of Photography (inside the public library), the Viking Saga Museum, the Reykjavik Children's Park and "zoo" (more of a petting zoo) and took the elevator to the observatory at The Pearl. The city is surprisingly cosmopolitan yet retains a small town hospitality that acts as a reminder that there are only 120,000 people within city limits. </p>
<p>Despite the high cost of bars and restaurants in Reykjavik's centre we managed to find a number of reasonably priced eateries serving delicious and fresh food. Here are some of our recommendations: Babalu (grilled <br />
Easter Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture GardenEaster Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden<br />
Easter Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden<br />
Hallgrímskirkja in the background.<br />
cheese and tomato soup), C is for Cookie (homemade soup and sandwiches with great cheesecake), Laundromat Cafe (lake trout with root vegetables was outstanding and the children's play area in the basement is something to behold!), Austur India Fjelagid (delicious vegetarian Thali), Graen Kostur (Eastern inspired fusion veggie food with two lunch options daily). For drinks, Microbar has a lot of local craft beers on tap (Happy Hour from 5-8 pm). The Labowski Bar also seemed like an amazing place but they were having pub trivia when we walked in so we didn't stay for a drink. </p>
<p>Our Sadcar managed a number of day trips from Reykjavik; we drove north through the Hvalfjorour (Whale Fjord), stopping for a picnic near some rapids. We drove to the geothermal town of Hveragerði and onto the famed Eyjafjallajokull volcano which erupted in 2010 causing flight cancellations across Europe. We drove the Golden Circle with stops at Geyser, Pingvellir National Park and the Gulfoss waterfall. Once you leave Reykjavik the geography is stark but majestic with green fields punctuated with black volcanic rock, rolling hills, steep mountain passes and steam rising into the air from thermal vents dotting the landscape throughout. </p>
<p>Dennie <br />
Outside of the Blue LagoonOutside of the Blue Lagoon<br />
Outside of the Blue Lagoon<br />
and I have fast come to the realization that when travelling with a baby, the experience is more fun for all if all planning revolves around the baby. And while Reykjavik's legendary nightlife may have called my name once or twice, parenting with a hangover certainly did not. As such, we spent a good deal of our time in Iceland immersing ourselves into the thermal pool culture. With 122 thermal pools and 17 in Reykjavik alone, we made it our mission to swim in a new pool each day. In Reykjavik we swam at Laugardalslaug, Sundhollin, Arbaejarlaug, Grafarvogslaug, Sudurbaejarlaug, and Asvallalaug. During our day trips around the Icelandic country side we also had the opportunity to swim at the beautiful pool at Hverageroi, naked in the deserted Seljallalaug located in a mountain valley surrounded by waterfalls, and on our last day at expensive but amazing Blue Lagoon. 9 pools in 9 days. The water in all public pools is chemical free, heated through geothermal, and nearly all have a number of "hot pots", saunas, lanes for swimming, kids pools, and water-slides. I got the impression from my time sitting in "hot pots" chatting with locals that thermal pools are important <br />
Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool <br />
Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool<br />
gathering places for members of the community. Old and young alike move between the various pools and openly converse with strangers and friends. In moments where Henry was grumpy or tired we always knew we were within a few minutes from a pool where he would immediately be transformed back into the smiling Hank we have become used to. While the pools certainly made travelling in Iceland with a baby much easier, it is the Icelandic people who really make Iceland a child friendly locale. Almost every restaurant we went to had a children's play area, there was signage that encouraged breastfeeding, and all bars and pubs allow children. Icelandic people were warm and outgoing but not loud or obnoxious and no matter where we went, it seemed they had thought about ways to welcome children. </p>
<p>On our final morning in Iceland, I walked down the street from our apartment to pick up a couple cd's at Tonar 12. I sat on their comfy couches listening to FM Belfast and Seabear while Henry rummaged through the stacks. Without asking, the man running the shop brought me an espresso. I picked up a Reykjavik guidebook from a coffee table and <br />
Dennie driving our Sad CarDennie driving our Sad Car<br />
Dennie driving our Sad Car<br />
opened the book to the first page to read the mayor's welcome message for visitors. Jon Gnarr (the mayor) foretold his version of the country's origin. I read, </p>
<p>"But how can it be that such a warm country came to possess such a frigid name? Yes, the explanation is simple: MISUNDERSTANDING. Ingólfur Arnarson, the first man that found Reykjavík, wasn’t on his way here at all. He was en route to the United States of America, to buy grapes and other fast food that grew wild there in those days. He was very interested in food. And also homicide. On his way he noticed a cloud of smoke ascending to the heavens from an unknown country. His curious nature got the best of him, and he changed his course and set sail to Reykjavík (Reykjavík literally means “smoky bay”!). </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>As he disembarked his ship, he saw that the smoke was in fact steam rising from Reykjavík’s many swimming pools. He was therefore quick in tearing off the suit of armour that he had worn in case he’d encounter some Native Americans while picking grapes, and jumping into some swim trunks. After swimming a good <br />
Hank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in ReykjavikHank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in Reykjavik<br />
Hank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in Reykjavik<br />
500 metres he sat in the hot tub and relaxed. After a fun chat with the locals he had forgotten all about America. Who needs to travel all the way to America to pick grapes when there’s a shop on Laugavegur called Vínberið (Vínberið literally means: “the grape”)? Ingólfur decided to settle here. He rented a small apartment along with his wife, Hallveig Fróðadóttir, who many claim was the daughter of Frodo from ‘Lord Of The Rings’. Nothing has been proven about that, however.</p>
<p>One day Ingólfur and Hallveig were taking a stroll around town. They were walking their dog, who was called Plútó and was a Great Dane. It was a sizzling hot summer’s day. It was long before the t-shirt was invented. They were both dressed in full suits of armour, with swords and shields and helmets and everything. They stopped by at Ísbúð Vesturbæjar in Hagamelur to get some ice cream and cool down. The story goes that Ingólfur asked the clerk whether she knew what the country was called. </p>
<p>She thought it was called Thule. Ingólfur felt that was a stupid name. </p>
<p>“No country can be called Thule”, he said. </p>
<p>Outside the <br />
Henry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatreHenry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatre<br />
Henry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatre<br />
ice cream shop, a crowd had gathered. They had heard that foreign visitors were in town. A lot of those people were elves. Ingólfur then approached the crowd, raised his ice cream cone aloft and shouted: </p>
<p>“Henceforth this country will be called Iceland, because one can get the world’s best ice cream here!”. </p>
<p>Today we have a statue of Ingólfur. The statue depicts Ingólfur dying of heat, leaning on his dog. </p>
<p>Don’t be a stranger, be like Ingólfur! " </p>
<p>Only in Iceland! </p>
[shortDesc] => mainland Europe and North America, Iceland has always taken it's own unique path. Icelandic architecture and fashion is a reflection of it's unusual geography, the Icelandic palette is most comfortable when quality local ingredients are cured, cultured, fermented, or pickled, and the Icelandic people revel in self sufficiency and environmental sustainability. Iceland has always been deeply rooted in nordic liberal sensibilities, but unlike any other nation, they refused to bail out their banks after the 2008 recession, in 2009 they elected the world's first openly gay female prime minister and in 2010, Reykjavik elected John Gnarr, punk rock singer, comedian, and self proclaimed anarchist as their mayor. The physical landscape is as striking and unique as the culture itself; an island covered in black volcanic rock, lush green fields, geothermal vents and dramatic volcanoes. It was with this in mind, that Dennie, Henry and I boarded a plane for Reykjavik over Easter holidays, where we would spend 9 days swimming in hot pools, driving through fjords, and eating delicious Skyr (Icelandic yogurt).
Iceland is expensive. As
Hiking near EyjafjallajökullHiking near Eyjafjallajökull
Hiking near EyjafjallajökullIn a world that is increasingly homogenous, fiercely independent cultures and places are especially intriguing. Likely a result of it's geographical isolation from both
a way to mitigate the costs our plan involved renting an old, rusty but mainly reliable car from Sadcar (a 2002 Yaris with 280,000 Kms), cooking 2 out of 3 meals a day at our rental apartment with Bonus brand groceries and doing as little shopping as possible. Upon walking through customs I began to have some minor reservations about our plan to be budget oriented when we were greeted by what I assume is one out of the two Sadcar employees who took us to a quonset in a field 10 minutes from the airport. When we inquired about a carseat for Henry, they directed us to the back of the auto body shop/rental car graveyard where 3 very used and slightly broken carseats sat amongst mufflers and cooling fluids. Dennie chose the most functional of the lot, we loaded into our Sadcar and took off towards Reykjavik through a minor snow storm.
Our little Ikea apartment was perfectly located down the street from Hallgrimskirka, the spired Lutheran church that provides a compass for travellers exploring the city. This was a great location to have as home base, as most of our mornings were spent wondering the streets
Hank and I inside the HarpaHank and I inside the Harpa
Hank and I inside the Harpa
of the old town where colorful terraced houses with main floor commercial space provide a vibrant and walkable downtown dotted with record shops with comfy couches and free espresso (12 Tonar), Icelandic design and furniture stores, vegetarian cafes, pubs, clubs and curry houses. We visited all three locations of the Reykjavik Art Museum (Hafnarhus, Kjarvalsstadir, Asmundarsafn) where the post modern works of Erro and the cubist and abstract landscape paintings of Kjarval hang next to rotating exhibits from contemporary Icelandic artists. We stumbled upon an Easter egg hunt in the Einar Jonsson Sculpture Park, played cards in the sprawling lounges inside The Harpa, and took in the Reykjavik Museum of Photography (inside the public library), the Viking Saga Museum, the Reykjavik Children's Park and "zoo" (more of a petting zoo) and took the elevator to the observatory at The Pearl. The city is surprisingly cosmopolitan yet retains a small town hospitality that acts as a reminder that there are only 120,000 people within city limits.
Despite the high cost of bars and restaurants in Reykjavik's centre we managed to find a number of reasonably priced eateries serving delicious and fresh food. Here are some of our recommendations: Babalu (grilled
Easter Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture GardenEaster Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden
Easter Egg Hunt in Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden
Hallgrímskirkja in the background.
cheese and tomato soup), C is for Cookie (homemade soup and sandwiches with great cheesecake), Laundromat Cafe (lake trout with root vegetables was outstanding and the children's play area in the basement is something to behold!), Austur India Fjelagid (delicious vegetarian Thali), Graen Kostur (Eastern inspired fusion veggie food with two lunch options daily). For drinks, Microbar has a lot of local craft beers on tap (Happy Hour from 5-8 pm). The Labowski Bar also seemed like an amazing place but they were having pub trivia when we walked in so we didn't stay for a drink.
Our Sadcar managed a number of day trips from Reykjavik; we drove north through the Hvalfjorour (Whale Fjord), stopping for a picnic near some rapids. We drove to the geothermal town of Hveragerði and onto the famed Eyjafjallajokull volcano which erupted in 2010 causing flight cancellations across Europe. We drove the Golden Circle with stops at Geyser, Pingvellir National Park and the Gulfoss waterfall. Once you leave Reykjavik the geography is stark but majestic with green fields punctuated with black volcanic rock, rolling hills, steep mountain passes and steam rising into the air from thermal vents dotting the landscape throughout.
Dennie
Outside of the Blue LagoonOutside of the Blue Lagoon
Outside of the Blue Lagoon
and I have fast come to the realization that when travelling with a baby, the experience is more fun for all if all planning revolves around the baby. And while Reykjavik's legendary nightlife may have called my name once or twice, parenting with a hangover certainly did not. As such, we spent a good deal of our time in Iceland immersing ourselves into the thermal pool culture. With 122 thermal pools and 17 in Reykjavik alone, we made it our mission to swim in a new pool each day. In Reykjavik we swam at Laugardalslaug, Sundhollin, Arbaejarlaug, Grafarvogslaug, Sudurbaejarlaug, and Asvallalaug. During our day trips around the Icelandic country side we also had the opportunity to swim at the beautiful pool at Hverageroi, naked in the deserted Seljallalaug located in a mountain valley surrounded by waterfalls, and on our last day at expensive but amazing Blue Lagoon. 9 pools in 9 days. The water in all public pools is chemical free, heated through geothermal, and nearly all have a number of "hot pots", saunas, lanes for swimming, kids pools, and water-slides. I got the impression from my time sitting in "hot pots" chatting with locals that thermal pools are important
Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool
Enroute to the Seljvavellir hot pool
gathering places for members of the community. Old and young alike move between the various pools and openly converse with strangers and friends. In moments where Henry was grumpy or tired we always knew we were within a few minutes from a pool where he would immediately be transformed back into the smiling Hank we have become used to. While the pools certainly made travelling in Iceland with a baby much easier, it is the Icelandic people who really make Iceland a child friendly locale. Almost every restaurant we went to had a children's play area, there was signage that encouraged breastfeeding, and all bars and pubs allow children. Icelandic people were warm and outgoing but not loud or obnoxious and no matter where we went, it seemed they had thought about ways to welcome children.
On our final morning in Iceland, I walked down the street from our apartment to pick up a couple cd's at Tonar 12. I sat on their comfy couches listening to FM Belfast and Seabear while Henry rummaged through the stacks. Without asking, the man running the shop brought me an espresso. I picked up a Reykjavik guidebook from a coffee table and
Dennie driving our Sad CarDennie driving our Sad Car
Dennie driving our Sad Car
opened the book to the first page to read the mayor's welcome message for visitors. Jon Gnarr (the mayor) foretold his version of the country's origin. I read,
"But how can it be that such a warm country came to possess such a frigid name? Yes, the explanation is simple: MISUNDERSTANDING. Ingólfur Arnarson, the first man that found Reykjavík, wasn’t on his way here at all. He was en route to the United States of America, to buy grapes and other fast food that grew wild there in those days. He was very interested in food. And also homicide. On his way he noticed a cloud of smoke ascending to the heavens from an unknown country. His curious nature got the best of him, and he changed his course and set sail to Reykjavík (Reykjavík literally means “smoky bay”!).
As he disembarked his ship, he saw that the smoke was in fact steam rising from Reykjavík’s many swimming pools. He was therefore quick in tearing off the suit of armour that he had worn in case he’d encounter some Native Americans while picking grapes, and jumping into some swim trunks. After swimming a good
Hank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in ReykjavikHank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in Reykjavik
Hank test driving Indie music at Tonar 12 in Reykjavik
500 metres he sat in the hot tub and relaxed. After a fun chat with the locals he had forgotten all about America. Who needs to travel all the way to America to pick grapes when there’s a shop on Laugavegur called Vínberið (Vínberið literally means: “the grape”)? Ingólfur decided to settle here. He rented a small apartment along with his wife, Hallveig Fróðadóttir, who many claim was the daughter of Frodo from ‘Lord Of The Rings’. Nothing has been proven about that, however.
One day Ingólfur and Hallveig were taking a stroll around town. They were walking their dog, who was called Plútó and was a Great Dane. It was a sizzling hot summer’s day. It was long before the t-shirt was invented. They were both dressed in full suits of armour, with swords and shields and helmets and everything. They stopped by at Ísbúð Vesturbæjar in Hagamelur to get some ice cream and cool down. The story goes that Ingólfur asked the clerk whether she knew what the country was called.
She thought it was called Thule. Ingólfur felt that was a stupid name.
“No country can be called Thule”, he said.
Outside the
Henry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatreHenry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatre
Henry inside the eyjafjallajokull theatre
ice cream shop, a crowd had gathered. They had heard that foreign visitors were in town. A lot of those people were elves. Ingólfur then approached the crowd, raised his ice cream cone aloft and shouted:
“Henceforth this country will be called Iceland, because one can get the world’s best ice cream here!”.
Today we have a statue of Ingólfur. The statue depicts Ingólfur dying of heat, leaning on his dog.
Don’t be a stranger, be like Ingólfur! "
Only in Iceland!
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