Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing a guided walk). You can also do the tour from Reykjavík, taking a short domestic flight
first to Akureyri.
from Dalvík at 9am Monday, Wednesday and Friday, returning from Grímsey at 4pm (giv-
ing you four hours on the island if you're not overnighting). The journey takes three hours
and costs adult/child Ikr4830/free one way.
If coming from Akureyri, unfortunately the morning bus (Strætó's bus 78) won't get
you to Dalvík in good time for the boat's departure.
Dalvík-based Arctic Sea Tours (
www.arcticseatours.is
)
can put together a 10-hour day
tour (Ikr15,000) utilising the Sæfari ferry but filling your stopover time with guided walk,
lunch, and a chance to meet locals. For a fee, it can arrange pick-up from Akureyri.
In winter, the ferry departure service remains the same; however, the ship immediately
returns to Dalvík once cargo has been discharged and loaded.
whale-watching expeditions out of Húsavík, which moor one night at Grímsey. Trips de-
part weekly from May to mid-July (Ikr115,000). Also out of Húsavík,
Gentle Giants
(
464 1500;
www.gentlegiants.is
)
has a six-hour trip to Grímsey on fast rigid-inflatable boats
(RIBs; which get you to the island in about an hour). Trips run twice a week in summer
(Ikr63,550) but require a minimum number.
AKUREYRI
Pop 17,930
Akureyri stands strong as Iceland's second city, but a Melbourne, Manchester or Montreal
it is not. And how could it be? There are only 18,000 residents! It's a wonder the city
(which would be a 'town' in any other country) generates this much buzz. Expect cool
cafes, quality restaurants and something of a late-night bustle - a far cry from other towns
in rural Iceland.
Akureyri nestles at the head of Iceland's longest (60km) fjord, at the base of snow-
capped peaks. In summer, flowerboxes, trees and well-tended gardens belie the location,
just a stone's throw from the Arctic Circle. Lively winter festivals and some of Iceland's
best skiing provide plenty of low-season appeal. With its relaxed and easy attitude and ex-
