Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping & Eating
Lækjarhús
COTTAGES
( 616 1247;
www.laekjarhus.is
;
cabins Ikr18,000; Feb-Oct; )
Lækjarhús has a trio of super-cosy self-contained cabins sleeping four people in bunks
(BYO sleeping bags, or hire linen for Ikr1500 per person). There's a wee kitchenette and
bathroom in each.
Hof 1 Hotel
COUNTRY HOTEL
( 478 2260;
www.hof1.is
;d with/without bathroom incl breakfast Ikr26,900/21,900; )
Beautifully situated beneath the Öræfajökull glacier, the very civilised Hof 1 harbours an
impressive collection of modern Icelandic art, a stylish lounge area, and an alluring sauna
and hot-pot area. There's a variety of rooms scattered in various buildings, and a dining
area serving dinner (two courses from Ikr4500).
Ingólfshöfði
While everyone's gaze naturally turns inland in this spectacular part of Iceland, there are
reasons to look offshore, too - in particular to the 76m-high Ingólfshöfði promontory,
rising from the flatlands like a strange dream.
In spring and summer, this beautiful, isolated
nature reserve
is overrun with nesting
puffins, skuas and other seabirds, and you may see seals and whales offshore. It's also of
great historical importance - it was here that Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland's first settler,
stayed the winter on his original foray to the country in AD 874.
The reserve is open to visitors. Tours begin with a fun ride across 6km of shallow tidal
lagoon (in a tractor-drawn wagon), then a short but steep sandy climb, followed by a 1½-
hour guided walk round the headland. The emphasis is on birdwatching, with stunning
mountain backdrops to marvel over. Note that puffins usually leave around mid-August.
Ikr6900/1000; tours 1.30pm Mon-Sat May-Aug, also 10.15am Mon-Sat Jun-mid-Aug)
, whose
new booking agency is in Fagurhólsmýri (there's an N1 fuel pump here), about 26km from
