- Icelandic economic situation puts Iceland as a value destination in the spotlight

Iceland’s leading airline, Icelandair, has seen an increase in UK sales over the past year since the Icelandic economic situation has brought increased attention to the destination.

Travellers are flocking to Iceland due to the favourable currency exchange rate for UK visitors which has also been confirmed by the Lonely Planet World Travel Guide choosing Iceland as the 2010 best value destination for 2010.

“It seems that in the middle of the media interest we have been able to communicate the fact that this is a great time to visit Iceland, because as a traveller you simply get more for your money than ever before”, says Birkir Holm Gudnason, CEO of Icelandair.

Hjorvar Saeberg Hognason, General Manager UK, added, “If you compare what a pound got you on 1st February 2008 to 1st February 2010, you see an increase of 57%, so you can see why UK passengers are heading to Iceland in droves to experience the breathtaking nature and enjoy activities like searching for the northern lights. Whale watching season is just around the corner so we hope to see many travellers heading over to see the whales and amazing birdlife.”

Last week Icelandair added another three percent to its flight schedule, which was already ten percent up from last year, as a reaction to the rising interest in Iceland tourism.

Icelandair is one of Iceland’s longest established companies, connecting the world and Iceland for over 70 years.
For more information on Icelandair and to book flights visit www.icelandair.com

VIKING HISTORY, ERIK THE RED AND THE WORLD’S LARGEST FJORD
Visit Greenland with Hurtigruten’s new itineraries and special savings of 25%

Fancy visiting the high polar regions of Greenland and travel in the wake of great polar explorers? Want to journey to untouched lands that are only accessible by ship? Niche cruise specialist, Hurtigruten has three new trips in 2010 and is currently offering 25% off!

Each voyage is on board MS Fram, the cruiseline’s newest ship build specifically for sailing in polar waters. Each journey is complimented by informative lectures, landings and shore excursions and offers the chance to get close to culture, wildlife and communities of Greenland’s remote areas.

PEAKS, RUINS AND ERIC THE RED – 12 days – now from £2488pp, saving £829
A journey from Greenland to Iceland taking in the south and eastern region before sailing across the Denmark Strait to Iceland. From ancient Viking settlements to the beautiful setting of Evighedsfjorden, this voyage offers the chance to discover something of Greenland’s vast array of natural and historic treasures before ending in Iceland. Highlights include a visit to Qassiarsuk – the small community where the Viking Erik the Red settled in 982 when he was exiled from Iceland.

Here guests can visit the reconstructed longhouse and farm as well as the church Erik’s wife made him build. There is also the chance to visit Greenland’s oldest town Nuuk, enjoy the scenery of Skjoldungen Island and see the large tabular icebergs calving into the sea before heading off to Isafjördur in Iceland and ending in Reykjavik. Voyage departs 2 September 2010 and is full board. Flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq is included. Flight packages including Heathrow – Copenhagen and Reykjavik to Heathrow cost from £415pp.

GREENLAND’S REMOTE AND WILD COAST – 11 Days – now from £3268pp saving £1089pp. Exploring the isolated communities around North East Greenland this voyage offers the chance to visit Scoesby Sund – the largest Fjord in the world and home to some huge icebergs. This voyage explorers the remote areas including Ittoqqortoormiit, an isolated community where people still depend on hunting for their livelihood. The voyage features a visit to the North East Greenland National Park is a rarely visited area of outstanding beauty. Beginning and ending in Reykjavik, Iceland the trip also includes a visit to Iceland’s western fjords. . Voyage departs 13 September 2010 and is full board, cruise only. Flight packages including Heathrow – Copenhagen and Reykjavik to Heathrow cost from £415pp.

IN THE WAKE OF THE VIKINGS – 14 days – now from £2911pp saving £970pp
Following in the footsteps of the Norsemen of old this voyage travels from Iceland to southern Greenland and then onto Labrador and Newfoundland. This incredible adventure encompasses some of the most spectacular natural and historical landscapes that Greenland and eastern Canada has to offer. Highlights include a visit to Koge Bugt, where the Greenland ice tip reaches the sea, Umivik the place where Nansen went ashore and started his epic traverse of the Ice Cap and Qassiarsuk where Erik the Red was exiled before heading across the Labrador Sea in the footsteps of the Vikings. Once in Newfoundland the ship will journey south to Halifax via St Anthony, Bonne Bay and Baddeck in Nova Scotia. Voyage departs 26 September 2010 and is full board, cruise only.
To book call Hurtigruten 0844 448 7601 www.hurtigruten.co.uk

Icelandair Holidays offers Iceland City Break featuring visit to magical North Iceland

On a visit to Iceland, it’s easy to stay in Reykjavik and enjoy the surrounding countryside with all of its beauty and easy accessibility. But there is a wonderful place that many visitors miss out on… gorgeous North Iceland. To introduce UK travellers to this less touristy part of Iceland that’s full of breathtaking fjords, quaint fishing villages and the otherworldly Lake Myvatn region, Icelandair Holidays is pleased to introduce the Northern Exposure City Break from £499*.

The Northern Exposure City Break package starts with return flights from London Heathrow, Manchester or Glasgow to Reykjavik to Iceland, four nights accommodation at the four-star Hotel Loftleidir including Scandinavian breakfast buffet. Travellers can then choose one day to travel on a full day tour to North Iceland including domestic flights on Air Iceland.

After an exciting flight with breathtaking views on a clear day, guests arrive in Akureyri and are taken to the twin waterfall Godafoss, named after the pagan idols thrown into it a thousand years ago. Europe’s largest bird sanctuary is next where species breed among the mystical blend of lush vegetation and lava spires. After a short break, the tour heads to the colourful majesty of the still-active Krafla volcano, and from there to sizzling Hverarönd, famous for its bubbling sulfur mud pots.

A walking tour of Dimmuborgir is next, a surreal lava park with unique rock formations towering above and delicate flowers dotting the ground below. After a brief stop in the village Reykjahlíð, the tour returns to Akureyri to catch the evening flight back to Reykjavik. Passengers will also visit Mývatn Nature Baths and have the option to enjoy a swim in the lagoon.

To top off a fantastic trip, this City Break also includes entrance to the Laugardalslaug geothermal pools in Reykjavik where travellers can rest before their return to the UK.

Icelandair is one of Iceland’s longest established companies, connecting the world and Iceland for over 70 years. The Northern Exposure City Break starts at £499*. This Icelandair Holidays offer is valid for booking online at www.icelandair.co.uk until 31st March.

- Flights, 3 Nights Accommodations + Free Blue Lagoon Visit from £269*

If the cold weather has you singing the blues, Icelandair has the perfect city break to help you warm up in… Iceland, naturally! For the month of February, those who book the popular Iceland City Break will receive a free visit to the Blue Lagoon. This package starting from £269* provides a huge savings of over £200 versus booking the components separately and includes flights from Glasgow, London or Manchester to Iceland, 3 nights accommodations and a free visit to the Blue Lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located in the middle of a moonscape lava field on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula. Visitors enjoy bathing in warm soothing waters of a surreal blue hue and can relax in one of the facilities saunas. The visit to the Blue Lagoon includes transportation to and from the site and entrance into the facility. While at the spa, visitors can take advantage of the favourable exchange rate and book a massage or skin treatment for a low additional cost.

Icelandair is one of Iceland’s longest established companies, connecting the world and Iceland for over 70 years. Icelandair’s offer is valid for booking online at www.icelandair.co.uk until 28th February. Visit www.icelandair.co.uk or further information on this package. Visit www.bluelagoon.com for information on the Blue Lagoon.

- Iceland Northern Lights City Break includes flights, three nights accommodation + Northern Lights tour from £269.

The Northern Lights are at their peak activity levels through the end of March in Iceland and to provide UK travellers with an affordable way to see this natural wonder, Icelandair is pleased to offer the Northern Lights City Break. This holiday package includes flights from London Heathrow, Manchester or Glasgow, three nights accommodation and Northern Lights tour from £269*.

The Northern Lights tour takes place the evening following the day of arrival and is operated by Reykjavik Excursions. Passengers are picked up at their hotel and driven to an area outside of Reykjavik to search for the natural phenomenon. Every tour is different since the leader takes the group to the area where they are most likely to see the lights that day based on weather. The tour generally lasts three hours and makes for an exciting evening out exploring the rugged Icelandic wilderness.

In addition to the tour, the Northern Lights City Break provides free days to enjoy exploring Reykjavik, relaxing at the Blue Lagoon or enjoying one of Iceland’s many winter activities. Plus, due to the exchange rate, Iceland has not been as cheap as it currently is in decades, so now is the time to travel to this winter wonderland. In fact, Lonely Planet recently named Iceland one of its Top 10 Value Destinations for 2010.

The offer is good through 31st March 2010 travel. It must be booked online at www.icelandair.co.uk by 31st January. Hotel upgrades are available at an extra cost. Icelandair is one of Iceland’s longest established companies, connecting the world and Iceland for over 70 years.

The tourist boards of Finland, Iceland and Estonia are holding their first joint travel trade Workshop on 10th February 2010, which will take place at the HAC Armoury House in City Road, London. Representatives from UK tour operators, travel and incentive agencies, airlines and tour organisers and the travel press are invited to attend to meet providers of accommodation, transport/tours, attractions, destination management companies and regional and city tourist offices from each of the three countries.

Attendees will have the opportunity to pre-arrange individual 15 minute meetings with the overseas suppliers and to network with tourism partners from the three nations. A working lunch is provided and the event will take place at the historic 18th Century HAC Armoury, set in six acres of garden in the city of London, close to Moorgate tube station.

Riitta Balzar, from Visit Finland, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for representatives from UK travel companies to optimise their time by meeting tourism providers from Iceland, Finland and Estonia during the same event. We’ve had an excellent response and the event is being supported by representatives from nearly 50 organisations.”

Sigga Gróa from the Icelandic Tourist Board added: “Our nations offer complementary products and it makes sense for visitors to use this as an opportunity to network with existing contacts from one nation and meet up with new tourism providers from another. We really anticipate a great response from the UK travel industry and anticipate this will become an annual event.”

The Estonia Tourist Board, which recently appointed its first UK representative, Mary Stuart-Miller, will be represented at the event, as will Tallinn City, one of 2010’s European Capitals of Culture. Mary Stuart-Miller said: “This will be a really useful day out as it provides an opportunity to meet travel providers from three nations under one roof, without having to get on a plane.”

Wild Photography Holidays  the innovative travel company specialising in small-group photography holidays in wild and inaccessible places, has announced its programme of departures to Iceland for summer 2010.

Well known for its breathtakingly beautiful and unspoiled scenery, Iceland abounds in natural wonders at their most extreme – and with four brand new, differently themed itineraries taking in some of the country’s most extraordinary locations, Wild Photography Holidays offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience and capture this dramatic landscape at its very best.

A guidebook to Iceland reads like a Who’s Who of Mother Nature’s most spectacular creations.

Thanks to the combined influences of fire and ice, there are mountains, waterfalls, fjords, glaciers and volcanoes in abundance – and, with a total population no larger than that of a medium-sized English city, the landscape in general appears empty and pristine.

Photographers are drawn by the sheer outrageousness of these landscapes and the opportunity to explore, walk and take pictures in one of Europe’s last remaining wildernesses.

Wild Photography Holidays are tailored to the needs of both amateur and experienced photographers.

Each small-sized group benefits from the services of a dedicated photography tutor and experienced mountain guide, allowing for full immersion in the landscape and maximum time behind the lens.

The fully researched itineraries and 24-hour summer daylight allow ample time to explore little-known and often hard-to-reach locations that are of particular interest for photographers.

Unlike conventional touring holidays, Wild Photography’s holidays ensure that each group has the time, support and expertise to capture the images they really want to get, with viewing and feedback sessions in the evening.

The four new Icelandic itineraries take in distinctly different landscapes, ranging from snow-covered mountains and desolate deserts to impossibly blue glacial lagoons and volcanic, black-sand beaches.

The first departure of the season (departing 22 May, 2010) is the Southern Contrasts – Glaciers, Volcanoes & Waterfalls itinerary, which visits a range of geothermal and glacial landscapes.

Particular highlights include a walk on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, plus visits to the warm, mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon (Iceland’s famous outdoor spa); the stunning rift valley of Þingvellir National Park; the powerful waterfall at Gullfoss; and the regular-as-clockwork eruptions of the Strokkur geyser.

The cost of this nine-day holiday is £1,885 per person, which includes all accommodation, most meals, all transfers, the services of a guide and photographic tutor and admission to the Blue Lagoon.

Flights are not included.

A very different array of natural wonders can be experienced on the Flowers and Landscapes of the East tour, which takes in the untamed splendour of Lake Mývatn and the surrounding area.

As the winter snows recede, the landscape bursts into life – providing an exceptional opportunity to photograph the flowers against a backdrop of snowy mountains, magnificent waterfalls and sleepy fishing villages in 24 hours of daylight.

This is a particularly remote and peaceful region known for its prolific birdlife (including a unique mix of European and North American duck species) which adds a different and challenging subject to the photographic spectrum.

Other highlights include visits to the Eastern Fjords and four of Iceland’s most breath-taking waterfalls.

This 11-day holiday departs on 26 June and costs £1,885 per person, to include all accommodation, most meals, transfers, the services of a guide and photographic tutor and admission to Mývatn Nature Bath.

Again, international flights are not included.

The 14-day Trails of the Deserted Fjords tour, departing 8 July, also takes in the Lake Mývatn area and the remote east coast.

Of particular interest to photographers on this tour will be the magnificent geothermal and coastal scenery.

Highlights include a chance to photograph a colourful lake located in the crater of an extinct volcano, plus an opportunity to enjoy some superb coastal walks.

In addition, two nights spent in a mountain hut ensure that the group has ample access to the stunning scenery for which this region is renowned.

This holiday costs £2,515 per person, to include all accommodation, most meals, transfers, the services of a guide and photographic tutor and admission to Mývatn Nature Bath.

International flights are not included.

The final holiday in the Iceland programme, the 14-day Highland Exposure tour, departing on 1 August, ventures deep into Iceland’s vast and uninhabited mountain interior.

The scenery here is like nowhere else on Earth, affording unique opportunities to photograph vast lava flows, empty deserts, powerful waterfalls, volcanic landforms and Europe’s largest ice cap – the massive Vatnajökull glacier.

This adventurous expedition into a rarely-visited region is the perfect choice for serious landscape photographers who are prepared to put in that ‘extra mile’ to capture their dream shots.

The holiday costs £2,400 per person, which covers all accommodation, most meals, transfers, the services of a guide and photographic tutor and admission to Mývatn Nature Bath.

International flights are not included.

Commenting on the new programme, Wild Photography Holidays’ co-owner, Geraldine Westrupp, said, “Iceland’s young, raw, dramatic landscapes and superb ambient light combine to produce an incredible array of photographic opportunities that are quite simply without equal.

By venturing beyond the beaten track, each of our distinctly different and well-paced holidays makes the most of Iceland’s wide open spaces and stunning natural scenery, allowing guests to capture unique images of places that few other visitors have seen”.

Wild Photography Holidays the innovative travel company specialising in small-group photography holidays in wild and inaccessible places, has announced its programme of departures to Iceland for summer 2010.

Well known for its breathtakingly beautiful and unspoiled scenery, Iceland abounds in natural wonders at their most extreme – and with four brand new, differently themed itineraries taking in some of the country’s most extraordinary locations, Wild Photography Holidays offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience and capture this dramatic landscape at its very best.

A guidebook to Iceland reads like a Who’s Who of Mother Nature’s most spectacular creations. Thanks to the combined influences of fire and ice, there are mountains, waterfalls, fjords, glaciers and volcanoes in abundance – and, with a total population no larger than that of a medium-sized English city, the landscape in general appears empty and pristine. Photographers are drawn by the sheer outrageousness of these landscapes and the opportunity to explore, walk and take pictures in one of Europe’s last remaining wildernesses.

Wild Photography Holidays are tailored to the needs of both amateur and experienced photographers. Each small-sized group benefits from the services of a dedicated photography tutor and experienced mountain guide, allowing for full immersion in the landscape and maximum time behind the lens. The fully researched itineraries and 24-hour summer daylight allow ample time to explore little-known and often hard-to-reach locations that are of particular interest for photographers. Unlike conventional touring holidays, Wild Photography’s holidays ensure that each group has the time, support and expertise to capture the images they really want to get, with viewing and feedback sessions in the evening.

The four new Icelandic itineraries take in distinctly different landscapes, ranging from snow-covered mountains and desolate deserts to impossibly blue glacial lagoons and volcanic, black-sand beaches. The first departure of the season (departing 22 May, 2010) is the Southern Contrasts – Glaciers, Volcanoes & Waterfalls itinerary, which visits a range of geothermal and glacial landscapes. Particular highlights include a walk on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, plus visits to the warm, mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon (Iceland’s famous outdoor spa); the stunning rift valley of Þingvellir National Park; the powerful waterfall at Gullfoss; and the regular-as-clockwork eruptions of the Strokkur geyser. The cost of this nine-day holiday is £1,885 per person, which includes all accommodation, most meals, all transfers, the services of a guide and photographic tutor and admission to the Blue Lagoon. Flights are not included.

A very different array of natural wonders can be experienced on the Flowers and Landscapes of the East tour, which takes in the untamed splendour of Lake Mývatn and the surrounding area. As the winter snows recede, the landscape bursts into life – providing an exceptional opportunity to photograph the flowers against a backdrop of snowy mountains, magnificent waterfalls and sleepy fishing villages in 24 hours of daylight. This is a particularly remote and peaceful region known for its prolific birdlife (including a unique mix of European and North American duck species) which adds a different and challenging subject to the photographic spectrum. Other highlights include visits to the Eastern Fjords and four of Iceland’s most breath-taking waterfalls. This 11-day holiday departs on 26 June and costs £1,885 per person, to include all accommodation, most meals, transfers, the services of a guide and photographic tutor and admission to Mývatn Nature Bath. Again, international flights are not included.

The 14-day Trails of the Deserted Fjords tour, departing 8 July, also takes in the Lake Mývatn area and the remote east coast. Of particular interest to photographers on this tour will be the magnificent geothermal and coastal scenery. Highlights include a chance to photograph a colourful lake located in the crater of an extinct volcano, plus an opportunity to enjoy some superb coastal walks. In addition, two nights spent in a mountain hut ensure that the group has ample access to the stunning scenery for which this region is renowned. This holiday costs £2,515 per person, to include all accommodation, most meals, transfers, the services of a guide and photographic tutor and admission to Mývatn Nature Bath. International flights are not included.

The final holiday in the Iceland programme, the 14-day Highland Exposure tour, departing on 1 August, ventures deep into Iceland’s vast and uninhabited mountain interior. The scenery here is like nowhere else on Earth, affording unique opportunities to photograph vast lava flows, empty deserts, powerful waterfalls, volcanic landforms and Europe’s largest ice cap – the massive Vatnajökull glacier. This adventurous expedition into a rarely-visited region is the perfect choice for serious landscape photographers who are prepared to put in that ‘extra mile’ to capture their dream shots. The holiday costs £2,400 per person, which covers all accommodation, most meals, transfers, the services of a guide and photographic tutor and admission to Mývatn Nature Bath. International flights are not included.

Commenting on the new programme, Wild Photography Holidays’ co-owner, Geraldine Westrupp, said, “Iceland’s young, raw, dramatic landscapes and superb ambient light combine to produce an incredible array of photographic opportunities that are quite simply without equal. By venturing beyond the beaten track, each of our distinctly different and well-paced holidays makes the most of Iceland’s wide open spaces and stunning natural scenery, allowing guests to capture unique images of places that few other visitors have seen”.

With a new ship and new itineraries, Costa Cruises is starting 2010 with a big splash

Costa Cruises, Europe’s leading cruise line, has been a pioneer of the seas since it was founded in 1948, and in 2010 will continue to forge the way. The delivery of a new ship, Costa Deliziosa, will bring the fleet up to 15, enabling Costa Cruises to add new dates, countries and itineraries.

Here’s a selection of some of the exciting new sailings on offer:

Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa- Jewels of the Emirates

7 nights from only £499- save £230 off the full brochure price

When Costa Cruises’ newest ship, Costa Deliziosa, launches in February 2010, the cruise line will be able to offer weekly 7-night sailings from Dubai, onboard ships that befit their glamourous and luxurious home city. Sister ships Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa will both be based in Dubai and will boast a 4D cinema, a roller skating track, the latest generation golf simulator with a real outside putting green, a Grand Prix driving simulator produced from an original GP car and the exclusive 3500 m? Samsara Spa wellness Centre. There won’t be a dull moment whilst passengers cruise from Dubai to the traditional city of Muscat, the unspoilt beaches of Fujairah, the incredible city of Abu Dhabi and the tiny island of Bahrain.

Departs Dubai between December 2009 and May 2010

The price is based on a cruise-only basis, including all meals, entertainment and activities. Flights and transfers can be added for an additional charge.

Costa Atlantica- Colours of Canada

11 nights from only £789- save £390 off the full brochure price

Costa Cruises has launched a new April sailing to Canada and the US, following the destination’s successful introduction in October 2009. Departing on 24th April from Quebec, the itinerary coincides with maple season, when the city’s speciality is a hearty lumberjack breakfast smothered in the fresh sap of the maple trees. April also marks the start of the quintessentially American major league baseball series, so try and catch a game when the ship calls at Boston. Passengers will be able to go whale-watching at Saguenay, visit the home of Anne of Green Gables in Charlottetown, enjoy the quaint maritime settlements of Sydney, Halifax and Bar Harbor and Newport and the big city life of New York.

Departs Quebec on 24 April

The Price is based on a cruise-only basis, including all meals, entertainment and activities. Flights and transfers can be added for an additional charge.

Costa Romantica- Alluring East

21 nights from only £1,479- save £670 off the full brochure price

This 21- night itinerary reads like a wishlist of all the most exotic and must-see places in the world. Starting in Mauritius and cruising on to the Seychelles, Maldives, Cochin, Colombo, Phuket, Langkawi and Port Klang, before reaching the Lion City, Singapore, the itinerary is the perfect combination of sun and relaxation, culture and history, the exotic and the traditional.

Departs Port Louis on 27 March

The price is based on a cruise-only basis, including all meals, entertainment and activities. Flights and transfers can be added for an additional charge.

Costa Luminosa- Greenland

20 nights from only £3,359- save £730 off the full brochure price

Join Costa Luminosa on a new route and explore the largest island on Earth, Greenland. The capital of Nuuk is home to the fascinating National Museum and the country is home to Ililussat-Eisfjord, the most active glacier in the world and appointed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2004.

The cruise departs on 1 August from Amsterdam and also calls at Bergen in Norway, Akureyri and Reykjavik in Iceland and Thorshavn in Denmark for a true arctic adventure. The ship returns to Amsterdam via Invergordon on 21 August.

Departs Amsterdam on 1 August 2010

For more information or to book, go to www.costacruises.co.uk <http://www.costacruises.co.uk/>

or call 0845 351 0552.

Stay in a secluded cabin in Lapland or a cottage in rural Iceland for an unforgettable experience

‘Mesmerising’, ‘enthralling’ and ‘other-worldly’ are just a few words used to describe the Northern Lights. As we approach the darker winter nights, now is the ideal time to witness this ethereal display of lights shimmering and dancing across the sky. For the ideal base for this memorable holiday, visit www.HomeAway.co.uk, where you can find a good range of secluded cottages in some of the best places to spot the magical lights in Iceland, Lapland and Canada, as well as thousands of properties in the northerly parts of the UK, where the Aurora Borealis can still be seen.

Having fascinated the Sámi people for centuries, the spectacular Northern Lights are a purely natural phenomenon shrouded in wonder and astonishment. They reach their peak activity levels from November to March when conditions are more favourable for this fantastical display to light up the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Renting a holiday house through HomeAway Holiday-Rentals will give you the chance to enjoy this incredible phenomenon with your loved ones from the privacy of your own home.

For the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights, we have selected below a couple of rentals in Lapland and Iceland, as well as a secluded Scottish cottage, close to the Galloway Forest Park which was awarded a gold status for the darkness of the sky, meaning that people can enjoy amazing displays of stars, as well as the Northern Lights.

NB: Prices quoted are per property per week and all still had good availability at time of going to press.