For those who admire art and culture, Reykjavik can be a paradise as it has got everything from ancient Icelandic sagas to the feel of modern Icelandic art. One can sense the continuous flow of soft music coming from some corner 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Two main events of music and culture are organized every year in Reykjavik. They are the cultural night and the Reykjavik arts festival. Other than these two, numerous musical and cultural events are organized here all year round. Some of them are mentioned below.
Galleries
There are two types of galleries namely the general and the commercial gallery. Both these showcase a huge variety of arts ranging from archetypical Icelandic art to works done by modern and contemporary artists from Iceland. Exhibitions of foreign artists are also conducted here from time to time. Most of the art galleries are situated in Skolavordustigur and close to Laugavegur. Both these are very close to Reykjavik city centre. Entry to most of these art galleries is all free for local citizens. It is said about Icelandic art piece that an original one can be a best memento of your life
Museums
Glorious past of Iceland and its Vikings can be seen in many museums and galleries situated in Reykjavik. You can know every small fact connected with the history of Iceland at the national museum of Iceland whereas you can see a longhouse of the time of Vikings at the Reykjavik settlement exhibition. Moreover, you can get one on one with the literary history of Iceland at cultural house. Visual art is also developing in Reykjavik. The main galleries showcasing this are The National Gallery and The Three-Fold Reykjavik Art Museum. Many exhibition houses and small art galleries are present all around to increase the interest of visitors. Other famous exhibition area of Reykjavik are the open air folk museum, museum of photography and numismatic and electric and telecommunications museum.
Theater and opera
Reykjavik was selected as one of the most cultural cities of Europe in the year 2000 and still one cannot believe that it has held its reputation of being so. Reykjavik has numerous symphony orchestras, an opera house, many theatre companies and an Icelandic dance company which is very famous in Europe and North America. The capital city has accommodated two professional theatre companies and numerous amateur and independent groups. These two are the city theatre and the national theatre. These two groups have produced world class classics to very sharply done experimental works. Productions are all over Iceland and very often they get to see some production coming from some neighboring country. At the Icelandic opera house, one can hear the operas of all types. The specialty here is that here operas are sung in original with using Icelandic subtitles. The Icelandic dance company which lives in the city theatre focuses more in remixing traditional dance with a modern one.
Not only the citizens there but the visitors of Reykjavik also stay enchanted and captivated all year round by the continuous shows, performances and cultural happenings taking place there.
Author Bio:
Asberg Jonsson is the manager of Iceland Visitor, a company specializing in packages for Vacation in Iceland and day tours in Iceland. For more information visit www.icelandvisitor.com
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Reykjavik – the heart of the Icelandic economy
Till 1990, Iceland was a very slow runner in the race of developing their economy. It was only after 1990 that it gained momentum and is still running very fast towards becoming a developed and a self-sustained economy. The recoveries that Iceland’s economy has made are; it has one of the world’s highest growth rates, very low inflation rate and employment rate is very high. There are many factors that can be held responsible for such a rapid development but the main are correct resource management, stability in prices, upgradation of stock exchange etc. All these reforms came from the capital city so; we can say that the capital city Reykjavik is the biggest cause of such speedy growth of Icelandic economy.
Reykjavik – the capital of Iceland is a small city which can be seen very efficiently either by walking on your own or through public transport. Not only in Reykjavík, but you can also go around this city where there are number of tourist spots and they are minutes away from Reykjavik. It is a guarantee that the visitors will feel that the pure and natural energy is rejuvenating their mind and soul, whether it’s coming from nearby geothermal pool or from the natural green energy around the city. Reykjavik has everything that a big metro city often misses i.e. fun, space, clean air, nature and a blend of cultures. Reykjavik can be called a complete city as it also holds the very beautiful blend of modern and older cultures which are complimented by beautiful raw nature. It spread across the peninsula and Atlantic Ocean is surrounding from all sides. This view becomes very magnificent and glorious when viewed from an aero plane. You can navigate the entire city without a guide because people here are very friendly and welcoming. For them, a visitor is a God and they are ready to help you anywhere, anytime. Public transport system is not excellent but it can be rated as ‘very good’ because a very good network of city busses is plying between capital city Reykjavík and its suburb cities and taxis are available 24/7.
Most of the Icelanders live around Reykjavík and this is the reason why main government offices of Iceland are situated here. The Icelandic parliament, the main hospital of Iceland, the second largest airport, the University of Iceland, the national museum and many other important offices and institutions are situated in Reykjavík. The inclusion of all these and many others makes this city, a little bit more energetic and important than other cities in Iceland.
Reykjavik was just like other small towns of Iceland till twenty years back. It is in these two decades that it has grown into a full-fledged and very charismatic metro city which has shopping malls, very lively and sparkling nightlife, traffic jams like any other big city of the world, museums, cultural activities, good food, festivals and much more. This is the reason why Reykjavík has also gained independence, financially as well. People have become more lavish and love to spend money for good services.
In all, there is no doubt that Reykjavík has slowly developed into a charger for those whose batteries are out of order due to blind race of life. They can charge up their batteries here as this city contains everything that can make them feel that they are just born.
Author Bio:
Asberg Jonsson is the manager of Iceland Visitor, a company specializing in packages for Vacation in Iceland and day tours in Iceland. For more information visit www.icelandvisitor.com
Reykjavik – the capital of Iceland is a small city which can be seen very efficiently either by walking on your own or through public transport. Not only in Reykjavík, but you can also go around this city where there are number of tourist spots and they are minutes away from Reykjavik. It is a guarantee that the visitors will feel that the pure and natural energy is rejuvenating their mind and soul, whether it’s coming from nearby geothermal pool or from the natural green energy around the city. Reykjavik has everything that a big metro city often misses i.e. fun, space, clean air, nature and a blend of cultures. Reykjavik can be called a complete city as it also holds the very beautiful blend of modern and older cultures which are complimented by beautiful raw nature. It spread across the peninsula and Atlantic Ocean is surrounding from all sides. This view becomes very magnificent and glorious when viewed from an aero plane. You can navigate the entire city without a guide because people here are very friendly and welcoming. For them, a visitor is a God and they are ready to help you anywhere, anytime. Public transport system is not excellent but it can be rated as ‘very good’ because a very good network of city busses is plying between capital city Reykjavík and its suburb cities and taxis are available 24/7.
Most of the Icelanders live around Reykjavík and this is the reason why main government offices of Iceland are situated here. The Icelandic parliament, the main hospital of Iceland, the second largest airport, the University of Iceland, the national museum and many other important offices and institutions are situated in Reykjavík. The inclusion of all these and many others makes this city, a little bit more energetic and important than other cities in Iceland.
Reykjavik was just like other small towns of Iceland till twenty years back. It is in these two decades that it has grown into a full-fledged and very charismatic metro city which has shopping malls, very lively and sparkling nightlife, traffic jams like any other big city of the world, museums, cultural activities, good food, festivals and much more. This is the reason why Reykjavík has also gained independence, financially as well. People have become more lavish and love to spend money for good services.
In all, there is no doubt that Reykjavík has slowly developed into a charger for those whose batteries are out of order due to blind race of life. They can charge up their batteries here as this city contains everything that can make them feel that they are just born.
Author Bio:
Asberg Jonsson is the manager of Iceland Visitor, a company specializing in packages for Vacation in Iceland and day tours in Iceland. For more information visit www.icelandvisitor.com
Tips for driving safely in Iceland
Iceland is quite different from rest of the world and the same can be said when is comes to traveling in Iceland. Traveling is also very different in Iceland. Here in Iceland, everything i.e. road conditions, weather conditions and type of vehicle puts impact on the traveling. Road condition in Iceland is not that good or some would simply say – quite different as compared to other Nordic countries. Only highway number 1 is the paved road and is the widest in the country otherwise most of the other roads are narrow, steep and with very sharp turns. Hence, it becomes very difficult to drive for those who are unfamiliar with driving on these types of roads. When you are hiring a vehicle it is advised to choose the car very wisely and choose a vehicle that they are habitual of driving so that they can handle it in a more efficient manner.
Following are some tips to drive in Iceland if you have driven only on the broad roads of Los Angeles and London.
» Keep your vehicle at a very slow speed when you cross another moving vehicle, especially on a exasperate road.
» Always cut down on speed when the road is changed from paved to gravel road as many accidents are seen at such places all around Iceland. Drivers who are new with this condition must drive very carefully as there is very frequent chance of loosing control and driving off the road.
» Blind submits are very common in almost every part of Iceland so, it is strictly advised to keep very slow and always keep on right hand side of the road.
» It is seen all around Iceland that most of the roads are constructed on edges against winter snows. That’s why rollover accidents are very common when drivers drive fast and lose their control a little bit. Drivers should be very careful against these types of accidents and drive very slow.
» In summer season, light is available for 24 hours. Drivers should remember that they do not drive for too long hours otherwise they will get tired and might fall sleep or feel dizziness while driving. A slightest of mistakes like this can prove very fatal on roads of Iceland.
» In Iceland, prescribed speed limit is very important. In cities it is 27 MPH, outside cities, on paved roads it is 55 MPH and on unpaved roads it is 50 MPH. On roads like Iceland have, following speed limit is very important.
» Domestic animals often come on roads while grazing and roaming. Drivers should take care of them as they may be required to pay the damage to the owner and also the fine to the local authorities.
» Using hands free equipments is mandatory throughout Iceland if you want to talk on phone while you are driving.
» Driving after getting intoxicated from drugs or alcohol or any other thing is strictly prohibited.
» Just like the entire world, using seatbelts of front and back side is obligatory and this law is very strictly maintained in Iceland.
» Use of headlights is also mandatory while the vehicle is in operation. This is because headlights help vehicles to get noted faster.
Author Bio:
Asberg Jonsson is the manager of Iceland Visitor, a company specializing in packages for Vacation in Iceland and day tours in Iceland. For more information visit www.icelandvisitor.com
Following are some tips to drive in Iceland if you have driven only on the broad roads of Los Angeles and London.
» Keep your vehicle at a very slow speed when you cross another moving vehicle, especially on a exasperate road.
» Always cut down on speed when the road is changed from paved to gravel road as many accidents are seen at such places all around Iceland. Drivers who are new with this condition must drive very carefully as there is very frequent chance of loosing control and driving off the road.
» Blind submits are very common in almost every part of Iceland so, it is strictly advised to keep very slow and always keep on right hand side of the road.
» It is seen all around Iceland that most of the roads are constructed on edges against winter snows. That’s why rollover accidents are very common when drivers drive fast and lose their control a little bit. Drivers should be very careful against these types of accidents and drive very slow.
» In summer season, light is available for 24 hours. Drivers should remember that they do not drive for too long hours otherwise they will get tired and might fall sleep or feel dizziness while driving. A slightest of mistakes like this can prove very fatal on roads of Iceland.
» In Iceland, prescribed speed limit is very important. In cities it is 27 MPH, outside cities, on paved roads it is 55 MPH and on unpaved roads it is 50 MPH. On roads like Iceland have, following speed limit is very important.
» Domestic animals often come on roads while grazing and roaming. Drivers should take care of them as they may be required to pay the damage to the owner and also the fine to the local authorities.
» Using hands free equipments is mandatory throughout Iceland if you want to talk on phone while you are driving.
» Driving after getting intoxicated from drugs or alcohol or any other thing is strictly prohibited.
» Just like the entire world, using seatbelts of front and back side is obligatory and this law is very strictly maintained in Iceland.
» Use of headlights is also mandatory while the vehicle is in operation. This is because headlights help vehicles to get noted faster.
Author Bio:
Asberg Jonsson is the manager of Iceland Visitor, a company specializing in packages for Vacation in Iceland and day tours in Iceland. For more information visit www.icelandvisitor.com
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