Matador Network's Blog, page 656
May 7, 2021
Thai travel agencies are now selling vaccination vacations to the US
Like many businesses in the travel industry, travel agencies have been struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic. But several Thai travel agencies have found a creative way to remain in business: vaccination vacations.
Unithai Trip, a Bangkok-based tour operator, is offering Thai citizens “vaccine tours” of the US, during which the travelers can get a COVID-19 vaccine. Reuters reported that the agency offers vaccination vacations to San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York. The price of the trip varies on the time gap between the two doses of the vaccine.
Other tour companies offering a similar service include My Journey Travel with a 10-day trip to San Francisco for a Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and Udachi offers a 23-day “VACCation in Russia” to receive its Sputnik V vaccine.
The timing of these tour groups comes when Thailand is having the worst wave of the outbreak since the pandemic started, according to ABC News. At the time of writing, over 45 percent of Americans have received at least one vaccine, while fewer than two percent of Thai citizens have been vaccinated.
Thailand’s tourism ministry warned customers to look closely at the vaccination vacation packages because of varying regulations across the 50 states. Travel agencies cannot guarantee that all of their participants will receive the vaccine during their travels in the US.
Alaska announced that beginning June 1, it will start giving shots to tourists at the state’s major airports, the New York Times reported. Other tourists from places like Canada and South America have also traveled to the US to get the vaccine, as wait times in their countries are much longer between shots than the three to four weeks in the US. 
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You can win the chance to hang out with George and Amal Clooney at their Lake Como home
Lake Como and George Clooney are practically synonymous, and now you’ll finally have the opportunity to learn what it’s like to party in Italy like the Clooneys themselves. George and Amal Clooney have partnered up with Omaze to give away the chance to spend a memorable day with the Clooneys while raising money for charity.
On this day, you will be hanging out at the Clooneys’ Lake Como home, getting to know each other over drinks and some local food, and snapping a photo together to remember it all. Omaze and Clooney will also cover your flight to Italy and a stay in a 4-star hotel (sorry, you don’t get to sleep over at George’s).
All you need to do is enter for free for a chance to win, but if you want to double your chances at winning, you can make a small donation. The more money you donate, the more entries you’ll receive. For example, you get 100 entries for $10, 250 entries for $25, 1,000 entries for $50, and 2,000 entries for $100. All donations will go toward the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ).
According to Omaze, “The Clooney Foundation for Justice advocates for justice through accountability for human rights abuses around the world. CFJ fights for the rights of individuals unfairly targeted by oppressive governments through the courts and works to expose the corruption that fuels grave human rights violations. CFJ also advances justice for marginalized and vulnerable communities targeted by hate, displaced children deprived of opportunities to learn, and refugees seeking to rebuild their lives abroad.”
You can register at Omaze, but hurry. Registration closes July 16, 2021. The winner will be announced around August 4, 2021, but the trip itself won’t happen until “the pandemic over.”
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Queen Elizabeth has a beer now made with plants form her estate
It might be difficult to picture Queen Elizabeth II chugging back an frosty mug of beer, but turns out England’s monarch might be even more of a connoisseur than anyone imagined: People magazine reports that queen recently “approved the sale of a range of beer brewed from plants grown on her Sandringham estate in Norfolk.”
The beer won’t bear her name or her visage. Instead, it’s an ode to the 20,000 acre estate’s extensive garden and farmlands. Brewed locally at Barsham Brewery, in Norfolk, there will be two iterations of beer: a bitter and a golden IPA, represented by a picture of a hare and a pheasant, respectively.
The beer’s label reads, “Made in the UK for the Sandringham Estate.” The Sandringham Estate is a wildlife haven for Pheasants, Hares, Owls and many other species thrive in the wood and farmland habitats.”
The beer will be sold exclusively at the Sandringham estate gift shop for $5.50 for a 500ml bottle (unfortunately for folks who were hoping to sip on it stateside, you have to be there), alongside several other spirits that the British royal family has approved of over the years.
A distillery on the Sandrimgham estate already produces Celebration Gin (which can be purchased through the gift shop’s online store) but Sandringham doesn’t get to have all the fun: Buckingham Palace released its own queen-approved gin back in 2020, which is distilled using plants harvested from gardens on the palace grounds (which is also available to purchase online).
Why the focus on gin? Apparently it’s Queen’s Elizabeth II’s favorite spirit: Gossip abounds, stemming from her loose-lipped former palace chef Darren McGrady, that her favorite tipple is a Dubonnet (A wine based aperitif) and gin cocktail served in a glass filled with a ice and garnished with a slice of lemon.
McGrady revealed that she sips one of these cocktails before lunch, but rumors quickly spread that she drinks as many as four alcoholic beverages everyday: A glass of wine and a dry gin martini with lunch, and a glass of Champagne before bed. The stories spiraled so quickly that McGrady had to actually clarify his stories to CNN: The queen doesn’t in fact drink that much on a daily basis, because if she did, she’d be “pickled,” according to McGrady. But as the longest reigning monarch in the entire history of England, we think she has the right.
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Seattle airport now lets you schedule your TSA screening so you can skip the line
With countries from around the world opening back up, Americans are traveling more and more in 2021. More traveling obviously means longer lines at airport security — in February the Security Transportation Administration (TSA) announced that it was actively hiring 6,000 screening officers to help with the workload.
To make the screening process easier, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is testing SEA Spot Saver, a program that allows passengers to save their spot in line at TSA screening checkpoints. The program will be available for passengers flying with Alaska, Delta, and other airlines in checkpoints two and five at Sea-Tac.
Alaska Airlines gives you the option of booking before you leave, which is up to 24 hours ahead of your scheduled departure, or you can sign up on your travel day upon arrival at the airport.
People flying with Delta and other airlines can book screening times after arriving at Sea-Tac. Travelers with groups set up a single reservation.
Anyone who has TSA pre-checkpoint or Clear cannot use SEA Spot Saver. The program is currently free of charge and does not require a membership.
For more information about the SEA Spot Saver program and to take advantage of it, check out the Port of Seattle’s website.
The pilot program started on May 4 and will run through August 31, 2021.
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The 7 top stargazing locations in New Zealand
You’d think that the night sky would look pretty much the same no matter where you are in the world, but that’s not the case. To see the northern lights you need to head way up north, to see the southern lights you need to go way south, and to see stars, constellations, meteors, and other celestial phenomena clearly, you need a place free of light pollution. A stand-in for Middle Earth by day, by night New Zealand is one of the best destinations in the world for stargazing. The country is home to three Dark Sky locations that allow visitors to admire the night sky in all its colorful and bright glory, and it’s also close enough to the South Pole that you won’t have any trouble seeing an aurora australis. From prime southern lights viewing on Stewart Island to the beachy getaway of Tāwharanui near Auckland, these are the best seven stargazing locations in New Zealand.
1. Aotea, Hauraki Gulf
Photo: Mark Russel
Aotea means “white cloud” in Māori, but don’t let the name fool you. This island has some of New Zealand’s clearest dark skies, largely thanks to its remote location. The sixth-largest island in the country, Aotea (AKA Great Barrier Island) is as off-the-grid as it gets for a truly secluded and peaceful stargazing experience. The island’s 1,000 residents must supply their own electricity through solar, wind, or gas, and there are no streetlights, making for the perfect low-light environment for stargazing. The island is also full of steep forested hills, wetlands, and sandy bogs, and is known for its rugged, untouched beauty. It was the first island in the world to be granted Dark Sky Sanctuary status by the International Dark-Sky Association. Getting there, however, isn’t as difficult as it might sound. Simply take a ferry or short flight from Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.
2. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Canterbury
Photo: Lee Cook
Comprising Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve holds the distinction of being the first reserve awarded gold status — meaning nearly nonexistent light pollution. Outdoor lighting controls help conserve energy and protect local wildlife, as well as ensuring the clarity and darkness of the skies. The Māori, the island’s first residents, used the night sky here to navigate the island, and incorporated astronomy and star lore into their culture. Many visitors to the reserve choose to take a stargazing tour, where you’ll be able to view and learn about constellations only visible in the southern hemisphere, like the Southern Cross and Magellanic Clouds.
3. Rakiura, Southland
Photo: Rebecca Wilson Jennings
Considered one of the best places in the world to view the southern lights, Rakiura, also called Stewart Island, is another New Zealand island perfect for stargazing. The name “Rakiura” itself means “glowing skies”, and true to its name it was designated a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019, with 85 percent of the island protected as a national park. Like all great certified Dark Sky locations, Rakiura has extremely low light pollution and a small population, with just 400 permanent residents. The best viewpoint on the island is the aptly-named Observation Rock, just a half-hour walk from the town of Oban.
4. Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Central North Island
Photo: Tongariro Suites at The Rocks
Known mostly for its dramatic volcanic landscape and vibrantly colored lakes, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park on the North Island is often considered to be one of the best hikes in the world. At night, it’s even better. Not only will you be able to avoid the crowds, but you’ll also enjoy one of the country’s best destinations for stargazing. There’s nothing more spectacular than viewing the vault of stars against the epic backdrop of Mount Ngauruhoe, Mount Tongariro, and Mount Ruapehu. Except, maybe, hiking all the way to the geothermal Red Crater and hanging out long enough to watch the sunrise. Since snow and ice covers much of the crossing from May to October, you’re better off visiting in the summer, unless you’re an experienced ice climber.
5. Martinborough, Wairarapa
Photo: Daniel Rood
With some of the clearest, darkest skies in all of New Zealand, the town of Martinborough is angling to become an official Dark Sky Reserve thanks to its efforts in reducing light pollution. Castlepoint, a nearby beachside town, is one of the area’s best places for stargazing and seeing the Milky Way — and the Castle Point Lighthouse makes for a picturesque backdrop. Great dark-sky viewing can also be found at Stonehenge Aotearoa — New Zealand’s only open-air astronomical observatory — and through an Under the Stars guided experience.
6. Otago Peninsula, Dunedin
Photo: Dunedin
Another perfect place for seeing the elusive aurora australis (southern lights), the Otago Peninsula, on the coast of the South Island near Dunedin, offers a clear view of the night sky. The aurora often appears just over the southern horizon off the shoreline, even reflecting in the water for extra magic. Otago also provides a soundtrack to your stargazing experience, as the calls of coastal birds are always echoing across the inlet. Given Dunedin’s high population density relative to the other entries on this list, the city has taken great strides toward protecting against light pollution, pledging this year to replace all city street lights with 3000K LEDs. Dunedin’s ultimate goal is to become New Zealand’s first Dark Sky City.
7. Tāwharanui, Auckland
Photo: rowannicholson/Instagram
As epic as it might be to go stargazing on one of New Zealand’s most remote islands, it might not be logistically feasible for many travelers. Tāwharanui, just over an hour from Auckland, is probably the country’s most accessible stargazing destination. In addition to being one of New Zealand’s most pristine night skies with relatively low light pollution, the Tāwharanui Peninsula is also home to a renowned beach. The long beach on the northern side of the peninsula is considered one of the best swimming and surfing venues in the country, and there are plenty of nearby grassy areas, farmlands, and even an ecology walking trail that are perfect for stargazing.
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Hawaii declares a climate emergency, and that could make travel more sustainable
This is The Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.
Last week, the state of Hawaii declared a “climate emergency.” Effectively, the 50th state adopted a non-binding resolution to guide the state’s governing and administrating bodies to place climate impact at the forefront of major decisions, both policy-related and financial. The measure, SCR44, is quick and to the point — built upon four points of action to ensure “climate mitigation and adaptation efforts mobilize at the necessary scale and speed.”
Hawaii sees nearly 10 million visitors per year and is the subject of extensive travel coverage in Matador and elsewhere. Much of the state’s economy — 21 percent — is built around and financed by tourism, both through taxation and direct spending. Let’s look at how this bill could impact the experience of visitors, and what it could mean for residents, as well.
Point 1 and Point 2A statewide commitment to a just transition toward a decarbonized economy that invests in and ensures clean energy, quality jobs, and a statewide commitment to a climate emergency mobilization effort to reverse the climate crisis, which, with appropriate financial and regulatory assistance from state authorities, will transform the economy at emergency speed to zero emissions and meet the emission targets as set forth by the IPCC report to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius;
A prohibition against any further public or private investment or subsidies in projects that will make the climate emergency worse, such as coal, oil, gas, and tree-burning projects, and redirecting and channeling subsidies toward low climate impact energy projects and workforce retraining.
These first two action points in Hawaii’s climate emergency plan are big for environmental justice. State Senator Mike Gabbard (yes, that’s the father of former presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard) introduced the measure calling for the state’s addressing of the climate crisis to be “rooted in equity, self-determination, culture, tradition.” Hawaii formally stated in this resolution that “people locally and around the world have the right to clean, healthy, and adequate air, water, land, food, education, and shelter.”
In order to accomplish this goal, the state must draw from local Indigenous communities and embrace land stewardship traditions practiced for thousands of years as they relate to conservation efforts. The state appears to be claiming it will take these factors into consideration when considering new development — such as resorts and tourist attractions. Investment and subsidies in oil and gas development and “tree-burning” are on the way out. While a specific timeline was not set out in the resolution, the state did emphasize “necessary scale and speed” — so expect those massive beachside resorts to be running on renewable energy sooner rather than later.
Photo: emperorcosar/Shutterstock
Points 3 and 4Facilitation of investments in beneficial projects and infrastructure such as zero emissions energy; electric vehicles, including clean fleet transitions for the State and counties; energy efficiency; reforestation; afforestation; climate-smart agriculture; and climate-friendly land use.
Organization and tracking of a time-phased implementation plan that assigns state government agencies’ responsibilities and timetables; establishes task dependencies between departments with a priority to plan and coordinate, at a statewide level, all climate and resilience responses, including emergency mitigation of climate change effects, resilience, adaptation, engagement, education, advocacy, and research and development programs, all of which begin with a robust climate emergency public education and stakeholder outreach process; and requires all departmental reports that utilize a lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis to include a Climate Impacts section, which will provide meaningful information on how proposed actions will impact greenhouse gas reduction efforts;
These two points in Hawaii’s climate emergency plan are big for tourism. First, visitors to Hawaii typically either rent a car or are shuttled around in gas-powered vehicles such as resort shuttles or rideshares. With a renewed focus on moving to electric vehicles along with powering hotels, resorts, and restaurants with renewable energy, Hawaii could drastically reduce its emissions from the tourism sector.
Reforestation efforts will pull more greenhouse gases from the air. Climate-friendly land use and agriculture should involve a commitment to land conservation such as the 30 by 30 initiative, a win for outdoor recreation and Indigenous communities, while also allowing the state to produce more food for its dining sector. And, in the process, the state plans to create a lot of jobs in renewable energy development and deployment.
Though non-binding, the state appears ready to put this resolution into action. That is a massive climate win in itself. But wait — not to sound like a TV salesman — there’s more. Gabbard pointed out during a press conference that Hawaii was the first state to pass a 100 percent renewable energy goal, and that since the state did this in 2015, 16 other states have followed suit. The hope is that the same thing will happen here, and that Hawaii’s climate emergency plan will persuade more states to join Hawaii in declaring a climate emergency as well and in taking drastic measures to stop it.
More climate wins this weekThe US federal government approved a large-scale solar power development on federal land west of Blythe, CA, this week, U.S. News and World Report reported. The 2,000-acre solar farm will produce enough energy to power 90,000 homes drawing energy from local power utility Southern California Edison.
Use of hydrofluorocarbons in refrigeration and air-conditioning units in the US will be heavily restricted by the Environmental Protection Agency, The New York Times reported this week. The dangerous chemical, introduced in the 1980s to replace chlorofluorocarbons, warms the planet at thousands of times the rate of other greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The move to drastically limit the use of HFCs is the EPA’s first major environmental undertaking under the Biden administration.
Alaska Airlines announced this week that it will replace plastic bottled water with Boxed Water in a move intended to reduce plastic waste and make the airline’s food and beverage operations more sustainable. Boxed Water containers are made of 92 percent renewable materials and are recyclable.
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7 stunning historic theaters in West Virginia worth planning a trip around
Belting John Denver while driving unironically down city streets is probably the closest most of us have come to West Virginia’s arts scene. But the state’s country roads aren’t just there to take Denver home; they also connect a network of landmark cinemas and performance arts venues on West Virginia’s Historic Theater Trail.
The trail is comprised of 28 theaters, all of which are currently on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. From the capital city of Charleston to the outskirts of West Virginia’s national forests, these seven theaters are the perfect places to start reshaping your impression of the Mountain State’s cultural heritage.
1. Keith-Albee Theater
Photo: West Virginia Tourism
In 1928, the vaudeville moguls behind the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Corporation oversaw the construction of a new theater in Huntington, West Virginia, commissioning renowned architect Thomas W. Lamb to helm the project. Included in the design was a Wurlitzer organ to play live music during shows. Though the original organ was removed in the 1950s, a second organ dating to the 1920s was installed in 2001. Now operating as the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, the theater has been visited by its share of modern-day Hollywood elites, having hosted premiers for the films Rain Man and We Are Marshall.
Where: 925 4th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701
2. Carnegie Hall
Photo: West Virginia Tourism
Yes, that Carnegie. Built by the steel tycoon responsible for the Manhattan venue of the same name, Andrew Carnegie’s contribution to West Virginia’s cultural landscape was completed in 1902, restored in 1997, and further renovated in 2006. Though it’s not the only Carnegie Hall worth visiting in the United States, this Lewisburg landmark is one of only four that’s continuously used to this day. Whether or not you patronize the venue, its Greek Revival architecture and grand columned portico are worth admiring from afar.
Where: 611 Church St, Lewisburg, WV 24901
3. Robey Theatre
Photo: West Virginia Tourism
The Robey Theatre celebrated its 110th birthday this year, making it the oldest continually operating movie theater in the nation. It was also an early adopter of sound equipment in the late 1920s when silent films fell out of fashion in favor of the “talkies.” Charming as ever, the Robey has retained its Neoclassical and Italian Renaissance design, drawing theater-goers in with its vintage neon sign. Films are still screened here throughout the year.
Where: 318 Main St, Spencer, WV 25276
4. Metropolitan Theatre
Photo: Metropolitan Theatre/Shutterstock
Actor and comedian Don Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, the same year the Metropolitan Theatre was built. He would go on to stage some of his earliest comedy routines there. Dating back to 1924, the theater was originally used as a vaudeville venue and continues to host live performances. Architecturally, it’s appreciated for its Neoclassical Revival style, featuring an ionic facade and egg-and-dart molding.
Where: 371 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505
5. Smoot Theatre
Photo: West Virginia Tourism
When the Smoot Theatre was built in Parkersburg in 1926, it became a stop for traveling vaudeville acts. A few years after it opened, in 1930, it was repurposed as a cinema house after Warner Bros. bought the venue and renovated it in the Art Deco style. Decor from the remodel is one of the theater’s big draws even now. Thanks to a restoration project at the end of the 20th century, visitors can admire the white-and-gold paint job, Austrian chandeliers, and inviting marquee almost as if they were new.
Where: 213 Fifth St, Parkersburg, WV 26101
6. Capitol TheatrePhoto: Capitol Theatre/Facebook
The Capitol Theatre is a stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture, from its arched windows to its classical bas-relief carvings and elegant balustrades. It’s among the grandest venues in West Virginia, valued at one million dollars when it was unveiled in 1928. It had 3,000 seats, two balconies, four solid bronze lighting fixtures worth $1,000 alone, and a fireproof design. The former host of one of the longest-running radio shows in the country, Capitol Theatre now stages both local and national performances, as well as the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.
Where: 1015 Main St, Wheeling, WV 26003
7. Lincoln Theater
Photo: West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail
Decades before silent film star Gloria Swanson uttered her famous line in Sunset Boulevard, “Alright Mr. Demille, I’m ready for my close-up,” she visited New Martinsville to shoot the film Stage Struck. While she was in town, the Lincoln Theater hosted a screening of another of Swanson’s films, Manhandled, and later hosted the world premiere of Stage Struck. The theater did not stay stuck in the silent-film era, however. Sound equipment was installed seven years after it opened, giving a local audience the chance to see the first feature film with synchronized speech, singing, and recorded score in the 1927 motion picture The Jazz Singer.
Where: 242 S Main St, New Martinsville, WV 26155
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South Africa bans tourist interaction with captive lions
Barbara Creecy, the minister of South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment formed a panel in October of 2019 to review South Africa’s policies concerning elephants, lions, leopards, and rhinos. Since then, the panel submitted a 600-page report that recommended banning the captive breeding of lions; canned lion hunts (trophy hunts where lions are in an enclosement); tourist interactions with captive lions; and the selling of lion parts.
Creecy has accepted the suggestions from the panel, and announced on May 2, 2021, that the captive lion industry “did not contribute to conservation and was doing damage to South Africa’s conservation and tourism reputation.” From here, South Africa’s parliament must decide if Creecy’s decision will become law, but since the recommendations have government support, this seems inevitable, prompting a success story for the conservation and welfare of the animals.
Captive lions are often found to live through inhumane conditions in overcrowded farms where they don’t receive proper nutrition or veterinary care. In breeding facilities, lion cubs are often stripped from their mothers within minutes after giving birth so they can get back to breeding more.
In comparison to the 2,000 wild lions in the country, captive lions are estimated to make up between 6,000 to 8,000 lions in the country, according to National Geographic.
Captive lion facilities often offer tourists the opportunity to bottle feed and pet cubs, as well as walk alongside the teenage animals. Once the lions are over a certain age, they are often sold to hunting facilities, and after the lion is killed, their bones are sold for traditional medicine. All of these practices will be banned under the new suggested policies.
“Thousands of farmed lions are born into a life of misery in South Africa every year in cruel commercial breeding facilities,” said World Animal Protection wildlife campaign manager Edith Kabesiime in an email to National Geographic. “This latest move by the government of South Africa is courageous — taking the first steps in a commitment to long-lasting and meaningful change. This is a win for wildlife.”
The report suggests that current bone stockpiles will be destroyed, and all lions currently captive will be humanely euthanized, as captive lions do not do well in the wild when they are released. No permits will be issued for the breeding, keeping, hunting, and use of captive lions for tourist entertainment. Current permits will also be revoked.
Putting the report’s recommendations “will result in both protection and enhancement of South Africa’s international reputation, repositioning the country as an even more competitive destination of choice for ecotourism and responsible hunting,” Creecy told ABC News.
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May 6, 2021
Australia probably won’t be open to international travelers until 2022
Australia has had some of the most stringent closures since the pandemic began. In 2020, it was among the most successful countries in lowering virus cases and keeping its economy open by keeping case numbers to fewer than 30 a day since September 2020. But as many countries around the world are gearing up for summer tourism by introducing policies that may allow vaccinated travelers or those with negative COVID-19 tests to enter, the Australian government remains skeptical. It’s now expected that its borders will remain closed until 2022.
“We recognize that if Australians want to be kept safe and secure … and given uncertainties that exist not just in the speed of the vaccine rollout but also the extent of its effectiveness to different variants of COVID, the duration of its longevity and effectiveness, these are all considerations that mean we won’t be seeing borders flung open at the start of next year with great ease,” Finance Minister Simon Birmingham told The Australian. “…There’s a fragility that underpins all of that.”
Australia had tested a quarantine-free travel bubble with its neighbor New Zealand, but it didn’t last long. After two cases were discovered in Sydney, quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia was paused, according to Reuters. Nearby Hong Kong and Singapore were also testing a travel bubble with each other, but that’s now also being reviewed due to rising cases, according to Bloomberg. That said, both Hong Kong and Singapore have expressed interest in pursuing a similar travel agreement with Australia.
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7 remote, charming, and quirky Icelandic villages worth the detour
Iceland is a country made for road trips with stops like waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic craters that you can drive up to along the main Ring Road. While these often-photographed natural wonders are well worth the visit, there is a whole other side of Icelandic life filled with small fishing villages, geothermal pools, and wildlife sightings that many people miss. You might have to get off the main road in order to find them, but these small towns offer a glimpse into the slower-paced Icelandic lifestyle where nature is front and center. From a small town that has the best seal-watching, to the remote village that is home to the Queen Elf of Iceland, these seven places prove why in Iceland, it’s best to take the scenic route.
1. Hvammstangi
Photo: Vadym Lavra/Shutterstock
This town of Hvammstangi was a trading post in the mid-1800s and now stands as the entrance to the Arctic Coast Way, a scenic drive along the northern coast of Iceland. Before entering Hvammstangi, notice the roadside signs shaped like a seal that advertise the Icelandic Seal Center, which has exhibitions on the different kinds of seals found in the North Atlantic and Arctic region and schedules boat trips and tours to see them.
If you’re not in the mood for a tour, you can try to spot the seals from the harbor or take a short drive to Hvítserkur, a basalt rock structure that appears out of the sea in the Vatnsnes peninsula and is home to a seal colony. According to folklore, the formation was at one time a troll who turned into a rock when he got caught out in the sun.
2. Hólmavík
Photo: kracmarovatereza/Shutterstock
Hólmavík is a fishing village of 400 residents in the Westfjords with a past tied to witchcraft. In the 17th century, a witch hunt in the area led some to be burned at the stake. Most people who stop here do so to see The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft, which shares the history and folklore of witchcraft in Iceland, like magical staves that offer protection and bizarre and unique pair of necropants (death pants). If you still have an appetite after that, the museum has a cafe that serves traditional Icelandic fare like lamb and seafood soup.
Beyond the museum, the Hólmavík campground located on a hill above the fjord is the perfect viewing location for northern lights in the winter or sunsets during the long nights of midnight sun in the summer.
3. Fluðir
Photo: Secret Lagoon Iceland/Facebook
If you’re planning on driving the Golden Circle route, be sure to stop in Fluðir. Located between the town of Selfoss and the Gullfoss waterfall, Fluðir is easily spotted thanks to its many glowing greenhouses that use geothermal energy to grow vegetables year-round. One of the greenhouses, Friðheimar, lets visitors dine among rows of tomato plants. An incredibly popular place that requires booking in advance, the restaurant’s menu uses tomatoes in creative ways, like tomato ice cream and even tomato beer.
In addition to the greenhouses, the village’s hot springs feed into the oldest pool in Iceland, Gamla Laugin (the Secret Lagoon), which is a thermal pool with a gravel floor surrounded by lava rocks. Even if you decide not to go in, you can walk along a boardwalk near the pool to hear the bubbling vents and see a small geysir.
4. StykkishólmurPhoto: Yevhenii Chulovskyi/Shutterstock
You might recognize this fishing village from the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, where it served as a stand-in for Greenland. Located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, an area nicknamed “Iceland in miniature” because it contains all of the trademarks of Iceland — waterfalls, lava fields, and a glacier — in one place. It’s only a two-hour drive from Reykjavik and can easily be visited as a day trip. From the harbor, walk up Súgandisey island, which features a small lighthouse at the top, and take in the view of Breiðafjörður Bay. Many bird watchers come here in the summer to observe the shorebirds such as kittiwakes and arctic terns. The most recognizable building in Stykkishólmur is Stykkishólmskirkja, a modernist church designed to resemble a glacier. Tucked away in a former library in Stykkishólmur is artist Roni Horn’s Library of Water, an unusual exhibition of columns of water collected from the melting glaciers around Iceland. For hikers, the nearby Mt. Helgafell is considered a holy place. According to legend, anyone who climbs the mountain without saying a word or looking backward will get three wishes granted.
5. Siglufjörður
Photo: Angie Ip/Shutterstock
A popular place for hiking trails in the summer and skiing in the winter, this historic fishing village is best known for the largest maritime museum in Iceland, The Herring Era Museum. In the late 1800s, herring became an essential fish for the Icelandic economy, and Siglufjörður’s population grew to over three thousand people to keep up with the demand. This created a gold rush environment that eventually bust when the herring disappeared due to overfishing. The museum describes the exciting rise of the town through five exhibition buildings which include a rebuilt salting station and herring factory. Another use of an old fish factory is the family-owned craft brewery, Seagull 67, which makes IPAs and lagers and organizes tours and tastings.
6. Borgarfjörður Eystri
Photo: marcobrivio.photo/Shutterstock
Borgarfjörður Eystri is a fishing village with less than 100 residents, but that all changes during the summer months when people travel to Borgarfjörður Eystri to see one of the largest puffin colonies in Iceland. The puffins start arriving at the end of April and stay through August and can be found every year at the Hafnarhólmi marina. It’s one of the most accessible places to see puffins up close, thanks to a boardwalk and viewing platforms.
This area is also known for its hiking trails which pass through colorful rhyolite mountains and black-sand beaches. You can even visit Álfaborg, the hill where Borghildur, the Queen elf of Iceland, supposedly lives. Mountain biking is a great way to check out the area, and you can rent a mountain bike at Fjord Bikes or take one of their guided trips where a local shows you all of the secret trails.
7. Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Photo: Weidman Photography/Shutterstock
This town located in the southeast of Iceland looks at first like little more than a place to stop and get gas, but don’t let appearances fool you. Unlike other areas of Iceland that were founded by Viking settlers, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, which translates to “church farm,” was settled by Irish priests. The remains of a 16th-century convent are located in the town center, the result of an archaeological dig.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur also has a fascinating landscape in large part because it is located next to two of the deadliest volcanoes in Iceland, Katla and Laki. Go and check out Kirkjugólfið, a platform of basalt rocks that are so perfectly shaped that they look like human-made tiles or an art installation. While not visible from the road, the platform can be accessed by a parking lot off Route 1 and a quick five-minute hike along a well-marked path. Another short hike to check out is Systrafoss, or Sister’s Falls, located in the middle of the town and is so named because the two waterfalls run side-by-side.
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