Iceland Is Inviting Visitors Into Locals' Homes -- For at Least a Short Time

When a destination is in urgent need of tourism, it often turns to home visits as a way to make its cities more appealing. That was what Denmark did in the 1950s with its famous "Meet the Danes" program. And it's apparently what Iceland -- a country whose economy has met with major reverses -- is now engaged in doing. As part of the "Inspired by Iceland" program ( www.inspiredbyiceland.com ), everyday Icelanders offer visitors a chance to come and meet them and experience something of Iceland from a local's point of view.

[image error] Photo Caption: Aerial view of Reykjavik. lgmadden/Frommers.com Community

The initiative runs though late November, and still has more than 50 invitations on offer -- at least one practically every day of the week. These range widely and include town walks, homemade soup or waffles, farm visits, Northern Lights excursions, shopping tours, goose hunting, geothermal soaks, museum tours, concerts, driving tours, sweater-making, night sailing, or simply sitting down to a cup of tea in someone's living room to discuss literature.

Unfortunately, all the slots appear to have been filled for having pancakes in the home (or rather Presidential Residence) of Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, but if you plan a visit on Nov. 4, you can still sign up to have Icelandic sushi with the mayor of Reykjavik in a historic house.

Tourism is responsible for 20% of Iceland's export revenue, and the country -- not just the government, but the people themselves -- seem determined to extend their tourist season deeper into the early winter, when the Northern Lights shine, Reykjavik nightlife thrives, and proud locals open their homes to share a little slice of Iceland with visitors.