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Laugarvatn: Waterproof Entertainment
Where does one go when you only have one day off from work this week, but you’re long overdue for an adventure, something to remind yourself that you are actually in the Iceland that you fell for? Dramatic landscapes, geysers and waterfalls?…
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Art of Defiance: Ukrainian Art Comes To Iceland
Óskar Hallgrímsson and Mariika Lobyntseva, power couple behind textile art collaboration “Comfortable Universe”, join us on video call from Kyiv, Ukraine, with bursts of technicolour visible in the background of their art studio. They have only recently been reunited with their art.…
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Brotherly Beer: New Brews Crackin’ Open In The Westman Islands
Jóhann Guðmundsson on inadvertently turning passion into a job you love while bettering his home, the island of Heimaey “Now I can have as much free beer as I want,” says Jóhann Guðmundsson beaming with pride. It seems like he has already…
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Beluga Whales To Move To Klettsvík Bay Shortly
Beluga whales Little White and Little Grey, who are now based at the Sea Life Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Heimaey in the Westman Islands, will soon move to a new home in Klettsvík bay. On our recent trip to the island,…
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The Islanders: Bergvin Oddsson
Bergvin Oddsson rides his tandem bike through the colourful streets of Heimaey, set against the backdrop of green and misty Vestmannaeyjar. Everyone knows him here and as he rides by, people on the streets greet him affectionately. A restaurant owner, bartender, football…
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Fúsk It! Iceland’s Burgeoning Creative Hub
An ideal driven laboratory, a creative platform, a community hub, a playground for creatives, an organic and living concept that is difficult to reduce to one meagre sentence. However, its name goes a long way. Fúsk, in Icelandic, means ‘doing something even…
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Islands Of Wonder: Winning The Weather Lottery In Vestmannaeyjar
No matter what the gods have thrown at the Westman Islands (known locally as Vestmannaeyjar)—eruptions, turbulent history, harsh living conditions—it seems only to have strengthened its inhabitants, creating a resilient population that lives with endearing optimism and a complete and utter lack…
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“Piercing Crawl”: Our Picks For Piercings In Reykjavík
Piercing has been practised around the globe for centuries, and the general public’s opinion has often been controversial. However you feel about it, we at Grapevine think that piercings should be safe and fun. Our team members chose a piercing studio each,…
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Perfect Day: Helga Kristín Torfadóttir
Helga is a young Icelandic geologist, specialising in volcanology. She has been working on the most recent eruption in Reykjanes, while studying for her PhD, researching Iceland’s largest and most dangerous volcano, Öræfajökull. When she is not testing out spacesuits for NASA,…
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Lost In Translation: Pigs Might Bark
Mad scientists have done it again! Several litters of a new, genetically modified, genius breed of barking pigs have been raised and trained to be part of an elite healthcare task force. Entrusted to eradicate diseases once and for all. This pandemic…
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Complaints Filed Following Incident On Bus To Akureyri
Last week it was reported that two passengers assaulted a driver. Now, two complaints have been filed. Frettablaðið reported on the matter last week, and new developments have arisen. [su_pullquote]If you are coming to Iceland check out our goodie bags that you…
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Emergency Nurse Plans Resignation As Working Conditions Worsen
Emergency nurse Soffía Steingrímsdóttir is set to resign due to long-term stress and the fact that no solution to the staffing problem was in sight. This problem has been brought up to management for several years now, Vísir reports. [su_pullquote]If you are…
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Stories And Connections In The Far West: Skjaldborg Returns
The Skjaldborg festival has nurtured Iceland’s documentary scene since its inception in 2007. Like most other aspects of society, it wasn’t exempt from COVID’s unrelenting grasp. As the saying goes: “You never know what you’ve got till it’s gone.’’ Something tells us…
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Monkeypox Guidelines Published, Isolation Up To Four Weeks
The Directorate of Health has published instructions for the public should the monkeypox reach Iceland. Those infected may have to be quarantined for up to a month. RÚV reports. [su_pullquote]Are you going to Iceland in the near future? Check out all the…
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Icelandic Phallological Museum To Receive Jimi Hendrix’s Penis Cast
The Icelandic Phallological Museum will receive a new piece for their collection this coming month, the cast of Jimi Hendrix’s genitals. RÚV reports. [su_pullquote]Are you going to Iceland in the near future? Check out all the trips you can order from us!…
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Forest Lagoon Opens In Akureyri
The forest lagoon, Skógarböðin, officially opened its doors to guests yesterday. We have been keeping an eye on it for a while, and have reported on their plans back in March. As reported by RÚV, the director of the baths, Tinna Jóhannsdóttir,…
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Power Line to Westman Islands Temporarily Shut For Ravens
Landsnet has decided to take Vestmannaeyjar Line 1 out of operation for the coming weeks due to a couple of ravens who have made their nest at the end of the line at Rimakot. Their fledglings hatched recently, Vísir reports. [su_pullquote]Are you…
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Socialist Party Founder Casts Doubts On Infrastructure Minister’s Housing Bill
Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Infrastructure and chairman of the Progressive Party, presented a bill yesterday which aims to improve housing security and the legal position of tenants. Vísir reports on Gunnar Smári Egilsson, the founder of the Socialist Party in Iceland,…
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Swan Wasn’t Shot, Driver Takes Responsibility
A driver responsible for the death of a swan two days ago has turned himself in to the police in East Iceland, RÚV reports. [su_pullquote]Are you going to Iceland in the near future? Check out all the trips you can order from…
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Magma Collecting Close to HS Orka and Blue Lagoon
About one and a half million cubic meters of magma have accumulated a few kilometers below the surface close to the Blue Lagoon. Land has risen by a few centimeters. Expert Kristín Jónsdóttir explains the matter in detail, RÚV reports. [su_pullquote]Are you…
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President Of Iceland And His Delegation Travel To USA
Last night the President of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, went to the US; specifically, California. There he will lead the Icelandic delegation to a meeting of large American companies in the technology industry. This information comes from a statement issued by the…
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Icelandic Tourism Industry Will Need To Import Upwards of 9,000 Employees
The Icelandic tourism industry needs to bring in seven to nine thousand foreign workers this year and the next, in order to be able to handle the predicted number of tourists, says the director of the Icelandic Tourism Association. RÚV reports. Isavia…
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New In Town: Sirkus
OK, it may not be totally new, but it’s definitely back in town, at long last. After shutting its doors in 2007, the legendary and beloved Sirkus is now reclaiming Reykjavík nightlife, only this time at Lækjargata 6B. The reincarnated locale hopes…
