-
Abandoned Iceland #16: Glymur, Second-Highest Waterfall In Iceland
For this edition of Abandoned Iceland we sent the Grapevine’s Waterfall Enthusiast Division (aka Poppy Askham and Art Bicnick) to Glymur, a 198m tall waterfall in Iceland. Awe-inspiring views, amazing bird life, and some dicey river crossings – just a standard day…
-
Abandoned Iceland #15: Westfjords – Rauðasandur & Látrabjarg
Join Poppy Askham on a “tropical” Westfjords getaway to Rauðasandur, a beautiful copper-toned beach with an intriguing past and Iceland’s westernmost point – Látrabjarg, a 14km sea cliff, home to tens of thousands of seabirds. There’ll be puffins, seals and bucketfuls of…
-
RVK Newscast #19: Tougher borders, a minister in trouble and airline bailout
Borders in Iceland have undergone further restrictions after the government decided everyone that come to Iceland have to quarantine for five days and undergo 2 tests within a week. The Minister of Tourism is in trouble after she was accused of ignoring…
-
Horror-Scopes: Taurus, You Nasty Witch
In Horror-Scopes, the Grapevine’s dedicated team of amateur astrologists give you their mystical insights on how to live a long and fulfilling life. Think of us as psychic grandmas. We love you. Aries Your best friend isn’t actually vegan. She’ll never admit…
-
COVID-19 In Iceland: Double Screening And 4-5 Day Quarantine For All Arrivals
From August 19th, all travellers arriving in Iceland will be required to undergo two COVID-19 screenings and quarantine for 4-5 days in between tests, the health ministry announced today. Arrivals will be tested once at the border and a second time several…
-
It’s Pronounced Breiðavík not Benidorm: A “Tropical” Westfjords Getaway
Bienvenido to the Costa de Westfjords. Swap sandals for hiking boots, bikinis for anoraks, and ice-cold sangria for flasks of steaming coffee. And for the love of god, give up on any dreams of a sun tan. Escape to the country…
-
Food Of Iceland: Snúður, Our Favourite Chocolate-Covered Cliché
Want a quintessentially Icelandic way to achieve a rapidly diminishing bank balance and even more rapidly growing waistline? Look no further than the humble snúður (literally ‘twist’), our native species of cinnamon roll. Ok so we grudgingly acknowledge that the cinnamon roll…
-
Just A Small Town Boy: Meet Grapevine Fringe Award Winner Arnór Daði
Silhouetted against the red velvet curtain, mic in hand, Arnór Daði Gunnarsson exudes an irresistible awkward charm. Though you’d never guess it from his easy stage presence, he’s in the midst of his Reykjavík Fringe Festival debut and the premier of his…
-
Rifts, Rain And Rebirth: Up Close And (Very) Personal With The Þríhnúkagígur Volcano
Childhood adventure books led me to believe that descending into a volcano would be a far more frequent occurrence than it has proven to be in my life so far. Today, with the help of the Inside The Volcano tour at Þríhnúkagígur,…
-
Joy And Jollof Rice: Introducing Ogolúgo, 101’s Only African Restaurant
Ogolúgo means “welcome” in Hausa and the name couldn’t be more fitting for Laugavegur’s latest culinary arrival. Since its early July opening, the team behind the restaurant have been determined to deliver a taste of Africa to 101 by offering a host…
-
RVK Newscast #18: A Major COVID-19 Update
Poppy Askham and Valur Grettisson discuss the latest developments in Iceland’s second wave of COVID-19 infections and a new documentary series from Samherji, plus there’s some spooky goings on in Akureyri. It’s Poppy’s final newscast before she leaves the Grapevine team, but…
-
Long-Term COVID-19 Planning Team Appointed
A new five-member team will soon be appointed to oversee COVID-19 response measures until 2021. The establishment of the committee was announced in a government statement signalling the start of “another chapter” in Iceland’s COVID-19 response. The Health Ministry intends to prioritise…
-
Culture Pick: Gilbert & George At Hafnarhús
Hafnarhús is hosting an extensive overview of Gilbert & George’s boundary-breaking artwork this summer. Perhaps two of the most influential contemporary artists of the last five decades, the duo are known for their pioneering performance pieces, bold photo-based graphics and anti-elitist “Art…
-
deCODE Rejoins Border Screening Initiative To Relieve Pressure On Landspítali
Icelandic genetic research company, deCODE will once again begin assisting the health authorities with analysis of COVID-19 samples taken from travellers at the border, Visir reports. In recent days, passenger numbers have strained Landspítali’s testing capacity. Over 2,100 passengers were screened yesterday,…
-
Iceland’s Public Expenditure On Culture Third Highest In Europe
Iceland’s proportion of total government expenditure that is contributed towards cultural services is the third highest in Europe according to the latest data from Statistics Iceland. The Icelandic government spent 2.5% of its total annual expenditure on cultural services in 2018. The…
-
COVID-19 In Iceland: Traveller Diagnosed In Akureyri, Family Quarantined
A traveller from abroad has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Akureyri. The individual tested negative for the virus at the border but was diagnosed at a second screening this week. Gylfi Þór Þorsteinsson, an epidemiological centre supervisor confirmed the infection to Fréttablaðið.…
-
COVID-19 In Iceland: 11 New Infections, 50 Active Cases
Eleven new domestic infections were detected yesterday, bringing the total number of active infections to 50, according to covid.is. Nine of the eleven individuals who tested positive on July 30th were not in quarantine before their diagnosis, Jóhann K. Jóhannsson, Director of…
-
RVK Newscast #16: A Major COVID-19 Update
Poppy Askham brings you the latest in Icelandic news as health authorities reinstate a series of tougher restrictions in an attempt to bring domestic infection rates back under control. Landspítali reported the first COVID-19 hospitalisation since May and there are now 39…
-
Happening TONIGHT! Crapapella Live With Jono Duffy And Kimi Tayler
For one night and one night only, the good people of Reykjavik will be treated to a musical extravaganza from two greats of the Capital’s queer comedy scene, Jono Duffy and Kimi Tayler. We’re talking two hours of live covers, terrible costumes,…
-
BREAKING New COVID-19 Restrictions: 2-Metre Distancing, 100 People Gathering Ban, Masks Mandatory On Public Transport
Tougher restrictions have been re-imposed ahead of the Merchants’ Weekend bank holiday, in response to a spike in the number of domestic infections in recent days and the first COVID-19 hospitalisation since May. Health Minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir announced new rules that will…
-
COVID-19 In Iceland: Tougher Rules Expected, Kári Stefánsson Issues Warning
The Icelandic Government and health authorities are considering reimposing tougher COVID-19 restrictions amidst a spike in the number of domestic infections. Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason is expected to deliver a new set of proposals to the Health Minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir later today.…
-
Coming Soon To A Fjörð Near You: The Elja Ensemble’s Summer Tour
The Elja Ensemble are hitting the road, delighting Icelanders from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Ólafsfjörður with their musical mastery all summer long. Known for energetic performances and exciting programmes, the ensemble features some of Iceland’s finest young classical musicians, many of whom are well-established…
-
COVID-19 In Iceland: Restriction Easing Postponed Following Rise In Cases
Easing of restrictions on gathering sizes and opening times for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues will be delayed for a further two weeks due to a new spate of domestic infections. As reported, the previous proposal was to allow bars to stay…
