Tag Archives: Iceland

The Covid-19 Pandemic’s Long-Term Effects on Future Tourist Experiences

Wiping out an estimated 100.8 million travel and tourism-related jobs worldwide, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has effectively brought the industry to an abrupt standstill, currently accounting for a mere 10% of global GDP. Hitting the Asian Pacific region the hardest with an approximate 63.4 million jobs lost, many cling to fleeting hopes of a potential vaccine capable of diminishing this fatal disease. However, while the outbreak may inevitably end, innumerable reports have suggested the tourism industry may take up to 10 months, or longer depending on each individual nation’s restrictive measures, to recover from the heaviest economic blow yet.

The Covid-19 Pandemic’s Long-Term Effects on Future Tourist Experiences

Chambre Séparées

Beyond disrupting the international flow of medical supplies and other essential needs, the disastrous pandemic may change the way civilians work, live, and play, long after the dust settles. Whether it’s short getaways reachable by car and on foot or opting for an increasingly isolated accommodation, much of our newly acquired social distancing habits are here for the long-haul.

The Hialeah Park Casino

With everything from restaurants, cinemas, casinos and the Las Vegas Strip shuttered up for lockdown, businesses aren’t left with any other choice but to adapt their operations, facilities and marketing strategies to a demographic of highly unnerved and health-conscious consumers.

Unveiling the first-ever ‘COVID-Free’ poker table at the Hialeah Park Casino just outside of Miami, the Floridian gambling den prepares itself to provide unparalleled entertainment on top of a whole new set of stringent demands for safety and sanitation. Gone are the days of crowding nine to eleven players around a single regular-sized table, the casino’s latest set-up will officially accommodate no more than four players and one dealer at a time, ensuring appropriate physical distance between each participant, with the added security of a transparent barrier attached to each table.

Following similar ques, is the UNESCO protected Maldivian site known as, the Beach Bubble Tents of Seaside Finolhu resort. Supporting one of the largest groups of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, the overall resort houses up to 125 private villas located on stilts above the lagoon or shoreside. Fully equipped with its own shower and WC, wooden floor, and a double bed clad in the finest bed linen, the Beach Bubble experience promises exclusive beach barbecue sessions, a personal butler and mouth-watering breakfasts on the beach. Conceptualized by ‘Eye in The Sky’, the tent features high-tech polyester fabric, UV-protection, and climate control settings – promising more than uninterrupted views of the vast sky and shoreline.

Perhaps not built specifically in light of Covid-19, the family-owned Panorama Glass Lodge in Reykjavík, Iceland is awe-inspiringly reminiscent of the intimate glass-and-greenhouse-style Chambre Séparées dining experience. Featuring fully furnished cabins to suit your every vibe, the lodge is revered for its exquisite craftsmanship and stylish design details such as traditional horns, cement tiles and warm wood – plus picturesque views of the twinkling night sky, glazed facades, and modern facilities which include a kitchenette, ginormous bedding, bathroom, living area, and an outdoor hot tub. The Panorama Glass Lodge is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and one of the few accommodations equipped with the facilities which allow guests to catch the northern lights on full display without leaving the comfort of their bed.

By Julia Roxan

 

All You Need to Know About Camping in Iceland in 2019

Camping is a great way to see Iceland and experience the power and wonder of this diverse land. It is nice to wake up in a hotel and have breakfast, but sleeping under the stars brings Iceland alive. It also increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights and appreciating the magical wonder of the Midnight Sun. So with this in mind, let’s look at camping in Iceland and how to go about it.

Camper Rental Iceland

Arguably the best way to see Iceland is to hire a campervan and set off on your adventure. Thankfully camper rental Iceland is popular with plenty of offerings where you pick up a decent vehicle. Many, however, go for Campervan Reykjavik as they have a great range of 4 x 4 vehicles. A 4 x4 brings the Highlands of Iceland in reach as they are built to handle the rough terrain that two-wheel drive vehicles can’t cross.

To get a good idea of what is available, you should consider looking at rental agency reviews to make an informed choice.

Camping in Iceland

There are certain rules to follow when camping in Iceland. Broadly, they are:

  • You can only camp in designated campsites. This shouldn’t be an issue as there are more than 40 sites across the country.
  • If you want to camp on cultivated or farmland, then you need the permission of the farmer, and you need to get permission for each night you are planning to stay.
  • You must never camp in prohibited sites such as UNESCO protected areas and sanctuaries.
  • You need to get permission if you plan to pitch more than three tents.
  • You need permission to pitch if you plan to use a campervan, caravan, tent campers or tent trailers outside organized campsites or urban areas.

It is a good idea to plan your Icelandic road trip around campsites locations. This way, you can book in advance and know you have a place to pitch up. You can also check out the facilities for each one and the proximity to local amenities to top up your supplies.

If you are an experienced camper, you should know what equipment you need. In addition, it is a good idea to bring spare provisions, flashlights, first aid kits and medications you need, together with extra blankets as being in the Arctic Circle it gets cold! Bringing a few extra gallons of gas is recommended.

Also, pay attention to weather forecasts as cold fronts can hit from out of nowhere and you don’t want to get stranded on a hike.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Great Places to Camp in Iceland

Depending on where you are planning to go, and the vehicle you have, here are a few suggestions to bring your Icelandic adventure alive:

Ring Road Tour

Iceland’s Ring Road runs around the edges of the country, and many of the more popular attractions are here. It is easily driveable in a two-wheel drive car as it is a paved road. You can combine this with a Golden Circle Tour as well.

Dettifoss Falls

Taking the Ring Road you can see:

  • The Blue Lagoon – Submerge yourself in the milky blue nourishing geothermal spa. Feel refresh, alive and quite wonderful.
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – This beach is about an hour from Reykjavik and is remarkable to walk along taking in the geology. This includes caves and basalt columns and sea stacks.
  • Dettifoss Waterfall – One of the most spectacular and powerful waterfalls in Europe, you can feel the ground tremble as you get close to it. The power of it is incredible, and you can combine it with a trip to the northern city of Akureyri.

Geysir geothermal area

The Golden Circle

Iceland’s Golden Circle is the most visited location in the country. It is a southern ring road where two-wheel drive vehicles will do you proud. Here you can see:

  • Thingvellir National Park – Discover the cradle of Icelandic civilization and visit the place where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
  • Geysir Geothermal Area – Visit the geothermal area where water is blasted over a hundred feet in the air and learn about your planet.
  • Gullfoss Waterfall – See the amazing waterfall from above and marvel at the split level cascading rivers.

Landmannalaugar

With a 4 x 4 campervan, the country opens up as the Highlands become accessible at least in the summer. With this in mind, you should visit Landmannalaugar, part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. This region has a host of wonders, and it is worth a few days hiking to see the highlights which include:

  • The Rhyolite Mountains – These colorfull slopes are formed by rhyolite lava mingling with other minerals such as sulphur, iron, and moss. The result is rich shades of yellow, pink, red, and blue with a splash of brown.

Lava fields

Highlights include Brennisteinsalda and Bláhnúkur, where their colors play off one another thanks to their proximity.

  • Lava Fields – The Laugahraun lava fields are a truly remarkable experience where you feel like you are walking in another world thanks to the remarkable rock formations.

Iceland is a fantastic country and one that is suited to camping.