WELCOME TO BORGARFJÖRÐUR
Few words from Tobba
Dear friends,
Now the time is running very very fast and we are getting so excited to welcome you here in Iceland.
The weather forecast for next week is not too bad, the temperature is rising above 0°C and you might be expecting some rain but we will see it better in the next few days how the weather will be treating us.
(https://www.yr.no/place/Iceland/Vesturland/Borgarnes/long.html)
But I think it will be a good idea to bring wind- and rain proved clothing if possible.
We will be using the swimming pool that we have here at our school a lot so please bring swimsuit, you will also use it at the Blue Lagoon.
And since our country is known for being the country of ICE & FIRE our volcanos are reminding us now and then that they exist and have been shaking themselves a bit – so it will be interesting to follow the news about them, but don’t worry – we are not going to hike up a volcano J (http://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/earthquakes).
I will add more information here in the next few days so stay tuned
Tobba
Who hosts whom
Þórður - Noora
Gísli - Olli
Marianna - Aura
Stefan – Adele
Agusta - Iida
Sigursteinn - Roosa
Daniel – Venla & Emma
Óskar - Sofia
Tryggvi – Josefine & Hilla
Elvar - Veera
Official Program
Monday March 27th
| 15:25 | Arrival at Keflavík airport - Bus will be waiting there to take you to GBF-Varmaland |
| 18:30 | Welcome to GBF-Varmaland by the principal. Soup for everyone. |
| 20:00 | Stutents go home to their families |
Tuesday March 28th
| 08:30 | Project working and participating in lessons |
| 12:25 | Lunch at school |
| 13:00 | Visit Borgarnes - nearest town to GBF Varmaland |
| - Settlement Centre http://www.landnam.is/english/ | |
| - Transportation Museum | |
| 15:00 | Walk around Borgarnes |
| 17:00 | Meeting young people at Borganes - Group dinner |
| 21:00 | Return to families |
Wednesday March 29th
| 08:30 | Breakfast at school |
| 09:00 | Departure by bus |
| - Reykholt | |
| - Hraunfossar/Barnafoss | |
| 11:00 |
- Víðgelmir http://www.thecave.is/ |
| - Lunch pack | |
| - Háafell Goat farm | |
| - Deildartunguhver - Hot spring | |
| 15:00 | Return to families |
Thursday March 30th
| 08:30 | Project working and participating in the lessons |
| 13:00 | Visit to Laugaland Greenhouses |
| 16:00 | Student make traditional meat soup all together |
| 19:00 | Party and sleepover at GBF-Varmaland |
Friday March 31st
| 08:30 | Breakfast at school |
| 09:00 | Departure by bus |
| - Þingvellir | |
| - Geysir | |
| Lunchpack | |
| - Gullfoss | |
| - Reykjavík (shopping time) | |
| 17:00 | Dinner in Reykjavík |
| 19:00 | Blue Lagoon |
| 21:00 | Farewell to Finish students and teachers in Keflavik |
Saturday April 1st
Departure day
Borgarnes
Borgarnes lies in the middle of West Iceland about 75 km from Reykjavík City Centre.
In Borgarnes you can create an unforgettable holiday: breakfast and a beautiful view at Geirabakarí, Relaxing in the Skallagrímsgarður public Park, Visiting the bird and photography exhibition at the Borgarfjörður Museum, watching the saga exhibits at the Settlement Centre. hiking in Einkunnir Country Park or climbing the Hafnarfjall mountain. Shopping in the local stores, take a dive at the Borgarnes Swimming Pool, eating delicious meal made from local products in the restaurants, and resting in one of the town's hotel, guesthouse, or B&Bs.
And don't forget to take a walk along the beach or stop at the playground Bjössaróló were children of all ages can play for hours.
Information: http://www.west.is/en/west-iceland-regions/borgarnes
The Settlement Centre
The Settlement Centre is located in the village of Borgarnes just one hours drive from Reykjavik on road no 1 towards the north.
Exhibitions
In two exhibitons The Settlement Centre tells the Saga of The Settlement of Iceland and Iceland´s most famous viking and first poet Egill Skallagrimsson. It gives the traveler a good foundation for further knowledge when traveling in Iceland. Audio guides in 14 languages: English, German, French, Italian, Polish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Dutch and Icelandic. A complete circuit of each exhibition takes about 30 minutes.
Settlement Exhibition
This exhibition provides an insight into the settlement of Iceland. It tells how the land was discovered, how the Viking sailors conquered the open ocean and why they left their homelands in Norway. It tells of the first men to set foot on the island and how the land was settled up to the establishment of the first parliament in the world, the Althing, at Thingvellir in 930AD. Multi-media and theatrical techniques are employed to help the visitor experience first hand the trepidation and exitement of setting off over the open ocean for lands unknown.
Egil´s Saga Exhibition
This exhibition profiles one of the most colourful of all the saga heroes, Egil, the son of Skalla-Grím Kveldúlfsson. One of the very first settlers, Egil's father arrived from Norway just 10 years after the first land had been claimed. The Saga of this family's pioneering and settlement of the Borgarfjörd region provides a brilliant insight in the tumultuous years of settlement. Egil himself is a larger than life hero, an intriguing combination of violent Viking and sensitive poet. The saga is a complex and vibrant intertwining of battles and love affairs, sorcery and pagan lore.
Restaurant & Café
The restaurant & café offers a selection of soups & starters, vegetarian courses, fish and meat dishes, children's menu, deserts and cakes. Hot beverages, wines and beer.
Shop
The gift shop, Hladhond, offers selection of souvenirs, crafts and design.
Information: http://www.west.is/en/west/index/culture-amp-arts/museums/the-settlement-center
Víðgelmir
Hailed as the mightiest of Iceland's caves, its diversity and grandeur is unrivalled. This makes for an experience not to be forgotten. Just shy of 1600 meters / 5250ft, the cave features amazing colours and lava formations that lurk in the depths of the earth.
We offer a family friendly tour that all generations can enjoy, thanks to our all new signature walkway and feature lighting. For those who desire more physical activity we offer a half day tour to the caves end.
Caves are often dark, tight and uninviting places; how ever this is not the case in Víðgelmir lava cave. What used to be slow traveled rugged terrain is now easy and enjoyable. Leading from one great hall to the next our path is lit slightly flowing through this magical underworld.
Information:
http://www.west.is/en/inspiration/services/thecave
http://www.thecave.is/