Top 10 European Destinations 2013: Visit North Iceland Says Lonely Planet

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND–(Marketwired – Jul 4, 2013) –  North
Iceland has been named as one of the best places to visit in
Europe, making Lonely Planet’s Top 10 European Destinations list
for 2013.

“Few destinations seem to be attracting as much word-of-mouth
love as Iceland right now. With a small window of
affordability, popular Icelandic bands, mystery writers, and a
seeming worldwide need for a long soak in a hot spring, Iceland
seems to be on every traveller’s mind this year,” explained Andy
Murdock, U.S. digital editor of Lonely Planet.

Lonely Planet’s team of editors, local experts and wide-roaming
authors from the U.S. and London compiled the list, recommending
that travellers venture away from Reykjavik and the popular Golden
Circle route to experience the charms of the North including
Iceland’s second city Akureyri, as well as the region’s “dramatic
geysers, lava fields and towering waterfalls.”

Murdock continued, “Explore lava fields, waterfalls like you’ve
never imagined, horseback rides and great whale watching out of
Husavik (an hour from Akureyri).”

North Iceland Marketing Office’s general manager Arnheiður
Jóhannsdóttir commented, “We are proud to hear that
Lonely Planet has seen the potential in North Iceland, which is an
area that has been growing in popularity during the past years. We
have many of Iceland’s most popular natural attractions such as
Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall and on Grimsey island
you can cross the Arctic Circle. The area is very versatile and
attracts visitors all year round including the winter months when
the magical Northern Lights dance in the sky and you can enjoy
watching seals, whales, take on exciting jeep tours or simply enjoy
the icy landscape. Additionally, visitors can now get direct
connecting flights from Europe and the U.S. to Akureyri in North
Iceland with Icelandair, making it even more accessible for those
wanting to explore this part of the country.”

Myvatn Nature Baths, an outdoor geothermal pool similar to the
popular Blue Lagoon, was also noted by Lonely Planet as a great
reason to visit the North. The chance of spotting the Northern
Lights was also noted as being higher than ‘in even more northern
parts of Scandinavia.’

To learn more about North Iceland and all of its attractions,
visit

www.northiceland.is.