ICELANDTRAVEL DIRECTORY 18Why choose Discover the World - see page 4 For our office opening hours please visit our website This is the oldest and wildest region - remote and stunningly beautiful with countless fjords, precipitous mountains, amazing coastal roads and hidden gems. Sparsely populated, the region is connected to the rest of Iceland by a mere 7km wide strip of land. WEST FJORDS LATRABJARG the impressive bird cliffs at Latrabjarg form the westernmost point of Iceland. At 14km long and 444m high, these sheer cliffs are home to the country's largest concentration of sea birds including puffi ns, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars and guillemots. RAUDISANDUR for those looking for a picturesque walk this incredible 20 km golden sand beach is often deserted and just right for a romantic stroll. ISAFJORDUR the largest settlement in the region ( population 3,500), is located on a spit of land which juts into Isafjardardjup, creating a perfect natural harbour. It has a Maritime Museum with a collection of delightful 18th century timbered buildings which are a popular subject for artists and photographers, and a fi ne fi sh restaurant with marvellous views. Isafjordur also has a domestic airport which links to Reykjavik City Airport. FLATEYRI this typical Icelandic fi shing village has an idyllic setting on the shores of Onundarfjordur. A whale's pelvic bone sits in the main square and a little church completes the picture. DYNJANDI these ' mountain falls', made up of numerous smaller falls, are also known as Fjallfoss. Water tumbles from a height of 100m, fanning out to their base, 60m in width. HORNSTRANDIR this wilderness peninsula is 580 km2 of nature reserve: golden sands; towering bird cliffs; glacial valleys and no inhabitants other than Arctic foxes, seals, cetaceans offshore and a myriad of bird life. Hiking here is the order of the day - some trails inspiring, some for serious contenders only! Hornstrandir is accessible during the summer by boat from the Isafjordur area. ISAFJARDARDJUP this spectacular 75km long fjord almost cuts the region in two, with the remote Hornstandir nature reserve at its northernmost reach. It is one of around fi fty deep fjords, with alternating steep headlands, which make up this least visited part of the country. The fjord, which splits into yet more fjords, provides ample kayaking opportunities and a very scenic drive to Isafjordur. A pretty speck of land ' Vigur' lies within the fjord, boasting Iceland's only windmill and a single farm. Boat trips are possible in the summer months and the unique scenery and prolifi c bird life make it worthwhile. STRANDIR the east coast of the region, or ' Strandir' presents yet more amazing coastlines and a scattering of settlements, mainly associated with fi shing and sheep farming. Visit the once- derelict herring factory at Djupavik, now home to an exhibition of days gone by. Huge amounts of driftwood are washed ashore here from Scandinavia and Siberia and although visitor facilities are limited, the area has a lure of its own with a rich and vivid folklore. Drangsnes and Nordurfjordur compete for the best- sited geothermal bathing pools in Iceland - both are right on the shore! DynjandiRaudisandurFlateyri

tel. 01737 218 800 | discover- the- world. co. uk TRAVEL DIRECTORYICELAND 19 The region beloved of artists, musicians, writers and anyone seeking Viking history and inspiration from nature at its most magical. Snaefellsjokull dominates the region, made famous by Jules Verne as the setting for his novel ' A Journey to the Centre of the Earth'. SNAEFELLSNES AND WEST ICELAND SNAEFELLSJOKULL NATIONAL PARK the famous glaciated cone- shaped volcano sits almost at the region's western tip. It is the focus for much lore and legend and is said to hold mystical powers. Last erupting almost two thousand years ago, at 1446m, the three- pronged snow- capped peak dominates the skyline. The scenic drive around its base offers many side trips to enjoy the area's abundant volcanic and coastal features, whilst glacier tours are bookable locally. BUDIR on the south coast boasts a lovely hotel and quaint wooden church, popular for intimate weddings. Nestled between lava fi elds and with a beautiful sandy beach, Hotel Budir is the perfect place to stop for a drink, gourmet meal or to simply soak up the glorious setting. ARNARSTAPI & HELLNAR these sleepy villages lie at the foot of the glacier and are defi nitely worth a visit. Striking sea stacks literally covered in thousands of birds litter the surf- pounded coastline, which is riddled with an array of rock features - basalt columns, natural arches and hidden caves. Perhaps spot seals playing in the shallows or even dolphins and orcas just offshore as you sip a piping hot coffee at Hellnar's harbour café. RIF, HELLISANDUR & OLAFSVIK a trio of small towns on the tip of the peninsula - Hellisandur has a maritime museum, Rif a huge colony of territorial Arctic terns and Olafsvik an unusual modern church. STYKKISHOLMUR the region's most characterful town where the local restaurants offer the freshest ' catch of the day' has some interesting architecture, including an eye- catching church and charming, colourful timber buildings. Visit acclaimed sculptor Roni Horn's ' Library of Water', and experience the scenic surrounds with a bird watching cruise or day trip to the tiny island of Flatey in Breidafjordur Bay. The 3 hour ferry to/ from the West Fjords departs from here. HRAUNFOSSAR these tumbling falls, 1km wide, emerge from under the lava into the Hvita River. Nearby is enchanting Barnafoss, a set of rapids squeezing through a narrow channel. REYKHOLT & DEILDARTUNGUHVER west of the falls mentioned above is Reykholt. This hamlet is a place of great historical signifi cance for Icelanders - the birthplace of Snorri Sturluson, Medieval literary giant. Iceland's most powerful and largest hot springs, Deildartunguhver, are found nearby. BORGARNES this town can be found on the northern shore of Borgarfjordur, in one of the island's most extensive farming districts. Rich in Saga history, many of the walking trails in the area are infl uenced by historical tales - a good place to start is the excellent Settlement Centre. If you are interested in caving, the Borgarfjordur area has several opportunities, in fact Iceland's largest lava caves can be found at Surtshellir. ArnastapiBudir ChurchHraunfossar