Spirits in the West
This is an unconventional combination of impressive nature, Icelandic Saga History and a comparison of Iceland's ancient and modern drinking traditions (samples included)! We start by driving around the beautiful Hvalfjörður bay with a short stop at the former whale-processing plant and over to Borgarfjörður District . Here we visit the hot springs of Deildartunguhver, the Medieval historic site of Reykholt, where the historian Snorri Sturluson lived -and died, and the intriguing lava falls, Hraunfossar. On our way to lunch in a charming restaurant in Borgarnes Town, we visit the distilling site of the beverage company Egill Skallagrimsson Ltd. in Borgarnes, where Iceland's national schnapps “Brennivin” is made. We will also learn about Egill Skallagrimsson, the great Saga character -and his famous bad temper- at the nearby farm Borg. After lunch we take a digestive walk to historical sites in town and visit the saga-connected sculpture ‘Brak' before we take a short cut via the Hvalfjord-Tunnel back to Reykjavik. At the outskirt of the city we stop at the Egill Skallagrimsson Ltd brewery to be introduced to the interesting history of beer in Iceland. Here we will also get an opportunity to taste its delicious product, Egil's Gold, before we roll off to the accommodation in the city!
