I’ve been in a good mood with a broad smile on my face for a few days, thanks to beautiful weather just outside the window. The nature is slowly coming back to life. Everything around us is getting green. Colourful flowers are appearing here and there pleasing our eyes. Besides lush greenery, also animals are coming back to life … together with long forgotten sparrows which I haven’t seen for ages, and which used to be my faithful companions in the years of my childhood. High temperatures in mid-April make me start thinking about summer vacation, and consequently far and near travels. Despite the fact there are still a couple of months left until summer is back for good, it’s great to start thinking about our dream holiday destinations and places, in which we’d love to spend our free time.
Today, I’d like to present you an amazing place located in a beautiful country. This spot will change your attitude towards hostels and what you may expect from them forever. I found this venue while browsing the Internet and checking hundreds of holiday offers, and it stole my heart at once. I had also a chance to talk to Daria who works in this extraordinary hostel. However, let me start from the beginning … Iceland is a country located in the Northern Europe on the Iceland island, and a few smaller ones in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. Its capital city is Reykjavik. Iceland belongs to the group of the Nordic States, which have always opened my mind to imagination. In spite of being situated close to the Arctic Circle, summer temperatures are bearable and they vary from 12°C to 15°C. Autumn and winter are quite windy accompanied by darkness. However, you should keep in mind that regardless of the season of the year, this island offers its visitors stunning landscapes and unforgettable experiences.
One of the places, which I’d love to recommend to you, in this picturesque country is Akureyri. A city which is second largest city in Iceland, and is regarded to be the capital city of the northern part of Iceland. What’s most interesting, Akureyri has only about 20 thousand citizens. This spot is well-known for its locals who are the friendliest people in the world. They’re always willing to help, as well as to give good advice to newcomers.
Now you’ve probably started thinking what Akureyri, a city which is a real tongue twister for you, can propose to its tourists … I must surprise you here quite positively, as the city offers many attractions and unique places to see, which are truly worth visiting even for the most demanding tourists. One could even say that it’s a kind of paradise on earth … I know, I know I’ve already claimed that Greece is my paradise … but is it really possible to love only one place, while the world has so much to offer?
If you want to get away from it all, from everyday hustle and bustle of the world, Akureyri is a place just ideal for you. It’s the oasis of peaceful people, who know how to appreciate every moment of their lives. Their omnipresent optimistic attitude towards everything around, will make you feel home, relaxed and full of energy to explore this truly mysterious country.
What’s worth visiting while being in Akureyri? For sure you can’t forget about Hafnarstraeti, the most popular street with tourists. This place is the center of the city’s life. One can find there numerous restaurants, pubs, bars, cinemas, souvenir shops and guest houses. It’s an ideal place for relaxing walks, and a great opportunity to shop for souvenirs.
In this charming and vibrant city everyone will find something for oneself. If you are a nature lover, you simply can’t forget about visiting the Botanic gardens, which despite an unfavourable climate delight guests with their lushness and diversity. If you travel with kiddos, you should definitely pay a visit to the Santa’s house, which regardless of the season will move the little ones into a fairytale atmosphere of Christmas. If you’re an enthusiast of different forms of relax, you should check the local swimming pool and its offer, which includes such facilities as sauna, jacuzzi or water slide. All the adrenaline seekers should take part in a so called Whale Watching, which is an extreme motorboat tour leading directly to the waters of the longest fiord in Iceland. In this remote place you’ll be able to admire majestic whales at your fingertips. If you’re a fan of stronger beverages such as beer, you should visit an unusual and one of the few in Europe beer spas, which is located not further than 30 km from the city. You can take there long, soothing and very pleasant baths.
The next question, which probably springs to your mind, sounds as follows … where am I going to spend the night after the day full of excitement and sightseeing? Now it’s the right time for today’s highlight! The place which will change your attitude towards hostels forever … and nothing will ever be the same! I found it among numerous offers, and it caught my attention at once. You got to stay at a family-owned Hafnarstraeti hostel ( www.hhostel.is ). The owners of this unusual place are Sandra and Baldur. The hostel, in its modern concept of space capsule, attaches great importance to satisfaction and happiness of its guests. The staff want the visitors to feel homely in the family atmosphere on the whole site. All the guests are offered a night’s lodging in single or double capsules, taken out of the films like Star Wars or Star Trek.
According to the information which I managed to find … and from what I got to know from Daria, this unusual hostel offers places for 90 people, who can spend an extraordinary night in one of the previously mentioned lodging space capsules. You can choose from single or double capsules. Each of them is equipped with a TV set, which includes picture streaming function from such devices as smart phone, tablet or phone. What’s more, you’ll also get the access to headphones, safe with a private personal identification number, as well as sockets to charge your devices. Additionally, inside of each capsule you’ll find a mirror, a bedside table and LED lamps with adjustable brightness level. All the doors are equipped with an electronic security system, which can be unblocked with a personalized card. These are not all the assets of this unique place. The most important feature of this particular spot is that it’s a family-owned hostel. The owners always pay attention to satisfaction and contentment of all the guests. Everyone is treated there in a special way. The hosts make every effort to make their visitors feel home. That’s why, they took care of a fully-equipped kitchen with a pantry, oven and dining room. The Hafnarstraeti hostel is also equipped with four washer-dryers, as well as nine neat and renovated bathrooms, in which you’ll find fresh towels and some hygiene products.
What’s more, all tired travellers will find there different forms of relaxation. The hostel offers the pool table, piano, a wide range of books, board games, which together with a good company make the visitors’ stay more pleasant and are a good occasion to make new friends, as well as to get to know each other better. Despite the fact that this place is functioning as a hostel, thanks to its unusual ‘rooms’ and extraordinary atmosphere, all the guests have the feeling of comfort, privacy and safety.
After making use of the hostel’s attractions and spending the night in the space capsules, all the visitors are invited to home breakfast. We all know the saying that the way to the heart is through the stomach, that’s why the owners make use of the beloved Sigrún grandma’s recipes. Everyday at 6 am, they fry pancakes, bake muffins, as well as other fruit pies. What’s more, the hosts also serve more typical breakfast products, such as cereal, muesli, crackers, yogurts, buttermilk, cold meat and many more. I can assure you that everyone’s tastes will be satisfied.
Another exciting fact for me is that according to the information placed on the website until the end of May you can get a 10% discount after using the code nordictalking, even for the bookings for 2020 … taking into account the fact that I’ve never had a chance to visit such a place, and the reviews provided by the guests seem to be quite positive, I think it may become one of my future holiday destinations, which I’d love to visit. It will definitely be marked on my holiday map. If you’re a driver, you can also get a special discount for renting a car from IcePol company, which offers a 15% discount for all the hostel guests. I’m not a driver, but I know it may be useful information for some of you.
Interesting facts about Iceland:
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In Akureyri traffic lights display red hearts instead of standard red stop colours.
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Approximately 67% of Icelanders including Sigrún – the owner’s mum, believe that elves exist.
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In 2010 Iceland hit the headlines around the globe, when the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted after 187 years long break. This eruption blocked the air traffic in the whole Europe.
Other tourist attractions near Akureyri:
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Aldeyjarfoss, Dettifoss, Goðafoss waterfalls
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Mývatn lake
- Hverir geothermal field of bubbling mud pools
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Grjótagjá cave
Can’t you wait for summer vacation? Would you like to spend it in a pleasant family atmosphere … with a little bit of adventure? If your answer is yes, you should definitely visit Akureyri and one of the most futuristic hostels in the world.
And what do you think about this place? Should I visit it? I hope you’ll share your opinions with me!
See you around!
Yours,
Passion Piece
This article was written in cooperation with Daria Galent, who occurred to be a great source of information related to Iceland, Akureyri and the hostel in which she works.
Webpages you should visit: www.hhostel.is
www.facebook.com/pg/hhostel/about/?ref=page_internal
Wow, super ;-) Naprawdę warto odwiedzić :)
Zgadza się, zapraszam do odwiedzenia stronki hostelu, można tam znaleźć więcej ciekawych informacji. :)
Jaka rewelacyjna opcja z tym hostelem. Przeciez to genialne rozwiązanie dla takich fanów GW jak my ♥
I ty możesz stać się bohaterką GW ... choć na jedną noc! :)
this looks like a nice place to visit! thank you for your suggestions!
Hope it will help you choose the right holiday destination. :)
Hi Less I am a worker at the hostel if you have some questions just find us on facebook and I will directly answer you :)
What a cool place to stay? I am in the process of finding unique places to stay - tiny house, barn, pyramid, yurt, etc. I will add this to my list. Thank you!
Hi Laurie If you like places like Hafnarstraeti Hostel You`re welcome to stay with us. :D Remember that till end of May we have 10% off for our guests by our website www.hhostel.is or with me :) We have also extra benefit for you in car rental company: IcePol - 15% off for all guest in Hafnarstraeti Hostel. :D Regards, Daria Galent
Great to hear that this article might have become an inspiration for you. :)
Iceland just has so much to offer!
It has a lot to offer, the landscapes and nature are just stunning! :)
Anna do not forget about our offers :) Remember about 10% off for capsulebed till end of May (www.hhostel.is code: nordictalking ) and about 15% off for car in IcePol :) Maybe soon we will have more benefits for our guests. Regards, Daria woker at the hostel :)
This is indeed a hidden gem. I was most gravitated to the Botanical Gardens. I can see myself having a time of reflection and meditation there. Thank you for introducing to this amazing place.
You're always welcome! Botanical Gardens are always amazing, you can move to a completely different world. It's really exciting, but also relaxing! :)
I want to sleep in that space capsule! What a cool concept for the hostel to offer its guests? Great article and thanks for introducing me to a place that wasn't on my radar!
Tomeka you are welcome to stay with us. I encourage you to check our group on facebook Hafnarstræti Hostel Iceland :) and of course if anyone have some questions about Iceland - Akureyri or our hostel I am avaiable :)
It's always great to get to know about something completely new! Hope you'll have a chance to spend a night in that extraordinary hostel. :)
The hostel looks so amazing! Moreover Iceland is def a paradise. The pictures make me want to visit the place Europe has always been on my wishlist more than any continents. and such posts only remind me why!
Kanishka if you have some questions about Iceland - Akureyri or our hostel I am avaiable :) Check our group on facebook Hafnarstræti Hostel Iceland :)
Kanishka hope you'll have a chance to visit Europe one day! There are so many wonderful places to see ... including Iceland! :)
Fascinating read! I've been dreaming of Iceland and Akureyri for a long time. Hoping to go sometime soon!
Some dreams come true ... so I hope this one will also become a reality one day. :)
I used to work for an Icelandic company, however unfortunately I was based elsewhere so I never got a chance to visit the country. But I would love to. Maybe one day. :)
You should definitely visit Iceland one day ... you already know some Icelanders! ;)
Iceland seems so majestic! I really want to visit, but I'll wait until it's northern lights season!
Iceland is amazing during the whole year! The Northern Lights are just stunning and worth seeing for sure! :)
Hafnarstraeti looks completely opposite what I had envisioned for hostels. It looks so innovative and creative. What an amazing experience!
Hope you'll get a chance to visit Hafnarstraeti and you'll experience a night in one of their capsules. :)
Wow, this looks like the perfect getaway! Beautiful views and lots to do!
I couldn't agree more with you! A great spot for holidays! :)
Yesss! This place looks amazing! If you can visit you definitely should!
Hope I'll be able to put this place on my schedule. :)
Wow I’ve never heard of this place but it makes me wanna go visit plus that place you stayed at is sooo cool especially the pods!
Actually, I haven't had a chance to visit that place, the pictures were provided by a friend who works in the hostel. :)
I have visited Reykjavik very briefly but not the northern parts. Need to do a spa vacation.
I bet you had a blast in the capital city of Iceland ... and of course, you should come back there whenever you can! :)
So beautiful! I have wanted to visit Iceland for so long, I should plan a trip soon because everything looks so dreamy! xo - Kam
Hope your plans will work out, and you'll have a chance to visit this dreamy country! :)
Iceland is so amazing, I have wanted to go there for so long. It is also so much cheaper than many other places in europe.
I'm glad the prices in Europe seem to be affordable for you! Hope you'll visit Iceland pretty soon! :)
We're finally beginning to see green and blues and sunshine. All reasons to smile!
Every country is coming back to life after long winter time! :)
Wow it looks amazing! I would love to go to Iceland one day!
Hope you're dreams will come true! :)
What an amazing place to visit!
There are quite a few nice spots in Iceland. Hope you'll get a chance to visit some of them! :)
Looks extremely interesting! I definitely have to visit.
I'm glad I could inspire you to visit a new place. :)
The place has it all...very interesting and wonderful place....thanks for sharing the details
Everyone can find there something interesting for himself/herself. Hope you'll visit Iceland one day! :)
Wow...Iceland!! It's so beautiful! I would never think to go there but this place looks amazing!
I wasn't thinking of going there, until I got to know about this unusual hostel. :)
I would love to visit this place! So many of my travel writer friends have been to Iceland in the past few years and it's hard to find a place that hasn't been covered but this spot is new to me.
I love Iceland because of its natural beauty, which seems not to be destroyed by people. :)
So many people are recommending Iceland lately! It looks stunningly beautiful!
I'd love to visit Iceland myself ... it seems to be a truly magical place! :)