5_ScanMag_77_June_2015_Text_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 05/06/2015 16:47 Page 43
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Icelandic Culture Delights
A travel adventure fuelled by creativity Esja Travel is one of Iceland’s most exciting providers of specialised tours, giving visitors the chance to combine travelling with a valuable learning experience. Capture the essence of the Northern Lights on the edge of the Arctic Circle, spin wool and hand knit with Icelandic knitters, or simply retreat to a state of mindfulness with a dose of yoga. By indulging in your favorite interest you get to discover Iceland from a different angle. And Esja Travel helps you on your way. By Caroline Edwards | Photos: Esja Travel
“Our biggest strength as tour operators is our ability to attract skilled professionals to guide our tours. We offer holidays that combine people’s interests with their urge to see Iceland,” says Kalla Björg Karlsdóttir, who founded Esja Travel with Kristín Sverrisdóttir in 2009. Together they have added something rather unique to the Icelandic tourist industry. Apart from traditional holidays and guided tours around the beautiful island, they offer a wide range of workshops and tours tailored towards people with special interests.
their lives,” explains Karlsdóttir. Instead of just offering a normal knitting course, Esja Travel has two different tours available. One that focuses solely on the craft and its culture and another that combines it with adventurous trips.
“Our photo and knitting tours are highly popular. Knitting is an important part of Icelandic culture and most women have been to a knitting club at some point in
The remote landscapes and cultural traditions also fuels the travellers' desire to take photos. Iceland is a great destination for artistically minded nature enthusiasts
and Esja Travel offers themed photo tours all year round. “During the summer, visitors benefit from 24-hour sunlight, surrounded by colourful landscapes and bright skies. Winter time is characterised by arctic darkness, ideal conditions for spotting the Northern Lights. This is a big attraction, especially for people on our photo tours,” tells Karlsdóttir. Esja Travel also offers family-tours, yoga retreats, and several summer and winter adventures, including self-drive tours. This is a company sparkling with creativity. So get ready to hone your skills - Iceland is erupting with opportunities.
“We call it From Sheep to Sweater. People get to visit the places where the wool is made and learn vital knitting skills, which gives them a proper sense of what the knitting-culture means to us Icelandics,” continues Karlsdóttir.
For more information, please visit: www.esjatravel.is
Issue 77 | June 2015 | 43