66°North provides outerwear for the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth

66°North provides outerwear for the new upcoming Imax movie Journey to the Center of the Earth staring Brendan Fraser to be released in June 2008. The New Line Cinema version of the Jules Verne classic, Journey to the Center of the Earth will be featuring our Glymur womens softshell as well as backpacks. Who knows what lies ahead for Fraser and his team, but at least they will be well prepared. Even the earth's core is no match for 66 North Outerwear!

About 66°North
66°North Ltd. is among Iceland’s oldest manufacturing companies. It was established in the year 1926 and has throughout the decades been a leading producer and innovator in the making of working clothes used on sea and land, made for the toughest outdoors working conditions on the planet. In the past decade, 66°North has leveraged its expertise into a wide selection of outdoor clothing for sports and leisure. It has received numerous awards for its designs and marketing campaigns.

The company’s staff today numbers more than 300 people. It operates 9 shops in Iceland under the names of 66°North and Iceland Gift Store, as well as a shop in Latvia and two shops in Lithuania. Furthermore the 66°North brand is sold in retail stores in Europe and North America.

For further information about 66°North visit our international website, http://www.66north.com/.

Iceland: Real estate market at crossroads

Housing prices will continue to rise over the coming years. The pace of these rises, however, will slow down considerably. High interest rates, tighter access to loans and a cooling labour market are the factors that will reduce demand. Supply, on the other hand, seems to have peaked and is likely to diminish over the next years – which should help stabilise real estate prices. A turn-around is expected in the market in 2009 when interest rates start to fall again and a new upward cycle begins in the economy.

To download this report visit Kaupthing Bank's website: http://www.kaupthing.com/lisalib/getfile.aspx?itemid=11919.

Author:
Asgeir Jonsson, head of the analysis department of Kaupthing Bank. asgeir.jonsson@kaupthing.com

Iceland - the Affluent High Tech Wilderness

"The range is very broad. Iceland Visitor can respond to all your needs on a trip to the land of Ice and Fire, be it a short 30 USD bus tour, and up to a super-premium 30,000 USD tour with all you can dream of included."says Jón Sigurður Ingason, operations manager at Iceland Visitor's offices in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Iceland - an increasingly popular destination for high craving tourists seeking exotic experiences - is a surprise mix of the rugged and sophisticated. Icelanders, a small society of 300,000 souls, are very quick adopters of new technology, and they have the highest percentage of internet connectivity worldwide. Iceland is one of the richest countries in the world per capita, and boasts a #2 position on a United Nations' list of the best countries to live in. The inhabitants know how to celebrate it, as Reykjavik's nightlife has earned it a place on lists of the coolest capitals in the world.

Yet, a mere ten minutes drive away from Reykjavik takes you to a rugged wilderness, where lava fields sprawl across the land - devoid of vegetation except for a layer of grey moss, and to some reminiscent of the Moon - with barren mountains standing guard, crags and landslide equally grey. Some of those are in fact dormant volcanoes that just might erupt in this very century - who knows?

And with two hours added through green fields with lazy cows and calm horses, and colorful farmhouses scattered here and there, you witness pillars of steam rising from geothermal areas, tumultuous glacial rivers and elegant waterfalls falling off cliffs, at the foothills of white tipped glaciers rising up ... up. "To where the land lays off its earthliness, but the Earth gains a place in the sky; no sorrows dwell there any more and thus gladness is not necessary, and beauty reigns alone, above all other demands," as Iceland's Nobel Prize winner in literature, Halldor Laxness, writes in his celebrated trilogy World Light.

Accordingly, those visiting Iceland are partaking in various exciting activities. It can be snow-scooter or Super-SUV tours on Iceland's main glaciers, horse back riding, whale watching, white river rafting, angling in the more calm waters, general sightseeing or even taking a sightseeing flight. The countryside has proved popular among smaller and larger groups, and not less for incentive groups craving a lot in a short time.

After brushing up genetically rooted memories of the elements of nature that our ancestors faced during the stone-age, the tourist heads for the capital, Reykjavik. There, they visit the thermal swimming pools to wash off the dirt and simmer down in the hot pots. Then they can visit museums, eat at restaurants - a couple of whom have been awarded as being among the world's hottest - or look at the many shops. The low retail space cost means that some well known luxury brands are less expensive in Reykjavik than on the world's main high streets, despite the strong Icelandic króna.

"Our versatility and out complete range of products is what makes us different from many other tourist agencies selling trips in Iceland. And if you want to visit Iceland's next neighbours, the Faroe islands, with white sheep grazing in steep green hills, or Greenland where even whiter icebergs float among granite skerries, no problem! We deal with tours to those countries too" says Iceland Visitor's Mr. Ingason. "We would like to offer anyone a warm, Icelandic welcome!"

About Iceland Visitor

Iceland Visitor is a friendly and energetic Nordic travel agency specializing in incoming tourism to Iceland, Greeland and the Faroe Islands. We aim to provide our clients whether they are holiday or business travelers with personal, high-quality service all the way and are confident that we can realise and exceed our clients’ high level of expectations.

To book your travel to Iceland visit our website, www.icelandvisitor.com.

Different Layers of Outdoor Wear

Outdoor wear or sports wear is the crucial part of any adventure activity. This apparel not only makes one look stylish, but also provides the much needed protection and care for the body. The right wear can make your trip a delightful experience to be cherished or the wrong one can dampen your spirits and make it a disaster. And an informed sports enthusiast definitely realizes the significance of making the correct choice.

To elaborate further on what needs to be done and what not, let us consider the example of ‘Skiwear’. This sport which is loved by people of all ages, asks for a lot of preparation when it comes to getting ready for it. By that we mean, men, women, children ought to keep in mind a few things when buying, wearing and using the clothes meant for skiing. The fact that ski clothing is not so easily rented out, needs one to spend considerable amount of time while buying them.

The thumb rule in ski dressing is following the layered way. This means that one dresses in layers of clothes instead of wearing just one VERY thick layer. This approach ensures that, if one feels uneasy or too hot, one can remove the upper layers without much fuss. All the three layers together form an atmosphere of their own around the body-one that of warmth and comfort. These clothes have to be light as no one wants the extra burden of this layered clothing to hamper their movements on an adventure sport. The fit of the clothes is equally important for the fashion-conscious consumer. There is a reason for each layer to be and a lot of thought goes into making such clothes.

The base layer is called the wick layer. This is the most important of all the layers. The common problem with cotton wear is that, they tend to retain moisture and hence after the rigorous sporting adventure give you an uneasy cool feeling normally called as the after–exercise chill. It is thus necessary to have clothes, which do not absorb moisture but let it evaporate easily from the body. The base layer needs to absorb not more than 1% of the water. The material used should not be heavy, must be strong and should dry quickly so as to not emit unpleasant odors or itch due to wetness or cause any kind of skin infections. The normally used materials for this layer are polypropylene, nylon, synthetic silk, wool or a blend of a few of these. All of them have all the features needed for a good first layer. They are woven with very fine fibers. This makes them water and wind-resistant as also breathable at the same time. These materials are smooth and thus do not cause irritation due to roughness .To name a few styles in this layer would be-tops with short sleeves, tights, thermals, etc.

The second layer is basically meant to retain the body heat and this is achieved by creating still air around the body. Due to this, there is minimal exchange of heat between the body and the surrounding. This layer is commonly made up of treated polyesters which catch the air between the fibers and thus allowing the air layer to form insulation. The moisture transport properties of the base layer need to be incorporated here too. This layer materials include fleece which is a napped fabric with a deep, soft, woolly-style surface, bunting-a fleece that is plain weft-knitted fabric which has been brushed or raised on one or both sides as also pile- raised loops or other yarns or fibers deliberately emplaced to stand away from the surface of the fabric. Wool can be used too, at this layer. The styles here include sweaters, vests, fleece-tops, pullover- style tops, etc.

The third and final layer-called the outer shell, is special as it is this layer that comes in direct contact with the harsh weather outside. This layer needs to be waterproof and should be able to withstand any wear and tear and other damages. It should be able to withstand 40 psi (pounds per square inch) of water pressure.PSI is the measure of how water-proof a material is. It should not have many seams especially in places where water may seep in, like shoulders and upper back. Preferably should have few zippers and if any, they should be well guarded.

For further information about the outdoor clothing company 66°NORTH visit the company's international website, www.66north.com.

About 66°North
66°North Ltd. is among Iceland’s oldest manufacturing companies. It was established in the year 1926 and has throughout the decades been a leading producer and innovator in the making of working clothes used on sea and land, made for the toughest outdoors working conditions on the planet. In the past decade, 66°North has leveraged its expertise into a wide selection of outdoor clothing for sports and leisure. It has received numerous awards for its designs and marketing campaigns. The company’s staff today numbers more than 300 people. It operates 10 shops in Iceland under the names of 66°North and Iceland Gift Store, as well as the four shops in Lativa. Furthermore the 66°North brand is sold in retail stores in Northern Europe and USA.

Choose the Right Clothes for Your Outdoor Activities

During any your outdoor activities whether you are out generally for leisure or are playing any sport, the biggest challenge which comes before you is that of staying dry all the time. The highest quality and standard of any outdoor or leisure wear is measured by the quantity of dryness you experience.

While you shop for the latest clothes for your outdoor trip or leisure you must look for the most comfortable clothing that fits you perfectly and then must take benefit of the latest in fabric innovations available in the markets.

For any kind of outdoor activities, clothing have become the most important factor for those who love spending the time out in the open whether you are playing a sport, gone trekking or just out for a casual evening. Having clothes that work according to the conditions you are in, like changing climates or environment, the type of activity you are involved in etc makes whatever you are doing that much more pleasurable. In fact if you don’t have the right kind of clothing with you it could have the exact opposite effect and could ruin what would have been otherwise the perfect day for you.

The good thing is with the help of modern techniques and modern machinery clothing companies have been able to manufacture fabrics and designs that work well for you in various conditions or activities you are involved in and the best part is these clothes are now in the reach of everyone for all classes of society. New light weighted clothes are already in the market which can keep you cool or warm whenever it is required. People have the option of choosing from a huge and diverse range of outdoor clothing and leisure wear. Clothing companies are working that much harder to make sure you find the right type of clothes which make all of your activities more enjoyable and relaxed.

The modern apparels especially for outdoor activities are made from materials that help water to dry faster. This helps immensely if you are playing a sport or are involved in anything that makes you sweat more than usual. The new and improved fabrics have a special quality of holding or preserving the warmth of your body while drying away the extra sweat allowing you extra mobility. The fabrics used for the clothes are also light weight and much more versatile.
The modern day outdoor wear gives you an opportunity of being comfortable and stylish at the same point of time. You don’t have to compromise on looks or comfort, fitting, fabric quality etc. Choosing your clothes according to your physique is also very important. What suits a particular body type would not necessarily suit someone else who has a larger or a smaller body frame.
Choosing the right clothing is important in anything that you do. The right kind of clothing can make a world of difference to your overall experience. It could either make your day or an unwise choice could ruin your day as well.

For further information about the outdoor clothing company 66°NORTH visit the company's international website, www.66north.com.

About 66°North
66°North Ltd. is among Iceland’s oldest manufacturing companies. It was established in the year 1926 and has throughout the decades been a leading producer and innovator in the making of working clothes used on sea and land, made for the toughest outdoors working conditions on the planet. In the past decade, 66°North has leveraged its expertise into a wide selection of outdoor clothing for sports and leisure. It has received numerous awards for its designs and marketing campaigns. The company’s staff today numbers more than 300 people. It operates 10 shops in Iceland under the names of 66°North and Iceland Gift Store, as well as the four shops in Lativa. Furthermore the 66°North brand is sold in retail stores in Northern Europe and USA.

The Unique Experience of Iceland

If in any country, most of the land is covered by big volcanoes, land shaking earthquakes, biggest glaciers in the world and thousands of exploding hot geysers all around, you cannot say that it is a tourist destination by any angle. But hey! If you think about Iceland you will have to re-correct your thinking. Iceland is the fastest growing country in terms of tourism and mind you that it has all nature made wonders you can think of. It is situated at just a step like distance from North America and in Europe; its location is northern Western Europe and believe me this little island is much easier to reach as one would imagine.

Iceland’s attraction is its undomesticated and natural countryside. Because of its location is on the two tectonic plates the map and shape of this country keeps on changing constantly. This is the reason why there is every shade of nature such as huge waterfalls, frozen and moving glaciers, continuously bursting volcanoes, and some biggest lava fields of the world. For thrill seekers, Iceland is by far the most ideal destination. One can enjoy ice fishing, whale watching, puffin and other sea bird watching, kayaking and jet-boating. One can very easily tour whole Iceland with the help of local tour organizers there. Whether you prefer to travel around Iceland by bus, snowmobile, or gentle Icelandic horse, no matter what you choose, Iceland will satisfy you anyway. Iceland is also rich in cultural treasures, indulgences, and a serious patron of the arts. One can enjoy Icelandic meal or food of any part of the world in many of the world class restaurants situated there. One can even savor their ancient artistic styles in museums. In those museums you can understand about geography of the country, about tectonic plates and get a much better understanding of this unique country. You can even enjoy musical local or international concerts organized every fall evening.

The most enjoying and surprising thing in Iceland is the steamy blue lagoon. This lagoon is the most famous tourist destination of Iceland. It is a haven of heat in that chilly and cool background around it. This blue lagoon gets its energy from geothermal energy; the intense cloudy blue waters becomes roasting at times and is full of healthy minerals all the time. Iceland’s trump card in terms of tourism is Nature. There is a new and different thing every 10 miles. Don't forget to record all that otherwise you will regret your whole life as it is a place which you cannot experience anywhere else.

Any kind of weather can be expected anytime In Iceland and sometimes you cannot actually realize what season there is. You have to consider that the weather can change in a minute and pack accordingly. Silence is another big feature of Iceland. Because it has so much of uninhabited wide open spaces where the only sounds you are likely to hear are the sounds of nature; Sound of birds singing or sound of the running of the river from somewhere far, sound of falling water or sometimes the sounds of air. One can see the sun set at midnight during the summer. For lovers it is the most perfect or romantic moment. This is because in high summer the sun goes down around midnight and rises almost immediately again. If someone comes during wintertime he/she may have the chance to see the northern lights (aurora borealis) in its full flow but the condition is that the evenings should be cold and the sky has to be clear. But still it all depends on the weather. The country of Iceland with its mixture of both nature and technology, modern and traditional background is absolutely a must visit for any person if you truly want to have a trip of your lifetime.

To help you plan and book your vacation in Iceland contact Iceland Visitor which is a friendly and highly qualified Icelandic travel agency. For further information about traveling to Iceland visit the website, www.icelandguest.com.

About the author:
Dagur Jonsson is the CEO of Libius Inc a company which provides an internet appropriation service to companies both large and small. Take a look at the author’s blog site at http://libius.blogspot.com/.

Boutique hotels redefining service and luxury

‘Boutique Hotels’- A concept home to North America has already gripped the imagination of the rich and the famous. These generally theme-based hotels have everything to offer for a mind and soul on the lookout for some serious leisure and pleasure. Though the boutique hotels already have a lot to offer from lavish suites, penthouses, swimming pools, spas, sport arenas, bars (all catering to the unique tastes of the customer– you name it and you shall find it!), nevertheless, the industry is on the hunt for better and mind-blowing ideas to attract the ever-demanding customer. To satiate this hunger for luxury and thrills, many boutique hotels have come up with novel and whacky themes for the same. From themes as common as romance and Hollywood to as bizarre as toilets and jails are being dealt with!

Alongwith the normal facilities of internet, cordless phones, grand bathrooms, saunas, many hotels have started offering services like free baby-sitting, personal opera performances, shops selling antique artifacts, special arrangements for the physically challenged, currency exchange services, tourist guides etc. Also for corporates the facilities range from meeting and conference rooms to video-conferencing and all the required computer facilities. Also in a bid to attract more people, discounts are being given occasionally.

The most important factor affecting the sales of a designer hotel is its location. Hence owners have started choosing exotic locales like lush green stretches of land, hot tourist spots, cascades, brooks, mountain-tops, beaches, forests and the likes. They are basically concentrating more on isolated locations, as guests usually see these hotels as getaways from the maddening city crowds and the traffic. Also, considering that these hotels are very popular with the elite like Hollywood stars and political biggies, privacy is of prime importance. But at the same time, some hotels have done otherwise and concentrated on areas in the city; as people who wish to spend small amounts of time on weekends and thus not travel too far, prefer these, even if it means spending a little extra due to the high rates in and around the cities.

Boutique hotels have sprung up in all places around the world at a surprising pace. But they need some careful marketing, promotional and managerial skills and needless to say, creativity of high standards to captivate the guests’ imagination. Some of the ventures in this area have fallen flat due to unnecessary experimentation and ideas that did not go down well with the customers; thus realizing that, it is a must to first carefully study the likes and dislikes of the customers, before jumping to conclusions about their likely tastes. For it is the guests who decide the fate of the hotels. At the same time, these hotels have seen the need to target the appropriate customers at the appropriate season of the year to garner maximum profits. A good business in one season can relatively reduce the burden on the hotel for the rest of the year. An appropriate and intelligently chosen target customer group can also multiply gains by manifold as the guests are made to feel special by giving them just what they ask for. As such, this spells good news for the layman, as, if profits are accumulated by the hotels early during the year, it means better and cheaper rates for the common man at the other times of the year and this also ensures that the hotels stay full and in business at all times.

Besides the already present amenities and luxuries offered by this industry, there is still a lot of scope and room for new ideas and innovations. Special charter planes for guests who can afford them, activities where guests can try their hand at developing skills in pottery, painting, music and dance, themes which are out of the box, can add to the adventure and excitement that this industry caters to, in addition to the usual services targeting comfort and enjoyment. There are infinite possibilities and it is just a matter of time before the experts open up their genius fantasies to the world. Till then, the common man and the elite alike can soak in as much as possible of this awesome way to have fun a la the royals!

For further information about boutique hotel in Reykjavik the capital of Iceland visit the website www.101hotel.is.

About the author:
Dagur Jonsson is the CEO of Libius Inc a company which provides an internet appropriation service to companies both large and small. Take a look at the author’s blog site at http://libius.blogspot.com/.