Boat & Ferry Travel

It is possible to sail to Iceland on the car-and-passenger ferry Norröna, operated by Smyril Line. The Norröna plies among the Faroes and Esbjerg in Denmark, Bergen in Norway, Scotland's Shetland Islands, and Seyðisfjörður on the east coast of Iceland. Depending on your point of departure and your destination, the trip may involve a stopover of some days in the Faroes. Special offers for accommodations may be available through Smyril Line, and special fly-cruise arrangements are available through Smyril Line and Icelandair.

The town of Seyðisfjörður on the eastern side of the country is the arrival port for the ferry from Europe. It's easy a short drive to join the Ring Road and drive head either to the north or south from this quaint seaside village with 18th-century buildings and Norwegian-style wooden houses, either with a car rented in town or brought on the ferry.

If you need to stay the night, try the Hótel Aldan, a classic Norse-style wooden building with newly renovated rooms, Norðugata 2, IS-710. 472-1277.

or the Youth Hostel; it's closed in winter. Ránargata 9, IS-710. 472-1410.

There are also larger hotels in nearby Egilsstaðir.

The Baldur car ferry sails twice daily in summer from Stykkishólmur, on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, across Breiðafjörður Bay to Brjánslækur, via Flatey Island. Ferries run daily between Þorlákshöfn and Vestmannaeyjar on the ferry Herjólfur.

Contacts

Baldur (433-2254. www.seatours.is.)

Herjólfur (481-2800. 481-2991. eimskip.is.)

Seyðisfjörður Tourist Information (Ferjuleira 1. 472-1551. www.sfk.is.)

Smyril Line (Passenger Dept., Box 370, Yviri við Strond 1, Tórshavn, FO-110. 298/345-900. www.smyril-line.com. Stangarhyl 1, Reykjavík, 110. 570-8600. www.smyril-line.is/.)