Pickled ram testicles anyone?
It’s cold, it’s winter and the world is an uncertain place, but it’s party time in Iceland. Low-cost airline Iceland Express invites Brits to celebrate the Icelandic winter festival of Thorrablot – the midwinter feast which is held until 21 February 2009.Locals celebrate the Viking tradition – which honours the god Thor – by tucking into some ‘traditional’ local delicacies. Pickled ram testicles (that’s the pickled testicles of a ram not the testicles of a pickled ram), jellied sheep’s head and rotten shark are just some of the appetisers that travellers can expect to find on local menus.
Iceland Express’ ‘Mid-Winter Bloating’ package includes a return flight and a three-star or four-star hotel room for two nights, for just £222 or £250.
To add to the package, holidaymakers have a choice of two popular Reykjavik restaurants for their dining experience including Restaurant Reykjavik and the Viking Village (Fjorukrain).
Restaurant Reykjavik is offering a Thorrablot-themed menu including smoked lamb, horsemeat, traditional herring, sheep-head jelly and soured meats, for around £26.00 (ISK 4.900). The Viking Village (Fjorukrain) is offering a three course dinner with one schnapps of Black Death and one beer for around £47 (ISK 8.400).
Iceland Express has decided to celebrate an extended Thorrablot in 2009 by making the package available daily (except Monday) from 26 January – 29 March 2009. For more information, go to Icelandexpress.com.
Now is also the perfect time of year to experience the magical Northern Lights, which can be seen until late March. A Northern Lights trip can be added to the package for just £33.
Flights with Iceland Express start from £69.00 per person, one-way, including taxes. Flights are daily between London Stansted and Reykjavik. Iceland Express will commence flying eight times per week between London Gatwick and Reykjavik from 1 May 2009. This will replace the London Stansted service.
For more information on the above go to Icelandexpress.com.