Visiting the Faroe Islands
Aug 26, 2016, 1:04 pm
#107
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
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Re-reading the TR today, again amazed at the pics of beautiful sights presented to us .
This TR stands out to many others for:
1. An exciting and unusual destination, far away from unreachable, requiring no tedious visa procedures before travelling.
2. OP made a good research before travelling, thus beeing prepared for most things happening when not on your own ground.
3. An open mind to try previously unknown, in some eyes strange, food traditions, instead of some TRs I've read, where the visitor to a previously unknown country complains about not beeing able to get the usual breakfast items.
"TR of the year" ?
This TR stands out to many others for:
1. An exciting and unusual destination, far away from unreachable, requiring no tedious visa procedures before travelling.
2. OP made a good research before travelling, thus beeing prepared for most things happening when not on your own ground.
3. An open mind to try previously unknown, in some eyes strange, food traditions, instead of some TRs I've read, where the visitor to a previously unknown country complains about not beeing able to get the usual breakfast items.
"TR of the year" ?
Aug 27, 2016, 7:35 am
#108
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Scandinavia
Programs: EB
Posts: 81
I'm told that yes, indeed, we were somewhat lucky compared to typical July weather.
And particularly during non-summer visits, the Faroes have some legendarily bad weather, especially with heavy winds (and don't let the pictures fool you, two of those "nice" days also had gusting winds over 70 mph!).
Those wanting to see what the Faroes can be like at bad times, google "Smyril" or "Norrona" to see either of those ferries in rough seas.
And particularly during non-summer visits, the Faroes have some legendarily bad weather, especially with heavy winds (and don't let the pictures fool you, two of those "nice" days also had gusting winds over 70 mph!).
Those wanting to see what the Faroes can be like at bad times, google "Smyril" or "Norrona" to see either of those ferries in rough seas.
Totally know what you mean about the ferries in rough seas - my husband is a nautical officer that sails all across the atlantic all year round. He often sends me some "interesting" videos of the weather they experience
Aug 29, 2016, 10:34 pm
#109
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Platinum for Life (2MM), BR Gold, AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 976
The Faroe Islands is one of my favorite places I've ever been. I went in October 2014 for an extended weekend (4 nights) -- something which is eminently doable for Americans if your city is an Iceland Air gateway. I arrived in KEF and had around 4 hours between flights to make my way to RKV in a taxi (note: that ride is about $120 USD one way; there are cheaper ways to do it via bus). On the way back, I had a similar layover but Atlantic Airways actually flew into KEF that day.
I have never smelled air so clean and fresh as in the Faroe Islands. An awesome and unique destination. Once was enough though, at least for me.
I have never smelled air so clean and fresh as in the Faroe Islands. An awesome and unique destination. Once was enough though, at least for me.
Aug 29, 2016, 11:15 pm
#110
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
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Posts: 3,525
I would do this in a heartbeat, except the picky eater in me curled up into a small ball while reading about the food. If I would probably have to live off salmon if possible.
Thanks for the great pics, enjoyed the ones of the puffins.
Thanks for the great pics, enjoyed the ones of the puffins.
Aug 30, 2016, 6:23 am
#111
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: Flying Blue ; Qatar Privilege Club, KrisFlyer
Posts: 68
Thanks for a very informative, entertaining and inspiring TR. I am just intrigued by: 1) all that grass on the roofs, 2) how those votive ships hang perfectly balanced on one thread.
Aug 30, 2016, 6:27 am
#112
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Grantham, NH
Posts: 530
1. Allow at least two hours for it.
2. Take the flybus to the Reykjavik bus terminal. From there, you can walk (10-15 minutes), take the 15 bus (sporadic), or take a taxi (cheap, since it's so short). Make sure you know which RKV terminal you want (almost always RKV West)
I have never smelled air so clean and fresh as in the Faroe Islands. An awesome and unique destination. Once was enough though, at least for me.
Aug 30, 2016, 10:36 am
#113
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Thanks for all your effort for this fantastic TR! Definitely put this onto my bucket list!
Unfortunately the above link is dead. Do you have an update on the missing pic?
Since several other diners have taken pictures of the dish, I'll have to find one of theirs for my review. (You can look here for another diner's photo a week later), although I can't seem to deep-link it: http://www.lifeandall.org/?p=283 )
Aug 30, 2016, 10:55 am
#114
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Grantham, NH
Posts: 530
And since their visit was just about concurrent with ours, that blog has similar pictures of the various sites. And a few I didn't get to, like Villingdalsfjall:
Last edited by kaszeta; Aug 30, 2016 at 11:27 am
Sep 6, 2016, 12:55 pm
#117
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NYS
Programs: Days of Our Lives, General Hospital
Posts: 1,495
Thank you for posting this - I hope to visit the Faroes next year.
In addition to the Bradt guide, do you know of any specific resources for hiking? Partly because I have very little sense of location, I really need almost step-by-step trail guidance, including just to find the trailhead, and I like to know in advance how difficult the trail is likely to be.
In addition to the Bradt guide, do you know of any specific resources for hiking? Partly because I have very little sense of location, I really need almost step-by-step trail guidance, including just to find the trailhead, and I like to know in advance how difficult the trail is likely to be.
Sep 6, 2016, 2:43 pm
#118
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Grantham, NH
Posts: 530
Thank you for posting this - I hope to visit the Faroes next year.
In addition to the Bradt guide, do you know of any specific resources for hiking? Partly because I have very little sense of location, I really need almost step-by-step trail guidance, including just to find the trailhead, and I like to know in advance how difficult the trail is likely to be.
In addition to the Bradt guide, do you know of any specific resources for hiking? Partly because I have very little sense of location, I really need almost step-by-step trail guidance, including just to find the trailhead, and I like to know in advance how difficult the trail is likely to be.
http://visitfaroeislands.plantaps.ne...compressed.pdf
(You can also email them and they'll mail a copy to you, or buy one there for 15 DKK)
Most of the hikes there have a distinctly informal nature to them. Since there are no trees, many of the hikes are "Start here. See that hill? Walk up it by whatever means seem most expedient". Which means a lot of walking across sheep pastures...
Sep 8, 2016, 2:37 pm
#119
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NYS
Programs: Days of Our Lives, General Hospital
Posts: 1,495
Most of my actual hiking was done with VisitFaroeIslands.com hiking guide (download from their website):
http://visitfaroeislands.plantaps.ne...compressed.pdf
(You can also email them and they'll mail a copy to you, or buy one there for 15 DKK)
Most of the hikes there have a distinctly informal nature to them. Since there are no trees, many of the hikes are "Start here. See that hill? Walk up it by whatever means seem most expedient". Which means a lot of walking across sheep pastures...
http://visitfaroeislands.plantaps.ne...compressed.pdf
(You can also email them and they'll mail a copy to you, or buy one there for 15 DKK)
Most of the hikes there have a distinctly informal nature to them. Since there are no trees, many of the hikes are "Start here. See that hill? Walk up it by whatever means seem most expedient". Which means a lot of walking across sheep pastures...
FWIW, one of my friends has been trying to persuade me not to do any of this--she thinks it's all beyond my capacity. I don't know her source of information, but she says that Faroes hikes entail a 3,000-foot gain of elevation and last a minimum of six hours. I told her that I know my limits.
Sep 8, 2016, 5:55 pm
#120
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
Thank you so much for the wonderful report.
Your consistently seamless integration of the visual and the verbal is about the best I've ever seen -- anywhere.
I'm really glad I braved the rather forbidding "Ultima Thule" sounding title and decided to read!
Your consistently seamless integration of the visual and the verbal is about the best I've ever seen -- anywhere.
I'm really glad I braved the rather forbidding "Ultima Thule" sounding title and decided to read!