Rodding - conference

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The conference Brochure will be posted here in due time.

Information desk
The registration & information desk will be located at Grand Hotel Reykjavik, on the ground floor and will be open from 7:30-18:00 every day of the conference.

Hilton Nordica Hotel Reykjavik
Sudurlandsbraut 2
108 Reykjavík
Telephone: + 354-444-5000 

You can find a map of Reykjavik here.

Official language
The official language of the conference is English. Translation service will not be provided.

Contact information to the organizers in Iceland

Iceland Travel                            

Grimkell Petur Sigurthorsson    Email: grimkell@icelandtravel.is   Telephone:  +354 585 4377

Innovation Center Iceland

Birgir Jóhannesson   Email:  birgirj@nmi.is   Telephone: +354 522-9174

Conference Papers

Each delegate will receive a set of papers in hard copy format and CD in English (the organizers reserve the right to present individual papers in any alternative language to English as supplied by the speaker). The papers will be presented in a delegate case with additional information and relevant literature.

Catering

The conference includes morning and afternoon refreshments and lunches each day served in a special restaurant set aside for event delegates, speakers and organizers. Works visits include lunch.

Extension of Stay / Optional Excursions

If you would like to extend your visit before or after the event, to take in the delights and wonders of Iceland, contact Iceland Travel. Iceland Travel is our partner for all travel and accommodation issues and they will gladly assist you in tailoring any specific requirements for delegates and partners.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON REYKJAVIK AND ICELAND

Several sites with general information about Iceland can be found on the web. The official travel guide, by the Icelandic Tourist Board, is here. A few other examples are here and here and here and here.

Reykjavik
The capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, and the surrounding towns are the home of more than half of the country's 300.000 inhabitants. Reykjavik is at a latitude of N 64° and is therefore the world´s most northerly capital.  See Map of Reykjavik here. Named after the steam from the geothermal areas, the city is now known for its clean air and beautiful surroundings. In Reykjavik you have opportunities for historical sites, natural beauty, museums and galleries, public parks, excellent shopping, a wide range of leisure activities, hotels, restaurants and a remarkably lively artistic scene.

Useful general information on Reykjavik can be found here. Travel Information Centers around Iceland can be found here.

It is generally accepted that the first man to settle in Reykjavik (and Iceland) was Ingolfur Arnarson. He came here from Norway and the official date in the history books is 874. A highly recommendable exhibition is now on at Adalstraeti 16 (the corner of Adalstræti and Sudurgata), where remains of one of the first houses in Reykjavik was found by chance. The date of the construction of the house has been estimated to be 871±2. The Settlement Exhibition Reykjavik 871±2 was set up around these remains.

The story of the settlement of Iceland can be experienced at The Settlement Center of Iceland in Borgarnes.

Climate
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a cool temperate ocean climate, cool in summer and fairly mild in winter. However, the weather is very changeable and one should be prepared for the unexpected. Because of the northernly latitude and amount of yearly precipitation, about 11% of the surface of Iceland is covered by glaciers (icelandic: "Jökull"). On clear days, one of the smaller glacers is visible from Reykjavik (Snæfellsjökull).

The weather forecast for Reykjavík can be found at  The Icelandic Meterological Office.

Clothing
When traveling to Iceland in winter you should bring along clothing similar to what you would wear at the same time of year in the US north-east. For summer you might want to bring along lightweight woolens or a fleece sweater, a wind- and rainproof jacket, sneakers and sturdy walking shoes if you plan to go hiking.

Swimming pools

There are several outside swimming pools in Reykjavik. The closest to Grand Hotel is Laugardalslaug, in 5-10 mins walking distance from Grand Hotel. If you are at all interested in swimming and bathing, bring your swimming suit and towel with you. The swimming pools in Reykjavik can certainly be recommended. Water temperature ranges from warm to very warm.

Business/ Shopping/ Bank hours
Office hours are generally 09:00-17:00 but some institutions and companies change to 08:00-16:00 during June, July and August. Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00/16:00/17:00 or 18:00, varying from one shop to another. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Many shops are closed on Saturdays during the summer - June, July and August -but the woolen goods stores are open on Saturdays and some on Sundays as well. Shops outside Reykjavík in service centers or filling stations are often open all day (09:00-22:00/23:00/23:30) every day of the week. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00.

Open outside regular banking hours

The Change Group Iceland ehf, money exchange service open 7 days a week at extended hours. changekv@li.is

Arrival Hall,
IS-235 Keflavík
International Airport.
Tel/Fax: +354-425-0440

Bankastræti 2,
IS-101Reykjavík (inside the Tourist Information Centre).
changerv@li.is Tel/Fax: (+354) 552 3735

Exchange rates
Please go to the universal currency converter:  http://www.xe.com/ucc

A convenient currency converter for the Icelandic krona (ISK) can be found at Kaupthing and Glitnir.

Debit cards
Electron and Maestro debit cards are accepted by more or less all merchants in Iceland. Cash can be obtained using these cards in all banks.

Credit cards
Credit cards are widely used in Iceland and accepted by most establishments, including hotels, restaurants, car rentals and shops. The major cards in Iceland are EUROPAY/MASTERCARD and VISA, both owned and serviced by all banks and savings banks in Iceland, and AMERICAN EXPRESS and DINERS CLUB which have agents.

Shopping
The shops in Iceland are of international standard and carry a wide variety of merchandise. Local specialties are woolen knitwear (for example sweaters, cardigans, hats and mittens), handmade ceramics, glassware and silver jewellery. Also available is a great variety of high-quality seafood.

Tax-free shopping
A refund of local Value-Added Tax is available to visitors to Iceland. The refund will result in a reduction of up to 15% of the retail price, provided departure from Iceland is within 3 months after the purchase is made. The purchase amount must be no less than ISK 4,000 (VAT included) per sales receipt, and all goods (except woolens) must be packed in sealed bags or containers. For information please contact Global Refund in Iceland, Kaplahraun 15 IS-220, Hafnarfjörður.
Tel: (+354) 555 2833 Fax: (+354) 555 2823 www.globalrefund.com

Duty-free
The duty-free store at Keflavík Airport is open to coincide with flight departures and arrivals.

Airport transport 
The Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal is a modern international airport at Keflavík - about 40-50 minutes drive from Reykjavík (about 50 km). The Flybus is operated all year daily from Keflavik Airport to the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik in connection with all arriving flights. The BSÍ Bus Terminal is close to the center of Reykjavik. Taxi service is also available. Flybus fare is 1.300 ISK and Taxi fare approximately 6-8.000 ISK during day and 10.000 ISK during night. On departure from Iceland, free pickup is available from selected hotels and guesthouses, including Grand Hotel and Cabin Hotel. Please inquire about this at the hotels reception desk.

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