International Lifestyle Magazine Issue 54 | Page 19

Soon after moving to Breiðdalur
valley, Guðrún and Jón realized
that the land and surrounding
area would be ideal for tourism.
Breiðdalur valley is centrally
located in East Iceland and is a
perfect base for those who want
to explore and get to know the
area. The mountains and nature
are magnificent and the serenity
makes it possible for people to rest
and rejuvenate far from the hectic
city life. Guðrún and Jón decided
they would build a little country
hotel at Þorgrímsstaðir and started
developing ideas on how to best
use the facilities and surrounding
land with future guests in mind. The
old barn house was transformed
into a small hotel, including a studio
apartment, a bar and exercise
facilities.
The accommodation is simply
stunning, with a selection of options
to select from with additional extras
such as daily meals. Wireless
internet is available in the farm
house should you wish to stay
connected to the outside world,
however, I would personally just
switch it off!
Jón, a civil engineer, has enjoyed
designing and supervising the
construction of Silfurberg with
considerable help from Guðrún.
The previous owners had kept
all old utilitarian objects and old
materials that could be reused later.
Guðrún and Jón have done their
best to utilize these materials and
objects while building Silfurberg
and have tried to fittingly mix the
rustic things in with newer design
and artwork.
Silfurberg offers the opportunity to
rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery
and nature of Breiðdalur and relax
in the sauna and hot tubs. The fact
that Silfurberg is situated at the
bottom of the valley ensures that
there is virtually no light pollution.
It truly is a memorable experience
to enjoy the starry skies and
northern lights (aurora borealis)
from the peaceful surroundings
at Þorgrímsstaðir. The view from
Silfurberg over Breiðdalur valley is
very beautiful. Breiðdalsá river runs
through the valley which boasts
spectacular mountains on all sides,
many with colorful canyons. In
Breiðdalur valley there is an extinct
volcano and other phenomena of
geological interest. The area offers

many breathtaking hiking routes.
The fauna and bird life of Breiðdalur
valley is diverse. One can often
see herds of reindeer in the land
of Þorgrímsstaðir, especially in the
winter and the spring. Guests can
go trout fishing in the Heiðarvatn
lake above the resort, and nearby
are generous hunting lands for
reindeer, ptarmigan and wild goose.
Close to Silfurberg is a horse farm
which offers horse riding tours. All of
these qualities make Silfurberg the
perfect resting place for aesthetes,
people who enjoy the splendor of
the great outdoors.
The name Silfurberg (literally
Silver-rock) is Icelandic for Iceland
Spar or Iceland Crystal, which is
a transparent variety of calcite or
crystallized calcium carbonate.
It has been speculated that the
sunstone mentioned in medieval
Icelandic texts was Iceland spar
and that Vikings used its lightpolarizing property to tell the
direction of the sun on cloudy days,
for navigating. Iceland Spar is rare
outside Iceland. A few mines can be
found in Iceland, particularly in East
Iceland, one being in Breiðdalur,
close to Silfurberg.
In the future Silfurberg plans to
offer health retreats a few times
each year, where guests can
practice yoga, pilates, hike, attend
lectures on healthy living, while
enjoying wholesome meals and
relaxing and rejuvenating at the
resort, which has a spacious hall
for exercising, a couple of warm
water spas and a sauna. The
area alone is stimulating on a
holistic level, mentally, physically
and emotionally. You can hike
within some of the most stunning
backdrops in the world, and with
every step you step further into
your own thoughts, you deal with
issues, you clear your mind. This
is, in my own opinion, the best
form of meditation. As your mind
clears you experience clarity, your
spirit is lifted and at the end of your
stay you return home with renewed
energy, you will be, quite literally,
energized on every level.

www.silfurberg.com
Join Us On Facebook

www.internationallifestylemagazine.com