In the shape of an arm with a clenched fist at its tip, the Snaefellsnes peninsula is in many ways a microcosm of the whole country, with its own fjords, ice cap, volcanoes, and fishing and farming communities. The attractive village of Stykkisholmur (pop. 1,250) is the jumping off point for birdwatching cruises among the many island of Breidafjordur Bay, which offer the lucky few a chance to observe the rare white-tailed eagle. Further along the coast, are Grundarfjordur (pop. 850), a village ringed by shapely mountains and Olafsvik (pop. 950) from where a 90 tonne catamaran takes visitors to see mighty blue and humpback whales which gather offshore, in view of the snowy dome of Snaefellsjokull. The glacier and volcano are believed to hold special powers and Jules Verne based his "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" there. Nowadays, snowmobiles provide an easier way of getting to the summit, from where there are stunning views. On the south side of
the peninsula, the cliffs of Arnarstapi are famed for their rock arches and blow holes and the region as a whole, is excellent for birds during the breeding season.
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Iceland
