My City Reykjavík
GUÐBJÖRG INGVARSDÓTTIR
JEWELLERY DESIGNER - AURUM
Where were you born and what was your impression of the area?
Ísafjörður, in the west part of Iceland. It is a beautiful town surrounded by High Mountains.
Where do you live now and what do you like best about it?
Seltjarnarnes. The best part of it is to have the sea right in front of our house.
If money were no object, where would you live and why?
In Iceland. I have lived in other countries but Iceland is my favourite. It is a good place for my girls to grow up in with amazing nature, clean air and water, I can’t be without it for too long a time!
Which city is your favourite shopping destination and why?
Paris. I am there at least two times a year and it has my favourite shops. Tokyo is also a favourite, beautiful shops and they know how to treat their customers.
Name your 3-5 favourite stores in Iceland and why?
Aurum store stocks nice things that you don’t find anywhere else in Iceland. Icelandic jewellery and lifestyle products from Iceland and abroad. Farmers Market makes beautiful clothing and 38 Þrep is a very nice shoe store.
Name your 3-5 favourite restaurants in Iceland?
Garðurinn, that is my favourite place for lunch, I go there a few times a week and they have great cakes too. Snaps have a great atmosphere and food. Grillmarket have delicious food. Ban Thai is my favourite takeaway place.
Where do you take out-of-town friends that are visiting Iceland, and why?
To Snæfellsnes. Drive through Hvalfjörður, stop by Búðir, and then go around the glacier. There are so many beautiful places on the way. My husband is from there, so we have spent a lot of time there and know it well. This makes a good day tour from Reykjavík.
Are there any hidden spots you don’t want out-of-towners to know about?
Yes, my summer house in the west of Iceland. A beautiful and quiet place for myself and my family.
Best kept local secret?
Garðurinn, my favourite lunch place.
What is your latest local discovery?
Seltjarnarnes, I just recently moved there and there are so many beautiful spots, and it is just a few minutes from downtown Reykjavík.
What’s the best landmark, building or tourist attraction in Iceland?
Hallgrímskirkja is visible from all over Reykjavík and the surrounding areas, making it a great landmark. Landmannalaugar National Park, I spent some time there some years ago and it’s a natural gem with mystical landscapes. I hope to visit again soon.
Which person from Iceland do you most admire and why?
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir former president of Iceland, she has always been one of my favourites, I met her first when I was very young and she made a strong impression on me. She has always been a great advocate for Iceland.
Where do you most like to travel for inspiration?
Go to my summer house in the west part of Iceland where the nature is so magical, the sea is so beautiful, the mountains and glacier close by. No one is around - it is so peaceful.
What product or place can you not live without?
My home - with my husband, three girls and two dogs!
(Interview reproduced with permission of Global Blue)
