-By Beth Finnson
How much do you know about the Snorri Plus program?
This was the topic for Samtal Hour on Monday, August 29, 2022. Judy Dickson, Samtal Director had just returned from a two-week tour of Iceland led by the Snorri Director Pála Hallgrímsdóttir. Traveling with Judy for the 2022 Snorri trip were seven other Icelandic Roots members plus cousins, spouses and others for a total of 13 intrepid travelers.
Snorri Plus is for adults over the age of 30. Each year’s trip is tailored to the interests of the participants. For this trip, one adventurous person planned to hike to the active volcano; another person wanted to visit as many pools and hot springs as possible. Planned activities-to name a few-included orientation, Icelandic language and culture classes, whale watching, visits to museums and historical sites, as well as the Hosfós Immigration Center and an opportunity to meet and chat with Iceland’s President Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson. There were photo opportunities with Guðni as well as kaffi and delicious baked Icelandic treats.
Judy and her sister visited cousins who owned a sheep farm. The cousins then invited all the Snorri travelers to see their farm and also provided a sumptuous meal of meats, fish, cheeses, breads, cakes and more for everyone!
Several other people were also able to visit family, ancestral farms and cemeteries. One couple renewed their wedding vows in their ancestral church.
One highlight is the opportunity to meet Icelandic relatives! When you apply, you will be asked to provide names of family who emigrated from Iceland to Canada or the US. The Snorri program will contact your relatives and invite them to a reception.
The Snorri Plus participants offered these tips for traveling to Iceland:
-Research your family and the areas you want to visit before you go.
-Plan for all kinds of weather. Bring clothing to layer.
-One person commented that “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing choices!”
-Arrive a day or two early to recover from jet lag before the tour begins.
Everyone said the accommodations were great, the food fabulous and that it was fun to find out how all on the tour were related. Actually, aren’t we all cousins?
For more information and to book your own Icelandic adventure, please visit
The Snorri Programs are also on Facebook and Instagram.