Iceland Shares Advice on How to Take the Picture Perfect 'Safe Selfie'

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, November 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

• Inspired By Iceland advises tourists on how to stay safe when capturing the perfect selfie with latest video guide and how best to explore its seven awe inspiring regions
• Advice comes as part of educational video series from Iceland Academy, hosted by charismatic local experts, offering insider advice and tips on the best of Icelandic culture, etiquette and nature
• Other new topics covered include a guide to Iceland's vibrant festivals, its iconic horses, Iceland's natural power, a short history lesson on Icelandic sagas and the undiscovered corners of its seven unique regions
• Iceland Academy is an Icelandic tourism campaign aimed at helping tourists experience the country like a local, whilst raising awareness about how to travel in a safe and responsible way
• Over 15,000 'graduates' have used the online educational tool since it launched in February 2016 

Did you know that on an average day, over 93 million selfies are taken globally? Or that each year, as the internet grows, more people are putting themselves in harms way to capture the perfect picture?

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As part of its Iceland Academy educational video series for tourists, and looking to promote an increased responsiblity amongst visitors, Inspired By Iceland has introduced a special video guide on 'How to Take a Safe Selfie'. The video is one of five new online tutorials for tourists wanting to learn about how to experience the best of Iceland firsthand, from the people who know it best - the locals.

The fun tutorials, launched today as part of the online educational tool's Winter Term, aim to enlighten tourists on the more unknown aspects of Iceland. Insider tips and advice highlight everything from the wonders of its seven regions, to its very own 130 volcanoes and the clean and renewable energy they provide to 90% of Iceland's houses. They also offer information on Iceland's unique festivals, its iconic horses and a short history lesson on Icelandic sagas.  

Each online academy class is hosted by a local 'tutor' including Head of Iceland Academy and Guide Stína Bang, Kamilla Ingibergsdóttir, music aficionado and PA to global successes 'Of Monsters and Men' and Settlement Centre manager Sigríður Margrét Guðmundsdóttir.

Iceland Academy's classes are open to everyone via the Inspired By Iceland website and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Users are invited to watch the video tutorials and complete a short, fun quiz, testing their newly learned knowledge on everything from hot tub etiquette and local food sustainability, to glacier safety. On successful completion of the quiz, viewers will recieve a special Iceland Academy badge and be entered into a competition to win a once in a lifetime 'field trip' to Iceland where they can test out their new skills.

This term, Inspired By Iceland will host a special Facebook Live video class in partnership with Horses of Iceland, educating viewers on all that is wonderful about the Icelandic horse. Viewers can tune in by liking the Inspired By Iceland Facebook page.

Since launching in February 2016 'Iceland Academy' has helped over 15,000 visitors learn about all aspects of Icelandic nature, culture and etiquette offering advice on avoiding awkwardness in the hot tub, how to drive safely in Iceland, what makes local food so healthy and delicious, how to travel responsibly, winter sports, staying safe, how to pack for Iceland's ever changing weather system and how to capture the Northern Lights.

Notes to Editors  

Winter timetable (Available now)  

• A Guide To Safe Selfies in Iceland

With its incredible landscapes and stunning light, Iceland has the perfect conditions for a selfie. But even taking an extraordinary selfie isn't enough. People go to great lengths, often putting themselves at risk in their quest to one-up their friends with the best picture. Find out how to stay safe with your selfie this Winter.

• A Guide to Icelandic Festivals

What kind of festival-goer are you? From Reykjavik's Design March to Iceland Airwaves to the horse round ups that are the very heart of Icelandic farm life, let tutor Kamilla guide you to your dream festival experience.

• How to Travel Further in Iceland

Iceland is a small island that is well serviced by a popular ring road and domestic flights to the seven regions of the country. Learn with this class just how easy it is to explore all corners of the most beautiful land on earth.  

• A Beginner's Guide to Icelandic Sagas

The Icelandic Sagas are a series of historical tales that cause wonderment and inspire awe amongst the locals even today. Find out the basics of the Sagas and what makes them so important to Icelanders, young and old.

• Power of Iceland (Available in December)

This class will teach you all about Iceland's incredible natural power, from its 130 volcanoes to the year round vegetables and relaxing geothermal pools that its clean renewable energy produces.

Autumn timetable (Available now)  

• The Delights of Authentic Icelandic Food

Discover the secrets behind Iceland being one of the longest living nations on earth. Hint, it starts with the stomach! Award winning chef Ylfa tells you about Iceland's finest cuisine and shows you that you really are what you eat.

• Pack Warm and Stay Happy

The Icelandic weather changes very quickly. Be guided in this class on what to wear and what not to wear to stay warm and happy in Iceland.

• Capturing the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are a bucket list favourite but how to capture them on camera is an art that takes some practicing! Tutor Baldur will advise his students in this class on the best way to find and capture that perfect Northern Lights photo.

Summer Driving School (Available now)  

• Driving in Iceland

Driving in Iceland can take not only skill but also awareness of the conditions that might be just around the corner. Let our tutor Jónas fill you in on how to be best prepared when travelling on four wheels.

Spring Timetable (Available now)  

• How to Avoid Hot Tub Awkwardness

Iceland is well known for its hot tub culture, but do you know the right customs and etiquette of the local's favourite pastime? This class has this covered, even if the correct etiquette is not to be!

• Responsible Travelling In Iceland

One of the golden rules for travelling in Iceland is to respect Mother Nature and take care of your environment. Head Teacher Stína will show you how to be the most responsible traveller with this class.

• Staying Safe In Iceland

Iceland is beautiful but it can also be a difficult place to travel around. Fear not, Jónas from Icelandic Search and Rescue is here to give you a lesson on staying safe in Iceland. Take the class to equip yourself for your next adventure.

• A Guide to Winter Sports in Iceland

The Icelandic winter has a lot to offer the active explorer, from snowboarding and skiing to diving between tectonic plates. Allow Ski Area Manager Guðmundur to take you on an adrenaline filled tour of all the activities on offer.

Inspired By Iceland  

Inspired by Iceland is a public private partnership between the Icelandic government, the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, Landsbankinn, Icelandair and other leading companies in Icelandic tourism. Promote Iceland is the developer and the executive body of the campaign.

For more information please visit:   

Inspired By Iceland http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com

#IcelandAcademy

#Icelandsecret

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/inspiredbyiceland   

Twitter - @icelandinspired  

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/inspiredbyiceland  

Instagram - Inspiredbyiceland 

To plan your trip visit http://www.visiticeland.com/plan-your-trip

Promote Iceland http://www.promoteiceland.is