Faroe Islands: Bleak, beautiful, bizarre

Story highlights

  • Faroe Islands have up to 300 rainy days a year, but the landscape gives them special appeal
  • Grass roofs in the Faroe Islands are the most conspicuous element of the local architecture
  • Many young Faroese leave to study abroad to escape the remoteness of home, but often return

With up to 300 rainy days per year, the Faroe Islands aren't set to become the next big summer vacation spot.




Travel guides mention the Faroe Islands only in passing.




Tjornuvik is the northernmost village on the main island of Streymoy.

"From there, you'll see where the Icelandic giants hurled a rope to tow the Faroes toward their island," says Barour.

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Mythological creation



It&#39;s bleak, but also soothing.

When the sun rose, they turned to stone.

That's how Risin and Kellingin ("The Giant" and "The Witch"), two sea stacks north of Eysturoy island, each about 230 feet (70 meters) tall, were created, the legend goes.



Driving around the Faroe Islands is a thrilling experience.


Such is the case with the road to Tjornuvik -- a patch carved in rock on top of a nearly vertical cliff with narrow passing bays and sheep wandering the roads.



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Green roofs

Scattered along these roads are many grass-roofed houses.




The main islands are connected by underwater tunnels and one bridge: "The only bridge over the Atlantic Ocean," jokes Barour.




But not all is bad, say those who return.

"You have close family and people to help you here, and the environment is very anti-stressful," says Bodil, a Faroese woman from the island of Eysturoy.

Sheds built by Vikings hundreds of years ago are still in use today.

Despite weather so volatile that, according to a local saying, Vivaldi could have composed "The Four Seasons" in one day here, the Faroes can easily enchant a tourist with their unusual beauty.

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Getting there


Some flights depart to Norway and Iceland.

