Gives us the likes of Hlin and Sigi.

Looked for a while like we'd have to sleep in the car. We didn't have reservations in Reykjavik, Iceland's capitol city. Every hotel and bed and breakfast place seemed to be full. Apparently, there was a convention in town. And no room to spare. Finally, my girlfriend spied a listing for Forsaela Apartments. And sure enough, there was a vacancy. For a furnished apartment. We were desparate, and I didn't even inquire about the price. We took it. And it was wonderful. A living room. A kitchen. And a bedroom in a loft. With a king-sized bed. And magnificently furnished. And the cost was even less than for some of our hotel rooms. But best of all were the owners, Hlin and Sigi. Real Icelanders. And Hlin was well-traveled. She had lived 12 years in Italy. And spoke fluent Italian. And my girlfriend is Italian. So it was almost like Italy in Iceland. We spent the final days of our three-week stay in Iceland at Forsaela. And when we return some day, that's where we'll stay again. That will be our home base. In fact, no matter where we go. Whether it be to Prague or Budapest or Vienna. We'll settle for nothing less than furnished apartments. Makes so much sense. Especially if the owners are the likes of Hlin and Sigi. --Jim Broede