About Us
We’re Nonni Travel – and we’re in love with the Arctic
We’re proud to be an independent company that’s flexible, personal, and—most of all—human. We’re real people with a deep love for what we do, and we’re here to make travel dreams come true for other real people. 😊
We love crafting tailor-made private tours for individuals and groups. It’s the little things—the special touches, the thoughtful details, the local secrets—that make your trip truly unforgettable, and we’re passionate about getting everyone just right.
So… here we are!
We’re a close-knit team of travel experts, nature lovers, artists, and adventurers. Each of us brings something unique to the table, from deep local insight to global experience. We share a genuine passion for the Arctic and a commitment to creating meaningful, memorable, and sustainable travel experiences for every guest.
Let’s explore the North together—with heart, curiosity, and care.
From Iceland’s volcanic wonders to Greenland’s vast ice fields and the rugged charm of the Faroe Islands, we believe these are some of the most magical places on Earth. Each destination has its spirit and story – and we’re here to help you feel it, live it, and take a piece of it home in your heart.
What brings them all together is their raw natural beauty, their authenticity, and their deep-rooted Nordic heritage. We’ve built our lives around sharing that with others, and we never get tired of seeing the awe in someone’s eyes when they experience it for the first time.
Meet the Local Experts
Ana M. Korbar
Caroline Bjarnason
Wang Double Zhe
Teodora Tileva
Zsanett Barbara Nagy
Anna Sólrún Bates
Stephanie Schwarz
Ingi Þór Guðmundsson
Berenika Lenard
From Vision to Reality: The Nonni Travel Journey
Nonni Travel started in 1988 in the heart of North Iceland – a region we still call home. It all began with Helena Dejak, a passionate nature lover who wanted to show travelers the wild, untouched side of the North. In 2016, Ingi Þór Gudmundsson followed in her footsteps, continuing that dream with a fresh perspective and deep love for these places.
Over the years, our team has grown, but one thing’s never changed: we’re all Arctic lovers at heart. We care deeply about the land, the people, and the stories we get to share. That passion and care show in everything we do—from the way we craft our tours to the relationships we build with our guests.
In 2023, we celebrated 35 years of doing what we love. Along the way, we’ve even been recognized with the WWF Heidi Andersson Pilot Project Award for our commitment to connecting tourism with nature conservation. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for us—it’s a promise we live by daily.
Where Does the Name Nonni Come From?
The name Nonni comes from Jón Sveinsson, affectionately known as Nonni, a beloved author of children’s books. His stories were incredibly popular in Iceland, Germany, and across Europe, translated into many languages, and touched the hearts of countless readers.
The founder of Nonni Travel, Helena Dejak, first encountered Nonni’s books as a young girl in Slovenia. His tales sparked her dream to one day visit Iceland—the land of fire and ice. Little did she know, her journey would bring her to Akureyri, Nonni’s childhood home, where she would later establish a travel company that helps others fulfill their dreams of experiencing Iceland.
Nonni was born on November 16th, 1857, at Möðruvellir in Hörgárdalur, Iceland, and spent his early years there. His parents were well-respected and raised their children with strong Christian values. In 1865, the family moved to Akureyri, settling in a small black wooden house called Nonni’s House. Tragically, Nonni’s father passed away when he was just 11, and his mother struggled to support her family in those difficult times.
At 12, Nonni’s life took a dramatic turn when a French nobleman offered to pay for his education in France. Due to the ongoing European wars, Nonni first traveled to Denmark, where he spent a year and converted to Roman Catholicism. He then moved to France and began his studies at The Latin School in Amiens. His younger brother, Manni, also attended the same school but sadly passed away at the age of 23.
After completing his studies, Nonni joined the Jesuit order in 1878 and spent the next five years studying literature, philosophy, and theology at universities in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In 1883, he became a teacher at a Catholic school in Ordrup, Denmark, where he remained for the next 20 years.
In 1912, Nonni’s health declined, and he retired from teaching. He then turned to writing, sharing stories of his childhood adventures. He traveled the world over the next few years, delivering lectures and writing books. Nonni authored 12 books and gave around 5,000 lectures, with his works translated into roughly 40 languages.
Jón Sveinsson, or Nonni, passed away in Cologne, Germany, in October 1944 at 86, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration for future generations.