Aug/090
Iceland Travel Tips
Sitting between Europe and North America, Iceland is a mountainous, North Atlantic island. Although this land can be quite harsh, it is certainly a country of natural majesty and austere beauty. Eruptions of lava, geysers, hot springs, fissures and glaciers make Iceland seem untouchable, but it is a very popular tourist site. Settled in the 9th century, by the Nordic and Celtic people, Iceland has an ancient history. A Norwegian Viking, by the name of Ing?lfur Arnarson, originally settled on what is present day Reykjavik, or Iceland?s capital.
Of all the tourist attractions, one of the most famous, and certainly the most popular, is the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. Some people actually think they are only visible during the winter months, but actually, you can see them all year long. The Midnight Sun is another tourist favorite. Occurring in Scandinavia during early summer, the Midnight Sun means just what it says?the sun is visible at midnight. Its opposite, the Polar Night, occurs in winter.
At some point in your vacation, you will most likely spend some time in Reykjavik City, Iceland?s capital. It is one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world, and the nightlife is vibrant. The variety of pubs, bars, cafes and dance halls is endless, and live music is becoming a trademark. In fact, there is at least one concert on any given night. The assortment of local craft shops and Scandinavian designer stores making shopping an adventure, as does the Kringlan shopping mall.
Of course, if you come to Iceland, you simply must try a whale-watching tour. A natural habitat for whales, dolphins and seals, the ocean surrounding Reykjavik is ideal for catching a glimpse. Tours will generally pass by Puffin Island, too. Built in 1988, and considered to be Reykjavik?s landmark, the Perlan, or Pearl, is located under a large glass dome. This dome sits atop huge tanks, which are used to store the natural hot water for heating the city, and houses a rotating restaurant. The cuisine is divine, and the views spectacular.
If you are into Viking history, you simply have to investigate some of Reykjavik?s museums. The Sun Voyager is another stop you will want to make. It is a massive steel sculpture of a Viking ship, created by Jon Gunnar Arnason, and it is found on Mt, Esja. Make sure to view it at sunrise or sunset. Also, make the time to stop at the Restaurant Fjorugardurinn. Set up in Viking fashion and offering a customary Viking feast, this distinctive restaurant lets you to step back in time and experience some memorable Viking culture.
A very popular tourist attraction in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon. This outdoor, geothermal seawater pool is approximately 45-minutes, by car, from Reykjavik. The fluorescent blue pool, covered in steam, stays at about 104-degrees all year long.
This amazing country offers tourists a wide variety of unique experiences, and all of them delight and awe. Dramatic, striking, and eerily austere, a trip to Iceland is truly memorable.