Travel tips to European Countries: Iceland 

About the county

Officially known as the Republic of Iceland, is located in northwestern Europe. It comprises of the island of Iceland and its outlying small islands in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Greenland, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands.

Iceland’s glassy glaciers, hot thermal springs, spectacular geysers, active volcanoes, lava fields, stunning waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, indeed makes it the original 'land of fire and ice'.

Iceland is a very large island with a unique landscape which is rugged and colorful with black lava, red sulfur, hot blue geysers, rivers, waterfalls, bays, fjords and green valley. The capital of Iceland is Reykjavík which is also the largest city of Iceland. Nearly half of Iceland’s population lives around Reykjavík.

The popular tourist attractions are centered also centered on this city. The most famous attraction is Gullfoss double-tiered waterfall which is set off with an outstanding rainbow and hot springs of Geysir.

People might wonder what one can do in Iceland. If you hear the list you will be amazed that there are so many things to do and see here. From watching whales to chic fine dining, hiking, seeing Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajokull, fishing in rivers, horse riding, rafting, exploring the landscape on a snow scooter, shopping designing wear, Summer Solstice Festival, visit island of Grimsey to cross the Arctic Circle, visit medieval farm at Stong and what not, the list is endless.

Best Time To Visit

Early June to the end of August, when the country defrosts

Population & Languages

The population of Iceland is only 299,388 and the official language being spoken is Icelandish. English, Nordic languages, German are also widely spoken.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in northwestern Europe. It comprises of the island of Iceland and its outlying small islands in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Greenland, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands. It is strategically located between Greenland and Europe

Climate

The climate of Iceland can be termed as temperate with damp and cool summers and mild and windy winters. The highest temperature recorded was 30.5°C (86.9°F) on 22 June 1939 at Teigarhorn. The lowest temperature ever recorded was -38°C (-36.4°F) on 22 January 1918 at Grímsstaðir and Möðrudalur.

Local Customs

Like any other country Iceland has its own customs too and normal courtesies should be followed. Handshaking is customary. Visitors are invited to homes when on a business trip and normal courtesies should be observed. The people pay careful attention to their appearance and, as for most Western countries, casual wear is widely acceptable. Service charges are included in the bills most of the time and tips are not expected.

Attractions

·          Reykjavik Attractions – Hallgrimskirkja Church, National Museum of Iceland, Botanical Gardens and the Einar Jónsson Museum  

·         Enjoying Reykjavik’s famously uninhibited nightlife

·         Swimming in the piping hot waters of the geothermal field at Nesjavellir

·         napping a photo of the iceberg-filled Jokulsarlon lagoon

·         Checking out Vatnajokull-Europe’s biggest icecap

·         Cooing over thousands of puffin chicks on Heimaey island

·         Dogsledding on the icecaps at Myrdalsjokull.

Try local delicacies:

Eat hardfiskur (haddock), which is cleaned and dried in the open air until dehydrated and brittle.  For something sweet, try ponnukokur (Icelandic pancakes)

Kaffi (coffee), Icelandic beer or the traditional Icelandic brew brennivin, a sort of schnapps made from potatoes and flavoured with caraway

Further Pleasures:

To read: Independent  People by Halldor Laxness, one of half a dozen brilliant novels by the Nobel Prize winner, or the comic drama Angels of the Universe, by Einar Mar Gudmundsson

To listen: Bjork, Quarashi and Sigur Ros

To watch:  Children of Nature directed by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, which tells the story of an elderly couple forced into a retirement home in Reykjavik. 101Reykjavik, directed by Baltasar Kormakur and based on the novel by Hallgrimur Helgason, is a dark comedy that explores sex, drugs and the life of a loafer in downtown Reykjavik.

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Iceland is Icelandair which operates to many internationsl destinations such as Amsterdam, Baltimore, Boston, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Halifax, London, Minneapolis, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm and Washington, plus other destinations in the summertime only. Other international airlines operating from Iceland include Air Greenland (www.airgreenland.gl) and Iceland Express (www.icelandexpress.com). Other, predominantly Scandinavian, carriers also operate services. Some airlines like Condor and Corsai, operate flights during the summertime. Flights also operate to the Faroe Islands and Greenland during the summer months. Major airport is Keflavik International Airport (KEF) located at 31 miles south of Reykjavik.

Duty Free Items

1.    200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products

2.    1 liter spirits and 1 liter wine, or 1 liter spirits and 6 liter beer; or 1 liter wine and 6 liter beer; or 2.25 liter wine

3.    Food items up to 3kg not exceeding kr13,000

4.   Permits from Post & Telecom Authorities are required for cordless phones,   remote controls or radio transmitters. It is not required for a GSM mobile phone

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, pornography, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.