| Tourist information |
 The destination: Reykjavík / Iceland Since way back when, man has sought inspiration and new experiences from unfamiliar locations. Travel has become a large part of the quality of life for people all over the world. Travel provides inspiration and quite often a new perspective on daily activities, whether related to work or private life. Some places just naturally stimulate people’s imagination and give them greater energy at the same time. Iceland is just such a place: inspiring and refreshing  Iceland is not only closer than you think, but far different than you ever imagined. Where else can you witness such marvels of Mother Nature as a tremendous icecap and several glaciers, spouting geysers and steaming solfataras, volcanoes (hopefully dormant), raging rivers and magnificent waterfalls, a multitude of birds, cavorting whales just offshore, and many other surprises?Summers are surprisingly warm and winters not as cold as you might expect should you visit during the off-season. Regardless of when you visit, be assured that the warmth shown by Icelanders, their desire to share their culture, and the efforts made to make your stay as pleasant as possible will, like the spectacular landscape, never be forgotten.  Reykjavík – Iceland’s capital – is a young and daring city characterised by strong contrasts. Conveniently small, clean and safe, it is essentially free of the major problems that haunt most other capitals. Visitors to Reykjavik cannot escape experiencing the vibrant energy at the heart of Iceland’s capital city. Whether you want to feel the boiling thermal energy underground, get close to the natural green energy within the city and around it, or experience its lively culture and funfilled nightlife, you should be in for a very memorable visit. The perfect way to experience Reykjavik’s healing energy is to visit one of its many thermal pools and luxury spas. A healthy swim, a soak in the thermal hot pots or a relaxing visit to a state-of-the-art spa leaves you feeling in tune with body and soul. The world-famous Blue Lagoon is just a forty-minute drive from the capital. Reykjavík’s abundant supply of geothermal water is even used to heat its Atlantic Ocean coast, creating a warm inlet by a sandy beach just ten minutes from the old city centre.Icelandic water – the best in the world! Icelanders have the fortune of having access to an almost unlimited and inexpensive supply of natural hot and cold water, a resource that is becoming scarce in many places around the world. In addition, Icelanders can be proud of the drinking water quality, which is one of the purest in the world. The cold water from the tap is pure spring water, without any additives such as chlorine. Climate Iceland has a relatively mild coastal climate. The average summer temperature in Reykjavik, the capital, is 10. 6°C/51°F in July, with average highs of 24. 3°C/76°F. The average winter temperature in Reykjavik is similar to New York City's, about 0°C/32°F in January (average highs are 9. 9°C/50°C). Usually the weather is very changeable. The mild climate stems from the Gulf Stream and attendant warm ocean currents from the Gulf of Mexico. The weather is also affected by the East Greenland polar current curving south-eastwards round the north and east coasts. For two to three months in summer there is continuous daylight in Iceland, and early spring and late autumn enjoy long twilight. However, the days are very short in mid-winter. In general there is cool summer with about 5-25 °C in July and mild winters with on average -2,3 °C on average in Jan. The weather is rather unstable and visitors can be expecting all kind of weather in same time which makes a visit to the country even more exiting. General information about Iceland  Iceland looks like a tiny spot on the world map, but considering its size (app. 103.000 sq. km) the country has an incredible diverse landscape, dominated by mighty glaciers and mountains, desolate highlands, fertile river valleys, volcanoes and lava fields. Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge dividing the European and American continental plates, slowly pulling the two in separate directions (2 cm each year). The ridge runs through the whole country, resulting in volcanic eruptions, geothermal activity such as geysers and hot springs, as well as occasional earthquakes. Hundreds of volcanoes dot the landscape, although not all of them are active. The most famous ones include: Hekla, which was once believed to be the entrance to hell, Katla on the Myrdalsjökull glacier and Krafla in North-Iceland. All of them have erupted within the last century. On average there is a volcanic eruption every five years. Lava fields cover some 11% of the island. Geothermal power is harnessed to produce energy and heat. In fact more than 90% of Icelandic homes are heated in this way. Fossil fuels are used only for transportation, and hydropower to produce electricity. As a consequence Icelanders can enjoy a clean pollution free environment. Approximately 11% of the total area of the country is covered by glaciers. The largest one is Vatnajökull glacier, which is up to a kilometre thick. The glacial melt water ends in rivers, some of which offer possibilities for river rafting whereas others give rise to beautiful waterfalls, such as the famous Gullfoss waterfall on the Hvitá river. Many of the spring fed rivers and lakes offer fabulous chances for fishing salmon, trout and Arctic char. Iceland is renowned for its natural beauty, and not without a cause. History and language The first permanent settlers in Iceland were Norsemen from Scandinavia, arriving in the late 9th century, and Celts from the British Isles. The language of Iceland was Old Norse from the outset, but there are traces of Celtic influence in some of the Edda poems, in personal and place names and even in the appearance of present-day Icelanders. Icelandic, the national language, has changed very little from the original tongue spoken by the Norse settlers. Icelandic has two letters of its own, Þ/þ and Ð/ð, which were used in old English. "Þ" is pronounced as "th" in "thing" and "Ð" is pronounced as the "th" in "them". A large percentage of English words derive from Icelandic. English and Danish are widely spoken and understood in Iceland. Established in 930, Althingi is the oldest functioning parliament in the world, with 63 members elected for a term of four years by a popular vote. With the exception of the President and the judges of the Supreme Court, anyone who is eligible to vote can stand for a parliamentary seat. There is universal suffrage for all citizens 18 years or older. About the Icelanders  Icelanders are in many ways forged by the country they live in. They may appear a bit rough and cold sometimes – even indifferent, but also determined and relentless. Giving time, they will reveal themselves as sensitive, kind, poetic, warm, loyal and emotional. The Icelandic people have shown their ability and determination in adapting, learning and developing. Today, the standard of living is among the highest in the world. Icelandic industry is very competitive, be it in genetic research, power plant engineering or the fishing industry to name a few. In short, one could say that Icelanders are a hard-working bunch, somewhere between Europe and America, who have learned to be self-sufficient but still crave for the outer contact and thoroughly enjoy and take pride in living in a postcard.Reykjavík - hot destination  Reykjavik is famous for its lovely cafés and vibrant nightlife. It is said that Reykjavik has become one of the hottest destinations for nightlife in Europe. We leave it to you to judge whether this statement is true and encourage you to try as many venues as possible. The nightlife does not really start until midnight, mostly because many people are at private parties until midnight or even 1 AM. One of the reasons might be the notoriously high prices for alcoholic beverages. Go ahead and experience Reykjavik the way the locals do it!Good links for further information on Iceland and Reykjavík www.icetourist.is www.visitreykjavik.is |