| Iceland Hotels > Iceland Information |
| Iceland is closer than you think – and more fun than you’ve ever dreamt
of. This mid-Atlantic island is the USA’s closest European neighbor. With
a flight time from New York only a jet lag-free 4.5 hours, you’re ready
for action as soon as you arrive. And no matter the season, there’s always
more than enough waiting for you to do. The chilliest thing about Iceland is its name! In January, the average temperature in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is higher than that in New York. And Iceland’s welcome for tourists is always warm. Almost everyone speaks fluent English and Icelanders aren’t really given to formalities. After all, even the telephone directory lists people by their first name. Reykjavik is a city where you’ll feel safe to walk the streets. Cozy, charming, a “village feel” and friendly people. But as much entertainment, action and things to do as a metropolis of millions. And with all the modern conveniences, a high quality of life and world-class services. Even so, it’s still only a 15-minute cab ride between downtown and wild nature, where you’ll feel you’re the only person on Earth. Iceland is the ideal place for taking a break and setting foot on a European outpost with an exciting, lively, and ancient – but living culture all of its own. You’ll feel at home – free to walk around, shop, admire, explore. It’s a place you could go on discovering forever. |
| Facts About Iceland Land Iceland is an island of almost 40,000 square miles, equal to that of Ohio. Iceland's highest peak, Hvannadalshnukur, is 6,500 ft. Iceland has the largest glaciers in Europe - in fact, 11% of the country is covered by glaciers. The coastline is dotted with more than one hundred fjords - and green, fertile valleys extend from them. Iceland also has more than 10,000 waterfalls and countless hot springs. Energy Situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is a hot spot of geothermal activity. Thirty post-glacial volcanoes have erupted in the past two centuries, and natural hot water supplies much of the population with cheap, pollution-free heating. Rivers, too, are harnessed to provide inexpensive hydroelectric power. The electrical current is 220 volts, 50 Hz. Language The Icelanders still speak the language of the Vikings (Old Norse). When new words are needed, they simply coin words that are combinations or modifications of old words. Iceland is alone in upholding another Norse tradition: the custom of using patronyms rather than surnames. If, for example, Einar has a son named "Petur", the son's name is Petur Einarsson (Peter Einar's Son). If Einar has a daughter whom he names "Margret", she becomes Margret Einarsdottir (Margaret Einar's Daughter). Members of the same family can therefore have different "last names", which often causes confusion to foreigners. If you are looking for someone in the phone directory, you look them up by their first name. People Of a population numbering just over 288,000, more than half lives in the Greater Reykjavik Area. The native language is Icelandic but most Icelanders speak fluent English. Time In spite of its mid-Atlantic location, Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time all year round. History The first permanent settler of Iceland was Ingolfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking who in 874 AD made his home where Reykjavik now stands. In 930 AD, the Viking settlers of Iceland founded one of the world's first republican governments. They established a constitution based on individual freedom, land ownership, and sophisticated inheritance laws. In the year 1000, Icelandic-born Leifur Eiriksson (Leif Eriksson, sometimes called "Leif the Lucky") became the first European to set foot in North America. On another Viking expedition a couple of years later, Icelander Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir had a son, Snorri, who became the first child of European descent to be born in America. The Old Commonwealth Age, described in the classic Icelandic Sagas, lasted until 1262, when Iceland lost its independence. In 1918 it regained independence and in 1944 the present republic was founded. The country is governed by the Althing (Parliament), whose 63 members are elected every four years. Elections every four years are also held for the presidency; President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson was elected in June 2000 for the second time. Economy The economy is heavily dependent upon fisheries, which are the nation's greatest resource. 72% of all exports are made up of seafood products. Yet only a small proportion of the workforce is active in this sector (4.4% in fishing and 5.6% in fish processing). About 66% of the workforce is employed in services. Icelanders enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. Health Life expectancy, at 80 years for women and 74 for men, is one of the highest in the world, and a comprehensive state health-care system aims to keep it that way. Church The National Church of Iceland, to which 97 percent of the population belongs, is Evangelical Lutheran. In addition to the many Lutheran churches in Reykjavik, there is a Roman Catholic Cathedral at Landakot, with regular Sunday Mass. |
| Before you go A valid passport is required for visitors to Iceland. The Schengen agreement went into effect for Iceland on March 26, 2001 and the following countries participate in the Schengen cooperation in addition to Iceland:Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Germany. Travel between above-mentioned countries will in principle be without document check. Nationals of the following countries do not require visas to travel to Iceland as visitors, although they do require passports that are valid for three months beyond their intended stay: United States of America, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (applicable for those holding HKSAR passports), Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (applicable for those holding MSAR passports), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico,Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain (incl. Bermuda,Turks and Caicos Islands, Cayman Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, British Virgin Islands, St. Helena, Falkland Islands and Gibraltar), Uruguay, Vatican and Venezuela. Foreign citizens who must produce a visa upon arrival in Iceland now also gain entry to the other Schengen countries. Schengen visas should be obtained prior to arrival in the Schengen territory. Danish embassies will handle visa applications on behalf of Iceland. A list of these embassies and further information is available on the Directorate of Immigration home page, www.utl.is. |
| Iceland Hotels > Iceland Transportation |
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By Air Air Iceland and Islandsflug offer scheduled service to most parts of the country. For further information please contact the following: Air Iceland Reykjavik Airport IS-101 Reykjavik Tel:(+354) 570-3030 Fax:(+354) 570-3001 Islandsflug Reykjavik Airport IS-101 Reykjavik Tel: (+354) 570-8090 Fax: (+354) 570-8091 E-Mail: salesdep@islandsflug.is Air Iceland Passes Four-, five- and six-sector passes are valid on any segment operated by Air Iceland. This arrangement is valid year round. There is no minimum time limit but the trip must be completed within 30 days. The Air Iceland Pass is sold by all Icelandair offices. Also look for "Fly As You Please" which offers 12 days unlimited travel on all Air Iceland domestic routes. Air Bus Rover Fly one way, drive the other. An air service operated in connection with a bus service, offered by Air Iceland and BSI Travel. Air Bus Rover is valid from June 1 until September 30. There is no minimum time limit, but the round trip or circle trip must be completed within 30 days. It can be purchased at all Icelandair offices, BSI Travel, or any other travel agency. Several air carriers offer charter services and sightseeing flights. By Bus There is extensive bus service to most parts of the country, and to the highlands, as well as a large number of organized bus tours. Reservations are not needed, and tickets can be bought either at the bus station or from the driver. Children under 4 travel free of charge, and half price is charged for children from 4-11. A few main routes and fares (one way) are as follows:
The Full Circle Passport Passage around Iceland on the main road (the ring road) with scheduled buses. There is no time limit, and an unlimited number of stops may be made, although only along a continuous route (Valid May-Sep). Omnibus Passport Unlimited travel on all scheduled coach routes, main roads and secondary roads. The time limit is 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks, chosen by the traveler. Stop-overs can be made anywhere on the route and as often as one likes. Travelers with the above mentioned passports are given various discounts. They can be purchased from airline offices or travel agencies in Iceland or abroad, or at: BSI Travel Vatnsmyrarvegur 10 IS-101 Reykjavik Tel: (+354) 562-3320/552-2300 E-mail: travel@bsi.is By Car The national speed limit is 55 mph. Some roads, though, have a lower limit. Road signs are numerous and easy to read. Gas Stations: In the Greater Reykjavik Area you will find a variety of gas stations, with some open around the clock. In rural or interior areas, gas stations may sometimes be far apart. Motor Vehicle Insurance A "Green Card" or other proof of third-party insurance is mandatory for motorists driving their own cars in Iceland, except from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Channel Islands, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Vatican. Drivers without a "Green Card" (or equivalent) must buy a separate third-party insurance policy on arrival. Mountain Tracks Most mountain roads are closed until the beginning of July, or even longer because of wet and muddy conditions which make them totally impassable. When these roads are opened for traffic many of them can only be negotiated by four-wheel-drive vehicles. For some mountain tracks it is strongly advised that two or more cars travel together. Also, before embarking on any journey into the interior collect as much information as possible regarding road conditions from a travel bureau, tourist information office or the Public Roads Administration, Tel: (+354) 563-1500. A booklet called "Mountain Roads" can be obtained at Tourist Information Centers and the offices of the Icelandic Tourist Board abroad. Always take along a detailed map. Please Note: Special warning signs indicate danger ahead, such as sharp bends, but there is generally not a separate sign to reduce speed. Please choose a safe speed according to conditions. Motorists are obliged by law to use headlights at all times day and night. In Iceland all driving off roads or marked tracks is forbidden. Passengers in the front and back seats of an automobile are required by law to use safety belts. Icelandic law forbids any driving under the influence of alcohol. |
| Iceland Hotels > Iceland Tourist Attractions Guide |
| Geysir Geysir contains the country's best examples of spouting hot springs. The outstanding attraction is the 'Great Geysir,' which first began erupting in the 14th century and ceased in the early 20th century after thousands of tourists tried to set it off by pouring in loads of rocks and dirt. When water levels inside the geysir were artificially lowered, it resumed activity. However, earthquakes in June 2000 now mean the geysir erupts to no specific timetable. Fortunately, the Great Geysir has a stand-in - the nearby Strokkur. This spring faithfully spouts and sprays up to 20m (65.5ft) every three minutes, but photographers will have to be quick as the eruptions last only a couple of seconds. Around the site are a number of other colourful hot springs, steaming vents, warm streams, psychedelic algae and mineral deposits. Gullfoss Gullfoss is a much photographed two-tiered waterfall, and when the sun is shining (which isn't often), you're likely to see a rainbow through the ample spray that forms. The site was once slated for sale to international bidders for hydroelectric development, but has since been purchased by the government and set aside as a national monument. Nearby is Haukadalur, once one of southern Iceland's great seats of learning. Mývatn Mývatn, in northeast Iceland, is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. Although most of the interesting sights are volcanic or geothermal topographical features, the reserve's centrepiece is a lovely blue lake teeming with birdlife. What's more, thanks to its location in the rain shadow of an enormous icecap, the reserve experiences some of the finest weather in Iceland. Travellers can relax and settle in, spend a week camping, or set out on excursions to the Kverkfjöll ice caves, Námaskaro or the Hverfell crater. Reykjavík Reykjavík boasts all the trappings of a modern European city, as well as an interesting old town, whitewashed wooden buildings, and rows of brightly painted concrete houses. Nearly everything of interest is within walking distance of the old settlement. Most of Reykjavik's sights are in the Old Town, the area bordered by Tjörn, Lækjargata, the harbour and the suburb of Seltjarnarnes. The harbour area is the chief tourist precinct. Modern Reykjavik has sprawled eastward from the Old Town across the low hills. |