Iceland brings up images of cold vistas, frozen volcanos, and hot geysers. This island, originally inhabited by the Vikings is now a tourist attraction, and thousands of visitors flock to Rekjyavik every year.
Iceland is easy to get to but hard to get around. You have to plan your visit for specific dates; this will define what you can see and how you can see it.
Seasons
Winter is from October to March, and while Iceland sounds forbidding, it is not such a bad place in winter. During winter the temperature stays around freezing point. The dark days are the hardest to bear, with daylight limited to around 6 hours. If you decide to leave Rekjyavik, then you chance yourself to a dark isolation. While darkness prevails, visitors can marvel at the Aurora Borealis, which happens quite frequently, and during winter, most travelers are seeking warmer climates, not colder ones.
Summer is between May and September, and you get more than enough daylight, in fact, you suffer from 21 hours of daylight during the summer season. Which is the opposite of winter and temperatures are comfortable, ranging around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. July and August are peak tourist months, so prepare for more congestion when visiting during these months.
Most US airports offer sweet deals, with $100 one way tickets in season and $70 offseason. Mst US travelers will find flights from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. US passport holders do not need a visa to visit Iceland, but you will need a passport that has over three months validity remaining.
The drive time to Reykjavik from the airport is around 40 minutes. If you are not renting a car, then there is the Flybus airport shuttle that costs around $22. A taxi cab is an expensive luxury and will cost closer to $130. Since getting around Iceland is a car-intensive activity, it is always best to factor in car rental. Driving in Iceland is on the right side, and the speed limit and distance are in kilometers. Gas is expensive here, so check the latest gas prices to factor in the cost of car rental. I suggest you rent an SUV or any vehicle with 4 wheel drive.
All around the year, Iceland is windy, so pack warm and sturdy clothing. You should prepare for the dark when hiking, so pack a number of lighting options to accompany you. Make sure you have good hiking boots and keep a lot of socks and a towel. One of the worst conditions is walking with wet feet. Also, during the summer season, when the sun is up at night, make sure you take sunscreen, you will be in sunlight all day, even if you don’t feel the heat.
Places
Rekyavik is the capital of Iceland and its largest city. It is situated on the coast and houses the National and Saga museums, that trace Iceland’s Viking history. The concrete Hallgrimskirkja church and rotating Perlan glass dome show off spectacular views of the sea and nearby hills.
Close to Reykjavik you will find the Cave Víðgelmir. This is a lava tube in the Hallmundarhraun lava field, and it offers 5,250 feet deep caves. This is a physical fitness trip, so be prepared for some intensive hiking.
Places to visit in Iceland include Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This remote destination is a vacation all by itself. Travelling to these sheer cliffs facing the North Atlantic is a tour of wonder. On the way, you must stop in Stykkisholmur, a small fishing village that boasts the Library of Water and the Norweigan House Museum.
Into the Glacier is one of the worlds largest man-made ice tunnels, and it reaches 1,800 feet into the glacier under Langjökull. This wonderful place boasts a chapel carved from ice.
