With its glassy glaciers, hot thermal springs, spectacular
geysers, active volcanoes, lava fields, stunning waterfalls and
snow-capped mountains, Iceland is indeed the original 'land of fire
and ice'.
It is not only unique and wonderful natural phenomena that
intrigue visitors to this, the second largest island in Europe,
which lies close to the Arctic Circle northwest of Scotland and
south of Greenland. The hardy Icelandic people, descendants of
ancient Norsemen and Celts, are intriguing too, having spawned what
is now renowned as the oldest surviving parliament in the world
(called the 'Althing'), founded in 930AD, and boasting a
much-revered literary heritage of the best medieval works, mostly
based on historic heroic sagas.
Most of the country's popular tourist features are in the south
of the island near the capital, Reykjavik, in the region known as
'The Golden Circle'. Top of the list for scenic splendour is the
Gullfoss double-tiered waterfall, set off with a brilliant rainbow,
and the spouting hot springs of Geysir.
Reykjavik means 'smoky', but in the case of Iceland's pristine
capital (which is Europe's most northerly capital city) the smoke
is not smog, but rather steam from the underground springs that
warm the city. Reykjavik has a well-deserved reputation for being
the cleanest, most invigorating city in Europe, where the standard
of living is one of the highest in the world. The city may be
small, but it is full of interesting attractions from galleries and
museums to thermal bathing spots, and the nightlife is second to
none.
What else is there to do and see in Iceland? Well, how about
whale-watching; chic fine dining; hiking the highlands; viewing
Europe's largest glacier Vatnajokull; fishing the rivers; taming
one of the great wild Icelandic horses, river-rafting; exploring on
a snow-scooter; shopping for designer wear, souvenirs and gourmet
foods; joining the descendants of the Vikings in the Summer
Solstice Festival at Hafnarfjorour; visit the northerly island of
Grimsey to cross the Arctic Circle; visiting the recreated medieval
farm at Stong.
