Iceland Overview

Overview

The fact that moon exploration craft have had terrain tests on this European island should suggest to the visitor the type of landscape they will encounter. Sculpted by the elements, particularly volcanoes and glaciers, the natural world should be amongst the top of the visitor's things to experience. This can be active by snowmobiling around a glacier or cycling around the island or passive by joining a tour to take a more sedate look at the amazing formations.

As the tourist board quickly points out, despite its name, the island is not as cold and forbidding a everyone has been led to believe, although plenty of cold weather clothing should be brought. (This name game is not true for Tierra del Fuego which is simply not as hot as its name suggests.)

The population is concentrated around Reykavik, the capital and its environs. The city is generally safe and has all the amenities a visitor could wish for in a European capital. Those interested in the cultural side of life will find a great deal with theatres, the opera (there is not language problem), art gallery exhibiting local and international work and museums such as the Arbaer Open Air and Arnus Magnusson Institute.

The natural world, is inescapable throughout the island and really does allow the adventurous visitor to tire themselves in all manner of ways. There is the opportunity for kayaking, river rafting, geo thermal pool swimming and fishing amongst others. Possibly seeing the jets at Geysir or the waterfalls at Gullfoss will be more appropriate for some visitors.