Secluded Vacation

Iceland is a mountainous island in the North Atlantic, located between Europe and North America. Although a bit austere, Iceland is a country of unreserved natural splendor. The almost unreal beauty of lava eruptions, hot springs, geysers, fissures and glaciers make this land truly unique. Nordic and Celtic people settled Iceland in the 9th century, and in fact, Ing?lfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking, founded the first settlement on the site known as present day Reykjavik, which is Iceland?s capital city.

Of all the tourist attractions, one of the most famous, and certainly the most popular, is the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. Some people actually think they are only visible during the winter months, but actually, you can see them all year long. The Midnight Sun is another tourist favorite. Occurring in Scandinavia during early summer, the Midnight Sun means just what it says?the sun is visible at midnight. Its opposite, the Polar Night, occurs in winter.

At some point of their vacation, visitors usually find themselves in Reykjavik City. Iceland?s capital is thought to be one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world. The nightlife in Reykjavik is vibrant, with an amazing variety of pubs, bars, cafes and dance halls. In fact, live music is fast becoming a trademark of this city. You can find a concert on almost every night of the week. There is also a variety of local craft shops and Scandinavian designer stores in Reykjavik, and the Kringlan shopping mall is a popular draw for locals and tourists alike.

Of course, if you go to Iceland, you must try one of the many whale-watching tours. The ocean around Reykjavik is a natural haunt for whales, dolphins and seals. Your tour will probably take you past Puffin Island, as well. Reykjavik?s landmark is the Perlan, or Pearl. Built in 1988, it sits under a large glass dome on top of huge tanks, which store the natural hot water for heating the city. The dome houses a rotating restaurant, with first-rate cuisine and a breath-taking view.

If you are into Viking history, you simply have to investigate some of Reykjavik?s museums. The Sun Voyager is another stop you will want to make. It is a massive steel sculpture of a Viking ship, created by Jon Gunnar Arnason, and it is found on Mt, Esja. Make sure to view it at sunrise or sunset. Also, make the time to stop at the Restaurant Fjorugardurinn. Set up in Viking fashion and offering a customary Viking feast, this distinctive restaurant lets you to step back in time and experience some memorable Viking culture.

If you have the time, don?t miss another of Iceland?s top tourist attractions, The Blue Lagoon. This outdoor, geothermal seawater pool, can be found about 45-minutes from Reykjavik, and is worth a trip. The steam-covered, fluorescent blue pool is 104-degrees all year long.

This amazing country offers tourists a wide variety of unique experiences, and all of them delight and awe. Dramatic, striking, and eerily austere, a trip to Iceland is truly memorable.