See what the experts are saying about Iceland. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Introduction
On each trip to Iceland, we are always struck by how often other travelers are -- or intend to be -- repeat visitors. Many come year after year, never exhausting Iceland's endless variations of magnificent scenery and adventure. Returning tra... Continue reading »
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Best dining bets
Sjavarkjallarinn (Seafood Cellar) (Reykjavik; tel. 511-1212): Culinary conservatives may distrust this restaurant's radical experimentation and splashy presentation -- lobster with truffles served in a Mason jar? But the Seafood Cellar would... Continue reading »
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Best hotel bets
Hotel Glymur (Hvalfjor?ur; tel. 430-3100; www.hotelglymur.is): This stylish retreat is just 45 minutes from Reykjavik and 90 minutes from the international airport -- but feels worlds away, especially when surveying the fjord from the vantage... Continue reading »
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The best hikes
The Best Big-Name Hikes Hornstrandir Nature Reserve: This saw-toothed peninsula, the northernmost extremity of the Westfjords, is for travelers whose eyes instinctually roam to the farthest corners of the map. Protected since 1975, Hornstr... Continue reading »
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The best museums
Harbor House Museum (Reykjavik; tel. 590-1200; www.artmuseum.is): Born Gu?mundur Gu?mundsson in 1932, Erro -- the most prominent Icelandic artist of the late 20th century -- has donated most of his life's work to this contemporary art branch... Continue reading »
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The best natural attractions
Glymur: Iceland's tallest waterfall is nimble and graceful: Streamlets descend like ribbons of a maypole into a fathomless canyon mantled in bird nests and lush mosses. The hike there is somewhat treacherous, but those who brave it are reward... Continue reading »
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The best small towns and villages
Su?ureyri: This traditional yet eco-conscious fishing village in the Westfjords is pioneering a tourism model that welcomes visitors into the daily work rituals of Icelandic life. Touring a fish-processing factory or joining a fishing boat cr... Continue reading »
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The best websites
www.icelandreview.com: Iceland Review is an online magazine that strikes a fine balance between serious journalism and touristic concerns; the travel articles are great for scouting destinations. All previous issues are archived and searchabl... Continue reading »
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Planning a trip
This guide is designed to help you with practical matters in planning your trip to Iceland: when to go, how to get there, how to get around, how to prepare. Advance planning is especially important in high season (mid-June to Aug), since tour... Continue reading »
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Fast facts
American Express -- There is no American Express office in Iceland. To wire money, use Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com). The money shows up at branches of Iceland's largest bank, Landsbankinn. Business Hours -- Banks... Continue reading »
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When to go
Iceland has a concentrated tourist season, peaking from mid-June through August. Many Icelanders think the summer tourists don't know what they're missing. Iceland offers plenty to do in spring, fall, even winter, and prices are dramatically... Continue reading »
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Calendar of events
January New Year's Day. This is really a 2-day holiday, as nothing reopens until January 3. January 1. Tþrettándinn. This day marks the end of the Christmas season. Icelanders celebrate with a kind of New Year's Eve reprise, including b... Continue reading »
