Iceland tours & travel

Iceland was settled in the 9th century by Gaelic and Nordic migrants. Due to its isolation, the country developed and retained a distinctive culture unlike the rest of Europe. Iceland is famous for its sagas, which are legends of the people and their origin; they’re some of the greatest stories ever told, however the identity of their

authors remain largely unknown. The tradition of literary arts have continued to this day and Reykjavik has been listed as a UNESCO City of Literature.

Today, Iceland is a progressive nation that stresses egalitarianism and cooperation. It’s one of the best places to live as a woman, and same sex couples have equal rights to heterosexuals.

Community swimming pools are a huge part of Icelandic culture, and are becoming more and more popular among travellers. It’s important to follow hygiene rules and shower naked before entering the pools. It might feel a bit awkward to some, but it keeps the pools clean and free of chlorine (and the locals stay happy!).

Iceland is Europe’s second largest island after Great Britain, and is located between the North Atlantic and the Arctic oceans. Iceland sits on an oceanic ridge, where it was formed by volcanoes erupting into the ocean. Iceland’s unique formation gives it some fantastic geological features, such as volcanoes and geysers. Fjords are created near the coast as a result of glaciers melting. Just over 20% of Iceland can support vegetation and the overall landscape is treeless tundra. Melting ice and glaciers form beautiful lakes, and volcanic eruptions give the country its characteristic lava fields and black-sand beaches. The vegetation is Iceland is extremely fragile, so it’s important to stay on paths and trails when you’re out walking, and never stray off the track.

Iceland is famous not just for its jaw-dropping landscapes, but for the creativity of its people. Skip the tourist shops and opt for museum gift shops instead; you’ll be able to find traditional Icelandic board games and replicas of important statues, buildings, runes and books. Icelandic talent also extends to haute couture, making Reykjavik a fashion capital. Sitting alongside some of the top names in fashion, you’ll find stores featuring the work of local designers. Aim to support local businesses, especially in little shops and local markets in smaller villages; locally made goods are usually hand labelled. You can also find cheaper, yet still very Icelandic, items such as scarves, beanies and blankets made from home-grown Icelandic wool. You might like to bring back some traditional Icelandic jewellery from your Iceland holiday, as they’re made from local metals and lava stones.

Icelanders love an excuse to celebrate, and have the opportunity to do so at a number of festivals and events throughout the year.

FEBRUARY: Winter Lights Festival

Winter Lights festival makes the most out of Iceland’s long wintery nights. Wander though Reykjavik and see icons like the Hallgrimskirkja church light up with spectacular projection art.

FEBRUARY: Food and Fun

Held every February in Reykjavik, this food festival features collaborations with local restaurants and world-renowned chefs.

JUNE: Iceland National Day

Celebrating Iceland’s independence from Denmark in 1944, this popular summer event brings all walks of life together in a day of food, music and street performances.

JULY: Folk Music Festival

This festival is held in the fishing village of Siglufjodur. While the focus is on Icelandic folk music and dance, the festival also showcases Scandinavian and worldwide folk music.

AUGUST: Culture Night

Reykjavik Culture Night is like the Scandinavian version of Carnival. It’s a huge event packed full of entertainers, fireworks and food. It typically takes place in the month of August.

Due to Iceland being unable to support much vegetable farming, the Icelandic diet is rich in fish, meat and grains. No Iceland tour is complete without sampling the seafood that makes this country famous. Locals enjoy dried cod with butter as a tasty snack, as well as the yogurt-like skyr with milk and berries. High-quality seafood like lobster, salmon and char are plentiful and inexpensive in Iceland, so be sure to make the most of them while in the country. Other specialties of the region include smoked reindeer meat, puffin and the infamous ‘rotten shark meat’ or Greenland shark – a dish that even many Icelanders aren’t game to try. While you may see it on the menu in some restaurants, eating whale in Iceland is not common, and most Icelanders are against it.

Several books, films and television programs have been written, set and filmed in Iceland.

• Saga Land by Richard Fidler and Kari Gislason is a great introduction to Iceland’s famous (and infamous) sagas.
• Burial Rites by Hannah Kent traces the true story of the last execution in Iceland in the 19th century.
• The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson tells the dramatic (and largely true) story of a pirate raid off Iceland’s coast.
• Waking up in Iceland by Paul Sullivan gives insight into Iceland’s flourishing music scene.