Iceland Holidays, Flights & Travel Guide
The complete Iceland travel guide - Iceland
holidays & Iceland flights.
Top destination guides for Iceland
holidays;
Reykjavik Holidays
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Iceland Holidays
and Travel Overview
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 930, 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... The list goes on and on, ensuring there
is never a dull moment in this awe-inspiring
destination.
Tourist Offices - Reykjavik Tourist Information Centre,
Reykjavik: +354 562 3045 or www.goiceland.org
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Entry Requirements
for Iceland Holidays & Iceland Travel
All visitors to Iceland require a passport
valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay. Return
or onward tickets, all documents for the next destination and
sufficient funds are necessary for entry to the country. Iceland is
party to the Schengen Agreement together with Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Germany. The agreement, in
principal, allows for travel between these countries on a uniform
visa.
- For Australians -
Australians require a valid passport, but no visa is
required for a stay of up to three months.
- New Zealand citizens require a valid passport, but no
visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
- United States citizens require a valid passport, but
no visa is required for a stay of up to three
months.
- United States citizens require a valid passport, but
no visa is required for a stay of up to three
months.
- British citizens require a valid passport, but no visa
is required if holding a British passport endorsed British Citizen,
British National Overseas or British Dependent Territories Citizen.
In all other cases, a visa is required.
Currency of Iceland
The unit of currency is the Islensk Króna (ISK),
plural krónur, divided into 100 aurar. Iceland's three banks,
Íslandsbanki, Landsbanki Ísland and Búnaðarbanki, all offer
foreign exchange facilities and can be found in even the tiniest
villages. Most have ATMs on their premises, available after banking
hours, which are usually Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 4pm.
Credit cards are widely used in Iceland for purchases and cash
advances, and travellers cheques are accepted by all banks and most
hotels. Travellers cheques in US Dollars get the best exchange rate
charges.
Iceland
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The international country code for Iceland
is +354. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country
code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are not in use.
Note that Icelanders are listed by their first names in the
telephone directories, not the last. Iceland has the highest per
capital mobile phone use in the world with GSM networks and there
are roaming agreements with most international mobile phone
companies. Iceland Telecom rent mobile phones to visitors. There
are numerous Internet cafes around the
country.
Iceland
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to Iceland over 18 years do not have
to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products.
Travellers over 20 years are also allowed 1 litre spirits and 1
litre wine, or 1 litre spirits and 6 litres beer; or 1 litre wine
and 6 litres beer; or 2.25 litres wine; and food items up to 3kg
not exceeding Kr13,000. Permits from Post & Telecom
Authorities are required for cordless phones, remote controls or
radio transmitters, but not for a GSM mobile phone. Prohibited
items include narcotics and drugs, meat products, weapons and
powdered or moist snuff.
Iceland
Holidays - Tipping Information
Service charges are included in bills, and
tipping is not expected.
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