Discover Our Iceland - Snippets that make your holiday enjoyable

• Sitting on a hilltop gazing across the Alpine peaks of the West Fjords to the ocean.

• Swimming underground in the warm waters of a lava tube.

• Discovering and bathing in remote hot springs.

• Eating skyr.

• Buying reels of Icelandic wool in Alafoss.

• Sunbathing on deck on the ferry to Flatey and beyond.

• Crossing the wilderness of the interior.

• Endless miles across lava fields and black sands with Sigur Ros playing on the car stereo.

• Soaking in the views from a private hot tub at Glymur.

• Camping alone under Dynjandi.

• Eating sumptuous cuisine at Budir.

• Taking coffee at the cowshed cafe.

• Climbing to an extinct volcano rim and gazing in.

• Cruising past huge icebergs at Jokulsarlon.

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Wildlife - Whales, birds & more

Husavik is the self-designated whale watching capital of Europe thus making this small northern town the place to go to for cetaceans in Iceland but it is not the only destination. Around the coast you will find small operators running whale watching excursions and even the capital, Reykjavik, has daily departures into the bay in search of minke whales and dolphins.

Having said that, from Husavik the trips into the rich fishing grounds of Skjalfandi Bay are excellent and the atmosphere of anticipation in searching for one or more of 9 species of whales found here as well as white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoise, all with a backdrop of rugged mountain peaks all adds to the excitement. Most commonly humpback whales are seen on more than 80% of excursions, minke whales on around 40% of excursions and blue whales on approximately 5 – 10% of trips. White-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises have similar viewing figures to minke and blue whales respectively. Other cetaceans such as fin, sei and killer whales are seen on fewer trips into the bay. Sperm, northern bottlenose and pilot whales have also been recorded.

The only other large mammals likely to be encountered around Iceland are the reindeer that graze in the east and Arctic foxes that are confined primarily to the Hornstrandir peninsula in the far northwest and are best reached on special trips that we can organise.

Bird watching is also popular in Iceland, partly for the sheer number of sea birds returning each spring. There are huge numbers of Atlantic Puffins and Kittiwake that come back to nest and raise offspring as well as Little Auks, Razorbills, Guillemots, Fulmars, Gannets, Arctic Terns and many other species.

Iceland is the sole breeding ground for Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye and Great Northern Diver; whilst inland Whooper Swans are present in the summer. Other species to look out for are Red-necked Phalarope, Golden Plover, Purple Sandpiper, Long-tailed Duck, Common Eider, Red-necked Diver, Gyr Falcon, Merlin, Snowy Owl, Arctic Skua, Long-tailed Skua, Great Skua, Ptarmigan and Snow Bunting.

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Adventures - As soft or as extreme as you dare

How can you not miss Icelandic horses, white-water rafting, quad-biking, even sailing with a yacht into remote bays to search for Arctic foxes, paddling a kayak on quiet fjords, snorkelling along a tectonic plate fissure or even swimming in the warm waters of a lava tube. Hiking out across the mountains to find hot springs to soak weary limbs and in winter snowmobiling across snow-laden glaciers. There is so much to discover outdoors in Iceland.

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Reykjavik - the vibrant capital of Iceland

We would recommend you take at least a day to explore Reykjavik. This vibrant city is the world's most northerly capital city and home to around two-thirds of Iceland's population. The eclectic mix of traditional colourful buildings intermingled with modern architecture provides beautiful vistas from the tower of the city's main landmark, Hallgrímskirkja, the church steeple that dominates the skyline.

This cosmopolitan city is packed with excellent musuems and galleries showcasing the nation's history, culture, nature and creativity. Spend time browsing the many tourist and local artisan shops on Laugavegur, which is also home to a myriad of dining options from funky cafes to fine dining. The Old Harbour is often overlooked by the tourist but definitly worth a visit with it's own array of museums, eateries and the departure point for whale and puffin watching tours. It also provides a wonderful backdrop of sea and snow-capped mountains.

A little further from town you will find the Perlan sitting atop Öskjuhlíd Hill, another great vantage point. Nautholsvik Beach is a favourite in the summer months and Laugardalur is not only home to the largest outdoor thermal pool in Iceland but also a family Park & Zoo plus beautiful botanical gardens featuring an impressive selection of Arctic flora.

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Spas & Hot Springs - Relax Icelandic style

Bathing is serious business in Iceland with public pools and hot tubs in pretty much every town and village, many of which are outdoors and geothermally heated. The Reykjavik area alone boast 17 public pools. In addition to the swimming pools there are also several natural hot spring spas, the most famous being the Blue Lagoon. Fontana Geothermal Baths, the Secret Lagoon and Myvatn Nature Baths are also in this category and all charge an entry fee.

However, many natural hot springs can be found amongst nature that are completely free of charge. You just need to know where to look! Many of our preferred hotels, especially those in the countryside, feature geothermally heated hot tubs and nothing beats relaxing in their warm waters on a cold night with the northern lights unfurling in the skies above.

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Waterfalls - Some of Europe's most delightful cascades

Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss and Svartifoss are all classic names that will come across as you travel from the edge of the interior on the Golden Circle and along the south coast. Each is very different and impressive in its own way and well worth visiting.

Whilst many get a taste of Iceland seeing some of these there are so many more that should be sought out, Dettifoss moving the highest volume of water in Europe over a single drop, also the smaller Godafoss in the north; the delightful veil of Dynjandi in the West Fjords, Glymur is a great hike in a narrowing ravine and Aldeyarfoss an off the beaten track is a photogenic gem on the northern side of the interior. There are plenty more to discover!

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