Frequently Asked Questions about Holidays in Iceland Many people come to us as first time travellers to Iceland and subsequently, have a multitude of questions – here are some of the more regular queries. We are always more than pleased to extol the virtues of a country we fell in love with so many years ago, so feel free to contact us if you’d like to talk some more about our exciting range of Iceland holidays on 0870 060 3288. Q What type of people, go on holiday to Iceland? A Not generally the sort who prefer a beach holiday. But if you are into the outdoors, nature and adventure, enjoy touring by coach or car and walking amidst fabulous scenery then a holiday in Iceland is for you. The island will fulfill the wildest dreams of hikers, photographers, bird watchers, whale watchers and geologists. Q Is Iceland just for the young and active? A Actually people of all ages, interests and fitness can enjoy a holiday in Iceland, though facilities for disabled visitors are somewhat limited. It is a great place for a family holiday too. A word of warning – Iceland is a highly addictive destination and many visitors come back on holiday here again and again! Q Isn’t it always cold in Iceland? A No, not at all! Warmed by the Gulf Stream, Iceland has a temperate oceanic climate in spite of its sub-arctic location. Winter temperatures are similar to those of Vienna or Milan, while in summer they are usually in the range 10- 16°C/50-60°F (lower in the highlands). The weather is changeable and most holidaymakers can expect a mix of sunny and cloudy days, rain and wind. In winter, snow comes and goes, according to the weather systems current at the time. Q When is the best time to travel to Iceland? A Well it depends what you want to see or do. The warmest months are from June to early September, though a holiday in Iceland at other times of year can also be rewarding, and takes advantage of lower airfares and competitive hotel rates. From mid-May to late July it is light all night, with the sun hardly setting at all. If you want to go whale watching then you’ll need to travel to Iceland between May and September. In winter, November, December and January are the darkest months, excellent for seeing the Northern Lights and the daylight sun still shines for about four to five hours. May and June are the best months for birds and mid June to August for wild flowers but if you want to travel through the uninhabited interior of Iceland, you should plan your visit for early July to early September as most of the highland tracks are only open during this period. Q What do I need to take with me? A For a summer visit to Iceland touring by coach or car, comfortable and casual clothing in layers is best. Include a good quality breathable wind and rainproof jacket and trousers, a light and thick sweater or ‘fleece’ jacket and sturdy walking shoes or boots (not brand new ones unless you bring a blister kit!). For hikers and campers, thermal underwear, gloves, hat and proper walking boots are a must. A three-season sleeping bag is advisable. For winter visits, warm over-trousers and a thick jacket or coat are essential. After booking your holiday in Iceland with us, you will receive a Travel Tips booklet full of information on what clothing and other items to take, tips for photography and much more. Don’t forget - bring swimwear and a towel for the many naturally heated bathing pools – whatever the time of year! Q When can I see the Northern Lights? A It may be possible to see the Northern Lights between late August and March (November to February is best). However, it must be remembered that sightings can never be guaranteed, even when the conditions seem just right - a clear cloudless night is essential and for the most intense sightings, it is important to be away from any sources of artificial light, such as street lighting. But don’t despair if, for example, you’ve only planned a stay in Iceland’s capital as they have been known to light up the Reykjavik skyline on more than a few occasions! Sightings not only vary in intensity but in duration too, from just minutes to sometimes hours. The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis appear when solar wind particles collide with air molecules in the earth’s atmosphere, transferring their energy into light. Displays can vary in intensity – from a glowing curtain of greenish yellow lights, dancing in the distance to a spectacular, multicoloured fusion stretching across the sky – but whatever Northern Lights experience you’re lucky enough to have, will no doubt make you want to see more. Take a look at our range of Lapland holidays shown in our Northern Lights adventure page. Q When can I see the Midnight Sun? A The Midnight Sun basically refers to the time of year when the daylight hours are at their longest. To be totally accurate, this only happens north of the Arctic Circle. However, due to the proximity of Iceland’s northern coast in particular, around midnight during the months of June and July the Icelandic sun just about disappears – the extended dusk is the only sign that another day has passed. True night, complete with stars in the darkness, doesn’t return until August. While for some, the extended days can take a little getting used to, you’ll be surprised how much more you can fit into your day! And this period of ‘golden light’ is perfect for some creative photography. Q Where is the Ice Hotel? A Actually, it’s a popular misconception - there isn’t one in Iceland! The original and quite magnificent Icehotel® is located in the village of Jukkasjarvi in Swedish Lapland, and there are several built each year across the Arctic region. Sadly the James Bond film, Die Another Day, wrongly portrayed a huge Ice Hotel in Iceland when in fact the only part of the film made there was the car chase across a spectacular frozen lagoon – Jokulsarlon, on the south coast. See our Ice Hotels section for more details. Q I’d like to visit Iceland on holiday, but isn’t it really expensive? A It is fair to say that Iceland once had a reputation for sky high prices but thankfully, this is largely a thing of the past, now the pound has strengthened against the Krona and taxes are being reduced on accommodation and restaurant meals. Alcoholic drinks are still very costly and food prices in the shops, as well as eating out, are somewhat more expensive than in the UK. However, visitor attractions and excursions are often fairly priced and public transport and fuel costs are on a par with those of the UK. Goods and services are generally of a high standard, and many people remark that Iceland is good value for money. And remember, in Iceland nature comes free! Q I’ve heard you get lots of mosquitoes in Iceland, is this true? A There are no mosquitoes but there are midges but as midges really only thrive around shallow freshwater lakes during the summer months, they are not a problem for most people. Midges are actually flies that are closely related to mosquitoes and somewhat resemble them, but thankfully, they are non-biting. In the north at Lake Myvatn, which actually translates as ‘midge lake’, calm, sunny days can produce clouds of the little blighters but the local shops sell head nets for anyone bothered by the creatures. Q Do Icelanders still go whaling? A At the time of going to press Iceland had suspended commercial whaling. We are involved, together with the rest of the Icelandic travel industry, in a campaign to get the Icelandic government not to resume this practice. It is an issue especially close to our hearts as Discover the World operated the very first whale watching trip in Iceland 13 years ago. It is the recommendation of all the environmental organisations, such as WWF and IFAW that visitors should still travel to Iceland to support the whale watching and travel operators there. To see our policy on whaling in Iceland, please click here. For more information about our exciting range of holidays, or to book your holiday in Iceland please call our expert team on +44(0)870 060 3288.

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