Iceland is an island country situated in the North Atlantic Ocean. Lying on the usually active geologic border between North America and Europe, Iceland is a place of dynamic contrasts of climate, culture and geography.  Dazzling glaciers, such as Vatna Glacier (Vatnajökull), Europe’s largest, spread across its rugged and beautiful mountain ranges; plentiful hot geysers supply heat for many of the country’s residences and structures and allow for hothouse agriculture all year round; and the offshore Gulf Stream provides an unexpectedly mild climate for what is one of the northernmost inhabited places in the world. (Copyright: Naeblys)

Snaefellsnes peninsula_447817393

Iceland: view of Icelandic landscape in the Snaefellsnes peninsula on August 29, 2012. The Snaefellsnes peninsula has been named Iceland in Miniature: many national sights can be found in the area

landscape of Iceland_447798706

Iceland: a view of the Icelandic landscape on August 16, 2012. The landscape of Iceland is worldwide considered unique and unlike anywhere else on the planet

landscape of Iceland_447796207

Iceland: a country church hidden by trees in the Icelandic landscape on August 16, 2012. The landscape of Iceland is worldwide considered unique and unlike anywhere else on the planet

landscape of Iceland_447798697

Iceland: a view of the Icelandic landscape on August 16, 2012. The landscape of Iceland is worldwide considered unique and unlike anywhere else on the planet

Reykjanes Peninsula_447577837

Iceland: landscape with lava fields in Reykjanes Peninsula on August 16, 2012. In many areas of Iceland there are large ancient lava fields of black rocks covered with a thick green carpet of moss

landscape of Iceland_447799510

Iceland: a road in the Icelandic landscape on August 16, 2012. The landscape of Iceland is worldwide considered unique and unlike anywhere else on the planet

galloping horses on a road in the Icelandic countryside_447814396

Iceland: galloping horses on a road in the Icelandic countryside on August 29, 2012

galloping horses on a road in the Icelandic countryside_447814393

Iceland: galloping horses on a road in the Icelandic countryside on August 29, 2012

Icelandic countryside_447814414

Iceland: galloping horses on a road in the Icelandic countryside on August 29, 2012

sheeps in Icelandic countryside_447812563

Iceland: sheeps in Icelandic countryside on August 9, 2012

sheeps in Icelandic countryside_447812575

Iceland: two sheeps in Icelandic countryside on August 9, 2012

pink flowers growing on lava ground_447804925

Iceland: pink flowers growing on lava ground on August 29, 2012. In many areas of Iceland there are large ancient lava fields of black rocks covered with flowers and green carpet of moss

rock castles in Thingvellir_447771718

Iceland: kids walking among rock castles in Thingvellir on August 16, 2012. Thingvellir is the national shrine of Iceland, protected as a national park for its unique geology

Snaefellsnes peninsula _447803323

Iceland: a wooden church with red roof in the Snaefellsnes peninsula on August 29, 2012. The Snaefellsnes peninsula has been named Iceland in Miniature: many national sights can be found in the area

church of the village of Viki Myrdal _447670522

Iceland: the church of the village of Vik i Myrdal on August 18, 2012. The town’s wooden church, built in Icelandic style, is located on the top of a hill

puffins on a rock at Dyrholaey_447659785

Iceland: puffins on a rock at Dyrholaey on August 18, 2012. The promontory of Dyrholaey is home to a large puffin colony, a protected area for these pelagic seabirds with a brightly coloured beak

promontory of Dyrholaey_447596761

Iceland: the black sand and the beach seen from the promontory of Dyrholaey on August 18, 2012. The promontory of Dyrholaey is located near Vik i Myrdal, the southernmost village in Iceland

famous Reynisfjara shore_447649216

Iceland: panoramic view of Reynisfjara beach on August 18, 2012. The famous Reynisfjara shore, near the village Vik i Myrdal, is regarded as the most impressive black sand beach in Iceland

rock arch of Dyrholaey_447633751

Iceland: the rock arch of Dyrholaey on August 18, 2012. The rock arch, located on the promontory of Dyrholaey near the southernmost village of Vik i Myrdal, is one of the main attraction of the area

Dyrholaey lighthouse_447593545

Iceland: panoramic view of the cliffs with the Dyrholaey lighthouse on August 18, 2012. The Dyrholaey lighthouse was built in 1927 near Vik i Myrdal, the southernmost village in Iceland

Dyrholaey lighthouse, Dyrholaeyjarviti in Icelandic_447588784

Iceland: the Dyrholaey lighthouse on August 18, 2012. The Dyrholaey lighthouse, Dyrholaeyjarviti in Icelandic, was built in 1927 near the village of Vik i Myrdal, the southernmost village in Iceland

Useful Reference

Discover Iceland Through Spectacular Iceland Vacations
By Mike Youlo

Close to nature but rich with colorful culture too, Iceland is a unique place to spend a fascinating vacation. Icelanders are very welcoming people and always happy to share their beautiful country with visitors on Iceland vacations. And although the native language is Icelandic, almost everyone in Iceland also speaks fluent English, making it very easy for people on Iceland vacations to explore this magnificent country.

Iceland is a Nordic island country, situated far to the north in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. But despite its extreme northern location, Iceland is far from inhospitable, and even during the winter its climate is surprisingly mild. The island is a hotbed of geothermal activity and that, along with Iceland’s location in warm Gulf Stream waters, makes the country much warmer than you might expect. Reykjavik, the country’s capital city, is actually warmer in the winter than New York City.

Iceland vacations offer a spectacular amount of variety, and Iceland is a perfect destination for nature-lovers and outdoor adventurers. The country’s dramatic landscapes include glaciers, geysers and volcanoes, magnificent waterfalls and rushing glacial rivers, steaming hot springs, bubbling mud pots, lava flows, weird rock formations and a large glaring-white icecap. Its long, rugged coastline includes towering cliffs and an assortment of scenic inlets, bays and fjords. Some of Iceland’s starkly beautiful landscapes are so exotic, they’re almost unearthly. And whales, along with fine Icelandic horses, puffins and ptarmigans are also among Iceland’s many natural national treasures. Truly, Iceland is one of the most spectacular countries on the Earth.

As beautiful and dramatic as Iceland’s countryside can be, nature isn’t all that this sub-Arctic country offers to people on Iceland vacations. Its culture is almost as rich as the wide breadth of its natural wonders. The streets of Reykjavik are clean and safe to walk, and they’re full of friendly people who are happy to help you experience the local Nordic culture. The small city center is quite walkable and features a wide array of cultural venues, restaurants and stores to explore. But even though Reykjavik is small, this very modern city is buzzing and it’s considered to be the “nightlife capital of the north.”

Those who crave culture find an abundance in this beautiful country. Art museums and galleries, along with symphony orchestra, opera and other musical events featuring international performers as well as local performing artists, are all easy to find during Iceland vacations.

Let’s face it though, most people take Iceland vacations so they can explore some of the world’s most unusual and rugged landscapes, all of which have been shaped by some of nature’s most ferocious forces. More than 80% of this rugged country is uninhabited, and dramatic landscapes are as close as a 15-minute drive away from Reykjavik’s city center. Iceland’s outdoor wonderland is easily accessible to people on Iceland vacations.

Don’t let Iceland’s name fool you. Even winter doesn’t stop anyone in Iceland, where horseback riding and snowmobiling are both popular winter pastimes. Some outdoor activities gain an added twist during Iceland’s winter, like the possibility of swimming outdoors in a naturally-heated pool. You can do that in several places around the world, so what’s the big twist? Well, in Iceland you can take that toasty outdoor swim right in the middle of a snowstorm, and you’ll still be comfortably warm.

When in Iceland, do as the Icelanders do. Revel in the country’s beautiful outdoors. Many people on Iceland vacations want to do something unique in this unique country. Something they’re not likely to do anywhere else. One option is to explore one of Iceland’s several glaciers. Some organized tours take you there on a bus, then let you use a snowmobile or a modified jeep to explore on your own.

The Midnight Sun of Iceland’s summer means that outdoor activities don’t stop at night. Because of Iceland’s huge variety of natural waterways, including many rushing glacial rivers, white water rafting at all different levels of challenge is popular. Boating and sea fishing are also popular with both tourists and natives, reflecting Iceland’s close ties to the sea. Cycling on Iceland is challenging and scenic because of the country’s wildly varying topography and an abundance of stunning seaside views. Mountain hiking during Iceland vacations is equally challenging and, again, very beautiful.

Iceland vacations are spectacular – every bit as spectacular as the country itself. Indoor, outdoor, culture, nature. With Iceland vacations you can take your pick.

To get more interesting information about Iceland visit our site about iceland vacations [http://bestlocaltours.com/iceland/iceland-vacations]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mike_Youlo/50672
http://EzineArticles.com/?Discover-Iceland-Through-Spectacular-Iceland-Vacations&id=3186144

[collapse]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here