Iceland

1. Conduct your research before choosing a stay: One of those factors that should be kept in mind while visiting a holiday destination is to conduct your research regarding that place well. Understand the culture, tradition and how-abouts of the place. Moreover, when it comes to choosing a stay for yourself then it is better advisable to opt for something that is comfortable and convenient to your needs. Choose from a number of resorts, hotels and home-stays and enjoy the culture of Iceland.

2. Enjoy Iceland’s culture for what it is: While the truth about Iceland is that it doesn’t take time for visitors to get used to the culture that prevails in Iceland. In fact, visitors find it extremely easy to understand the culture and work accordingly given how easy-going the place actually is. Enjoy Iceland’s culture for what it truly is.

3. Transportation: The great thing about transportation in Ice land is that one won’t have a difficult time exploring the cities as they are well connected. You need not worry about travelling from places to places. However, hiring a car or bike for your personal need in the place great helps. Don’t miss out on any locations and ensure that you get to see all the primary attractions at your convenience.

4. Carry a map: Iceland is quite expansive in terms of its geographical expansion, however, it is always advisable to carry a map when you’re planning on venturing around the place. The names can get quite confusing and if you lose your way, you may even face a hard time communicating with the locals as there is a high possibility that you may not share the same language with.

5. To tip or not to tip: If you’re staying at a resort or a hotel then it is quite obvious that you won’t be required or expected to end a certain matter with a tip. The same applies to restaurants as well. Most of the times, it is your well-trusted guide that takes care of such situations and if you’re without one then do as you may without feeling obligated.

6. Avoid the crowd: While, Iceland itself is not very crowded, there are thousands of tourists flocking every year. And you already know, the real joy and essence of one place can truly be experienced provided there is lesser amount of distraction. Visitors would quite naturally want to visit Turkey during a time when it’s less crowded. Thus, avoid visiting Iceland during peak periods of March, April, October and November as the hotel and resort bookings get full almost instantly and air tickets get quite expensive too.

7. Drinking laws: Alcohol is quite easily obtainable in this place. The legal drinking age in Iceland is 18 and the night-life is quite sorted as well. Party your heart out while you’re in this place. There are numerous pubs, restaurants and bars that will take care of the wild side in you.

The best time to visit Iceland depends mainly on what you want to do and see.

Iceland has a concentrated tourist season in the months of July and August especially because it is summer and one can witness the midnight sun.

• The summer months makes for an extremely rewarding time for whale watching.
• If you want to see the northern lights then February, March, September and October are typically the best months.
• The shoulder season months of May and September are fantastic times to visit due to good weather and competitive hotel prices. If you want to spot Birds, especially puffins then the months of May and June are the best.

Yes, you need a Schengen Visa for Iceland. Iceland comes in the list of 26 Schengen countries which means that you do not need an exclusive visa for Iceland. A schengen visa will do. A Schengen visa gives you an access to all the 26 countries included in the list of Schengen countries along with Iceland. The Embassy of Denmark handles visa applications for Iceland in India. The visa application is to be filled and submitted to The Embassy of Denmark located in New Delhi. The documents required includes a passport with at least 3 months of validity from the date of arrival in India, and at least two blank pages, latest passport size photographs and any government issued Id.

The tourist visa/short stay visa is valid for a duration of 90 days and takes 16 days to process. The visa fees costs INR 4560 along with INR 1569 VFS service fees.

The currency of Iceland is Icelandic króna. You can get your currency exchanged in Iceland at ATMs, Banks, Hotels and Airport desks. There is a Landsbankinn Bank at Keflavik International Airport which gives you a good mid market exchange rate. ATMs and cashpoints can be found easily in cities and towns. You can get cash, cash travellers cheques and exchange notes with your credit and debit cards from Banks. Although visa and Mastercards are accepted almost everywhere, it is a good idea to keep some cash handy if you intend to visit isolated villages and remote areas.

The local food of Iceland comprises of a lot of seafood, from fermented sharks Hákarl to Hung and smoked meat Hangikjöt and Súrir hrútspungar - Sour ram's testicles.

The best places to taste Icelandic cuisine are

• Dill Restaurant, Reykjavík
• Fiskfelagid Fish Company, Reykjavík
• Grillmarkaðurinn, Lækjargata, Reykjavík
• kaffi hornid, Höfn í Hornafirði
• Lava Restaurant, The Blue Lagoon
• The Laundromat Café, Reykjavík
• Sjavargrillid (seafood grill), Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavík
• Apotek, Austurstræti, Reykjavík
• Kaffivagninn, Grandagarður, Reykjavík

The local language of Iceland is Icelandic. Here is a list of most commonly used greetings in Icelandic to help you communicate better with the locals.

• Hello- Halló
• Thank you- Þakka þér fyrir
• Good Morning- Góðan daginn
• Good Night- góða nótt
• What the price of___? - hvað er verð á
• How far is___? - hversu langt er

Along with all the photographs, and unforgettable memories you would carry along with you, the dainty shopping streets and fleas of Iceland calls for some souvenir shopping.

• Kirsuberjatréð famous for beautiful art, ceramics and handmade objects.
• Kraum in the center of Reykjavik fashionable clothes, stationery, art and accessories.
• Kolaportid Flea Market famous for wool sweaters, fermented fish and old comics.
• North 66°, city center, famous for outdoor coats and gear.
• Reykjavik Draper’s union, across the street from Geysir, famous for handmade bags and aprons made of leather and canvas.
• Aurum famous for scandinavian home decor and jewelry.
• Geysir, Skólavörðustíg 16, soft wool sweaters and blankets, leather boots, bags, and hats.
• Kogga, Old Harbour, ceramics and paintings
• Álafoss, Mosfellsbær famous for hand- or machine-made lopapeysur (Icelandic woollen sweaters).

With around 170 campsites, Iceland offers camping opportunities in summer as well as year around. Here is a list of some of the most popular camping sites in Iceland.

• Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National park
• Grindavik, southwest coast
• Þakgíl, north of Vík
• Siglufirði, northern coast
• Höfn, East Iceland
• Húsafell, Borgarfjörður
• Úlfljótsvatn, Reykjavik
• Egilsstaðir, center of East Iceland
• Ásbyrgi, North of Iceland
• Látrabjarg, Westfjords
• Hellissandur, Snæfell peninsula

Europe’s most powerful and awe-inspiring waterfalls can be found in Iceland. Here is a list of famous waterfalls in Iceland.

• Seljalandsfoss, South Coast of Iceland
• Glymur Waterfall, Hvalfjordur
• Svartifoss Waterfall, Skaftafell, Vatnajokull National Park
• Haifoss Waterfall, South of Iceland
• Brúarfoss, Brekkuskógur
• Aldeyjarfoss, North of Iceland
• Gullfoss Waterfall, Golden Circle Route, Iceland
• Godafoss Waterfall, Akureyri
• Dettifoss Waterfall, Vatnajokull National Park
• Ketubjörg, North Iceland