Why Travel to Iceland?

When most people from North America think about Iceland, their minds immediately wander to bitter cold temperatures and continual snow. They also believe that the island is far away, way up north, out of reach for most travelers. But these misconceptions could not be farther from the truth. In fact, by air, Iceland is only five hours away from New York City or Boston. And while the weather can be cool and wet, it is not frozen over year round like imagined. So having dispelled those myths, you still ask, "Why travel to Iceland?". Let's look at the benefits of visiting Iceland.

Astonishingly for many new tourists, Iceland can be considered an exotic retreat just like vacationing in the Caribbean, or other popular destinations around the world. With so much to offer in the way of history, nature and culture, there is something for everyone to enjoy. And whether you must travel for business, or simply for pleasure, Iceland is the perfect blend between relaxation and modern conveniences. The country is well connected communication-wise with excellent internet and cell phone service, plus it is simple to navigate. For those on vacation, the natural beauties of the island are as close as fifteen minutes to the towns and villages. This means that you can benefit from the hospitality of the local merchants and residents, and rather quickly find a spot to commune with nature.

Walking on any of the streets is acceptable and quite safe. Incredibly, the crime rate is so low in Iceland that police officers do not carry guns, and most of them hold other jobs as well. In the summer, the sun does not really set, thus, it is daylight twenty-four hours long. Imagine playing golf or horseback riding in the night. Winter is just as popular as summer since there is plenty to do and the temperatures are not freezing like many areas of the US and Canada.

Whale watching is somewhat obvious given the fact that Iceland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, but the bird watching is splendid as well. In fact, Iceland ranks in the top ten world destinations for whale watching, and Látrabjarg is recognized as the largest bird cliff in the world. Sometimes, you will find millions of birds, including the Atlantic Puffin, Brünnich Guillemot, and Razorbills. Most people have seen the puffins on television, and flock to watch their amusing and often comical behavior.

Icelandic wool is highly prized the world over. It is said to be the warmest, and the most versatile wool available. Imagine taking home a cardigan, pair of socks, or rug made from this exquisite fiber. Indeed a real delight, especially if you live somewhere that experiences cold weather! The sweaters are not only practical, but they have become fashion icons in other cultures. The "lopapeysa", the traditional Icelandic sweater or cardigan, is a must-have for farmers and fisherman, but now tourists crave the specialty woolens, too, so that they can look good and fashionable.

Have we convinced you yet that Iceland is a wonderful place to visit? Surely, any one of these benefits is good enough reason to travel to Iceland! Instead of asking "Why travel to Iceland?", you should be asking, "How soon does the plane leave for Iceland?".