Remote destination, spectacular attractions
The Nordic island nation of Iceland is distinguished by its dramatic and diverse landscapes and the distinctive contrast between winter and summer daylight hours. From May to August, in the summer season, darkness is limited. During mid-winter, you can expect just four to five hours of daylight. You can also anticipate a luminous party atmosphere as the summer solstice narrows the natural daylight gap. This annual event is celebrated all over the country with a Secret Solstice festival, a midnight Arctic Open golf tournament and the Route 1 relay bike race.
The land of heroic legends, epic Viking sagas, magnificent volcanoes, hot springs and glaciers also boasts defined craggy chiselled mountains, iceberg dotted fjords and multi-coloured traditional fishing villages scattered amongst the lush green hillocks and meadows. The skyline above the ice plains is lit up by an iridescent kaleidoscope of swirling Aurora borealis magenta and jade glimmers in a breathtaking light show.
Visit Iceland’s sophisticated coastal capital city Reykjavik where most of the country’s population resides. The city is geothermal powered and home to the National and Saga museums, the impressive Hallgrimskirkja church, with its rotating glass dome, and spectacular far-reaching views. With so many appealing attractions it’s really not surprising that cruising in Iceland is booming, and that travellers typically outnumber the locals five to one.