Iceland Holidays

Geology
Geologically, Iceland is a young country still in the making. Most active volcanoes and geothermal areas are within the main volcanic zone which runs SW-NE through the island - the Mid Atlantic Ridge is where the divergent Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling apart at an average of 2.5cm a year. The uninhabited interior is a mountainous plateau with icecaps bordered by vast glacial outwash plains. The main farming areas are around the coast, particularly in the south and west, while the northern and eastern fjords, sculpted by Ice Age glaciers, are more suited to fishing.

Icelandic volcanoes
At least 30 volcanic systems have been active in the last 1100 years, accounting for over 160 eruptions. In the last 10 years there have been eruptions under the Vatnajokull ice cap on Hekla and more recently the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjalljokull. Nearly every kind of volcanic activity is found on the island with fissure eruptions being the most common. Whenever there is a volcanic eruption in Iceland we run special trips organised on very short notice. You can sign up to our Volcano Hotline to be notified of such trips. find out more »

Geothermal activity
Iceland is richer in hot springs than possibly any other country in the world. Fifteen major areas offer visitors an unparalleled display of mud pools, steam vents, sulphur pits and hot springs. At the best known of all, Geysir, there is a chance to see a spouting geyser. Steam is used to generate power and many hot springs are tapped for domestic and industrial use.

Glaciers and icecaps
Located mainly in the south, Iceland's massive icecaps are the largest outside Greenland and Antarctica. Vatnajokull, the largest national park in Europe, had its boundaries extended in 2008 to cover an amazing 12,000 sq km of which 8,300 sq km is Vatnajokull ice mass, covering 8% of the country. Deeply crevassed valley glaciers are found on the fringes of the icecaps and almost reach sea level in places.

Rivers, lakes and waterfalls
Powerful glacial torrents continue to shape the land carving out spectacular gorges, while quieter clear water rivers abound in trout and salmon. Typical of a youthful landscape are the many waterfalls. Lakes are plentiful with an abundance of trout and char.

Wildlife
Arctic foxes aside, all land mammals in Iceland have been introduced since the settlement. Among them are reindeer, mink, mice and rats. 70 species of bird nest regularly in Iceland, including three that do not breed elsewhere in Europe. Huge numbers of sea birds, waders and wildfowl draw bird watchers worldwide. There are no reptiles and, unlike other Scandinavian destinations, biting insects are rare. Rich coastal waters attract plentiful marine life such as whales, dolphins and seals.

Flora
Only one quarter of Iceland has continuous plant cover, and only 1% is forested, yet the landscape is never dull. Abundant arctic and alpine flowers thrive even in the desert regions and there is a staggering 500 or more types of moss.

Touring
Most of the main 'Ring Road' around the country and many of the minor roads are paved and can be travelled by car or public buses. To visit the uninhabited highlands on a self-drive trip you will need a high clearance 4WD vehicle, or perhaps take a coach tour which includes such areas on the itinerary.

People and language
After centuries of Danish rule, Iceland became an independent Republic in 1944. The Icelanders of today number around 285,000 of whom about half live in the capital city and surrounds. The remainder are distributed around the coastal plains, valleys and fjords, where fishing and farming are the main economic activities. The Icelanders are a friendly and welcoming nation, enormously proud of their country and eager to show it to visitors. The Icelandic language has changed little in the last 700 years, but English is widely understood and spoken, especially by younger people.

Cultural activities
Iceland's rich heritage can be enjoyed in the many museums, churches and restored turf farms found around the country. Those familiar with the sagas may find ancient place names that feature on today's maps, though few historical buildings remain. Many cultural events and festivals take place in the summer, mostly in the Reykjavik area.

Outdoor activities
Iceland is a paradise for hikers. Its National Parks and Conservation Areas have marked trails but you can walk in many other areas. Horse riding and fishing for char and trout can be arranged at farms throughout the country, while sea angling is offered from many of the fishing villages. A snowmobile ride is a thrilling experience in summer or winter and can be arranged at several locations. For water sports, why not try river rafting or sea kayaking or a boat trip to one of the offshore islands, which are teeming with sea birds in the breeding season. Scenic flights, operating from many regional airports and airstrips, are a wonderful way of seeing a large part of the island and can be surprisingly economical.

Whale and dolphin watching in Iceland
In the last eight years Iceland has become the premier whale watching destination in Europe. There are several reasons for this:

• the reliability of sightings - most locations have an enviable 90% of trips encountering one or more species
• the number of species - four species are regularly sighted in Iceland's coastal waters: minke whale, humpback whale, white-beaked dolphin, and the largest of all, the mighty blue whale. Sightings of orca, fin and sei whale and harbour porpoise are also possible
• the scenery - the mountainous backdrop to many a whale watching trip is, in a word, breathtaking 

It should be stressed that no sightings are guaranteed, such is nature and it is still early days to draw conclusions about where and when a particular species may be seen. These are the locations currently offering the best whale watching opportunities:

Husavik, North Iceland
minke whale, white beaked dolphin (May to September)

Reykjavik, South West Iceland
minke whale, orca, humpback whale, dolphins, porpoises

more about whale watching in Iceland»