Iceland Travel Tips
August 13th, 2009 by Graham McKenzie, under Travel and Leisure. 1 Comment
Located between Europe and North America, Iceland is a mountainous island in the North Atlantic. Although she can be a bit austere, Iceland is a country of exquisite splendor. Eruptions of lava, hot springs, geysers, spectacular fissures and awesome glaciers seem surreal at times, but they make this land utterly remarkable. Iceland was settled by the Nordic and Celtic people, in the 9th century AD. Indeed, a Norwegian Viking named Ing?lfur Arnarson, established the first settlement on what is today known as Iceland?s capital, Reykjavik.
Of all Iceland?s wonders, perhaps the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are the most famous. A surprisingly large number of people believe they can only be seen in winter, but that is not true. They are visible all year long. The Midnight Sun, which occurs in Scandinavia during early summer, is another popular favorite. During this phenomenon, you can see the sun at midnight, and if you want the opposite, catch the Polar Night, during the winter months.
Reykjavik City, Iceland?s capital is usually a stop on most itineraries. Reykjavik is one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world, and the nightlife is lively. The numerous pubs, bars, cafes and dance halls, provide amazing variety, and live music is becoming this city?s trademark. In fact, at least one concert is available every night. The Kringlan shopping mall is quite popular, as well, as are the many local craft shops and Scandinavian designer stores.
Of course, if you come to Iceland, you simply must try a whale-watching tour. A natural habitat for whales, dolphins and seals, the ocean surrounding Reykjavik is ideal for catching a glimpse. Tours will generally pass by Puffin Island, too. Built in 1988, and considered to be Reykjavik?s landmark, the Perlan, or Pearl, is located under a large glass dome. This dome sits atop huge tanks, which are used to store the natural hot water for heating the city, and houses a rotating restaurant. The cuisine is divine, and the views spectacular.
Is Viking history your thing? If so, check out some of Reykjavik?s museums. Also make sure to visit the Sun Voyager, which is a massive steel sculpture of a Viking ship. Created by Jon Gunnar Arnason, it can be found on Mt, Esja, and is best viewed at sunrise or sunset. Another stop that is well worth making is the Restaurant Fjorugardurinn. Here you will experience a traditional Viking feast, amidst Viking d?cor. This unique eating establishment allows you to step back, and get a first-rate taste of Viking culture.
A very popular tourist attraction in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon. This outdoor, geothermal seawater pool is approximately 45-minutes, by car, from Reykjavik. The fluorescent blue pool, covered in steam, stays at about 104-degrees all year long.
Iceland?s amazing scenery and unique attractions are sure to both awe and delight. Strikingly beautiful and strangely ascetic, your vacation to Iceland will leave you with many wonderful memories.
Top Tips For Comparing Airfares
August 3rd, 2009 by Graham McKenzie, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
When planning for a vacation the first step is to try and save as much money as possible. You want to get the best deal on airfare that you can without spending more money than you should. When dealing with airlines those who proactively look for the best deals are the ones who will find them. Fair or not, the person sitting next to you on the same flight to the same destination may have paid hundreds of dollars less than you.
First you need to contact the major airlines and ask some questions to help you find good deals. Ask if they offer discounts on certain days ? sometimes the middle of the week is the best time since traffic is not bogged down with business travelers. Also ask which night stay over gives you the best rates. Often airlines offer discounts if a certain night of the week is spent in the city you flew to before flying back to your destination.
When you have this information, you can go online. The next step is to compare the different travel days on several travel sites, to see if there is a difference in the rates. Go to the websites, put in the dates that the airlines gave you, and compare prices.
Be flexible with the day you plan to fly. Plan your trip at the time of the month that airline tickets are cheapest. The middle of the month is a better time to fly then the beginning of the month. Experiment with a few days before you make your decision.
Some travel sites will help you compare the fares of different websites, side by side. This is particularly useful, saving you time and effort. Others won?t offer the comparison feature on their websites, but at least they?ll offer a listing of several airlines from which to choose a flight.
As you can see the date that you leave is critical. Knowing the days that airlines have less traffic can help you find incredible deals. You may have planned on leaving for your vacation on a Friday, but after doing some research you have found that leaving early gives you a $300 discount. You end up with the best of both worlds, a cheaper ticket, and more vacation time.
Booking a trip in advance is the best way to get the best deal. Attempting to get a last minute deal to the destination of your choice is often not possible. Booking ahead of time and being flexible on the dates in which you travel is the best course of action. A long layover during your trip may save money but you must also calculate the cost to and from a hotel and the cost of your room as well in the price of the ticket. A layover of a few hours in an airport is not unbearable, however an overnight stay can prove to be uncomfortable or if you stay in a hotel cost prohibitive.