There’s so much more to Icelandic food than dried fish and fermented shark which has been traditionally associated with the country in days gone by. Admittedly Icelanders maintained a simple diet for centuries, due to the island’s location and a lack of sunlight - but technological advancement means there’s no shortage of fresh, locally-sourced produce these days.

As you would expect, Iceland is a great place to savour freshly-caught fish, with The wonderful Fish Market in Reykjavik among the many superb restaurants offering delicious seafood specialities. Haddock, cod, lobster and prawns are found in many dishes. Kjötsúpa is a scrumptious Icelandic lamb soup, Plokkfiskur is a hearty stew featuring white fish, potatoes, flour, milk, seasoning and cheese, and Pylsur is a hugely popular hot dog made from a blend of beef, lamb and pork.

 Skyr is a delicious dairy product which is somewhere between a cottage cheese and yoghurt, while Kleina are sweetened fried dough rolls which have been popular in Iceland for more than 200 years. Brennivín, a distilled brand of schnapps also known as 'Black Death', is Iceland's signature liquor and Reyka vodka is a much-loved drink made from barley, wheat and water from volcanic lava fields.

Iceland has a changeable cold temperate climate which means it's possible to experience all four seasons in a single day. The island has a much milder climate than its name suggests, partly due to the Gulf Stream which flows along the west and south of Iceland. The warmest months of July and August are the most popular time to visit, with June having obvious appeal when it gets 24 hours of daylight. Summer is perfect for exploring the island, as all the mountain roads will be open and the renowned trails are accessible.
The best months to witness the awe-inspiring Northern Lights are during February, March, September and October, while May to September is a great time to enjoy some thrilling activity on the ocean, including whale-watching. The hottest month in Iceland is July when the average temperature is 14°C, the coldest time is January and February when the mercury falls to around 2°C and the wettest month is September when the rainfall average is 4.6 inches. North and East Iceland and the West Fjords get more snow than Southern and Western Iceland.      

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to fabulous things to see and do in Iceland, with amazing natural delights all around you and exciting city adventures awaiting in the dynamic capital of Reykjavik. Iceland is the place to observe the Northern Lights, one of the world's most magnificent natural wonders. These bright and colourful dancing lights in the sky are caused by electrically-charged particles from the sun entering the earth's atmosphere. Snæfellsjökull National Park has the wow factor with its signature glacier, lava fields and wonderful hiking trails, while Þingvellir is the only place to see the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American giant tectonic plates. Rauðasandur Beach is far from ideal for sunbathing or swimming but it will make a big impression with its beautiful pink and red sands.
 One of Iceland's main attractions is the Blue Lagoon in a lava field near Grindavík where the geothermal spa is perfect for a soothing dip and its mineral-rich waters are thought to have healing properties. Popular family attractions include Viking World Museum, Lava Tunnel Tours at Raufarhólshellir, dog sledding in Akureyri and thrilling whale and dolphin-watching boat trips around the coast. Other major attractions in Iceland include Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Dettifoss waterfall, a huge cave inside Thrihnukagigur Volcano, Hallgrimskirkja cathedral, the Reynisdrangar jagged rock formations and the puffins at Látrabjarg coastal cliff. Reykjavik is a wonderful city with its world-class museums, cultural landmarks, gourmet restaurants and fashionable shops.