#1
How much daylight is there in deep winter?
During December and January we are down to days with sometimes less than five hours of daylight.
So with limited daylight the key element is good planning. Which by the way , is what we specialise in.
#2
Will I see the Northern Lights when I come?
The Northern Lights season is from late August and into early April.
Best months are Sep-Oct and Feb-March. No matter what they will tell you in the tourist brochures, no-one can guarantee you’ll see the mystical Lights on a tour.
What we can do is plan your stay in the places where we have had the best success seeing the Northern Lights and we have been quite lucky with our planning.
#3
How should I dress for Iceland?
Packing for your Iceland tour can be a challange. You want to observe our unique nature so dress accordingly, good walking shoes, and layers always works best. No cotton blends for the excursions, safe the jeans for a night out in Reykjavík. Rain gear at all costs.
Please inquire for the long read on this subject if you are coming.
#4
Do I need to bring cash? What about credit cards?
Iceland is basically a cashless society and credit cards are accepted everywhere, with the exception of Amercian Express which many small business shy away from. Bring some petty cash if it makes you feel better, but there is no real need for it. The local currency is the Icelandic Krona.
#5
Do you have 24 hours of light during the summer?
Yes, especially June and July will give you nights without darkness. Along the North coast you can see the sun bouncing on ther horizon around midnight, which is a gorgeous sight.
Good plan is to bring a sleep mask if the hotel does not have perfect black-out drapes which they usually have.
#6
Should we make reservations for restaurants, spas, etc?
Yes, that would be prudent. And if you travel with us, we make all the arrangements for you, like booking the best restaurants, the Blue Lagoon, etcetera.
#7
I‘m a bit picky about food! What‘s the situation in Iceland?
In general you can find food for everyone in Iceland. We would especially like to recommend the fish, along with the lamb which is somewhat a national dish. We have not had any problems solving all client‘s issues regarding food so far.
Fun fact, there is no McDonald and no Starbucks but KFC and Subway are for some reasons very popular. Still, they are at the very end of our recommendation list.
#7
How is the weather in Iceland?
Not very predictable. The old joke is, if you don‘t like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change.
In short, we have long winter but it hardly ever gets terribly cold, thanks to the Gulf stream. On the other hand, summers are short and pretty cold. Average summer temperature is around 13°C or 55°F and in January the average in Reykjavík is around freezing. But expect rain or snow to fall and prepare accordingly. The wind in Iceland can be challenging.
#9
I hate plastic bottles. Do I need to buy bottled water?
Not at all. The tap water is basically the same stuff they sell in the shops, sometimes for a hefty price. We recommend bringing your water bottle or get your Iceland Discovery water bottle from our guide.
#10
What about electricity and mobile phones?
Icelandic electrical standards are European (50 Hz, 240 volts) so many North American electrical devices will require converts. Plugs are generally two-pin, so devices brought in from the UK and North America will require adapters.
Your mobile should work in Iceland, this is becoming less and less an issue, especially with the option of phone calls over the net. Internet coverage in Iceland is for most parts superb.
Adapters and sim-cards are easily available.
Your Iceland tour begins here
We will answer your inquiry within 24 hours and start designing your perfect tour to Iceland.
All my best,
Kristján Jónsson,
Owner of Iceland Discovery.