Iceland's weather is very capricious. You can literally experience four seasons in one day. We highly recommend that you bring the following items for every tour:

It is always better to have warm clothes on hand even though we don’t need them all the time.

About Iceland:
Iceland is a unique and beautiful country located just south of the arctic circle. Despite its northerly location, it has a temperate climate which is moderated by the North Atlantic current. Iceland is blessed with a bounty of natural resources, principally fish, hydropower and geothermal power. The extensive use of electricity produced from clean, renewable hydropower and geothermal power plants, coupled with the use of hot water to heat almost all the homes in the country means that Iceland has very little pollution. In fact, it is one of the least polluted cities in Europe. The capital of Iceland is Reykjavik and it is the northernmost national capital in the world. Iceland´s population is quite small, only 296,737 (June 2005) the majority of which lives in the capital. The language of Iceland is Icelandic and it has changed little over the centuries. In fact, Icelanders can still read the original Icelandic Sagas written in the 9th and 10th century. But, most Icelanders speak English as well as other languages like Danish, German, Swedish and Norwegian.

Pronounciation:
Icelandic has characters in its alphabet that may seem quite foreign to some.
Here's a quick guide to help your pronunciation:
Ð (capitalized)/ ð (lower case): called "eth" and pronounced like the "th" in there.
Æ/æ: called, "aye" and pronounced like the "i" in Iceland.
Ö/ö: pronounced like the "u" in further or murky.
Þ/þ: called "thorn" and pronounced like the "th" in thin.
Á/á: pronounced like the "ou" in ouch.
É/é: is like a normal "e," but with a subtle "y" before it. For instance, the Icelandic word for company is, "félag" and is pronouced like "fyelag.
"Í/í: pronounced like the "ee" in eat.
Ó/ó: pronounced like the "o" in open.
Ú/ú: pronounced like the "o" in move.

Keflavík International Airport:
The Leifur Eiríksson International Air Terminal in Keflavík (48 km from Reykjavík) is the gateway for most passenger flights and air-freight flights to and from Iceland. The airport is open 24 hours a day. All retail stores and services operated in the departure hall are located within the duty-free zone and are therefore, duty-free and tax-free. Facilities within the terminal at Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal fulfill the most demanding standards. The interior has been designed first and foremost with the traveler in mind. The tastefully appointed furnishing and decor, with a bright, pleasant interior provide travelers with a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.A good selection of brands is available in the shops at the Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal. The goods and services available at the duty-free stores are very competitively priced, compared to other European airports. Making your way through Leifur Eiríksson Terminal, even on the busiest of days, is a breeze. Arriving passengers should proceed straight downstairs to the arrival hall where, unlike most international airports, duty-free and tax-free goods are available upon arrival.

Business/Shopping/Banking Hours:
Office hours in Iceland are generally 09:00-17:00 and 08:00-16:00 during June, July and August. Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Bank hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00.

Currency Exchange:
The Icelandic monetary unit is the "króna". Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Bank notes are in denominations of 5000 kr., 2000 kr.,1000 kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00.

Health/Pharmacies/Emergency Medical Help:
Icelanders enjoy excellent health, a high quality of life, and long life expectancy, thanks in part to clean air and water and quality fish. Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland. Pharmacies are called "apótek" and are open during normal business hours. Many are open at night. Reykjavík has many general practitioners, as well as specialists, many of whom will receive patients with short notice. There are also many health centers (heilsugæslustöð) in Reykjavík, with family doctors who also receive patients with short notice during the day.

Medical Help:
There is a medical center or a hospital in each major city and town in Iceland. The 24-hour emergency phone number in Iceland is 112.

Health Insurance:
Citizens of Scandinavia are covered in the event of a medical emergency but are required to show their passports. Citizens of EEA countries must have the E-111 form, otherwise the patient will be charged in full. Citizens of other countries will be charged in full for services rendered. For further information contact: State Social Security Institute Laugavegur 114 · IS-105 ReykjavíkTel: +354 560 4400 · +354 560 4520 Fax: +354 562 5053 Office hours: 08:05-15:30

Vaccinations:
Vaccinations are not required.

Visitors with disabilities:
Visitors with disabilities can make traveling in Iceland fairly easy by planning their vacation in advance. They may also find it necessary to travel with a companion; although there are many hotels and restaurants accessible to people with disabilities, they do not always provide full assistance. A number of hotels in Reykjavík and Akureyri have rooms specially designed for guests with disabilities. Larger department stores are generally accessible to wheelchair users. The coastal ferry Baldur is accessible to people with disabilities and so is the ferry Herjólfur. All airlines flying to and from Iceland are equipped to accommodate travelers with disabilities. Some domestic buses equipped for wheelchair users are available for special tours upon request.

Police:
Reykjavík police (for information only, not for emergencies): Tel: +354 569 9020 The 24-hour emergency phone number in Iceland is 112.

Religion:
The official religion of Iceland is Lutheran.

Language:
Icelandic is a Teutonic language of the Nordic group. It is believed to have changed little from the original tongue spoken by the Norse settlers. Icelandic has two letters of its own: Þ/þ pronounced like th in "thing" and Ð/ð pronounced like th in "them". English is widely spoken and understood.

News in English:
A short news broadcast in English is made on State radio, FM 93.5 and FM 92.4, every morning Mon-Fri at 07:31, from June 1st to Sept. 1st. A telephone recording of the broadcast can also be heard, Tel: +354 515 3690.

Tipping:
Service and VAT are invariably included in prices in Iceland.

Electric Current:
The electric current in Iceland is 220volts, 50 HZ AC.

Driving in Iceland:
Most mountain roads and roads in the interior of Iceland are unpaved and have a loose gravel surface. The same applies to large sections of the national highway, which also has long stretches of asphalt. Because the gravel surface is often loose, particularly along the sides of the roads, drivers should proceed carefully and cautiously and slow down whenever approaching an oncoming car. The mountain roads are also often very narrow and are not made for speeding. The same goes for many bridges, which are only wide enough for one car at a time. In addition to not having an asphalt surface, the mountain roads are often winding and treacherous, with sharp, unexpected turns. Journeys therefore often take longer than might be expected. For information on road conditions, Tel: 1777, daily 08:00-16:00 or see www.vegagerdin.is. The total length of the Ring Road around Iceland (national highway) is 1,339 km.The general speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads in rural areas, and 90 km/h on asphalt roads.
PLEASE NOTE: Special warning signs indicate danger ahead, such as sharp bends, but there is generally not a separate sign cautioning you to reduce speed. Please choose a safe speed according to conditions. Motorists are obliged by law to use headlights at all times, day and night. In Iceland all driving off roads or marked tracks is prohibited by law. Passengers in the front and back seats of an automobile are required by law to use safety belts. Icelandic law forbids any driving under the influence of alcohol.

Motor Vehicle Insurance:
A “green card” or other proof of third-party insurance is mandatory for motorists driving their own cars in Iceland, except from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Channel Islands, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Vatican. Drivers without a “green card” (or equivalent) must buy a separate third-party insurance policy on arrival.

Fuel Tax:
Vehicles that run on fuel other than gasoline must pay a weight tax in accordance with special regulations specifying a certain amount for the start of each week while the vehicle is in Iceland. For further information, contact the Directorate of Customs via e-mail: tollstjori@tollur.is or see their website at http://www.tollur.is.

Filling Stations:
In the greater Reykjavík area most filling stations are open every day to 23:30. Opening hours around the country, where the pumps are privately operated, can vary from place to place. Many stations in the Reykjavík area and larger towns of Iceland have automats in operation after closing, which accept VISA and Euro credit cards as well as cash. 

Opening of Mountain Tracks:
Most mountain roads are closed until the end of June (or possibly even later in summer) because of wet and muddy conditions that make these roads totally impassable. When these roads are opened for traffic many of them can only be negotiated by four-wheel-drive vehicles. For some mountain tracks it is strongly advised that two or more cars travel together. Also, before embarking on any journey into the interior collect as much information as possible regarding road conditions from a travel bureau, tourist information office or the Public Roads Administration at: Tel: 1777, daily 08:00-16:00 or see their website: www.vegagerdin.is.

Always take along a detailed map!