It seems as if the name alone scares off many potential tourists from visiting the majestic country of Iceland. But the fact is, glaciers cover only 10% of Iceland, and the climate is mild all year due to the effect of the Atlantic Gulf Stream warming the temperature in the winter and cooling it in the summer. Iceland is worth venturing to because there are many stunning sites to see including geothermal hot-spots, mountains, waterfalls, National Parks, and offering breathtaking views of the Aurora Borealis.
Summer is an exceptional time to visit in order to escape the heat of most places. The temperature stays in the fifties and sixties, so it may be the perfect place for those who hate the heat. Also, in the summer it never gets fully dark. The sun sets briefly at night, but then lingers a bit throughout the night. The sun at midnight is considered a beautiful thing to witness during summer. Another great aspect of Iceland is that mosquitos do not exist at all, unlike most summer destinations.
The winter is only a recommended time to visit if you do not mind a bit of darkness. The sun is only out for about four hours per day, and the remaining twenty hours remain dark. It is due to its proximity to the Artic Circle that the variation of sunlight in each season is so drastic. Although early and late winter are considered the best times to visit if you desire to see the beautiful snow-blanketed landscape and have a few more hours of sunlight than in the dead of winter.
The temperature usually stays between 15-32 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the island during winter, which is not too bad considering its northern location. And if you get too cold, you can just hop into one of the hot springs Iceland has to offer. The most famous hot spring is the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, which is a hot, bright-blue pool surrounded by nature.
Other aspects of Iceland that most people may not know, is that it is one of the happiest and safest places in the world. It is rated the number four happiest country in the world based on a scientific study done at the University of Leicester. There is virtually no violent crime at all throughout the island. The police in Iceland do not even carry guns or weaponry.
Iceland is also the perfect place for bibliophile's to travel because books are engrained into their culture. The literacy rate in Iceland is 99%, and Iceland publishes more books per capita than any country in the world.
This may not be a place people think to travel to, but it a naturally gorgeous region with a lot to offer.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
