TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(ISK)
Icelandic Krona |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 345 |
Time:
GMT.
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plug fittings are normally two-pin with round
section pins 4mm in diameter with centres 2cm apart. Lamp fittings
are screw-type. Almost all the power is generated by thermal hydroelectric
stations.
Telephone:
Full IDD service is available. Country code: 354. Outgoing international
code: 00. There are no longer any area codes; all lines now have
a seven-digit number. For Reykjavík, old six-digit numbers
are now preceded by 5, while old five-digit numbers are preceded
by 55.
Climate:
Iceland’s climate is tempered by the Gulf Stream. Summers
are mild and winters rather cold. The colourful Aurora Borealis
(Northern Lights) appear from the end of August. From the end
of May to the beginning of August, there are nearly 24 hours of
perpetual daylight in Reykjavík, while in the northern
part of the country the sun barely sets at all. Winds can be strong
and gusty at times and there is the occasional dust storm in the
interior. Snow is not as common as the name of the country would
seem to suggest, and in any case does not lie for long in Reykjavík;
it is only in northern Iceland that skiing conditions are reasonably
certain. However, the weather is very changeable at all times
of the year, and in Reykjavík there may be rain, sunshine,
drizzle and snow in the same day. The air is clean and free of
pollution.
Required
clothing: Lightweights in warmer months, with extra woollens
for walking and the cooler evenings. Medium- to heavyweights are
advised in winter. Waterproofing is recommended throughout the
year.
Food
& Drink: Icelandic food in general is based on fish
and lamb, as well as owing much to Scandinavian and European influences.
The salmon of Iceland is a great delicacy, served in many forms,
one of the most popular being gravlax, a form of marination. Fishing
is Iceland’s most important export, accounting for some
80 per cent of the country’s gross national product. There
is also a heavy emphasis on vegetables grown in greenhouses heated
by the natural steam from geysers. Specialities include hangikjot
(smoked lamb), hardfiskur (dried fish), skyr (curds) and Icelandic
sild (herring marinated in various flavours). There have been
some welcome additions to the selection of eating places in Reykjavík
and there is now a small but attractive choice of restaurants
to cater for all pockets with new tourist menus.
Bars have table and/or counter service, and will serve coffee
as well as alcohol. Beer was prohibited in Iceland for 75 years
and was finally legalised in March 1989. Alcohol is generally
expensive (a large beer costs approximately US$8, a small one
US$4.70). In coffee shops you pay for the first cup; you help
yourself to subsequent cups. There is a wide selection of European
spirits and wines. Brennivin (a potent variation of aquavit made
from potatoes) is a local drink.
Shopping:
Fluffy, earth-coloured Lopi wool blankets and coats, jackets,
hats and handknits are synonymous with Iceland. Several local
potters handthrow earthenware containers in natural colours. Crushed
lava is a common addition to highly glazed ceramic pieces, which
are popular as souvenirs. The duty-free shop at Keflavik Airport
sells all of these products, as does the Icelandic Tourist Bureau
souvenir shop in Reyjkavík. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1800,
Sat 1000-1400, with variations from shop to shop. Shopping malls
are open Mon-Thurs 1000-1830, Fri 1000-1900, Sat 1000-1600 and
Sun 1300-1600.
Tipping:
Service charges are included in most bills and extra tips are
not expected.
Currency: Icelandic Krona (Ikr) = 100 aurar.
Notes are in denominations of Ikr5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins
are in denominations of IKr100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.
Credit
& debit cards: Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, Diners
Club and American Express are widely accepted. Check with your
credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability
and other services which may be available.
Travellers
cheques: Widely used. To avoid additional exchange rate
charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in
US Dollars.
