Iceland: So Cool It's Hot

More citified travelers can eat, shop and satisfy their cultural cravings in the capital city of Reykjavik. Shoppers will find deals on lopapeysas, the traditional sheep's wool sweater that's an Icelandic cultural hallmark as well as a distinctive, wearable souvenir.

Reykjavik is also where most of Iceland's many museums are located, including the Reykjavik Art Museum, housed in three separate buildings, the National Gallery and The Culture House, a museum that gives visitors a sense of Icelandic history and culture. In addition to these larger museums, there are myriad smaller art galleries and live music venues in this charming, walkable city.

Foodies will enjoy their visit as well: Iceland is renowned for its abundant fresh seafood from the cold North Atlantic waters. Due to stringent agricultural standards, Iceland's lamb, poultry and cheeses are superb. Look for traditional smoked lamb (hangikjöt) or fresh cheeses, including the yogurt-like skyr. Licorice and fine chocolate (sometimes combined) are favorite Icelandic sweet treats.

When to Go and How to Get There

Don't be dissuaded by its frigid name; Iceland's hardy citizens are active outdoors and culturally year-round. Iceland's climate is relatively mild, though certainly cooler than those who usually vacation in the tropics might expect. Winter temps hover around freezing, but only reach to the mid-50-degrees in summer.

Dress in layers, as the weather can take unexpected turns any time of year. As with Alaska and northern Canada, Iceland's northern latitude means full days of sunlight in summer and long, dark winter days that often end with a light show courtesy of the aurora borealis.

Flights take about five to six hours from New York to Keflavik International Airport (about 30 miles from Reykjavik). Icelandair offers year-round flights from several U.S. cities. Now is the time to check major travel portals like: TripAdvisor, Expedia and Kayak for the best flight deals.

Visitors will need a current passport to travel to Iceland. Most merchants accept major credit cards, making shopping easier by foregoing trips to the bank to exchange currency. Finally, don't forget to pack European adapters for electronic devices.

Iceland, Glacier Lagoon

To plan a visit, here's a list of outfitters and travel tour groups offering various ways to see Iceland:

• Svea Adventures offers small scale, eco-friendly travel tours of Iceland, including adventure tours of volcanic sites on horseback.
• Nordic Visitor offers Iceland vacation packages for honeymooners, families, and luxury travelers, and car rental packages for self-driving tours.
• Arctic Adventures provides a variety of outdoor adventures for hardier travelers, from kayaking to ice climbing to glacial hiking.
• Unique tours can be customized to meet luxury travelers' needs through Iceland Experience.

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