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MYRDALS GLACIER, Iceland — Welcome to Iceland, a country that offers a bewildering range of adventures, from the peace and tranquility of a swim in the world-famous Blue Lagoon hot spring and a view of the Aurora Borealis, to the challenge of hiking and snowmobiling through its wild interior.
The country of 300,000 people, most of whom speak English, also is a nice retreat from the mayhem of big cities. Its capital, Reykjavik, is laidback, safe, clean and friendly, with a full range of nightclubs, restaurants, shops, museums and galleries.
Despite the name Iceland, the country isn't always as cold or dark as one might expect in the winter. Even in February, when we visited, the temperature was 45 degrees, far warmer than northern Europe, with sunlight from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In fact, the weather has been so warm in recent winters that the ski slope located closest to Reykjavik often is closed for lack of snow.
Iceland's main drawback for tourists is the high price of food, liquor and travel within the country, thanks to high taxes, import quotas and the strong krona currency.
For instance, the 45-minute taxi ride from Keflavik International Airport to our hotel in Reykjavik cost us $116 the night we arrived.
Here's a typical entry in the guest book of the Hotel Odinsve from two tourists who had stayed there recently:
"Thank you very much for a very friendly stay. It's SO refreshing after the commuterdom of London. The few parts of Iceland we saw were magnificent. ... We'll definitely be back (after saving up a bit!)"
Our tour guide, Olafur B. Schram, said the high prices also affect the locals and that it is not unusual to see Icelanders dress up for dinner at McDonald's.
Iceland's mayor and tourist board recently complained about the effect of high prices on tourism, an important part of the nation's strong economy. But that hasn't curtailed a steady increase in visitors.
Iceland once was famous as an out-of-the-way stopover for cheap flights to Europe.
In fact, years ago, the country welcomed two historic events that helped put it on the map: the all-important summit between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President Ronald Reagan in Reykjavik in 1986, and Bobby Fischer's 1972 world chess championship victory in the capital over Cold War rival Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
But tourism is rising now. Many people seem to regard it as a cool place to visit, with artists ranging from the hip Bjork and Sigur Ros to the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra.
In 2005, 370,000 foreigners visited Iceland, more than the country's population. The top three points of origin were Britain, the United States and Germany.
"We really wanted to show our children the Northern Lights and the volcanoes and glaciers they learn about in school," said Junji Takei, 48, who traveled to Iceland from New York City, where he lives with his wife and two children, ages 9 and 6. "We also wanted to swim in the Blue Lagoon. Where else can someone do all that on a short flight from America?"
Sightseeing options here are endless, including thundering waterfalls, glaciers, lava craters, spouting geysers, caves, whale-watching. A national park not far from the capital includes a sight of the tectonic plates where Europe and the United States are slowly drifting apart at an average of 1.6 to 2 inches each year.
People who find snowmobiling too risky, or unfriendly to the environment, can ride a dog sled through the pristine glaciers or ride horses through lower elevations. Icelandic horses, a small and docile breed brought to Iceland by Vikings in the 8th century, are ideal for beginners and are found at many stables on country farms in the south.
Snorkeling and scuba-diving also are available inland.
Tourists hoping to save money should choose from among a wide variety of group day tours from their hotels, which last as long 14 hours. Package tours also are available that include airfare and travel to and from the airport.
For a steeper price, visitors can hire private tour guides who have the off-road vehicles and know-how needed to plan customized trips. Car rental is another option, but many of Iceland's national parks are only reachable down unpaved roads that often cross deep, surging rivers with no bridges.
The most popular destination in Iceland by far is the Blue Lagoon. It is so close to Keflavic International Airport that some people visit during stopovers on their flights.
Located in a bare, harsh landscape of volcanic lava, the natural hot pool — equipped with changing rooms, showers and a restaurant — draws water from wells as deep as 6,600 feet. The water temperature stays at around 97 to 102 degrees.
It sprang to prominence when a worker at a nearby power plant who suffered from psoriasis began bathing in the lagoon and found his skin condition improved, apparently because of the unique mineral content of blue-green algae.
Like many other visitors, we felt relaxed and had a good night sleep after swimming in the Blue Lagoon and rubbing some of its white silica mud over our skin.
The only drawback was the price — $44 each for the entry fee and the bus ride from our hotel.
"Wow, we're staying here all day just got get our money's worth," Peter Rowan, 38, who works for a bank in London, said in the Blue Lagoon's restaurant. He and his wife, Natalie, were each limiting themselves to a sandwich and a cup of tea.
"This country is beautiful, the people are wonderful, but the prices stop you in your tracks," he said.
