Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [267]
The following also provide huts:
Ferðafélag Akureyrar (Touring Club of Akureyri; Map Click here; 462 2720; www.ffa.is; Strandgata 23) Runs huts and most campsites in the northeast, including the Askja Way.
Hostelling International Iceland ( 553 8110; www.hostel.is) At Húsadalur in Þórsmörk.
Útivist (Map; 562 1000; www.utivist.is; Laugavegur 178, IS-105 Reykjavík) Runs huts at Básar and Fimmvörðuháls Pass in Þórsmörk.
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ACTIVITIES
Iceland’s dramatic scenery, vast tracts of wilderness and otherworldly atmosphere make it a superb playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The rugged highlands and scenic coastline offer some fantastic opportunities for hiking Click here – Þórsmörk, Landmannalaugar and Hornstrandir are very popular destinations –
as well as horse riding Click here. Sea kayaking Click here through dramatic fjordland scenery is a favourite in many towns along the coast, and sea angling Click here is gaining a following. With Iceland’s light traffic, cycling Click here is a fantastic way to travel around. The majestic ice caps offer stunning scenery for ice trekking Click here, snowmobiling Click here and ice climbing Click here, while the meltwater forms mighty rivers that provide plenty of white-water rafting Click here opportunities. During the winter months skiing (downhill and cross-country; Click here) and snowboarding Click here are big activities, and a range of newer activities such as diving Click here, potholing and snowkiting Click here are beginning to take off. For something more leisurely, almost every town has a geothermal swimming pool and a golf course, and many coastal areas offer brilliant opportunities for birdwatching Click here and whale watching Click here.
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BUSINESS HOURS
Reviews throughout this book do not mention opening hours unless they differ from the standard opening hours below:
Banks 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Cafe-bars 10am to 1am Sunday to Thursday and 10am to between 3am and 6am Friday and Saturday.
Cafes 10am to 6pm.
Offices 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Off-licences (liquor stores) Variable; many outside Reykjavík only open for a couple of hours per day.
Petrol stations 8am to 11pm.
Post offices 8.30am or 9am to 4.30pm or 5pm Monday to Friday.
Restaurants 11.30am to 2.30pm and 6pm to 10pm.
Shops 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 10am to noon or 4pm Saturday.
Supermarkets 10am to 11pm.
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CHILDREN
Iceland is a fairly easy place to travel with children, and although there aren’t many activities especially aimed at younger travellers, the dramatic scenery, abundance of swimming pools and the friendliness of the locals help to keep things running smoothly.
Practicalities
Children are warmly welcomed in Iceland and a range of discounts on transport and admission fees reflects this. On internal flights and tours with Air Iceland, children aged from two to 11 years pay half-fare and infants under two fly free. Most bus and tour companies offer a 50% reduction for children aged from four to 11 years; Reykjavík Excursion tours are free for under 11s (Click here). Admission to museums and swimming pools varies from 50% off to free.
The changeable weather and frequent cold and rain may put you off camping as a family, but children aged from two to 12 are usually charged half-price for farmhouse and some other accommodation. Under twos can usually stay for free. The larger hotels often have cots and children’s menus available, but you’ll rarely find these in guest houses. Many restaurants in Reykjavík and larger towns offer discounted children’s meals, and most