Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [271]
Public Holidays
National public holidays in Iceland:
New Year’s Day 1 January
Easter March or April (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to Easter Monday; changes annually)
First Day of Summer First Thursday after 18 April
Labour Day 1 May
Ascension Day May or June (changes annually)
Whit Sunday and Whit Monday May or June (changes annually)
Independence Day 17 June
Shop & Office Workers’ Holiday First Monday in August
Christmas 24 to 26 December
New Year’s Eve 31 December
School Holidays
The main school summer holiday runs from June to August, which is when most of the Edda and summer hotels open up. There are big student parties when school breaks up and when school restarts, so popular camping areas may be packed out. Þórsmörk is the venue for a huge student bash in July, which is either a reason to come or a reason to stay away. The winter school holiday is a two- to three-week break over the Christmas period (December to January).
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INSURANCE
Although Iceland is a very safe place to travel, theft does occasionally happen, and of course illness and accidents are always a possibility. A travel-insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is strongly recommended. Always check the small print to see if the policy covers any potentially dangerous sporting activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, horse riding, skiing or snowmobiling. For more information on the health aspects of travel in Iceland, including insurance, Click here. For information on motor insurance, Click here.
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INTERNET ACCESS
You’ll find public internet access available in most Icelandic libraries, even in small towns. These are by far the best and cheapest places to check your mail, with most offering internet access for about Ikr200 to Ikr400 per hour – a fraction of the cost at hotels. Reykjavík has a private internet cafe, and most top-end hotels, youth hostels and tourist offices have internet terminals with fast and reliable connections.
Wi-fi access is common in Iceland: with a wireless-enabled laptop, you can pick up a signal in most cafes, bars and hotels in central Reykjavík, and in many farm properties, guest houses and hotels across the rest of the country. We have used the symbol ‘’ throughout the chapters in this book to show where wi-fi is available to guests/customers.
For information on useful websites about Iceland, Click here.
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ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH?
Iceland has legal minimum ages for many activities:
Voting 18 years.
Driving 18 years (20 to 25 years for car hire, depending on the company).
Drinking 20 years.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Icelandic police are generally low-key and there’s very little reason for you to end up in their hands. It’s worth knowing, however, that drink-driving laws are very strict – one drink can put you over the legal limit of 0.05% blood-alcohol content. The penalty is loss of your licence plus a large fine. If you are involved in any other traffic offences – speeding, driving without due care and attention etc – you may be asked to go to the station to pay the fines immediately.
Drunk and disorderly behaviour may land you in a police cell for a night, but you will usually be released the following morning. Take note, however, that the penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict; these activities usually incur long prison sentences and heavy fines.
If you are arrested by the police, they can notify your embassy or consulate, or anyone else you specify, on your behalf. Lawyers are not provided by the state in Iceland, but the police can arrange a lawyer