Iceland is ...

With probably the greatest variety of stunning scenery and unspoilt wilderness of any European destination, in Iceland you will find dazzling landscapes ranging from surreal to sublime. Their colours defy description: imagine rust-red craters, cobalt-blue lakes and luminous green moss that punctuate a sea of black sand.

Conjure up the scent of freshly mown hay or a slower-strewn meadow set to a backdrop of shimmering ice. And the air is so clear and crisp that the views can stretch forever. You can drink from some of the cleanest rivers on earth. Cascading with youthful exuberance, they create waterfalls of every size and shape imaginable en route to the sea. There, a coastline of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and tranquil fjords throngs with birds while off shore six species of whale and dolphin regularly captivate visitors on whale watching trips. Iceland is nature in the raw - rugged and rewarding.

Your Iceland Experience can be as easy or as wild as you like. You can opt for an escorted holiday touring by coach, a fun-filled super-jeep safari to explore off the beaten track or, for complete flexibility, a Fly Drive itinerary or tour using scheduled air and bus services.

On foot, you can choose from short and scenic walks on gentle trails to full day wilderness hikes or longer back-packing expeditions. Enjoy boat cruises, fishing, riding the delightful and sure-footed Icelandic horse or, for an adrenaline fix, try snowmobiling and river rafting. You can watch a whole showcase of geothermal curiosities: hissing steam vents, bubbling mud pools and erupting geysers. Take a bathe in a natural geothermal pools, such as the unforgettable Blue Lagoon, stay up for the midnight sun, be dazzled by the northern lights... the adventure is yours.

Over a thousand years of history are rooted in the pioneering ninth century settlement of Iceland from Norway. A community of farmers, versed in Viking lore and legend, built the foundations of the nation, and established their own government and legal system, known as the Althing.

Their descendents went on to colonise Greenland and even adventures, and many other fascinating episodes from Iceland's early history, are chronicled in the literary masterpieces known as the Sagas. Most Icelanders can trace their lineage back to Saga characters while almost every place name on the map tells its own history.

Independent and proud of their heritage, Icelanders are also warm and welcoming to visitors. Today's culture draws a fusion of inspiration from both sides of the Atlantic, but the nation's arts, architecture, food and fashions have a uniquely Icelandic feel to them.

The capital's nightlife has almost cult status and when it comes to having fin, Icelanders do it in style. Reykjavik has the attractions and amenities you would expect of a capital city of 110,000 inhabitants and a calendar of social events and festivals throughout the year. Outside the city, there are farms, fishing villages, and small towns with ample visitor facilities and a surprising range of attractions.