ICELAND

Think of Iceland and your first thought might be of a cold bleak place where the sun never shines. Yet the island is this and more..yes it can be bleak, yes it is cold, It is an island of extremes sitting on the junction of two continental plates which are gradually drifting apart, but the scenery is dramatic and diverse...the weather unpredictable.Iceland is slighter larger than Ireland and half it's population lives in Rekyjavik, the capital.

There is lots to do in the city, which boasts over a dozen museums & libraries, numerous galleries, an opera theatre and lots more.

The city is clean, as the natural geothermal energy is used to heat the buildings. It is possible to do tours around the island lasting about a week, but if you are there only for a few days there are day trips from Rekyjavik which visit Geysir & Stokkur and Gullfoss. Take a swim in The Blue Lagoon, where you can bathe in the warm waters. It is located next to the power station, so scenic it's not, but the water is said to be beneficial to sufferers of skin ailments.

Iceland is not cheap especially when it comes to alcohol, but Rekyjavik airport allows you to buy your duty free on the way in and the prices are sometimes lower than in the duty free shop at Heathrow.

There are many exquisite shops in the capital selling all manner of goods, and a shopping mall located to the east of the city centre. Best buys are woollen goods and pottery.Eating out can be expensive, especially in the restaurants,but if you're just looking for a snack. Beware, McDonalds is not the cheap and cheerful place we know and love. A burger could cost up to £8.

Look out for Subway where you can get a baguette (hot or cold) for about £3. No hot drinks here though, so why not try one of the little coffee shops where you can get a bowl of soup and a toastie for much less than a burger or drink as much coffee as you like for about £1.50, as well as get the chance to chat to the locals who all speak remarkably good English. Because alcohol is so expensive ,so are the nightclubs. Pubs are relatively new and can get crowded at the weekends It is possible to combine a short break in Rekyjavik en route to the US as Icelandair the national carrier stops here on the way. It's well worth breaking your journey, being then only 5 hours from the US mainland.

For more information, call Genie Travel on 0845 388 8805 or e mail sales@genietvl.co.uk.