Bradt Iceland

by Andrew Evans

Not just for those looking to glimpse glaciers or wallow in hot springs, Bradt’s new edition of this award-winning guide to Iceland caters to the outdoor enthusiast as well as those who share Andrew Evans' passion for the country’s rich Viking traditions and history. Learn when to use each one of the eight Icelandic words for sheep, how to avoid injury from dive-bombing Arctic terns, or the connections between present-day sites and Iceland’s rich literary tradition of sagas. Biking, trekking, deep-sea, and river fishing, horse-riding, glacier exploration, Reykjavík’s wild nightlife—it’s all covered.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Guidebook, Reference

432 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2007

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't be freaked out about the part where he says you have to strip naked and wash yourself in front of a staff member at the Blue Lagoon before entering the spa - it's not true. You do need to bathe sans swimsuit, but it is in the privacy of an individual stall. Perhaps they've eased up on the rules since publication.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit I didn't read this cover to cover. It's long, and although it has photos, it's as packed with facts as an Icelandic tour guide. (Believe me I can still quote statistics.)

Used this to plan our trip to Iceland. Very comprehensive, with two caveats. First, several of the restaurants that were listed in Reykjavik were out of business. It's not the book's fault, but you'd be well advised to call ahead (nearly everyone speaks English) or pick a location where there are several restaurants nearby just in case. Secondly, and more importantly, the places you may want to visit will have drastically different hours (or may even be closed entirely) if you visit in the off season (on the other hand... way cheaper to go off season.) If it hadn't have been for the book, I wouldn't have had a clue how to pick a hotel that suited us in Reykjavik, and I wouldn't have taken a fantastic trip up to the North of Iceland near the Arctic circle. I wouldn't have known how important it was to bring hiking boots. Because even though it may actually be sunny when you go, if you visit a waterfall, WHICH YOU WILL, the sidewalks and steps will all be slick as snot, and you will have more fun if you don't fall down. For what it's worth, if you want to go CAMPING in Iceland, this is not the guidebook for you. Also worth mentioning there aren't really any maps in the book detailed enough that you can get around with them.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough, informative, and witty, once again the Bradt guide was my trusted companion on an international adventure. Online travel sites have their place, especially for convenience, but nothing beats a well-written guidebook when venturing to points unknown, and I found the Iceland Bradt guide to excel. When my eyes were glazing over at all the 5-star and 1-star reviews for Reykjavík hotels (come on, they can't all be AMAZING! or WORST EVER!), the Bradt guide offered brief, honest appraisals along with price ranges, which made it much easier to winnow our choices. The section on cultural customs and mores cannot be oversold either. TripAdvisor won't tell you that Icelanders love to dress up for a night out, despite the freezing temps, or that punctuality is a must. The Iceland Bradt guide does, and we were the more comfortable travelers for the info. The book is also packed with historical and geographical information regarding Iceland's countless natural wonders, all of which we wanted to see if only time and money permitted.

Get thee a Bradt guide and then to Iceland!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't remember a time when I read a travel guide with such strong language (e.g. tell me how you feel, really, about Iceland's national liquor Brennivin, p. 109) which was pretty refreshing. Overall it was both informative and amusing.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combined with Frommers for a nearly perfect travel experience.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered the Bradt guides when travelling through South Eastern Europe - they were a lot better than any of the Lonely Planet guides. The Iceland guide is another exemplary Bradt travel guide.

[Kathee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the historical and cultural details.