lapland holidays barrhead travel

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.

8 of the best Lapland holidays, tours and all-inclusive packages for a magical winter break

Whether meeting santa, taking part in exhilarating snow sports or chasing the northern lights, there’s a lapland holiday for everyone, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get simon calder’s travel email, thanks for signing up to the simon calder’s travel email.

As the summer holidays approach and temperatures rise, those who aren’t jet-setting for sandy toes and tan lines should look ahead to winter trips and the enchanting spell of the Northern Lights .

If a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Lapland is at the top of your Christmas list, now’s the time to book – the sell-out spot is at its most popular during the December festivities as children flock to meet Santa and grown-ups soak up midday sauna sessions.

From Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village to the warm aura of Kiruna, winter sunlight hours may be short during the polar night with temperatures often dipping below -9C, but Lapland days remain packed with unique activities and novel stays in ice palaces, glass igloos and tree houses.

With so many all-inclusive stays, snow sports tours and holiday options in the Santa-centric land, here’s  The Independent’s  pick of packages to transport you to the magic of the Arctic Circle this Christmas season.

Read more on Europe travel :

• Beauty advent calendars 2021: Our guide to this year’s top treats
• 13 best tech gifts to spoil a gadget geek this Christmas
• 10 best luxury Christmas crackers for dressing up your dining table
• How to have the perfect family holiday in Lapland
• Best kids club resorts in Europe 2023: Where to stay for family-friendly fun
• Sweden travel guide: Everything you need to know

Best for: Luxury breaks

Swedish lapland experience.

Lapland crosses the utmost northern borders of Finland , Norway and Sweden’s dense forests, but the rural Scandinavian landscape is not without its luxuries. Tailored tours, wood-fired hot tubs and private chefs bring home comforts to the wilderness for travellers willing to splash the cash stress-free on a Christmas fairytale holiday.

Off the Map Travel  provides a four-night Swedish Lapland Experience for a unique luxury stay in the heart of Arctic Sweden, including accommodation in the Icehotel and Treehotel, transfers, excursions and half-board meals. From £1,699pp guests can enjoy ice sculpting or husky sledging in Kiruna and Lulea, and spend the night in a cosy Aurora Hideaway – the perfect vantage point to see the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights while indulging in traditional Swedish dishes.

Best for: Northern Lights hunters

Arctic aurora activity holiday in finnish lapland.

Viewing the Northern Lights is one of the most popular adventures to top a travel bucket list – after all, the natural world puts on few more spectacular shows. Travellers can hunt the aurora in chilling temperatures from paths off the beaten track, in the sky on a hot air balloon ride or from the comfort of a glass igloo and a lucky few will witness the clear and colourful skies during their Arctic adventure.

Discover the romance of the aurora borealis with  Aurora Zone  on a four-night Arctic Activity Holiday in Inari, Finnish Lapland. Trip excursions such as a snowmobile safari, dog sledding and shoeshoeing fill days in the Sámi culture’s capital, with nights spent searching for the vibrant hues of the Northern Lights. The holiday package costs £2,025pp, including return flights from London , transfers, accommodation, meals, all activities and cold-weather clothing for the duration of your Lapland stay.

Best for: Christmas festivities

Santa’s magic.

Santa’s holiday home, Lapland, is where you’ll find the picture-perfect scenes of Christmas cards; reindeer, igloos and snow-dusted trees. Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi even boasts Santa Claus’ Post Office, a husky park and boutiques ideal for last-minute present shopping right in the heart of the Arctic Circle.

Santa Claus Trips ’ Santa’s Magic holiday in the vibrant ski town of Saariselkä, priced from £1,239 per adult, includes return flights from the UK, half-board meals and accommodation in Tunturi Hotel for two nights. Festive highlights such as a private meeting with Santa, elves, igloos and reindeer sleigh rides dot the snowy break’s itinerary as the magic of Christmas takes hold of little and big ones alike.

Best for: Snowsports

Icehotel break.

What could be more exhilarating than taking to the ice by day and sleeping on it by night? Lapland’s snowsports offerings, from skiing to ice skating and (slightly tamer) sleigh riding behind reindeer or huskies, come in abundance so the winter fun doesn’t have to stop at Santa and accommodation doesn’t need to be boring.

Discover the World  offers a three-night stay at the  Icehotel  in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, from £733pp. Here, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and husky sledging excursions meet evenings spent eating and drinking in the Icebar, inside the hotel crafted each year using ice from the frozen River Torne. Return flights from London to Kiruna start from £204 in December.

Best for: Family fun

Santa breaks in yllas.

Santa trips, skiing holidays and nights spent seeking the bewitching Northern Lights are the perfect ingredients for a family winter holiday regardless of the Arctic temperatures. Kids of all ages will love the unique magic of the dynamic landscape and its snow-based activities, and visits to Father Christmas are bound to be a hit – even with the non-believers – so long as you wrap up warm and let imaginations run wild.

Inghams  provides a four-night holiday for two adults and two children from £1,059pp when travelling in November. The package includes return flights from Manchester and a half-board stay at the family-friendly Akäs (Snow Elf) Hotel & Alp Apartments. The hub of the Santa programme in Ylläs, all excursions depart from the hotel and the colourful village centre is just a five-minute walk away.

Best for: All-inclusive packages

New year lapland arctic adventure.

Over the Christmas holidays demand for Lapland holidays is high, and it gets the price tag to match. While it’s unlikely to find a truly budget break to the snowy scenery in winter, all-inclusive packages often slash the cost of high-paced activity days, and are well worth it to see the magic and charm of the secluded spot for yourself.

Canterbury Holidays  New Year Lapland Arctic Adventure is the ultimate seven-day activity holiday to Lapland. From £1,740pp, extend the magic of Christmas and experience the winter wonderland of Finnish Lapland – return flights, excursions, B&B accommodation and a New Year’s Eve dinner and party are all included in the stay. Visits to Europe’s only amethyst mine and a “white hike” through the frozen forests and fells also fill days of post-Christmas bliss on this NYE adventure.

Best for: Off-grid explorers

Finnish lapland in winter.

Enjoying the solitude of nature while coping with extreme temperatures is all part of being a Finn. To live like the locals, going off-grid on a Lapland holiday on snowshoe walks to remote farms and fighting the cold with a glass of salmari gets you even closer to the heart of the Sami culture.

Intrepid Travel  offers a journey through Finnish Lapland in winter from £2,745pp, so strap on your hiking boots and crunch through snow-dusted woodlands as you travel from Helsinki to Rovaniemi across the pristine landscape. Dog sledging, reindeer herding and the famous “Santa Claus Express” overnight train are all highlights. Breakfasts, transport, accommodation and activities are included in the cost of this eight-day holiday. 

Best for: Romantic retreats

Finnish lapland and the arctic circle.

There’s a romance to the campfire cabins and snow-topped saunas of Lapland. Think charming traditions, pastel-hued skies and authentic natural landscapes in secluded woodlands – best enjoyed while riding a snowmobile for two, or a sligh pulled by reindeer – as a backdrop to long weekends for lovebirds.

Untold Story Travel  offers six-night private tours of Finnish Lapland and the Arctic Circle. Accommodation options include wilderness cabins and Arctic treehouses, and the holiday is tailored to every couple’s requirements. Potential holiday highlights include a personal host to monitor Northern Lights activity, enchanting reindeer sleigh rides and snowmobiling across a frozen lake before spending your final night in a private glass igloo.

Read more on the best hotels in Stockholm

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Destinations of the week: finland, lapland & egypt..

The best time to achieve low prices are November and December, with the tourist rush between October and May. The summer months are less packed with residents, so getting that tourist feel is at its best. holidays in egypt

Blog Archive

• ►  June (2)
• ►  May (5)
• ►  April (2)
• ►  March (7)
• ►  February (8)
• ►  January (3)
• ►  December (6)
• ►  November (2)
• Barrhead Travel Destination of the Week: New Zealand!
• Destinations of the Week: Finland, Lapland & Egypt.
• Discover Canada with Barrhead Travel!
• ►  September (6)
• ►  August (13)
• ►  July (2)
• ►  June (1)

The Ultimate Lapland Holiday

• Price Match Promise
• Snow Guarantee
• ABTA/ATOL Protected
• All airports
• London Gatwick
• Birmingham Int.
• Bournemouth
• London Stansted
• London Southend
• Manchester Int.
• London Luton
• Leeds Bradford
• Glasgow Int.
• Belfast Int.
• East Midlands
• All durations
• 2 night trips
• 3 night trips
• All Santa’s Lapland experiences
• Santa's Magic
• Santa's Aurora
• Santa's Hotel Tunturi
• Santa's Hotel Holiday Club
• Santa's Hotel Riekonlinna
• Santa's Saariselka Inn
• Santa's Star Arctic Hotel
• Santa's Glass Cube Cabins

Choose your Santa’s Lapland experience

Both of our lapland holiday packages include a reindeer ride, sledging with huskies, tobogganing, lots of snowy activities like snow hockey and mini skidoos, and a private visit with santa., on our santa’s aurora package, your activity centre is exclusive to our santa’s aurora families and you’ll have an additional wilderness dinner, a visit to santa's elves workshop, a longer husky ride and a snowmobile safari..

• SANTA s MAGIC Your choice of four hotels with everything you've dreamed of for a magical Lapland adventure. Explore Santa’s Magic

• Believe your eyes, this is an experience your family will cherish forever. From £1169 per adult See what's included
• SANTA S AURORA Enjoy the ultimate Christmas in Lapland with a little extra Aurora magic sprinkled on top. Explore Santa's Aurora

• The ultimate Lapland experience for your family, even the elves get jealous. From £1549 per adult See what’s included

Get Inspired

Santa and his elves can't wait for your arrival, but before your trip begins, get inspired! Unlock the magic of Lapland with our Santa's Chronicles, learn how to wrap up warm in Lapland or call our Christmas helpers to book your magical getaway.

Don't Miss Out On This Limited-Time Magic

Tick-tock. The magic's on the clock. We're giving the gift of incredible savings with HALF PRICE child places on our  Santa’s Magic package for selected dates in November and December 2024 & 2025.

No one knows how to make Christmas more magical

Flights, transfers, half-board accommodation, a fun-filled activity trip and snowsuits are all included.

A remote spot in the far north of Finland, 200km above the Arctic Circle among the snowy trees of Saariselkä.

If you are yet to book, and you find your Santa’s Lapland holiday cheaper elsewhere, we’ll price match it.

Everything about the holiday was magical. Amazing staff, hotel, organisation of the search for Santa day, the support of the company in the lead up to the trip. Can't recommend this trip and company enough. SANTA'S HOTEL TUNTURI - CHRISTOPHER December 2022

Amazing holiday. Reps were amazing. Programme was well thought through. I loved it as much as the kids. STAR ARCTIC HOTEL - REBECCA January 2022

A once in lifetime trip, magical and full of fun for children and adults. Accomodation practical with everything you needed, staff attentive and organised and the food suited everyone's needs. The adventures were unforgettable and breathtaking! SANTA'S HOTEL TUNTURI - MARY December 2022

We had a truly magical experience enhanced by the enthusiasm of the staff. Our boys 6 and 7 were taken aback by the whole experience and Santa was the icing on the cake. A family trip and memories that we will treasure forever! SANTA'S HOLIDAY CLUB - ALISON December 2021

Fancy more snow fun?

Keep the magic going with an extra day for adventure - the choice is yours. sledding on the toboggan run, the thrill of husky sledding, cruising through the snow by snowmobile or hunting for the northern lights..

• An extra day for family time in the snow. Husky and reindeer rides, thrilling snowmobiles, a spot of skiing, or a hunt for the Northern Lights. The choice is yours. Optional Adventures

• Explore a little more, make magical memories in this other-worldly wilderness. You're spoilt for choice. See for yourself

WAYS TO BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY TO LAPLAND

It's time to book your trip to Lapland and we can't wait for your arrival. Whether you're booking online or giving our Christmas helpers a call on 01483 791 945 , we're just as excited as you are for your magical journey to begin!

• Snow guarantee
• ABTA/ATOL protected
• Experts in Lapland for over 15 years

We are currently closed. Why not try booking online?

What a Lapland holiday looks like:

Holidays in lapland.

What better way to enjoy the magic of Christmas than a trip to see Santa on a Lapland holiday? Think crisp white snow, reindeer, huskies, and elves – it’s a place where childhood dreams can become reality. Father Christmas has put some time aside in his busy December schedule to welcome you into his Lapland hideaway, with the elves on hand to join in the fun – all you need to do is wrap up warm and bring your Christmas list! Experience the thrill of husky sledging and tobogganing or take a ride through the stunning landscape on a magical reindeer sleigh. And at the end of the day look out for nature’s very own light show, the Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights. Hays Travel offers Lapland Day Trips throughout December - flying out early morning and returning late at night. Extend your stay on a two-, three-, or four-night break staying in various resorts, including Saariselkä and Rovaniemi.

Travel Guide

The best time to visit Lapland is in December, when there’s snow on the ground setting the scene for a festive escape.

• Currency: Euro
• December temp: -5°C/23°F
• Average flight time: 3 Hours
• Time Difference: +2 hours

Latest Lapland Holiday Offers

• • Lapland

Winter Wonderland Lapland Day Trip

£592 pp

Yllas Log Cabin

INCLUDES A SAVING OF £160

£1,117 pp

Crazy Reindeer Hotel

INCLUDES A SAVING OF £300

£1,080 pp

Santa's Hotel Tunturi

Family of 3 from £3654

£1,218 pp

Things to see and do in Lapland

Rovaniemi leads to Santa Claus Village where you can post your Christmas list at the Main Post Office, see Mrs Claus bake gingerbread cookies at Christmas Cottage, and meet Santa Claus and his elves; and Arktikum Science Museum to learn about Lapland’s culture, natural history, meteorology, and geology. Get up close to arctic wildlife at Rauna Wildlife Park, pet a reindeer at Elf’s Farm Yard, snap a selfie at Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge at nightfall, and try your hand at cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. In Saariselkä; embark on a Husky, Reindeer, or Snowmobile Safari through snowy landscapes, go snowboarding at Freestyle Park, try out  a snowmobile and learn about the indigenous Sami people at Sami Cultural Center.

Food and drink in Lapland

Lapland’s food menus comprise hearty roast duck, meatballs, stews, wild salmon and trout, and local specialities like Leipäjuusto, Rieska, Lapin Puikula, Rössypottu, Blodpalt, and Poronkäristys. Christmas Eve is also a special day in Lapland when people eat gingerbread cookies and drink Glögg mulled wine.

COME AND VISIT US

With over  470 branches and  3000 travel advisors, we'd love to see you in person to help you get the best deals.

• CALL 0800 408 4048
• FIND YOUR NEAREST BRANCH

Now Lets Travel

About now lets travel.

Now Lets Travel are your dedicated cruise and travel experts We offer a huge range of cruises, holidays, flights and hotels at fantastic prices.

Now Lets Travel is a trading name of Barrhead Travel Services LTD, one of the UK's leading independent travel companies, operating from 70 UK stores and employing over 1,000 staff.  Being part of the Barrhead Travel Group we are part of one of the UK's leading retailers of holidays and cruises. All our bookings are fully financially protected by ABTA & ATOL. With over £100 million of cruise sales last year we have access to exclusive rates and offers ensuring you always get the best deal available.

Cruise Information

Find out more about this cruise, your reference:, call us: 0800 599 9599, send us a message.

Branch Finder

Our Travel Stores are located in North East England… Enter your postcode to locate your nearest store

If you'd rather talk to someone just give our call centre a call and a member of our sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Open 10am - 10pm 7 Days A Week

Prefer to chat online? Drop us a message!

One of our highly trained team will get back to you as soon as possible!

Can't Find What You're Looking For?

You can always use our search to find your perfect holiday or get in touch to speak to a member of our sales team!

Choose Departure Date

Guests & rooms, select child 1 age:, select child 2 age:, select child 3 age:, select child 4 age:, select child 5 age:.

Enter your email address to get details of all out best deals sent directly to your inbox.

Customer Module Form

• Destinations
• All Inclusive
• City Breaks
• Summer 2024
• Pay Monthly Holidays
• Winter Holidays
• Faraway Escapes
• Holiday money
• Travel Money Card
• Travel Insurance
• Cruise Holidays
• Faraway Holidays
• Costa Del Sol
• Costa Dorada
• Gran Canaria
• Fuerteventura
• Praia Da Rocha

News & latest offers

Lapland Holidays

Why Lapland

What better way to enjoy the magic of Christmas and make your child’s dreams come true than a trip to see  Santa on a Lapland holiday?  Think crisp white snow, reindeers, huskies and elves – it’s a place where childhood dreams can become reality. Father Christmas has put some time aside in his busy December schedule to welcome you into his hideaway Lapland home, with the elves on hand to join in the fun – all you need to do is wrap up warm and bring your Christmas list! Experience the thrill of Husky Sledding, Tobogganing or take a ride through the stunning landscape on a magical Reindeer Sleigh. And at the end of the day look out for nature’s very own light show, the Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights. We can offer Lapland Day Trips throughout the month of December - flying out early morning and returning late at night. Extend your stay on a 2, 3 or 4 night break staying in 3 or 4 star hotels in various resorts, including Saariselka and Rovaniemi, both a short transfer from the airport.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable last minute Lapland break or a luxury Lapland holiday , you’ll find your perfect snowy escape with Hays Travel. To book yours, chat to one of our travel experts today. Alternatively, take a look at some of our other winter holidays . 

Want to know more about our Lapland holidays? Browse our FAQs below to learn more about Santa’s magical home. 

You’ll find Lapland in the northernmost region of Finland, bordering Norway and Sweden. The Arctic Circle crosses into Lapland too, which is why Lapland holidays are known for their magical wintery settings. 

The flight time from the UK to Lapland is approximately 3 hours. Its short flight time is why Lapland day trips and mini breaks are so popular!

Yes! A chance to spot the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, is just one of the things that make Lapland holidays so special. 

A day trip to Lapland for a family of 3 usually costs around £1660. At Hays Travel, we offer low deposits and pay monthly options on all our Lapland holidays to help make your trip as affordable as possible. 

To book your Lapland holiday, chat to a member of Hays Travel now.

Barrhead Travel Blogs

Staff Travel Diaries: From Rome to Athens – A week onboard the brand-new Sun Princess cruise ship

Itinerary: Rome | Naples | Day at Sea | Crete | Kusadasi | Athens Embarkation Day We flew from Manchester to Rome and took a transfer to the port which …

Experience Alaska in Ultra-Luxury on board Silver Nova

Silversea’s Alaska cruises are simply phenomenal. These are journeys of breathtaking encounters with the natural world – after all, Alaska’s great spectacles need little introduction. Adventure, culture, history and glaciers …

Seamless Skies: The Unparalleled USA Travel Experience with Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines!

In the dynamic world of air travel, where efficiency, comfort, and convenience take centre stage, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines emerge as leading players, offering a seamless and exceptional experience …

Japan Holidays with Wendy Wu – A Symphony of Sushi, Sumo, and Stunning Landscapes!

Embark on a captivating journey with Japan Holidays, where the blend of modern innovation and ancient traditions creates a truly unique and dynamic culture. In the bustling streets of cutting-edge …

Staff Travel Diaries: Sea & Space Educational Trip to Orlando

Flights: Our flights with Virgin Atlantic were fantastic. We could pre-book our seat in advance, had plenty of entertainment options (current and classic) on board, wonderful service and a great …

Unforgettable Adventures at Universal Orlando Resort

I just got back from the most incredible trip to Universal Orlando Resort, and I can’t wait to share all things Universal. From the excitement of the theme parks to …

Staff Travel Diaries: Educational Trip with Club Med to Val-d’Isère, France

Club Med Val d’isere, France Club Med have been around since 1950 and have constantly adapted and changed adding to their portfolios: from Ski to Caribbean to summer lakes and …

Discovering Barbados: A Guide to Island Adventures & Local Dining Hot Spots

Barbados is a gem of an island in the Caribbean, known for its white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant local culture. Our team had the privilege to travel to Barbados and will take you through some of the best experiences that Barbados has to offer, from island tours to local eateries and nightlife.

Staff Travel Diaries: A magical trip to Lapland -Santa, Sledging and Snow Mobiles!

Trip Overview: Day 1 – ArrivingUpon arrival, we warmed up and got our thermal suits and boots on. We had some dinner and walked round the resort to see the …

A trip to Boston, Orlando and New York with Brand USA and JetBlue

My trip started the night prior to our flight from Heathrow to Boston. I stayed at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre London Heathrow. In order to get to Heathrow …

• Travel Money
• Book an Appointment
• Store Locator
• Find An Expert

• Flight + Hotel

Iceland Holidays

Choose one of our cheap Iceland holidays and you'll soon be jetting off to this incredible destination where you'll discover a land of stunning natural contrasts. Iceland is a Nordic island located at the junction of North Atlantic and Arctic oceans on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is approximately a third larger than Scotland or Ireland.

Because it is only a short flight away it is a perfect holiday destination for couples and families willing to explore this glorious playground. Sights range from whale watching to reindeer-drawn sleigh riding. Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and it is here that the majority of entertainment, hotels and departure points for adventures are located.

Winter is an exciting time to visit Iceland with frozen landscapes of breathtaking beauty, geothermal spas and many activities for all ages. Try some of the excursions and winter tours available.

Choose one of our Reykjavik city breaks and you'll arrive in a city of stunning natural contrasts. Iceland is a Nordic island located at the junction of North Atlantic and Arctic oceans on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Home to glassy glaciers, hot thermal springs, spectacular geysers, active volcanoes, lava fields, stunning waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, Iceland is indeed the 'Land of Fire and Ice'. The second-largest island in Europe, Iceland lies close to the Arctic Circle northwest of Scotland and south of Greenland, and its primary draw for visitors is its unique and wonderful natural phenomena.

The hardy Icelandic people, descendants of ancient Norsemen and Celts, are intriguing too, having spawned what is now renowned as the oldest surviving parliament in the world (called the ), founded in 930 AD. Iceland also boasts a much-revered literary heritage of the best medieval works, mostly based on heroic sagas.

Most of the country's popular tourist features are in the south of the island near the capital, Reykjavik, and can be explored on the much celebrated 'Golden Circle' route. Top of the list for scenic splendour are the Gullfoss double-tiered waterfall and the spouting hot springs of Geysir.

Reykjavik means 'smoky bay' but, in the case of Iceland's pristine capital (which is Europe's most northerly capital city), the smoke is not smog but rather steam from the underground springs that warm the city.

Reykjavik has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the cleanest, most invigorating cities in Europe, and boasts one of the highest standards of living in the world. The city may be small, but it is full of interesting attractions, from galleries and museums to thermal bathing spots, and the nightlife is second to none.

Iceland is steadily increasing in popularity as a travel destination and offers so much to see and do that repeat visits may be necessary, particularly as the country seems so different in summer and winter.

The summer weather enables all sorts of outdoor fun in the gloriously unique landscapes, but the icy winter months bring with them the spectacle of the Northern Lights, truly one of the most magical experiences the world has to offer.

Iceland boasts a surplus of natural thrills, making the island a playground for adventurous nature lovers in search of something different. An exciting combination of glaciers, hot springs, icy fjords, volcanoes, snowy slopes, geysers, and otherworldly rock formations ensure a unique holiday in Iceland, and that's not even taking into account the magical Northern Lights.

Although it is one of the most exciting outdoor travel destinations in the world, more conventional sightseeing in Iceland is also possible, with Reykjavik providing an impressive selection of museums and galleries, a famously fun nightlife, good shopping, and a mouth-watering array of restaurants.

Reykjavik is commonly the starting point for Icelandic holidays and the most well-beaten tourist route on the island, the Golden Circle, starts in the city. This 186-mile (300km) loop can be driven in a day and covers many of Iceland's most popular tourist attractions and activities, including the Gullfoss waterfalls, the geysers of Strokkur and Geysir, and the beautiful landscapes of Thingvellir National Park. For a longer trip, and to experience more of the island than the popular south, travellers can drive Iceland's Ring Road, which circles the island and takes about a week to travel.

Many travellers will find the Reykjavik City Card useful as it covers not only the major sightseeing attractions in the city but also a few excursions nearby, including a ferry ride to nearby islands and discounts for activities such as whale watching and horse riding. The tourist card also allows unlimited bus transport and even includes discounts at some restaurants. The Reykjavik City Card is available in one-day, two-day, or three-day packages.

As the name suggests, Iceland's climate is cold but not as cold as might be expected because of the passing warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which regulate the climate. The summer temperatures in Reykjavík, between June and August, ranging from 41F (5C) at night to as high as 77F (25C) during the day. The average mid-winter temperature, in January, is 31F (-0.5C).

The south is the wettest part of the country, but snow is rare. Coastal areas tend to experience winter gales and are generally windy. During the summer months, there is almost continuous daylight; early spring and late autumn feature long twilights. The opposite is true in the darkness of winter from mid-November until the end of January when the country only experiences a few hours of daylight each day.

The Northern Lights are often visible in autumn and early winter. The best time to visit Iceland depends on the desired activity. Generally, summer is the most pleasant time to visit but the Northern Lights are a big drawcard in the colder months.