Reykjavik is the most northerly capital city in the world. Its also the coolest.

Reykjavik is the most northerly capital city in the world. Its also the coolest.

Um? Surely thats a no-brainer? Most northerly capital, on the edge of the Arctic circle of course its cold!

Not cold though it is a little I said cool. Reykjavik is as cool as they come. The city has been called the best night out on the planet. Its bars, pubs and clubs stay open all hours, and parts of the city have a constant party atmosphere.

Take, for example, Kaffibarinn on Bergstaarstrt (approximately berg stath ar strite going to Iceland? Take a pronunciation guide!). Its about the trendiest bar in town, visited by celebrities from all over the world who have discovered Iceland. Yet its not so exclusive: the welcome is friendly, and its usually crowded and atmospheric. Drinks are not cheap. But you wont find a cheap drink anywhere in Iceland. Theres a high tax imposed on alcohol served in licensed premises. But the prices are worth it for the atmosphere!

If you feel like soaking up culture rather than vodka, theres lots for you to do. Live music thrives in Reykjavik nearly all the trendy city centre bars have DJs on weekend nights. Theres classical music, too. Although Iceland has a population of only 270,000 smaller than most medium-sized U.S. cities its Symphony Orchestra is world-renowned and plays regular concerts in the capital between June and September.

The literally-named Culture House is also worth a visit. For a smallish island with a tiny population, Iceland has a whole lot of history. You thought Christopher Columbus discovered America? Think again. As the locals will remind you as soon as they hear your U.S. accent, one of their forebears, Leif Ericsson, was the first European to make landfall in what would become the U.S.A.

As well as being cool, Reykjavik is colorful. Literally. Theres not a lot of wood in Iceland. Most of the trees, in fact, are in and around Reykjavik, and have been imported. So what wood they have, the Icelanders make the most of. Many of the old wooden houses are painted in brilliant blues and reds. If you stand on the citys sea front, turn your back on the deep azure of Faxafloi Bay and look back at the town, it looks like the kind of place a kid would build if he had a couple billion colored bricks.

Further afield theres stuff to do, too. The interior of the country is mountainous, and filled with glaciers, volcanoes and geysers. If youre a geologist, its one of the most interesting places in the world. If youre not, go have a look anyway. Its spectacularly beautiful, if, at times, a little eerie. Three-quarters of Icelands population are crammed into the south-western corner of the island, around Reykjavik. The rest of the country, which is about the size of Ohio, is empty and unspoiled.

You can learn how to skidoo, or ride a dog-sled. You can hike in the hills (though not without a guide, please, unless youre an expert) or have a go at some of the very best mountain biking in the world.

But just about the definitive Icelandic experience after weaving unsteadily home from a really good night out in Reykjavik is meeting the whales. Iceland is surrounded by whales of several species, and its easy to get on one of the regular boat trips to see some of these leviathans.

When a minke whale breaks surface right next to your ship, its a humbling experience. But then, so much about Iceland is humbling: the scenery, the friendliness of the people the sheer warmth of such a wonderfully cool place.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anyone who wants to enjoy a stress-free trip has to start with the basic concern of any traveler - how to effectively handle travel reservations. Below are a number of advice that may help:

- Decide on a travel plan - specific destination, how many days, what activities, routes, and other details. The attention given to this first step will ensure smooth sailing in making the necessary travel arrangements.

- If the destination is a foreign country, make sure all information that would be needed in making reservations are on hand.

How about booking your airline tickets? Below are some airline reservation tips you can use:

- If notification of your reservation is done by e-mail, make sure that the ticket price quoted is the same. Sometimes, some airlines claim the airfare booked earlier is no long available.

- If booking on online, use a reservation site where ticket prices for all airlines are shown so a comparison can be readily seen.

- If booking for more than one person, check also the ticket price for both a single passenger and multiple passengers. Some airlines quote different prices.

When it comes to reserving your hotel rooms, below are some helpful tips:

- Ask if the rate is a flat rate or per person.

- Ask how many beds are in the room and what the size is.

- Make sure to finalize a rate before getting off the phone.

- Ask about tax rates that would be added.

- Will breakfast be included with the price of the room? What time is it served and what is included.

- Are there guarantee and cancellation policies? Most hotels require guarantee for reservation with a credit card. Will they ask a check deposit?

- If this is a standard reservation, make sure there is a confirmation number.

Follow these top tips for a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience!

About the Author: Susan Wong is the owner of New York Hotels Discounts, Discount Singapore Hotels and Heping Hotel Rooms, a chain of hotel & travel related sites.