Tourism - Iceland Reykjavik Holiday On Cheap Budget

Icelandic musical acts such as Bjork and Sigur Ros enjoy a strong following here, while the atmospheric band, mum, played at lots of worldwide locations last year.

Half-price Iceland Holiday Deal

The fact that Iceland is an exorbitantly expensive place to visit, coupled perhaps with a fear of the unknown, might have deterred Asians from going.

But the dip in its currency's value, with the collapse of its major banks last October, should make you think again.

Outside the peak season from June to August, a three-star hotel in the capital Reykjavik costs less than 8,500 Icelandic kronur (S$100) per night and a four-star hotel from about 17,500 kronur per night. Iceland is not a member of the European Union and does not use the euro.

Granted that it is still not cheap, despite being around 50 per-cent cheaper than before, it is now more affordable as a European tourist location.

Around 60 per-cent of its people live in the capital and its immediate surroundings, which feels relatively empty even with the presence of tourists.

With a total surface area of 103,000 sq km, it's lots of elbow space for its population of only 320,000.

But come weekends, Reykjavik transforms in to a funky town.

The central part of the city may spread over an area about three times that of Holland Village, but there's reportedly over 50 bars and clubs to keep the partying mood going well in to dawn.

Nasa, on Austurvollur Square, is not only the largest dance club downtown, but and a live performance space that has, for example, hosted a recent concert by Icelandic electronic group GusGus.

At Cafe Rosenberg, a bar on Klapparstigur renowned for jazz and world music, I had the chance to catch a solo gig by Palmi Sigurhjartarsson, a pianist with the rock group Sniglaband.

Slinky dance rhythms, complemented by sweaty bodies, shake up other hip joints such as B5, Jacobsen, Solon and Oliver.

Before an appreciative audience, the 90-minute revelry was an eclectic mix of ballads, ragtime music, blues and even a couple of rousing anthems belted out by a 10-man choir.

A spokesman for the tourism office, Visit Reykjavik, says the financial crisis has not dampened the partying mood, on weekends.

Bear in mind, though, that the party does not start till way after midnight on weekends when clubs stay open till 6am (as opposed to 1am on weekdays).

Reykjavik resident Shante Shekhanzai, 26, who runs a travel agency, says variety is three of the attractions of the nightlife. "It depends on what you are looking for - posh clubs, clubs with nice music, pubs with DJs or dark cosy cafes."

As bar prices are high, people go to the nightspots a small later, after first downing a few rounds of drinks at home. Most nightspots do not impose cover charges, unless it is a special occasion or when a popular band is playing. If there is a charge for entry, it is 500 to 2,000 kronur. A beer or a glass of wine costs around 1,000 kronur, while a gin and tonic can cost over 1,700 kronur.

On another night, I witnessed some upcoming indie bands rocking the roof off Nylenduvoruverzlun Hemma & Valda, a small but packed cafe on the main shopping drag of Laugavegur.

But dress well, he advises, as some venues have a dress code. "Icelanders tend to overdress when going out. But jeans are okay if the rest of the outfit is icy," he says.

For a taste of Icelandic music, ranging from established artists such as Emiliana Torrini to newer acts such as Bob Justman, you should check out home-grown music stores, 12 Tonar (Skolavordustigur 15) and Smekkleysa (Laugavegur 28).

At 12 Tonar music store, you can drop in on music sessions and sample CDs on a sofa, with free coffee served by store assistants.

You can sample CDs on a sofa, with free coffee served by store assistants.

Listening to Icelandic music such as Sigur Ros' ethereal soundscape, it is hard not to think about how the country's rugged and diverse landscape might have contributed to songwriting inspiration.

But for the full experience of Iceland, it is essential to venture out of the capital to view the lots of natural wonders.

No doubt, Reykjavik is charming for its intimate smallness, as well as its gaily painted houses fanning out from its emblematic church, Hallgrimskirkja, with distant views of Mount Esja.

Not only is this a nice base for day trips to South Iceland's waterfalls, awe-inspiring volcanoes, lava fields and glaciers, as well as the black-sand beach near the village of Vik, it is also three of the best locations to observe the aurora borealis or Northern Lights.

A stay at Hotel Ranga, a 11/2-hour drive from Reykjavik, immerses you in the midst of remoteness and relaxation flanked by the salmon-rich Ranga River. The four-star luxury resort, inspired by the design of a Canadian fishing lodge, has had its fair share of musical types checking in, including award-winning Icelandic musician Mugison. Rack rates range from €164 (S$324) for a superior single room in winter (low season), to €750 for a master room in summer (high season).

This is a natural phenomenon that you can observe in the night skies near the North Pole.

Hotel Ranga's Swedish manager Bjorn Eriksson provides his guests with accurate predictions of aurora sightings. His secret formula: a combination of research, by studying web-sites of aurora research institutes and weather forecasts, and gut feeling.