Book Review: Frommer's Iceland

When my parents got back recently from a trip to Iceland, I was completely envious! Their photos were extrordinary - wide open skies, unique buildings, and a sense of peace.  A friend of mine from graduate school is from Iceland, and I have always wanted to go there. I've recently fed this travel beast by reading Frommer's Iceland (2008). Written by Evan Spring and Zoe Preston, this is a comprehensive, practical guide to exploring Iceland.

The book is bracketed by two full-color maps on the inside of the front and back covers. I am always so interested in maps (especially when driving in new places!), so this easy access is an excellent feature. There are also 27 maps placed within the book - ranging from towns to the Ring Road to Iceland in One or Two Weeks. Brilliant!

The book starts out like this:
On each trip to Iceland, we are always struck by how often other travelers are - or intend to be - repeat visitors.  Many come year after year, never exhausting Iceland's endless variations of magnificent scenery and adventure. Returning travelers immediately recognize the crisp, invigorating polar air, and what W.H. Auden called "the most magical light of anywhere on earth."

See?

Here's more of what Frommer's Iceland has to offer - chapters on:

the best of Iceland
Trip Planning
Active Iceland
Suggested Itineraries
Geographical guides - to Reykjavik, north, south, east, and west Iceland, and the interior
AND!
a pronunciation and vocabulary guide to Icelandic. Ja!

I am also impressed with their inclusion, as always, of resources for people with disabilities, and those traveling with kids (both of which apply to our family). I always look first in a guidebook for these resources. If they aren't available, the book isn't worth it to me.

For Iceland's family resources, I was pleased to learn of the Icelandic Farm Holidays, which offers families with children a unique glimpse of Icelandic country life.

The book also has lots of great tidbits scattered throughout - from special finds that only insiders know about, to special moments, to overrated places that aren't worth your time or money.  Frommer's insider tips are worth the cost of the book alone! They also list some great deals, and plenty of restaurant recommendations (with prices).

All of these combine to make Frommer's Iceland an invaluable resource for any traveler heading to Iceland - or dreaming of it.

As always we've worked out a special deal for our wandering educators...

Visit our partner, Frommers,  by clicking on the banner below to save 20% on your entire online order. To save, enter discount code AFF20 in the Promotion Code field when prompted during checkout and click the Apply Discount button.