Whenever anyone asks me what my favourite country is these days the answer isn’t hard… (In fact the answer usually turns into a passionate monologue of my fondness for the icy country). Basically Iceland won me over its magnificent landscape and eccentric city and culture. But here are some of the main reasons that I am now a victim to loving this unique nation…

1) Reykjavik: One of Europe’s smallest capitals, this city is bursting with culture and lacks nothing. The city is a hub of colourful and quirky buildings, which make watching the panoramic view from the top of Hallgrimshirkia Church a magnificent display of natural vs man-made colours as the sun sets. What will you find below on those rainbow streets? Everything from unique shops and cafe’s to phallic museums…

2) The Weather: If you don’t like the weather in Iceland, just wait 5 more minutes… Seriously one morning I woke up to blizzards and ate lunch in the sunlight. This isn’t helpful for organised people who plan their lives in advance, but for someone like me (an impulse decision-maker) it suits spontaneity perfectly.

3) The Contrasts: The land of fire and Ice, the land of whale meat and vegan restaurants, the land of vikings and 4 Miss World winners. Not only does the country feature some of the most striking natural contrasts in the world with volcanos and glaciers sitting cozily side by side; the country also accommodates a striking contrast between historical heritage and cultural progress. The preservation of the language is so important to the country that there is an approved register of names that you can choose for your newborn and when words are introduced to the language they don’t stick to the universal latin form, they Icelandicise it (for example the commonly used French word for cafe is much more Icelandically Kaffi). While proudly preserving their traditional roots, Iceland is one of the most culturally and technologically advanced countries around, with 96.3% of the population online and ranked highest in studies measuring gender equality and political freedoms. Home of the first female president and the first openly gay prime minister, Iceland has a lot to be proud of.

4) The People: The dry-humoured locals are not voted one of the happiest groups in the world for nothing. The friendly locals seem to go out of their way to be the most hospitable and welcoming bunch I have ever come across. If you ask directions you are likely to be personally directed to that hidden restaurant on that street you can’t pronounce and then informed of the best place location  to spot the huldufolk, (the hidden elves that everyone in the country apparently believes in…)

5) The Shops: the quirky main streets of the city are packed full of the most unique and wallet-tempting shops stocking everything, from eccentric local designer jewelery, clothing and home-wear to unique souvenirs that showcase everything icelandic (including tempting “puffin-poo” candy…) Not to mention a bookshop on every corner and an abundance of amazing retro clothing shops that almost had me in tears knowing I couldn’t continue backpacking with a whole new literary collection and wardrobe…

6) The Food: McDonalds? You won’t find a single one in this country, as for specialist quirky cafe’s and unique dining experiences? You will find an abundance. Being a vegan, travelling to one of the most fruit-deprived lands in the world seemed slightly terrifying but it couldn’t be easier to skip meat in the country. Even though you will definitely pass restaurants advertising the “Whale” menu or the “Puffin” menu just up the road you will find some of the most amazing vegan (sometimes even raw) restaurants I have ever had the pleasure of indulging in. Not to mention every kind of cuisine you can think of, from fancy sushi trains to Indian buffets and take away kebabs. As for fresh fruit, Iceland’s got it covered. Hothouses scatter the outskirts of the city, growing the freshest (but almost pocket-sized) watermelons just south of the arctic circle.

7) Natural Hot Tubs: Those who knew me pre-backpacking days will know that I LOVE baths. Give me a tub of steaming water, add some bubbles and I’ll be as happy as an Icelander ignoring bankrupcy. The hottest tourist location in the country happens to be a giant outdoor pool of naturally heated 40 degree water. Blue lagoon is heaven on earth

8) The Landscape: There is a reason that blockbuster producers choose little old Iceland as the backdrop for titles including Journey to the Centre of the Earth, James Bond and of course everyone’s new favourite: Game of Thrones. Iceland is a hub of natural beauty. A standard Sunday drive and Iceland can find you spending the morning admiring the lava fields and hoping Eyjafjallajökull, (don’t even try to pronounce it) doesn’t repeat the action of 2010. You can then enjoy a picnic lunch by the incredible Gullfoss or Faxafoss Falls or perhaps at a cafe by the spouting Strokkur geyser. Then in the afternoon why not watch the sunset over Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. No matter where you find yourself in this country you will find yourself falling in love with Iceland’s breathtaking scenery and fascinating geology.

9) The Heat: Yep you read that correctly, Icelandic heat. By Icelandic heat I mean the instant coziness of entering any building in Iceland. You won’t find water heaters or furnaces in Reykjavik. You know all those natural geysers and hot springs lurking around the island? Well steam and hot water are piped directly from natural sources into your bedroom. In fact a local admitted to me that they would prefer to crack open a window than turn down the heating!

10) The Sky: One natural phenomenon. Aurora Borealis.

• Blue Lagoon
• Europe
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• Icelandic elves
• Icelandic language
• Northern Lights
• Reykjavik
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