Although car hire rates are high in Iceland, driving remains a popular means of exploring the country, especially its out-of-the-way, remote destinations. There are many agencies which hire out cars from the major towns and airports. The main highway circling the country is Route 1 (Ring Road). Safety should be of the utmost importance as some of Iceland's terrains feature raging rivers and winding, narrow rural roads, and unpredictable weather can make driving a challenge.

Iceland is a remote and rugged island destination in the North Atlantic with landscapes and seascapes incomparable to anywhere in the planet. The first stop for any tourist to Iceland is, of course, the capital, Reykjavik.

This is where more than half of the country's population live and it is the centre of culture and commerce , featuring museums such as the National Gallery of Iceland. The city is known for its peaceful atmosphere and colourful houses, and is an exciting shopping and entertainment destination with an exceptionally lively nightlife.

The areas in the south of the country are where most of the tourist attractions are located. A good place to begin is Eyrarbakki, a picturesque fishing village which gives visitors a look into rural Icelandic life.

Upcountry Árnessýsla, also in the south, is popular with visitors because it has some of Iceland's most famous attractions, such as Geysir, an actual hot-spring geyser that lent its name to all other geysers in the world. Inland, visitors will find Landmannalaugar, a beautifully bleak mountainous area where visitors can camp out in the summer.

To see Iceland's icy landscapes, a visit to Jökulsárlón is a must. This lagoon is considered the best place to visit to see icebergs floating in the cold blue waters. As for glaciers, it doesn't get better than Höfn, a town in Iceland's southeast which is famous for its easy-to-explore snow-capped mountains, glacial rivers and glaciers.

In the north, close to the Arctic Circle, is Akureyri, a charming coastal town which is considered the capital of northern Iceland. The town is a good hub to launch explorations to more remote destinations in the region, such as Mývatn Lake, an area known for migrating birds, small and relatively active volcanic craters and unearthly lava formations.

It is only natural that for a country known for its great outdoors, most of the landmarks associated with Iceland involve nature spots and sceneries.

The first tourist spot most visitors head to is the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa situated close to the capital, Reykjavik. Unlike most of Iceland's attractions, the lagoon is actually not natural, as the warm mineral-rich waters here are the by-product of a geothermal power plant right next to it.

Although no longer active, Geysir is another landmark worth visiting in Iceland. This actual geyser used to spout hot water prior to 1935. The geothermal park surrounding it is dotted with other geysers, hot springs, steaming vents and mud pits, more than making up for the lack of eruptions at the original.

Close to Geysir is another landmark in the form of a waterfall. Gullfoss, also known as Golden Falls, is a spectacular sight to behold as white raging waters barrel down the Hvita River. Another spectacular waterfall worth visiting is Seljalandsfoss. This postcard-perfect place sees water plummet down from an expansive cliff.

As far as Icelandic national parks go, the best-known is Þingvellir National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is popular with tourists as the area features valleys and fissures formed by the movement of the North American plate and the European plate in their drift away from each other.

Vatnajökull National Park is another landmark worth visiting as this national park is where many Icelandic landmarks can be found. It has Iceland's largest glacier, Vatnajökull, and highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur.

Reykjavik, being the centre of culture and commerce, and hosting more than half of the country's population, is where most of Iceland’s entertainment options can be found. After exploring the capital's eclectic architecture, it is recommended to experience the great cultural traditions of this Nordic country.

There are a number of art galleries, music venues and theatres in the city. Harpa is home to the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, which plays at the venue every Thursday. The Icelandic Opera is also based here. The National Theatre of Iceland, meanwhile, is the premier venue for Icelandic stage performances. A light show featuring Icelandic folklore and music happens at the National Theatre every July through August.

Nightlife in Reykjavik is remarkably lively in the summer. During this time of the year, daylight can be experienced until late at night, so pub crawls, locally known as runtur, start very late. Laugavegur is the district in the capital city where most pubs and bars can be found. The upmarket crowd prefer to get their night-time entertainment in high-end hotels and restaurants.

Iceland is home to artists such as Bjork and Sigur Ros. Thus, live music venues are especially popular in this country which has produced some of the best-known musical artists in the world. The Iceland Airwaves music festival in October is a great event at which to catch famous and up-and-coming artists.

Culture Night in August is the event of season, with cultural events starting in the morning and going on well into the night. The live concerts are capped off with a stunning fireworks show at Reykjavik's harbour. Other noteworthy events happening in summer and autumn are Gay Pride and Reykjav