ICELAND IN WINTER WARMS THE SOUL

Tell your friends you're going to Iceland in winter and they'll look at you like you have three heads. We understand. We live there. But the southern part of Iceland is rarely ever colder than the U.S. Northeast. So believe us when we say there are at least 10 great reasons to come flirt with the Arctic Circle:

1. Let's Make a Deal - Finally, winter is a time of bargains. During the off-season airfares and hotel rates are generally much less expensive. And when the stores display signs reading, "Utsala," you're in for a real deal. In January and February retail stores change out merchandise from last season to bring in new spring lines. You'll find everything from designer clothes, souvenirs, jewelry and edgy Icelandic designs all for a fraction of the cost. And most Icelandic stores offer TAX FREE shopping. (http://www.taxfree.is/default.asp?viewSectionId=92)
   
   
2. Watch the Northern Lights from the Blue Lagoon - On cold, clear and still nights, you're likely to see the Northern Lights while basking in the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon. The facility stays open until 8 p.m., plenty of time to see the Aurora Borealis once the sun goes down around 4 p.m. Trying doing that in summer. (www.bluelagoon.com)
   
   
3. Reykjavik Rocks - Reykjavik has one of the wildest nightclub scenes in Europe. Dozens of bars stay open all night on weekends. Our favorite hang-out is the Café Oliver(www.cafeoliver.is),where everyone from the bouncer to the busboys wear the country's unofficial outdoor uniform - fleece jackets from 66 Degrees North, Iceland's famous outdoor clothing company. (For more information about Iceland Party Weekends: www.icelandairholidays.com).
   
   
4. Sleep in late - You'll be surprised how effortless and guilt-free it is to sleep in late beneath a cozy eiderdown duvet when the sun doesn't come up until around 9:30 a.m. Here's the low down: a luxury item around the world, eiderdown has been used in Iceland for over 100 years. It's hand collected from eider birds' nests in the West and East Fjords and used to make comforters, pillows, and other crucial items for keeping you warm. After partying all night, you'll find nesting in eiderdown rather easy to do.
   
   
5. Visit the World Class Spa - One of Europe's largest fitness clubs is the World Class Laugar spa. Once you get your retina scanned into a high tech security reader, you get access to the facilities. Trust us: from six different saunas and steam rooms, 180 treadmills, and 20-ft. waterfall, you've never seen any health club like this. (http://www.laugar.com/e_index.asp).
   
   
6. Study a waterfall in winter - Not just any waterfall, Europe's largest. The majestic Gullfoss is encrusted in ice during the winter. It's a spectacular sight just about two hours outside of Reykjavik. Everything's open, even the pathway to the lip of the falls. Portions of Gullfoss in winter become frozen, suspended waves of crystal-clear ice. Just be sure to dress warm and hold onto the ropes. Top off the visit with some terrific lamb soup on the top of the falls at the Gullfosskaffi. (www.icelandtouristboard.com/gullfoss.html)
   
   
7. Experience the weather - The guidebooks say Iceland's temperate oceanic climate is surprisingly mild for the latitude (63 - 66 degrees north). In fact, Reykjavik's average January temperature is a relatively balmy 32 degrees F. The wind, of course, is another story. There are eight different degrees of wind in the Icelandic language, and you can expect to encounter most of them during your stay. Don't like the weather? Wait five minutes and it'll change. Besides, there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. (For weather information, log onto www.goiceland.org).
   
   
8. Horse around - Experience the surefooted, docile, enduring and good-natured Icelandic horse and enjoy a 90-min. riding tour across lava fields on the outskirts of the capital. It looks like a pony, but is a full-grown horse that gallops or tolts as smooth as silk. Helmets and fully-insulated suits are provided to withstand the cold. (www.ishestar.is).
   
   
9. Get carded - The popular Reykjavik Tourist Card is your key to the city. The approximately $19 card is good for 24 hours, and is sold at most local hotels and tourist centers. It provides free access to many museums and galleries, free Internet access, and unlimited travel on the city buses. Best of all, it provides access to the city's seven thermal pools. (www.spacity.is, www.visitreykjavik.is).
   
   
10. Breakfast by candlelight - Spend a really romantic Valentine's Day in Iceland - you can have both dinner AND breakfast by candlelight. (For more information: see Romantic Reykjavik at www.icelandairholidays.com).