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The Little Book of Tourists in Iceland: Tips, Tricks, and what the Icelanders Really Think of You Paperback – May 10, 2017

by Alda Sigmundsdóttir (Author), Megan Herbert (Illustrator)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 631 ratings
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Iceland is in the midst of an unprecedented tourist boom that has brought wealth to the country, but also myriad issues and challenges. Through a series of short essays, this book provides a unique insight into the social and environmental impact that tourism is having on Iceland, and with wit and intelligence offers invaluable tips for touring safely, responsibly, and in harmony with the locals. A fascinating resource for anyone interested in contemporary Iceland, and an essential companion for all visitors to the country.

Among the topics addressed in this book:
• Why now?—Reasons for the tourism boom in Iceland
• The impact of tourism on Iceland’s housing market, health care system, law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and more
• Touring Iceland, staying safe—the things to keep in mind while traveling in Iceland’s treacherous terrain
• Out driving. The most dangerous parts of Iceland? Its roads! Read our tips for staying safe
• What they think of us—he things our visitors complain about
• What we think of them: tourist behaviors that really, seriously irk the Icelanders
• Crazy stories of tourists in Iceland (hahaha oh lord!)
• The environmental footprint: depletion of natural resources, pollution, and the physical impact of tourism
• Taxing tourists? The endless debate and what it entails
• Can't we just all get along? Tips for touring in harmony with the locals
• The truth about those Iceland myths: jailed bankers, believing in elves, the incest app, sleeping around … don’t believe everything you hear!
• The hilarious questions we get (“What time do the northern lights come on?”)
… and so much more!

Excerpt

"Yes, Iceland’s landscape is treacherous, and there are dangers in both expected and unexpected places. Yet the most dangerous aspect of touring Iceland is not those hot springs, glaciers, or rogue waves, but something far more commonplace: driving.

Iceland has a very low population density—only about three people per square kilometer, or eight per square mile. Building and maintaining an efficient road system obviously costs a few crowns, and hitherto the Icelanders have been, if not entirely satisfied, then at least reasonably content with their single-lane highways, gravel roads, and the mountainous F-roads that are generally only open in summer.

So here we are, merrily driving on our sub-standard roads and suddenly there is a tourist boom, resulting in far more cars on the road than ever before, including whole convoys of tour buses. This means increased wear and tear on roads that were already unsuitable for so much traffic and that require more frequent maintenance if they are to be kept safe. Also, many Icelandic roads are not built for the volume of traffic that they are now experiencing. For instance, shoulders have been known to collapse when a tour bus has moved too far over to one side of a narrow road, in order to make way for an oncoming vehicle. Thankfully there have been no serious injuries to people under such circumstances, but there have been enough scares to make people stand up and pay attention.

A related problem that has been growing ever more serious is the limited experience of many folks when it comes to the driving conditions endemic to Iceland. I am speaking of driving in strong winds, winter driving, two-lane highways, gravel roads, and so on. [...]

So the road system definitely needs a major overhaul. However, that is not an undertaking that can be completed overnight, and besides, it is entirely open to debate whether we want all those roads improved. More on that later.

For now, at least, we must accept the sort of road system we have, and try our best to make our visitors aware of the main dangers and risks of motoring in Iceland, so that we can all stay safe."

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  1. Print length
    208 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 10, 2017
  4. Dimensions
    5.12 x 0.47 x 6.69 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1970125071
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1970125078
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little Books Publishing (May 10, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1970125071
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1970125078
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.12 x 0.47 x 6.69 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 631 ratings

About the author

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Alda Sigmundsdottir

Alda Sigmundsdottir

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Alda Sigmundsdóttir is an Icelandic-born writer, journalist and speaker. She is the author of several books about Iceland, on topics ranging from contemporary issues to mythology and ancient beliefs. She has travelled widely and given talks on Icelandic affairs, and is a regular commentator on those in the international media.

Catch up with Alda on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or on her website aldasigmunds.com, where you can also sign up for her monthly newsletter.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
631 global ratings
Ranty and stereotyping
1 Star
Ranty and stereotyping
I was ok with the ranting about tourists until the page about driving where she talks about Asian drivers like she was a 90s comedian. I stopped reading after that.
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Top reviews from the United States

PeachyLonghorn
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and interesting
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024
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Informative and interesting. Quick read. Would definitely recommend reading if you're touring Iceland. Especially if you plan to rent a car and travel without a guide. A good amount of info here was also confirmed or shared by our guide who happened to be Icelandic. (Which is rare, as this book and our guide both shared that most people working in the Icelandic travel industry are not Icelandic.)
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Pinxit
5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for the thoughtful traveler
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2017
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I read this book after I returned from a short layover in Iceland, and in an odd way I am glad I didn't read it beforehand! It lays bare the dark side of Icelandic politics and government, and also many of the dubious practices fueled by the country's new cash cow, tourism. It was dispiriting to read that Iceland has the same 1%er issue with shady governmental tactics that we have here in the U.S. I didn't have a need to believe in Icelandic Elves, but found I had really wanted to believe that Icelanders were more egalitarian, feminist and noble than my own compatriots. But, the truth is that people are people, the world over! Disillusioning as that is, it really is good to be reminded of this.
I really do recommend that everyone going to Iceland read this book! The author writes well and entertainingly.
I expected this book to be set up with more Q & A and FAQs. There were some, but there were also long digressions explaining intricacies of political events and the recent financial crisis, on which the author is clearly an expert. However, many tourists are not actually all that interested in that stuff. Of course, a brief overview, and mention when germane is good. But I'd have liked a bit more "Touristy Lite" info. Pretty sure many tourists don't care much about the evil machinations of former Prime ministers, and just want advice on how to have fun without causing offense, and more explanations of local customs and traditions. One area where the author did an amazing job on that kind of thing is when she explained the natural dangers of the land and the enormous rise of Search And Rescue calls, due to the huge increase of tourists and their lack of information and preparedness. Her anecdotes about how to avoid causing offense by camping, bathing or bathrooming willy nilly, are both hilarious and useful! Also the information on how to wash before going into the pool was excellent! I somehow figured this out on my own, just copied the women around me, but I firsthand witnessed a group of teenage girls sent shame-faced back to the showers by the ever-watchful shower police. For all these reasons alone, this book is invaluable!
To sum up, while a bit heavy on politics and economics, this little book is entertainingly written and extremely informative on many other subjects important to the average tourist's experience of this beautiful country. Please read it before you go there!
5 people found this helpful
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Tori
4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read, government shortcomings and obvious things you shouldn’t do as a tourist
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2021
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It was interesting learning about the recent history of Iceland, leading up to and following the 2008 recession as well as the government corruption, incompetent management, shady business dealings, and housing and funding shortages that are contributing to a mass exodus of Icelandic people. It was a side of the country I didn’t hear much about while visiting. To be clear, it wasn’t a guidebook, in that it doesn’t teach you useful phrases or recommend places to see, but it does give you an economic and brief sociopolitical backdrop to your travels, provide a handful helpful websites at the back of the book and tell tourists to not damage the land or take ill-advised risks when driving or trying to explore without a guide. The book was an easy read, kind of like salacious gossip; you can finish it in a day. I must say that it was racist of the author to say all Asian drivers are bad, that they learned on computer simulators and never drove on actual roads before. I am Asian and drove fine in Iceland, though I did see people (non-Asian) stuck in ditches on the side of the road (about 8-9 cars) during our road trip of the Golden Triangle. Having lived in Midwestern United States for many years, I have driven through my share of whiteout blizzards, black ice and storms leading to tornadoes. To get a drivers license in the US, you are required to take a written and road driving test, so please don’t toss all Asians, which would encompass 30 ethnicities and multiple nationalities, into one bucket.
5 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to help visitors better understand about Iceland
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2023
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Despite having visited Iceland before and having already acquired a considerable amount of knowledge about the country, reading this book provided me with a wealth of new insights that reignited my enthusiasm for an upcoming visit. The book managed to uncover hidden gems and untold stories, offering fresh perspectives that I hadn't encountered before.

The author's ability to delve into the thoughts and experiences of both locals and tourists opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of Iceland's culture, history, and political landscape. It unveiled layers of complexity that I hadn't fully appreciated during my previous trips, and as a result, I am now eagerly anticipating my upcoming visit armed with a newfound appreciation and curiosity.

I believe that even seasoned travelers to Iceland will find immense value in this book. It goes beyond the typical tourist information and provides a nuanced portrayal of the country, enriching one's understanding and offering a fresh lens through which to experience Iceland. Whether it's uncovering lesser-known aspects of the culture or gaining a deeper appreciation for the local perspective, this book has undoubtedly enhanced my anticipation for my upcoming visit.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to both first-time visitors and those who have already explored Iceland. Its ability to provide new insights and perspectives will surely make any future trip to Iceland an even more enriching and fulfilling experience.
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Sneha Swamy
4.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book, and yet. Mixed feelings!
Reviewed in India on January 20, 2024
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This was a fun read and I loved the author's very authentic perspective and the way they put across things in a very matter-of-fact manner! But as someone who has bucket-listed Iceland for the past few years and now with all the insta rage over Iceland and the excitement that's been building - this book can be a tad bit too realistic - hence the mixed feels! But hey...maybe that's a good thing because to be a responsible tourist, we need the ins and the facts of a place before we travel and not just glossy posts! And this little nugget of a book does just this...
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Oscar Andrés
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice first meeting with Iceland
Reviewed in Spain on July 23, 2023
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There are several tips that can be quite useful for your visit. But I was really missing the part that would tell me more about Icelanders. Maybe wrong expectations.
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Marianne
5.0 out of 5 stars Should be REQUIRED reading for any tourist!
Reviewed in Canada on February 17, 2019
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This was an enjoyable read, well written in a personable way. It became a page turner, much like a who-done-it, which surprised me. This book should be in every pouch pocket of every airline servicing Iceland. It teaches you how to be a respectful, responsible tourist educated in the local environment and customs. It also has some valuable advice on what NOT to do while in Iceland.

I only had one issue with the book... the PUBLIC naked showers!

Understanding the concept is easy. Understanding the need is easy. Understanding how an author that (I think) wrote her book in order to foster some respect from tourists to respect the Icelandic environment and cultures, yet seems unable to respect that the rest of the world may be considerably less comfortable with the tradition of the public naked showers, just didn't sit right with me. I can accept that she can't understand it, but you don't have to understand something to still respect that not everyone is the same.

Comfort with public nudity at the pools is established in Icelanders from childhood. There are a few other countries with the same degree of comfort but the rest of the world in general has varying degrees ranging from uncomfortable, to anxiety, nausea and 'hell NO!'. I think that showering naked and washing your 'bits' would be more likely to happen if visitors were offered some privacy. It's not the 'naked' that scares people, it's the 'public naked' that scares them. Also, the assumption that no one cares about your nudity (reading elsewhere that "you're never going to see these people again") becomes something else when you're travelling with others because these are the people that elevate any apprehension that is already present. Perhaps they're friends or a senior parent travelling with an adult child... strangers, OK, but someone you know... ugh!

I'm not suggesting that every community offer private showers (don't like it, don't stop there) but I think the iconic Blue Lagoon should make every effort to respect the comfort level of other cultures. I think that there would be less attempts to sneak by and more 'bits' will get washed.

Respect should go both ways... 'mutual' respect.

* A little sad that there are so many shower police but not enough to people protect important environmental assets.
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Stuart
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for all Iceland visitors
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 26, 2020
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I’ve been to Iceland a few times and for various reasons it’s a country I’ve fallen for completely. So I get very excited about reading books that are all things Icelandic. Alda’s book ‘The Little Book of Tourists in Iceland’ was a joy from front to back cover. There are numerous ‘tourist guides’ that tick tourist boxes, but because of the author’s particular relationship with the country her take on the subject is that much more special. She fuses helpful tips and commentary with more in-depth knowledge and explanations, which really should give visitors to the country a much better grounding, which can only be a good thing when considering the delicate nature of this amazing place. The serious subjects are handled in a way that creates interest and the more humorous topics are tackled with wit. It’s perfectly pitched both interns of length and complexity. It really is a must for all those who plan to visit Iceland and those who have already been. Alda has numerous other books all relating to this fantastic country and I cannot wait to get stuck into them.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and very informative
Reviewed in Mexico on August 7, 2017
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This book made me a little sad but at the same time made me realize how important is to be a citizen of the world. People all around the world is having difficult time accepting the fact that everyone can fly and be a tourist because is cheaper than ever to fly. This book can be an example for any other country you visit, that it's important to learn how to be a temporary citizen. We need to learn to love other people's countries and respect the world because we all live here. It's sad how Iceland is having problems with tourist only because we don't get information before going to Iceland. As I said this book applies to any other country: learn traditions, culture, story, manners of the country you are visiting. Leave nothing but footprints (not on the moss)
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