Midsummer Magic

There is nothing more magical than the bizarre atmosphere of an endless white night. To make up for the near-permanent darkness of winter, Iceland is blessed with nearly 24 hours of daylight in the month of June. The effect of bright rays through bedroom windows at two o'clock in the morning is sometimes countered by heavy blinds, while others profit and use the never-ending light for normal daytime activities. Don't be too surprised if you see locals hiking, biking, rollerblading or swimming - things that all become a little more magical in the serene stillness of the night. This time of year is also a favourite for heading out into nature. Grab a picnic and drive out into the middle of nowhere to smell fresh grass, mountain herbs or crisp sea air. Make sure you bring along a warm jumper or two because June can still be a relatively chilly month, especially during the night.

In the current issue of ReykjavikMag we take a look at some of the weird and wonderful traditions that surround the lightest day of the year, which traditionally falls on June 24th. But if nature's not your thing there are plenty of new things awaiting you in Reykjavík this summer. We're expecting a number of new restaurants, bars and shops to open and in ReykjavikMag we feature a fine example of the future of Icelandic cooking with the glamorous resurrection of Hótel Borg's dining rooms. Silfur is set to be the trendiest restaurant of the season with its elegant interiors and fine French cooking.

Nighttime revellers beware though: you'll be taken by surprise when the sunshine stings your eyes as you emerge from one of the city's watering holes. Messy make-up and too much beer are so much better kept in the dark.

Anna Margrét Björnsson