I'm taking a trip to Reykjavik and wanted to get some more information since I know nothing of Iceland except I heard it has the highest snowmobile theft, is geologically amazing and Bjork. So my naivety of Iceland needed to change. I got the Kindle version of this book and it's broken down into chapters than can be jumped to via the contents, the way it's categorized makes it very easy to navigate to what you want (check the picture I posted of the contents). A great option to let you read what interests you most or quick look if you have it with you. This book is centralized for Reykjavik and the surrounding area but has information about Iceland in general. Great amount of information about tourist attractions and various activities. They also have prices, addresses, schedules and phone numbers of the museums, hotels, whale watching tours and others. There is also a good amount of information about Iceland's history. It's in-depth without being long winded. The practical information section in the beginning has a few words in Icelandic to learn: yes, no, hello, goodbye, good morning, thank you and "hey you don't steal my snowmobile" (kidding about the last one). The section also includes phone numbers to emergency services (eg police, fire, etc). I'm leaving out tons of what's included.
The book has photos and maps with a legend pertaining to that section of text. The photos are clear on the Kindle, although b/w and only half the screen. Without sharp vision this might be an issue. I'm confident I will be able to match the photo to location when the time comes. The maps on the other hand might be difficult since they are also in b/w and the legend is in small font that can't be made larger through Kindle font size settings, nor does it make the map bigger. My work around ideas for the maps and photos are getting a free tourist map when I'm there or viewing it on my computer via a Kindle app and printing up a larger image myself or who cares about photos and maps, I'm sure I'll be able to manage without them. Even with these shortcomings I give it 5 stars because the book is well done and will still provide you all if not most of the information you need. The shortcoming is not the book but the kindle version formatting of the photos and maps. I assume the paperback version is larger and easier to discern.
I've never bought a travel guide except The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy so I can't really compare this to any other travel guide. The Reykjavik travel guide 2011 has made me more excited about this trip than I already was and I feel informed enough that I won't worry I missed something. Did I mention I'm going to Iceland!!!
