Posh Paint Pub

Baby it's cold outside, but soaking in the mineral-rich Blue Lagoon in Iceland and piling on clay silica over the whole body in a field of lava created an unforgettable experience.

Half-fare Iceland Holiday Deal

Icelandic musical acts such as Bjork and Sigur Ros have a solid here, while the atmospheric band, Mama, played in many places in the world last year.

The fact that Iceland is an expensive place to visit prohibitive, perhaps coupled with a fear of the unknown, might have deterred the Asians to go.

But the plunge in the value of its currency, with the collapse of its banks last October, should make you think again.

Assuming that this is still not cheap, although about 50 percent cheaper than in the past, it is now more affordable as a European tourist destination.

In the off season from June to August, a three-star Hotel Reykjavik is less than 8,500 Icelandic crowns (S $ 100) per night and a four star hotel, from about 17 500 kroner per night. No Iceland ' is not a member of the European Union and do not use the euro.

With a total area of 103,000 square kilometers, it has plenty of space to bend a population of only 320,000.

About 60 percent of its population lives in the capital and its immediate environs, which feels relatively empty, even with the presence of tourists.

But come the weekend, Reykjavik is transformed into a funky town.

The central part of the city may extend over an area about twice that of Holland Village, but there are more than 50 bars and clubs keep the party atmosphere goes into the dawn.

NASA on Austurvollur Square is not only the dance club downtown more, but also a theater that has, for example, organized a recent concert Icelandic band GusGus electronic.

At Cafed Rosenberg, a bar known for Klapparstigur jazz and world music, I was lucky enough to catch a solo concert Sigurhjartarsson Palmi, a pianist with a rock band Sniglaband.

Before an audience of admirers, the celebrations of 90 minutes was an eclectic mix of ballads, ragtime music, blues and even a couple of wake hymns sang by a choir of 10 men.

Slinky dance beats, complemented by bodies sweat, shake the other joints of the hip as B5, Jacobsen, Solon and Oliver.

Keep in mind, however, that the party does not start until way after midnight on weekends when the clubs stay open until 6:00 (as opposed to 1am on weekdays).

A spokesman for the tourist office, tour of Reykjavik, said the financial crisis did not cool the atmosphere festive, especially on weekends.

As the bar prices are high, people will enjoy the nightlife a little later, after shooting a few rounds of drinks at home. Most nightclubs do not cover costs, except for special occasions or when a popular band playing. If there is an entrance fee, it is 500-2000 crowns. A beer or a glass of wine costs about 1,000 crowns, while a gin and tonic can cost more than 1,700 crowns.

Reykjavik resident Shekhanzai Shante, 26, who runs a travel agency, said the variety is one of the attractions of nightlife. "It depends on what you are looking for - the chic clubs, clubs with good music, pubs with DJs or dark cozy cafes."

But that dress, she advises, as some sites have a dress code. "Icelanders tend to dress the way out. But jeans are Oka.