At a time when finding genuinely odd places to go on holiday is becoming ever more of a challenge, it’s reassuring to know that one of the world’s most unusual and frankly peculiar destinations lies only an hour’s flying time from Britain’s northernmost tip. It has Europe’s largest waterfalls, glaciers and, yes, deserts, and a population the size of Ealing’s who grow taller, read more and shop harder than any other. And who, in 53 per cent of cases, believe in elves.

You have come to Iceland.

After arriving at the Ikea-inspired Keflavik airport, the 50-kilometre transfer to the capital Reykjavik provides an insight into the country’s volcanic origins. With the bracing Atlantic Ocean on the left-hand side, the road cuts through a barren, rocky landscape dotted with natural fissures and hot pools.

Reykjavik itself is a small city, with a population of just over 100,000 people. This makes it very easy to navigate by foot, though there is also a comprehensive bus service if you don’t fancy walking. Reykjavik looks and feels like a frontier town, appropriate perhaps for an island pitched geographically between Scandinavian Europe and the US. Reykjavik, the World’s most northern capital city, and the self-proclaimed “Capital of Cool” is enjoying a mini tourism renaissance, thanks to Iceland’s financial crisis which began in October 2008. With prices 30% cheaper than in January 2008, now is the time to visit this charming city.

“Reykjavik apartments for rent provide an exclusive but inexpensive accommodation alternative for families or small groups visiting Iceland from abroad, opposed to hotel rooms, which often are unsuitable for family vacations and can be prohibitively expensive,” says Gudlaug Dadadottir, the owner of Alaborg Apartments vacation rental agency.

Usual options for accommodation such as hotels and guesthouses can prove too costly for families and small groups. Foreign tourists looking for less expensive options for accommodation while on holiday in Iceland get great value for money when staying in vacation rentals. Alaborg Apartments is a vacation rental agency that provides an exclusive but inexpensive booking service on behalf of privately owned apratments in Reykjavik and surrounding areas.

The vacation rentals are used both by Icelanders as well as foreign visitors. Most of the Reykjavik vacation rentals in the country are privately owned, but some belong to companies specializing in renting apartments to both Icelanders and foreign visitors.

The Japanese are especially keen on seeing the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights attract thousands of people to Iceland each winter, mostly from Asia, America and Europe. Two things make Iceland the ideal place for viewing the Northern Lights. The country is located in a place geographically well suited to see the Northern lights, and it is accessible in winter.

“About 80 percent of our customers spend their time here in Iceland during the summer season, which coincides with the traditional school holidays in Europe and North America,” says Dadadottir. Those visiting the country in winter can expect a different kind of experience, such as sitting in a hot-tub heated with geothermal water while gazing at the Northern Lights.

Alaborg Apartments represents the owners of a few select apartments in Reykjavik and surrounding areas who make their apartments available for rent online. The service began in 2007 and was founded by Mrs. Gudlaug Dadadottir.

Each apartment is furnished and decorated differently, but all include a shower or a bath, laundry room, TV, DVD, CD, wireless computer connection together with a fully equipped kitchen with all necessary appliances and one or more bedrooms.

Further information on Iceland vacation rentals is available in English, Italian and Spanish on Alaborg’s website: www.alaborg.is.