3rd Norna Congress, Reykjavík Iceland

The Nordic Operating Room Nurses Association -NORNA Congress in Reykjavík, Iceland, May 25th – 27th, 2011.

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About Iceland

Official language
The official language of the conference is English. The offical language of Iceland though, is Icelandic.

Reykjavík
Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland and its surroundings, is the home of more than half of the country's 300 000 inhabitants. Named after the steam from the geothermal areas the city is now known for its clean air and beautiful surroundings. In Reykjavik you have opportunities for historical sites, natural beauty, museums and galleries, public parks, excellent shopping, a wide range of leisure activities, hotels, restaurants and a remarkably lively artistic scene.

Currency
The official currency is Icelandic Crown (ISK).
The bank in the terminal at Keflavík airport is open when planes are being serviced. Foreign currency can be exchanged at all banks, which will also advance cash against all major credit cards. Cash can also be obtained against these cards in all banks, ATMs are to be found in many places. Banking hours are from 09:15-16:00, Monday to Friday.

Credit cards
Commonly accepted cards in hotels, shops, restaurants and at the registration desk at Hilton Reykjavik Nordica are: Visa and MasterCard.

TaxFree shopping in Iceland
Almost all shops in Iceland offer Tax-Free shopping for travelers through VAT refunds. On leaving Iceland travelers can reclaim up to 15% of the retail price of goods purchased. To qualify for a refund, a minimum purchase of ISK 4.000 (including VAT) must be made in a single Tax-Free store. The refund voucher should be presented to the Duty-Free shop at Keflavík Airport or other departure points.

Shopping hours
Shops are generally open from 10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. Souvenir and hotel shops often have extended hours. Newsagents or kiosks selling magazines, tobacco and sweets are usually open until 11:30 pm daily. Visitors will find a wide selection of goods both in the downtown area and at Kringlan and Smáralind shopping malls, offering woolen products, ceramics, jewelery and skin and fur products.

Climate/Time/Daylight
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a cool temperate ocean climate: cool in summer and relatively mild in winter. During the summer temperatures generally average between 12°C and 15°C (50°-54°F) in the populated lowlands. The weather, however, is rather unpredictable and guests should come prepared for the unexpected i.e. occasional showers or stiff winds.

Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year and does not switch to “daylight saving time” during summer. Sunset in the middle of June is at around 24:00 and sunrise again around 03:00.

Clothing
When travelling in Iceland a warm sweater and weatherproof coat or jacket is essential. Also bring your swimming suit for the outdoor swimming pools heated with geothermal water. Iceland is a rustic country and good walking shoes and informal wear are a must.

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