Guest blogger: Jeanine Barone, J The Travel Authority shares 8 great tips for experiencing the capital of Iceland.

It seems that all the recent headlines about Iceland revolve around two things: their economic downturn and the lava-spewing volcano in the south. Sure, Iceland has been in the news over the past year because of its economic downturn. What I love about Icelanders is that they remain an optimistic, resilient people that adapt to their ever-changing climate, as they’ve done for centuries. (Boarded up shops now become venues for impromptu art exhibitions; and top chefs are following more of a locavore route, relying on locally-sourced ingredients.)

There’s much to make you fall in love with Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital.

After all, it’s spic-and-span with ubiquitous heated outdoor pools — warmed by the same geothermal sources that heat up the tap water — and has a scenery that can’t be beat: an expansive harbor front with dramatic snow capped peaks beyond. Brightly painted corrugated metal houses line the snug, ultra-walkable old town center. Yet amidst this small town package is big city sophistication. The main shopping streets, Laugavegur and Skolavordustigur, are lined with upscale design emporia that stand side by side with unique craft shops. (One exhibits luxe handbags made of dried codfish skin while another sells stylish women’s clothing modeled on the color palette of this country that’s born of fire and ice.) A vibrant restaurant scene continues in Reykjavik where the chefs regularly garner top awards for their culinary delights.

Yet,every time I visit Reykjavik, I’m tickled by some of the curiosities: some locals snack on fermented shark bits the way we would dig into potato chips; and a snag in a construction project can be blamed on mischievous elf activity, requiring an elf consultant to settle the dispute.

I love Reykjavik all year round, but it’s especially lovely in the summer when the sun barely sets. These are some of my favorite places to take in the art, the foliage and the unique Icelandic scene.

1. 871 +/- 2: The Settlement Exhibition, is a curious name for a museum. But it makes sense, considering that’s Iceland’s approximate settlement date. Located on the exact spot where they found the ruins of a 10th century longhouse, this archeological museum stands beside a major hotel. If you steer clear of archeologic museums, be warned that this one is hardly chock full of dull exhibits. It’s quite interactive with holographic-type images and sounds of the time, from knife making to cowbells.

2. Not far away along the quay, the Reykjavik Art Museum - Harbor House features the pop oeuvre of noted Icelandic artist, Erro. But the museum also regularly hosts temporary exhibits that are quite innovative. (This is one of the three Reykjavik Art Museums in the city and each is worth visiting for the pastiche of often colorful abstract works as well as inspired landscapes on display.)

3. Nearby is a warehouse that’s home to the Saturday morning flea market. It’s bric-a-brac laden but it’s the food court that’s worth visiting. Often, you can sample some of the typical food items found in every Icelander’s home, including potato bread, rugbraud (malt bread), dried catfish and the infamous fermented shark meat. I was warned to avoid the latter but accidentally sampled a small cube that was offered to me on a toothpick. After finding it tasteless after initially chewing it, the full power of the ammonia-laden meat became overwhelming.

4. I’m not necessarily a big fan of visiting cemeteries but Reykjavik’s is reminiscent of a botanical garden. The 19th century Holavalla Cemetery is dense with foliage and ancient gnarled trees towering over ornate headstones.

5. Walk towards the city’s towering landmark, the church named Hallgrimskirkja, and you’ll find the Einar Jonsson Museum with its postage stamp-size sculpture garden. As you explore the allegorical works, you’ll notice that he was very much influenced by mythological and religious themes.

6. Take a long pleasant walk or a short cab ride to get to the Reykjavik Botanic Garden located in the Laugardalur area. There you can wander twisty paths and inspect the plants that come from all over the world, including New Zealand and Asia. It’s interesting to see so many trees here in a country where tall evergreens are a rarity. Housed in a greenhouse laden with flora, Cafe Flora — a perfect lunch spot — is aptly named.

7. Certainly, one of Reykjavik’s most famous features is the Blue Lagoon with its series of geothermal pools and rejuvenating silica mud where you could luxuriate for most of the day. But, its location midway between downtown and the airport, hardly makes it convenient. Now you can choose from an array of mud and other spa treatments at their downtown location that’s not far from the Botanic Garden. If you choose a treatment, you also have access to the mega health club (Hreyfing) that’s in the same building. Or simply opt for a day pass to the health club.

8. And, if you can’t get enough of the water, Reykjavik even has a beach, but, like so much in the city, it’s hardly ordinary. Nautholsvik, a petite half-moon bay that’s easily accessible by bike, bus or cab, is geothermally heated and man made: the sand was trucked in. And if the water isn’t hot enough for you, there are hot tubs located just offshore and on the coast beside the sand so you can bake. Pick a sunny day to visit and you’ll find dozens of Icelanders soaking, lying on the sand, or playing volleyball.

Native New Yorker, Jeanine Barone is a travel, food and design writer. Her blog, J The Travel Authority, focuses in on her hidden treasure travel around the world. She also writes for an array of publications, from National Geographic Traveler to Travel + Leisure. (Iceland, Spain, Portugal and Israel are her specialties.)

All the photos are from Jeanine Barone or courtesy of www.visitreykjavik.is