The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: February twelfth, picking bananas in Iceland.

Has winter's cold got you down? Are you looking for an interesting, off-beat, and very refreshing place to pass a freezing day? Iceland may not be high on many vacation itineraries, but it can be a fascinating place to visit, especially for any traveler who enjoys outdoor activities.

First impressions of this island nation in the North Atlantic can be misleading. Though it lies near the Arctic Circle, Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream, making its climate fairly temperate year round. The treeless landscape can seem bleak and foreboding. The architecture of Reykjavik, the capital city, lacks charm. But this city of 100,000, is also free of litter, pollution, crime and many other modern blights. They even raise all their own bananas, in green houses, of course.

Iceland's sparse ambiance grows on visitors. Its volcanos, hot springs and sea geysers provide evidence of earth's creativity. Deep coastal waters and great fishing rivers offer ample opportunity for anglers. There's no end of hiking, biking, horseback riding, photography or bird watching. Skiing across the country's glaciers is something of a national pastime, both in both winter and summer.

Iceland's true treasure is its people, who are friendly, charming, unassuming yet surprisingly cosmopolitan. The country can boast having the world's oldest continuous democracy, not to mention several recent winners of the Miss World contest. And in summer, when the sun shines round the clock, it's possible to play golf at midnight on the world's most northern 18 hole course.

FMI For information, contact Icelandic Airlines at 800-223-5500 or www.artic.is/itn

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