Anyone been Iceland? (1 Viewer)

[Senor Schmutzig]

Heading to Iceland in a couple of weeks for a work trip. I have 1.5 days when I arrive to pretty much do whatever before the work stuff starts. Me and a few co-workers were planning on renting a car the morning we get in (around 9a) and doing the Golden Circle Tour and then head to Reykjavik for the night. The following day we were going to find a local hot spring/spa (not Blue Lagoon) and then maybe take a hike to Mount Asja before heading back to the city for an evening event we have to attend.

Not a lot of time, but I think that we can hit some highlights without having to go too far afield. Any can't miss things that I may be able to wedge in there?

 

[chet]

A great country with awesome natural beauty and generally nice people (we encountered one drunken *******). IMO the local food is forgettable and since we had two vegetarians, we focused on Indian and Thai cuisine both of which were good but expensive. The Golden Circle drive is a must-do and we also did a walking tour of Reykjavik. My friend just came back and lamented they missed a volcano eruption by a day. That would be something to see if it's still going on.

 

[Scoresman]

I've not been Iceland. Hear Iceland cold. Hear eat fish in Iceland. Hear Iceland have pretty women.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

I've not been Iceland. Hear Iceland cold. Hear eat fish in Iceland. Hear Iceland have pretty women.

Will report back on all of the above.

 

[moleculo]

I'd like to go. An old friend of mine just moved there full time - it would be fun to pay him a visit and see the sights.

 

[nysfl2]

Iceland is awesome. If you can get a guided tour to the middle of the country or do a glacier hike, I'd highly recommend it.

We went to the Blue Lagoon, and it was OK, but wasn't a high point of the trip. Maybe squeeze a hot spring in during the evening, since it stays light so late, but it won't be a high priority for me if I go back.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

I remember food being very expensive. Fish and chips are not as expensive and are fabulous. The hot dogs, while famous, are not all that.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

I went for New Year's several years ago. It was an awesome trip. Kerid crater was a cool thing I wasn't expecting.

 

[Sand]

Iceland is awesome. If you can get a guided tour to the middle of the country or do a glacier hike, I'd highly recommend it.

We went to the Blue Lagoon, and it was OK, but wasn't a high point of the trip. Maybe squeeze a hot spring in during the evening, since it stays light so late, but it won't be a high priority for me if I go back.

What were the high points?

 

[Major]

Big fan of Reykjavik and Iceland in general. You're going to be there during a beautiful time of year so enjoy all that daylight.

I did a similar thing and rented a car for the day to do the Golden Circle (waterfall, geysers, parks, crater). Highly recommend that over a guided bus tour where you're not in full control of the itinerary. I enjoyed pulling over at random spots for photos, kicking it with the Icelandic horses, etc. The Blue Lagoon was touristy but I enjoyed it. Not sure how it compares to other springs.

Sounds like you'll have some time to enjoy the town in between your work events. I liked just walking around exploring, meeting locals, going to cafes, bars, etc. Point being, don't overbook yourself. The hike around Mount Asja sounds optimistic but doable.

 

[AcerFC]

Iceland was awesome and seeing the northern lights was a highlight. Wish I could go in the summer bc it is like two different countries. Was only light out for about 5 hours when we were there. But we rode a snowmobile on a glacier so that was awesome.

 

[nysfl2]

We went to the Blue Lagoon, and it was OK, but wasn't a high point of the trip. Maybe squeeze a hot spring in during the evening, since it stays light so late, but it won't be a high priority for me if I go back.

What were the high points?

Outside of the Golden Circle attractions, I'll second that the walking tour of Reykjavik was very interesting. We rented a car and toured the southern coast during the summer, and our favorite parts were:
- Glacier climbing near Hof
- The Glacier Lagoon on the East side of the country, and
- a tour that we took of the inside of the island (you can't drive there because you have to cross a number of small creeks and very questionable roads).

And when you're just driving around, there are waterfalls and cool landscape everywhere.

 

[nysfl2]

Iceland was awesome and seeing the northern lights was a highlight. Wish I could go in the summer bc it is like two different countries. Was only light out for about 5 hours when we were there. But we rode a snowmobile on a glacier so that was awesome.

We went during the summer. No northern lights, but you have like 19 hours of light each day, so lots of time to see everything.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

I remember food being very expensive. Fish and chips are not as expensive and are fabulous. The hot dogs, while famous, are not all that.

Yeah, I'm a Chicago Dog kind of guy. If it's not a Vienna dog on a poppy-seed bun with mustard, green day-glo relish, onions, tomato, sport peppers and celery salt, I'm gonna pass.

 

[the moops]

Find as many small hot springs as possible. Super awesome to just chill in steamy hot water in the middle of nowhere.

I went golfing at like 11 PM one night. That was pretty sick.

Make sure to get a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

As others said, food is terrible and expensive.

See as much of the country as possible. It is absolutely beautiful.

 

[jhib]

Wife and I went a few years ago on a guided trip around the country with a bunch of older folks, and no real hikes or anything (it was basically free through her work, so I wasn't complaining about any part of that).

I thought the food was decent, but I like fish and lamb. My wife doesn't like either, so she wasn't thrilled on that front.

As far as touristy food experiences, fermented shark wasn't great (wife couldn't, but I had to do it) and geothermal rye bread was awesome pulled right out of the ground.
Our guide at one point ran into a convenience store and came back with a bunch of dried fish and butter and said this is what he snacked on while watching a game. Used the butter like a dip or guac on the fish and passed them out - really good.

One of the best things is the water. Be sure to have a water bottle on you, because every tap (even at gas stations) has the coldest, best tasting water flowing out of it.

 

[massraider]

I've been four or five times.
The women of Reykjavik are terribly underserved, and if you are someone they don't recognize, you are very interesting.

Probably the best place for a guys trip in the world.

 

[waiver wire]

A tour company has my money from a postponed trip due to covid and I have to use by the end of 2023 . Picked the Aug next year to use it for Iceland as I had all ready 2 trips planned and I won a 4 night stay at 4 seasons Bora Bora , that I have to work in now
It will be my 1st time there

 

[chet]

A great country with awesome natural beauty and generally nice people (we encountered one drunken *******). IMO the local food is forgettable and since we had two vegetarians, we focused on Indian and Thai cuisine both of which were good but expensive. The Golden Circle drive is a must-do and we also did a walking tour of Reykjavik. My friend just came back and lamented they missed a volcano eruption by a day. That would be something to see if it's still going on.

This is what I was talking about

 

[NajehHejan]

Bumparooski.

Any recent opinions or recommendations?

I'm going with the wife 2nd week of July. Excited but a little anxious because I'm generally the planner and there are so many options and possibilities that I'm struggling to pick what is essential to do and what may be a pass, or do next time if you ever get back again.

Here are all the things I jotted down to do more research on - kindly pop in if you've been to any of these and can share your notes....

Lebowski Bar
Perlan Museum
Perlan Rooftop Bar
Skylar rooftop bar
Sky Lagoon
Flyover Iceland
Icelandic Rock and Roll HOF
Harpa
DIamond Beach
Blue Lagoon
Golden Circle
Bookstore bar

 

[Major]

Bumparooski.

Any recent opinions or recommendations?

I'm going with the wife 2nd week of July. Excited but a little anxious because I'm generally the planner and there are so many options and possibilities that I'm struggling to pick what is essential to do and what may be a pass, or do next time if you ever get back again.

Here are all the things I jotted down to do more research on - kindly pop in if you've been to any of these and can share your notes....

Lebowski Bar
Perlan Museum
Perlan Rooftop Bar
Skylar rooftop bar
Sky Lagoon
Flyover Iceland
Icelandic Rock and Roll HOF
Harpa
DIamond Beach
Blue Lagoon
Golden Circle
Bookstore bar

My best recommendation would be dont take your wife. Thank me later

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I tried to be Iceland once but I wasn't pretty enough to pull it off

 

[TripItUp]

My recommendations are:

1) Go in the summer and reserve your hotel asap.
2) get a car and drive around the island...it's a one of a kind landscape. There are wide open roads along the coast and there is hardly any traffic so it's very pleasant.
3) Check out all the guided tours if that's your thing...there are a lot of good ones

 

[Yambag]

Bumparooski.

Any recent opinions or recommendations?

I'm going with the wife 2nd week of July. Excited but a little anxious because I'm generally the planner and there are so many options and possibilities that I'm struggling to pick what is essential to do and what may be a pass, or do next time if you ever get back again.

Here are all the things I jotted down to do more research on - kindly pop in if you've been to any of these and can share your notes....

Lebowski Bar
Perlan Museum
Perlan Rooftop Bar
Skylar rooftop bar
Sky Lagoon
Flyover Iceland
Icelandic Rock and Roll HOF
Harpa
DIamond Beach
Blue Lagoon
Golden Circle
Bookstore bar

Just went there at the beginning of November. I am usually plan/do myself type of person, but we decided to book guided tours as winter driving can be sketchy in Iceland. I have to say that the guided tours were fantastic, much better than expected. We stayed in Reykjavik, did the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, South Coast and Northern Lights. We also hit up the Bookstore Bar pretty much every night after dinner, great place and always had a band playing. If you have any other questions, feel free to pm.

 

[the moops]

2) get a car and drive around the island...it's a one of a kind landscape. There are wide open roads along the coast and there is hardly any traffic so it's very pleasant.

We went several years ago (had two little kids - looks like it was spring 2017 so they were 5 and 7) so we decided to stay at 2 different Airbnbs and focus on those two areas. We plan on going back again soon and what you write here is exactly what we would do. Probably get a camper van, take 2.5 weeks and just drive the ring road around the country and see it all.

@NajehHejan if hot springs are your thing, besides the Blue Lagoon there are tons of little ones littered throughout the country. Was super fun driving and exploring and finding hot springs in the middle of nowhere and hopping in

Oh, and definitey get a 4 wheel drive vehicle

 

[Jaysus]

blackdot

p.s. I think I am going there for a bikepacking trip this summer.

 

[the moops]

blackdot

p.s. I think I am going there for a bikepacking trip this summer.

Sounds incredible.

This is my favorite website of all time. Such a well made site incredible information and maps and such

Iceland Archives

Iceland has been a draw for bikepackers and bike tourers since 1933, when Horace Edward Stafford Dall completed the first crossing of Iceland’s interior by bike. Since then, Iceland has attracted countless intrepid travelers to its many rugged gravel and dirt roads. Find routes and content below…

bikepacking.com

 

[Sand]

blackdot

p.s. I think I am going there for a bikepacking trip this summer.

Where is that jealous emoji when you need it?

What route are you taking? I have thought about riding The Rift, but have never really thought about bikepacking it.

 

[El Floppo]

Always read the title as "anybody been ice-lanned?", as some verb that sounds plausible but I've never heard of.

 

[Jaysus]

blackdot

p.s. I think I am going there for a bikepacking trip this summer.

Where is that jealous emoji when you need it?

What route are you taking? I have thought about riding The Rift, but have never really thought about bikepacking it.

Not sure... a GB is planning the trip as part of a milestone-birthday adventure. He's been a bit vague about it, but is on us about renew passports already

I think it is in August and my daughter will be starting college around then so I am not sure I can even make it at this point.

P.S. I need to renew my passport

 

[Jaysus]

blackdot

p.s. I think I am going there for a bikepacking trip this summer.

Where is that jealous emoji when you need it?

What route are you taking? I have thought about riding The Rift, but have never really thought about bikepacking it.

UPDATE: it's looking like north to south on the Kjolur route with a few modifications.

 

[rockaction]

Not one word, huh? Not even the tiniest preposition?

 

[[icon]]

Did a week for our 20th Anniversary in Feb 2023. Got some great advice here.

Stuck mostly between Reykjavik and Hella with excursions out to Vik and up to Eyjafjallajökull glacier for some snowmobiling (highly recommend).