msommer
Footballguy
Of course, I've only heard the horror stories of blizzards coming out of the blue, cars breaking down, etc. But still, I'd be very, very careful and if the local guys aren't driving - don't
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Anyone been to Iceland (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter AcerFC
- Start date
Thorn
Footballguy
I couldn't find the name of the company that I did the snowmobile/Geysir/Gulfoss tour with, but we did it in mid-November in one day, so I would imagine it's still possible the further away from winter solstice you get.
Also! One cool place we stumbled upon that you would never know was there was Kex Hostel - not for staying, but for their coffee shop/pub/restaurant - go in a plain door in a plan building and a couple stories up is a huuge space with a sweeping view of the bay.
Link
Also! One cool place we stumbled upon that you would never know was there was Kex Hostel - not for staying, but for their coffee shop/pub/restaurant - go in a plain door in a plan building and a couple stories up is a huuge space with a sweeping view of the bay.
Link
Chapelboy
Footballguy
Back in the late 90s I read an article in Men's Journal about the women of Iceland being the most beautiful in the world...the premise of the article was the writer had journeyed the world in search of the most beautiful gals and determined Iceland was the winner. Being in the USAF at the time, I kept trying to get stationed there for the next 10 years...to no avail.
So, that being said, can you confirm when you get back if that is definitely the case? I mean, not Iceland compared to the world (unless you've traveled the world of course) but just in general? Like, would they seem to have a higher ratio of beauties? TIA
So, that being said, can you confirm when you get back if that is definitely the case? I mean, not Iceland compared to the world (unless you've traveled the world of course) but just in general? Like, would they seem to have a higher ratio of beauties? TIA
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
be careful with this. the second you take your phone out of airplane mode, if you have any alerts or notifications turned on that require internet, boom $10. it adds up if you're not careful. spotty wifi was a contributing factor. wifi drops for a second while you're doing something activates the plan, you get charged. the limited data plan is only $40
saintfool
Dead sexy
My experience - granted this is 20 years ago - is that Icelandic women were more striking looking than beautiful in that Nordic/Scandinavian way. There was something interest or slightly different but in a good way.
There was an article in Slate several years ago - maybe 5 years old now? - that tackled this question. Not just the country but the *city* in that country with the most beautiful women. It was some city in the Ukraine, iirc. Soviets probably own it now.
krista4
Footballguy
I thought both the women and the men were the best looking I've seen in any country.
TwinTurbo
Footballguy
Iceland is one of my favorite countries. And Þingvellir National Park is a special place for me and a great place to try to see the northern lights if the night sky is clear and conditions are right. You can check this site for aurora activity: http://www.aurora-service.eu/aurora-forecast/. You'll need at least a Kp 3 or higher and a clear night sky to have a decent chance to see anything. I was lucky enough to see them back in August (which is super rare) a day or so after that solar eclipse happened. It was a Kp 6.
The Golden Circle is the main tour that you should do. Þingvellir National Park is one of the stops.
Lastly, it's a long drive, but consider renting a car and driving to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This is not the blue lagoon tourist stop. This is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see. It's a 4.5 hour drive from Reykjavík and you can stop at all of the waterfalls along the way which are amazing as well.
Also if you do rent a car and drive fast, watch out for the traffic cameras. They have a lot of them.
The Golden Circle is the main tour that you should do. Þingvellir National Park is one of the stops.
Lastly, it's a long drive, but consider renting a car and driving to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This is not the blue lagoon tourist stop. This is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see. It's a 4.5 hour drive from Reykjavík and you can stop at all of the waterfalls along the way which are amazing as well.
Also if you do rent a car and drive fast, watch out for the traffic cameras. They have a lot of them.
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comfortably numb
Footballguy
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt3561180/
The show "Trapped" from Iceland was good.
However, all the woman were like...6s....and the dudes like a 4
The show "Trapped" from Iceland was good.
However, all the woman were like...6s....and the dudes like a 4
Aerial Assault
Footballguy
AcerFC
Footballguy
Quick update as we finalized a few things yesterday.
We did rent a car. However, we still decided to do the tours on bus. It allows all of us to just relax and we don't have to worry about storms and not knowing where to go. We talked long and hard about this. Maybe we change our mind. We will have the car so......
So basically, our itinerary looks like this
Saturday- Land at 4:45. Get car and hopefully early check in at hotel.
1:00 tour to a lava cave.
9:30 tour to see the Northern Lights. That way if we strike out, we get another shot at it one of the next few nights.
Sunday- 9:00 Southern Island Tour. We see the two big waterfalls, head to Vik for Black Sand Beaches and rocks in the ocean. I think there may be a stop at a glacier as well.
Monday- This is our Golden Circle day. We do the golden circle and then off to a glacier for an hour snowmobile ride.
Tuesday- we decided to do the tourist thing and hit blue lagoon. I can do without it but I think my wife really wanted to do it I know there are better less touristy spots, but she did this whole thing for me. No real reason to not go. We have 10:00 tickets. Will eat lunch there and then head to the airport
One of the things we didn't get to do that I thought could be awesome, was go to a glacier tunnel. But my wife found a museum that has one somehow and we might do that when we land.
Thx for all help. I'll be sure to post when we get back.
We did rent a car. However, we still decided to do the tours on bus. It allows all of us to just relax and we don't have to worry about storms and not knowing where to go. We talked long and hard about this. Maybe we change our mind. We will have the car so......
So basically, our itinerary looks like this
Saturday- Land at 4:45. Get car and hopefully early check in at hotel.
1:00 tour to a lava cave.
9:30 tour to see the Northern Lights. That way if we strike out, we get another shot at it one of the next few nights.
Sunday- 9:00 Southern Island Tour. We see the two big waterfalls, head to Vik for Black Sand Beaches and rocks in the ocean. I think there may be a stop at a glacier as well.
Monday- This is our Golden Circle day. We do the golden circle and then off to a glacier for an hour snowmobile ride.
Tuesday- we decided to do the tourist thing and hit blue lagoon. I can do without it but I think my wife really wanted to do it I know there are better less touristy spots, but she did this whole thing for me. No real reason to not go. We have 10:00 tickets. Will eat lunch there and then head to the airport
One of the things we didn't get to do that I thought could be awesome, was go to a glacier tunnel. But my wife found a museum that has one somehow and we might do that when we land.
Thx for all help. I'll be sure to post when we get back.
the moops
Footballguy
My wife and I went to Iceland last May for 11 days with a 3 and 5 year old. They loved it, as did we
We only spent a day on either end in Reykjavik, so I don't have tons to offer for options in the city. We rented two separate airbnb's. Place is full of cool architecture, so we found a super cool house up Laugavartan, and then another super cool house down in Selfoss.
Our days were spent like this. Woke up - had a delicious breakfast and looked at some maps of touristy places we wanted to check out (waterfalls, volcanos, glaciers, lava fields, etc.). We would pack some snacks and head out. Get to the destination and hike around for a few hours and eat some snacks. Go eat a semi-delicious lunch at some place nearby (I didn't love the food - and it was stupidly expensive), then drive around and find some hot spring to relax in. Kids loved the hot springs. Most days were spent exactly like this.
To me, it defiinitely is a great family vacation for a family that likes to explore. How old are the kids?
I would for sure check out Blue Lagoon. It was crowded, and like most things expensive, but it was awesome. We ate dinner at the restaurant on site which was very good.
If you rent a car, make sure to get a AWD vehicle. About half the roads that go to places AWD is required.
Any other questions feel free to PM me or post them here.
Thorn
Footballguy
Here is a tip I've used in Iceland and other places when you arrive with a bus group like this - one of you gets off the bus instantly and gets in line for check in, the other deals with suitcases and kids. Lots of times there are only a few empty rooms that are ready for early check in, and they are first come first serve. They almost certainly won't have rooms ready for an entire busload. Divide and conquer.
AcerFC
Footballguy
Thanks. But we are renting a car and driving ourselves from airport to hotel. Great tip though.
AcerFC
Footballguy
Ok, quick update since we got back a few days ago. What an awesome trip and really is an amazing place to visit. My wife even talked about going back in the summer to experience what is probably an entirely different country. I will break it down in terms of days
Day 1: It took 4.5 hours from Newark to Keflavik. That is how long it takes me to drive to our beach house. We got our rental car and used waze to get us to the hotel. I did check with my cell provider and i was able to use all my minutes and data for $10 a day like others said. We got to Fosshotel Raudara at 7:00am. They didnt have our room ready but we had continental breakfast there which was a great spread. My wife went to be the annoying person and ask about our room being ready since the kids were falling asleep. She even offered to pay an extra night, which you might want to do if you know you will be getting there early. Guy felt bad and gave us the keys. We went to sleep for 3 hours. Woke up and went to the Lava Tunnel using Reykjavik excursions (we used them for everything). While at the Lava Tunnel, we got an email that the Northern Lights tour for the evening was cancelled. Got back and walked downtown (around the corner) and found someplace to eat. Went back to hotel to sleep
Day 2: It was a blizzard like none I have ever seen. Extremely happy that I decided not to drive and booked the tour. Yet, we were picked up and still went out on our Southern Tour Adventure. The weather did dampen the mood a bit as it was very cold every stop and the snow was everywhere. But we made it to the two waterfalls (couldnt walk behind one bc it was too icy) and then the black sand beach of Vik with the columns in the water. It really was very cool and something we would love to see in the summer. We had to ditch the glacier part as the winds were too gusty. We have seen glaciers in Alaska so no big rub for us. Got an email that the rescheduled Northern Lights tour was cancelled. Which turned out fine because three roads leading back were closed due to the storm. Took a really long time to get home.
Day 3: The best day we had there. Woke up and headed out to the Golden Circle tour. Very awesome to see the two tectonic plates, geyser and Niagara Falls like Waterfall. When we got to the waterfall, we headed off on a glacier snowmobiling adventure. Just being on the glacier and taking it all in was tremendous. And to make things better, the Northern Lights tour was going out. Unfortunately, we arrived back in Reykjavik very late and did not eat dinner at all. (I know, we are awful parents). But the reason for the trip was to see the lights and we just made the bus. People there said not to get bummed out if we didnt see them blah blah blah. They actually said only 20% of the tours actually make it out. And not all 20% come close to seeing the lights. We crossed our fingers. Conditions couldnt have been better. Clear night, New moon and we got to see the Northern Lights which was really really awesome. Even the kids thought it was special .
Day 4: Headed to the Blue Lagoon even though it was a tourist trap. Splurged for the VIP treatment and skipped all the lines. Hung out a bit and headed to the airport.
Thanks for all those who chimed in here. Even if we didnt get to do what you suggested, your input was very much appreciated
Day 1: It took 4.5 hours from Newark to Keflavik. That is how long it takes me to drive to our beach house. We got our rental car and used waze to get us to the hotel. I did check with my cell provider and i was able to use all my minutes and data for $10 a day like others said. We got to Fosshotel Raudara at 7:00am. They didnt have our room ready but we had continental breakfast there which was a great spread. My wife went to be the annoying person and ask about our room being ready since the kids were falling asleep. She even offered to pay an extra night, which you might want to do if you know you will be getting there early. Guy felt bad and gave us the keys. We went to sleep for 3 hours. Woke up and went to the Lava Tunnel using Reykjavik excursions (we used them for everything). While at the Lava Tunnel, we got an email that the Northern Lights tour for the evening was cancelled. Got back and walked downtown (around the corner) and found someplace to eat. Went back to hotel to sleep
Day 2: It was a blizzard like none I have ever seen. Extremely happy that I decided not to drive and booked the tour. Yet, we were picked up and still went out on our Southern Tour Adventure. The weather did dampen the mood a bit as it was very cold every stop and the snow was everywhere. But we made it to the two waterfalls (couldnt walk behind one bc it was too icy) and then the black sand beach of Vik with the columns in the water. It really was very cool and something we would love to see in the summer. We had to ditch the glacier part as the winds were too gusty. We have seen glaciers in Alaska so no big rub for us. Got an email that the rescheduled Northern Lights tour was cancelled. Which turned out fine because three roads leading back were closed due to the storm. Took a really long time to get home.
Day 3: The best day we had there. Woke up and headed out to the Golden Circle tour. Very awesome to see the two tectonic plates, geyser and Niagara Falls like Waterfall. When we got to the waterfall, we headed off on a glacier snowmobiling adventure. Just being on the glacier and taking it all in was tremendous. And to make things better, the Northern Lights tour was going out. Unfortunately, we arrived back in Reykjavik very late and did not eat dinner at all. (I know, we are awful parents). But the reason for the trip was to see the lights and we just made the bus. People there said not to get bummed out if we didnt see them blah blah blah. They actually said only 20% of the tours actually make it out. And not all 20% come close to seeing the lights. We crossed our fingers. Conditions couldnt have been better. Clear night, New moon and we got to see the Northern Lights which was really really awesome. Even the kids thought it was special .
Day 4: Headed to the Blue Lagoon even though it was a tourist trap. Splurged for the VIP treatment and skipped all the lines. Hung out a bit and headed to the airport.
Thanks for all those who chimed in here. Even if we didnt get to do what you suggested, your input was very much appreciated
the moops
Footballguy
What lines did you get to skip? I don't remember there being anything but like 15 people in front of us at check-in.
And yea, a tourist trap for sure, but I woudk recomend it to everyone that visits Iceland
AcerFC
Footballguy
Im sure it is different depending on what time you get there, but there was a line out the door. We were in the hallway when I noticed a seperate line for whatever package we picked. Saved us 20 minutes easily which was great since we didnt have a ton of time to begin with
sbonomo
Footballguy
I think this should be a requirement for getting a DL. In fact I think that you should have to drive a manual for the first three or four years you are driving...I would cut down on texting and driving.
JZilla
Footballguy
Just spent a solid four days/five nights there. Absolutely gorgeous. Great advice here already.. we weren't there super long and I don't have much to add.. just did about half the south coast, Jokursarlon and the ice strewn black sand beach are a highlight, the puffin tour was a lot of fun too. Pretty much anywhere you drive is going to be the most beautiful drive you've ever done, save maybe the airport to Reykjavik. I'd say don't spend too much time in Reykjavik because the food is expensive and mediocre, the people don't like you and there's not a ton to do. The museum at the university was cool and honestly the food at "Stúdentakjallarinn" the students' bar/hangout spot there was as good and cheap as we had anywhere. The phallus museum was worth an hour of yuks (& yucks). But every minute you spend there is a minute you could be out in the country seeing something amazing.
Out on the road there are hotels with solid food that's no more or less expensive, just map it out. Gas stations with grills, etc. Also, can't be emphasized enough, if you like to drink make time to stop at duty free at the airport and load up.. we were squeezed for time when we got in and as functional alkies it was our biggest regret.
Blue Lagoon.. for spa people, it is definitely one. I got sick from all the temp changes and had to go nurse a Sprite while the lady did face things. I'm pretty country.
I'll be looking for my speeding tickets in the mail. Loved just driving around, and stopping off to admire the scenery..
Out on the road there are hotels with solid food that's no more or less expensive, just map it out. Gas stations with grills, etc. Also, can't be emphasized enough, if you like to drink make time to stop at duty free at the airport and load up.. we were squeezed for time when we got in and as functional alkies it was our biggest regret.
Blue Lagoon.. for spa people, it is definitely one. I got sick from all the temp changes and had to go nurse a Sprite while the lady did face things. I'm pretty country.
I'll be looking for my speeding tickets in the mail. Loved just driving around, and stopping off to admire the scenery..
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zamboni
Footballguy
Going next month with my wife and another couple. Thanks for the bump - good to see some of the things we have planned were discussed.
Seems even more expensive since the original thread started. Can't blame the country though - tourism is everything to them and they're capitalizing on the high demand.
Have heard a lot about the mediocre and overpriced food - going to take advantage of the big artisan buffets and dinner snacks at the Canopy (Hilton).
Seems even more expensive since the original thread started. Can't blame the country though - tourism is everything to them and they're capitalizing on the high demand.
Have heard a lot about the mediocre and overpriced food - going to take advantage of the big artisan buffets and dinner snacks at the Canopy (Hilton).
JZilla
Footballguy
That's exactly where we just stayed. The free breakfast is great, given the overall food situation there it is a can't miss.. I can't recommend any other food except the student jimmy-jam, and FossHotels* around the ring road
The one hot dog I had made me a little queasy
Funny to be talking on and on about food in an Iceland thread but the sights are no-brainers and awesome everywhere
If you do the Blue Lagoon like seemingly everyone does, swing by the Bridge Between Continents and embrace the photo op. They feature that rift in the Golden Circle/Thingvellir as well, but the Bridge literally narrows it down, maybe 20 yards across?
("foss" means waterfall and we started using it on the reg)
zamboni
Footballguy
Thanks, GB - good to know. Definitely doing Blue Lagoon.
We went back and forth on renting a car, but probably going to do the organized excursion thing instead for what we want to do.
JZilla
Footballguy
Can't go wrong really.. all the bussers we ran into seemed to be quite happy, and there were times we probably could have used a nice 30 minute bus nap rather than pushing through on the road. Also some single lane bridges can be a little nerve-wracking.. still, it was nice to be able to swing off, take a pic of a Bon Jovi lookin' horse or a foss or whatever
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Major
Footballguy
I rented a car for the days we were exploring outside of Reykajvik and highly recommend that. Easy to navigate and gives you much more freedom for photo ops/exploring. IIRC, not much more expensive depending on how many people you're traveling with. Have a great time out there. Nothing better than summer in Scandinavia.
E Street Brat
Footballguy
Any if you guys dine on horse while you where there? Surprising good.
zamboni
Footballguy
Had some about six months ago when I was in Kazakhstan. Agree that it actually wasn't too bad once you get past what you're eating. I'd be lying if I didn't get a bit hungry during the Kentucky Derby.Any if you guys dine on horse while you where there? Surprising good.
Major
Footballguy
Do you plan to try some Puffin while you're there? Felt a little bad eating a cute bird but it was pretty good.
zamboni
Footballguy
We're doing a puffin watching tour, but if they look good enough to eat, I'm down for it.
Buddy Ball 2K3
Footballguy
Ate Puffin (Loved it), ate a horse steak (loved it), ate some whale (loved it), ate some Hakarl and felt the opposite of love for it.
