Iceland Trip (1 Viewer)

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I know there is a volcano erupting right now, but I went to the DR the week after the Haitian earthquake too, so mother nature isnt scaring me! (I know there were some previous threads on Iceland, but they were several years old)

I'm looking to plan a trip to Iceland with my lady. (i know I am wasting all the hot loose women native to the land). I think our goals are to do hot springs (read something about Blue Lagoon), see Northern Lights, and maybe Whale Watching, as well as nightlife (restaurants/bars/clubs etc.) So I have some questions and am looking for some suggestions:

1) Where to stay

2) How long should such a trip be to enjoy it (4 nights, 1 week, 2 weeks etc)

3) what's the food like

4) expense

5) how easy to travel once there

6) how easy to communicate with locals

7) best time to go (we are looking at either July or September I think)

8) best way to accomplish goals of hot springs, northern lights, whale watching, nightlife fun

9) your experiences

10) what should I be asking about that I am forgetting

Thanks guys! I havent thought of a budget yet really. I kind of want to see how much a trip like this generally costs and then go from there.

Anything else you need to know about me/us (other than pics) to help answer my questions?

Much appreciated. TIA

 

[Osaurus]

Bring marshmallows and a stick.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Nothing spoils a northern vacation like bugs, so its always wise to plan a summer trip as close to the solstice as possible to avoid that.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Any update on this? Wife told me she wants to go there next summer

 

[Fat Nick]

I haven't been, but a buddy of mine went a few years ago. All he had to say was that it was awesome, but that it was by far the most expensive place he's ever been. He said that you can expect to spend $40 on a Pizza...I'm not sure where he stayed, but he's not a high-maintenance sort of guy...I guess it's what happens when you live on an island in the North Atlantic.

 

[Righetti]

I haven't been, but a buddy of mine went a few years ago. All he had to say was that it was awesome, but that it was by far the most expensive place he's ever been. He said that you can expect to spend $40 on a Pizza...I'm not sure where he stayed, but he's not a high-maintenance sort of guy...I guess it's what happens when you live on an island in the North Atlantic.

I went a few years ago and this was spot on.. but after the financial crisis, I think the Icelandic currency took a tremendous hit and it's now a relatively inexpensive vacation destination.

go in the summer, 24 hours of daylight

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I almost took an Iceland trip this past week (over Mardi Gras, it's a long holiday here...), would love to know more.

 

[Cunk]

I went a few years ago. They have some good flight/hotel packages that aren't expensive. Renting a car right at the airport was no problem with gps. We had no problem finding anything. Most locals speak English so no problems there. Food was expensive so we loaded up on breakfast to avoid the cost of lunch. We were on a tight budget.

4 days should be enough I think. Unless you want to drive around the whole island for some reason. The Blue Lagoon was cool but just so you know the lagoon is a man-made lagoon which is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant. Places to bathe in natural springs are more like pools or hot tubs with the source being water from natural springs. Night life was pretty active and locals were friendly. We went in the February. I'm sure it's a lot nicer in the summer with a lot more things to do.

 

[Da Guru]

A buddy of mine went to Iceland...said there are a lot of horny women there.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

A buddy of mine went to Iceland...said there are a lot of horny women there.

I very much believe this.

Also - I hear Sweden is awesome.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

I haven't been, but a buddy of mine went a few years ago. All he had to say was that it was awesome, but that it was by far the most expensive place he's ever been. He said that you can expect to spend $40 on a Pizza...I'm not sure where he stayed, but he's not a high-maintenance sort of guy...I guess it's what happens when you live on an island in the North Atlantic.

I went a few years ago and this was spot on.. but after the financial crisis, I think the Icelandic currency took a tremendous hit and it's now a relatively inexpensive vacation destination.

go in the summer, 24 hours of daylight

Well this kills the northern light idea.