Iceland

[GilliC]

We're planning to spend about 9 days in August driving the circle road in Iceland. Is this realistic, or should we consider extending the trip?

Am I being foolish for considering skipping Ísafjörður, since it's kind of out of the way? What are the absolute must-sees, and which areas warrant more than one day?

[Deleted]

In rekjavik, you have to go to the fish company, the food is to die for. It's the best seafood in town. And it's right next to this cute little antique store.

Also, I know it sounds weird, but you have to go find this hot dog stand. It's a little hard to find, but it's worth it. The hot dogs are really unique.
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g189970-d1852122-r105165255-Baejarins_Beztu_Pylsur-Reykjavik.html

And if you like fish and chips these are the best fish and chips I've ever had in my life. The breading is so light and airy and the fish is so fresh and decadent. They also have a ton of home made sauces to try too. www.fishandchips.is/

We went last thanksgiving and weren't able to drive around the island, so I'm not sure how much time that all takes. However, I felt that 5 days was the perfect amount of time for rekjavik to see the city at a leisurely pace and have enough time for a day trip out to the glaciers.

Also, IMHO, unless you're really into hot springs I'd skip the blue lagon. It was pretty scenery, but not a must do.

I really loved Iceland, have a wonderful time.

[frlcb]

I can't remember, have you been before? Definitely find the hot dogs, I didn't eat them (I don't eat lamb) but everyone says they are awesome.

I have only been in Reykjavik (and areas around there) but my best friend goes over every year and she really likes Akureyri as well.

[GilliC]

No, I haven't been before. I was always saving it for a longer trip.

[sunshinedaydreams]

I also haven't been out of Reykjavik, aside from a few day trips. If it were me, I think I'd want to spend some time doing trips to the inland instead of driving the ring road, though. I feel like the coast of Iceland looks relatively the same no matter where you are; the inland is rugged and remote and good for hiking and outdoorsy stuff.

My must do is snorkeling in Silfra in Thingvellir. One of the best parts of our trip. It was so cool. We also really enjoyed a trip to Thorsmork Glacier Valley with Iceland Rovers.

I agree with PP on Icelandic Fish and Chips and skipping the Blue Lagoon. Also, in Reykjavik, if you have any interest in the local cuisine at all (Minke whale and puffin), Tapas Barinn offers small plates so it's a good place to try it.

Have fun! I'm starting to get really upset that we're flying through Reykjavik next week and not stopping over. :-(

[katieh]

Good food tips from everyone so far. I'd also add Fishmarket for something a bit more upscale, plus Thir Frakkar for some Plokfiskur. Definitely eat lots of hot dogs (even the gas station ones are great) and try some skyr. If you drink, hit the duty free in the airport on your way out, buy some Reyka vodka (at a 60% discount over the state run stores) or some wine to drink before dinner.

I disagree on skipping the Blue Lagoon. If you are on a budget or if you can do Myvatn instead, then yes skip it. But otherwise, I think it's a pretty unique experience.

I've never gone up to the Westfjords because of time constraints, though I have heard the area is AMAZING. I really want to do to see the cliffs there, but I do feel like it's a lot to cram into 9 days with the rest of the Ring Road. If you had an extra 3 days or if you prefer to do a lot of driving each day, then I'm sure it's doable. And you'll be there at the perfect time.

With 9 days, I personally would do:
start with an early drive up to Akureryi or Husavik. This will take about 8 hours, depending on the number of times you stop. I LOVED the Kaldbak Cots cottages in Husavik. We did 3 nights there. One day just to drive up and relax, one day to go whale watching in Husavik and explore the town and then the last day to see Godafoss, Lake Myvatn and the nature baths (like the Blue Lagoon). Then we drove back and went to the Snaefellessness Peninsula (nice, but I'd skip it) and instead check out the Asbyrgi canyon, Dettifoss and the east fjords and then loop down to Jokulsarlon, Landmanalagur/Thorsmork, and Vik.

And then I'd definitely plan for at least 3-4 days in Reykjavik as there are so many activities to do from there, like the Golden Circle, snorkeling at Silfra, horseback riding, a brewery tour, caving, etc. My Reykjavik walking tours also does a night hike to a hot spring.

[CloudBee]

You're going to love Iceland! We hope to return every few years. I think it's our "place". You know, that one location you have fallen in love with, and want to embrace, lol.

I think 9 days is adequate. I would, however, suggest you book a glacier climb or glacier hike. The experience is amazing, you don't need to be terribly fit, and you will think the next day "I can't believe what I have done!" It was one of our most memorable activities to date.

I can dig up tour company info if you want. Our guide was amazing.

[GilliC]

Would you recommend a glacier hike in general, or a glacier hike in Iceland specifically?

There are a few glaciers in this area that offer hiking/climbing, and sometimes on our office's annual weekend trekking trip they have to gear up and cross one of the glacier fields up in the mountains. I think a glacier trek is definitely something DBF would like to do, but I don't know whether we should spend a day of our trip on it or if we should save it for a weekend outing from home.

[CloudBee]

I suppose in general, but I have nothing to compare my Iceland glacier climb, to.

Well - the one thing that will set it apart, is that the ice has layers of black ash in it. The ice sparkles blue, but has a speckled look to it, which is different than glaciers elsewhere. It was awesome seeing volcanic ash in the ice, knowing some was recent, and also hundreds and hundreds of years old.

I actually got ash on my face when swinging my axe into the ice to climb up! Instead of a slight splatter of ice/water (common when climbing ice), I got a mixture of ash.

[CloudBee]

Here's a picture of the glacier I climbed. I'm guessing this was taken right after an eruption, because the ice was more blue than in this photo. Do you see the vast mounts of black ash? I failed to mention that above. They are everywhere. As the ice melts and re-forms, you get these piles of ash shaped like cones. It's incredible.

[lo]

Yes, do the glacier hike!! It's amazing.

[katieh]

Jun 5, 2012 12:38:19 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

You're going to love Iceland! We hope to return every few years. I think it's our "place". You know, that one location you have fallen in love with, and want to embrace, lol.

Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way :-)

I always tell people that the first time I landed in Iceland it somehow felt familiar already, like I was coming "home." I think there's just something special about it.

[Bob Loblaw]

Have any of you been to Iceland in the winter? We are going for 5 days in November to see the northern lights. 2 nights in Akureyri, 3 nights in Reykjavik. I'm somewhat worried about fitting in all of our activities with such limited daylight. I'm also worried about the cold/wind, but that's because I'm a huge wimp who's lived in the South for too long.

[katieh]

I went in March a few years ago, but stayed in Reykjavik only. Around the city (and Thingvellir/Golden Circle) I had no problem driving a tony compact on the roads and had plenty of time to get in all the activities even with the shorter days. I even went snorkeling, which i highly recommend.

Just a warning about the Northern Lights - with five days, you might never see them. It all depends on the weather/cloud cover. I didn't see the on my March trip, but got surprised by them on a clear night at the very beginning of September, which is less common. So you just never know.

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2012 14:50:41 GMT -5 Bob Loblaw said:

Have any of you been to Iceland in the winter? We are going for 5 days in November to see the northern lights. 2 nights in Akureyri, 3 nights in Reykjavik. I'm somewhat worried about fitting in all of our activities with such limited daylight. I'm also worried about the cold/wind, but that's because I'm a huge wimp who's lived in the South for too long.

I went last thanksgiving and spent 5 days in Reykjavik with a day trip out to a glacier and the golden circle.

In the city it snowed lightly, the locals said it was really early for snow, and about 30 degrees. Out on the glaciers it was clear and about 14 degrees. I'm a weenie when it comes to cold and with long underwear and snow boots I was totally fine walking around.

Also, don't count on seeing the northern lights, but I'd keep an eye on the watch to see if there might be a better night to see it. I really wanted to see it, but the weather just wouldn't cooperate. www.aurorawatch.ca/

[Bob Loblaw]

Thanks for the info ladies!

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2012 14:50:41 GMT -5 Bob Loblaw said:

Have any of you been to Iceland in the winter? We are going for 5 days in November to see the northern lights. 2 nights in Akureyri, 3 nights in Reykjavik. I'm somewhat worried about fitting in all of our activities with such limited daylight. I'm also worried about the cold/wind, but that's because I'm a huge wimp who's lived in the South for too long.

We went in November as well. I really recommend going to the Blue Lagoon at night! It started snowing while we were swimming and it was the coolest thing ever.

It was actually pretty mild when we were there, 40s or so. We walked everywhere in Reykjavik with no problem. Be sure to buy some long underwear and you'll be fine.

[katieh]

Also, be aware that in winter, most of the tour companies provide you with extra gear so you may not need to dress quite as warmly as you think. When we went horseback riding and when we went dogsledding, they gave us huge warm body suits to wear (which I really didn't need - I ended being so hot!). Just think about all the activities you plan to do, investigate exactly what gear they offer, and then pack accordingly. I didn't bring long-underwear - actually I kind of underpacked and ended up exploring a cave in knee-high boots and skinny jeans - and I was never that cold.

It definitely gets very cold in certain areas - but in Reykjavik itself the winter averages are on par with NYC. Coming from Chicago in March, it was actually about 10 degrees WARMER in Reykjavik. Wandering in the city, I was fine with a hat/scarf/gloves, my regular city boots and jeans, and a knee-length wool winter trench coat over a light sweater. But, it depends on what type of weather you're coming from of course.

[Deleted]

I've been in December and January. Daylight is shorter, but not to the detriment of the trip. I only saw the northern lights once, so you have to be lucky and you have to get away from the light pollution of Reykjavik.
I drove out to the snaefellsness peninsula. I wish we'd gotten there earlier but the sun had just gone down. Kind of our fault for getting stuck on a mountain and having to wait for mountain rescue.
Don't skip the blue lagoon, it's amazing, especially at night.

[wanderlustfoodie]

If you are at all into food, then one of the most memorable meals I've had in recent history was at Dill in Reykyavik. Gorgeous setting, terrific tasting menu, everything was really terrific.

Another great meal is at Fjorubordid which is 45 minutes outside Reykjavik in a seaside town called Stokkseyri. They pretty much just serve lobster (although they're really langoustines, delicious delicious langoustines) and it's awesome.

I think 9 days is fine as long as you don't try to go to the West Fjords during that time. Would probably spend 2 nights in Myvatn. Jokulsarlon is more incredible in person than in photos.