Back from Iceland!!

[osumelissa]

We got home on Saturday night from a weeklong vacation to Iceland. I am so glad we decided to go because it is just a naturally gorgeous country...needless to say we got some amazing photos.

We went with six other people and all of us booked a package deal through Icelandair. DH and I paid $2300 which included roundtrip airfare, roundtrip flights from Reykjavik to Akeuyri, breakfast each day, six nights of hotel accommodations, and a Northern Lights tour. Here is a brief recap:

Day 1 - Evening flight from Dulles to Reykjavik

Day 2 - Arrived in Reykjavik and got through immigration and customs with almost no wait (there is no immigration form to fill out upon arrival which surprised me). Picked up some alcohol at duty free after claiming out bags and arranged bus transfer to our hotel. After checking in, taking a 2 hour nap, and showering, four of us headed out to walk around while the other four went to Blue Lagoon. We walked around the main area of Reykjavik, went to the cathedral and went up in the tower (amazing view), and then hit up happy hour and watched soccer. Dinner was with a few friends of my friend's boyfriend and then we headed back to the hotel.

Day 3 - After some delays due to rain and heavy winds, we headed up on a mid-afternoon flight to Akeuyri in the north. Our flight was really turbulent at the end, so needless to say after checking in to the hotel, our group met up for happy hour and pre-dinner drinks. Dinner was at Strikio (very good!) before heading out on the Northern Lights tour. I am happy to say it was a perfect night and we got to see them (DH took some really amazing photos). In fact we were told it was the best viewing experience in a few weeks so we were super happy about that.

Day 4 - Day-long tour booked through Saga Travels to Godafoss and Lake Myvatn. Our guide Finnur was awesome and took us to some really cool spots. We ended the day before heading back at the natural baths in that area.

Day 5 - Walked around Akeuyri for a bit in the morning, grabbed lunch, and then flew back to Reykjavik mid-afternoon. Checked in to the hotel (same hotel as our first night), unpacked, and then grabbed happy hour drinks at the hotel bar. Dinner was at The Sea Baron (delicious and very reasonably priced) and then we went to Lebowski Bar for white russians and other drinks.

Day 6 - Picked up our rental car and did the Golden Circle. Never saw the main Geysir go off but the one next to it went off three times while we were there. DH and I went to Icelandic Fish and Chips for dinner (super delicious!).

Day 7 - Drove the southern coast and saw various sites along the way as we attempted to get to Jokulsarlon (lagoon in southeast Iceland). Unfortunately we only made it to Skatafell before turning back due to the time and amount of gas we had. Went out with friends of my friend's boyfriend and they took us to a gay bar for some dancing.

Day 8 - Did some shopping in Reykjavik before heading to the airport for our 5 pm flight back to Dulles. We picked up some wool sweaters for our moms and a few other gifts/items.

We maximized our daylight time as much as we could since we really only got six hours of full daylight. It was cold, but we all dressed appropriately the days we were outside the most (long johns, waterproof boots, heavy socks, good jackets, scarves, gloves, hats, etc) so none of us were every super cold or uncomfortable.

I highly recommend getting a rental car while there...for two days, it was $246 and then gas was another $300 (gas is very expensive). Even still, it was $105 per person for car and gas which is much cheaper than doing tours each day.

Personally DH and I did not find the food or drinks all that expensive in Iceland, but most of the time our meals were the equivalent of what we pay for a moderately priced meal in DC. So probably since we are used to DC food and drink prices, that helped.

I highly recommend going. I want to go back, but go in the spring to see how things look different than how we saw them in mid-November.

[hz80408]

That sounds amazing and what a great price. I need to keep Iceland in mind when we're looking for a package type trip again! The package did not include the car rental, right?

[osumelissa]

I believe September through March is the time to see the Northern Lights, but which month in that range is the best...I am not sure.

The package did not include rental car. We booked one on Wednesday after arriving back in Reykjavik - DH and another friend did some internet research and talked with the hotel. They called a place and got the rental car for two days (it was a Dodge Durango). Honestly it was awesome to have an SUV since it was snowy and icy at times on Friday's south coast drive. I wouldn't have wanted to try it in a little Toyota at this time of year.

[katieh]

Sept to March is the best time. I've been in March and didn't see then and the went again at the very start of September and saw them the first night I was there, so it's a crap shoot. But Iceland is an amazing country so even if you don't see the lights, you'll see plenty of beautiful sights!

[GilliC]

What did you think of the Myvatn Nature Baths? I have a friend from Akureyri, and she recommended them highly, but when we were there it was crowded with a bus full of Spanish tourists. I ended up liking the Blue Lagoon better just because there was more space to spread out (and the little pebbles at the Nature Baths hurt my feet).

[Re: the Northern Lights, according to the Northern Lights Institute in Tromsø, the most solar activity happens closer to the equinox, so late September and late March. However, beyond a few days, aurora prediction is a pretty inexact science!]

[hz80408]

My parents went in late Sept a few years ago and had a great viewing of the Northern Lights

[osumelissa]

The nature baths were sooo relaxing! There was one other tour group of Americans when we arrived, but at the most there were maybe 20 of us in them at one time. So definitely not crowded. Plus most of the other group was older so they didn't stay in very long. When we were getting out, another American tour group was getting there.

Friends we traveled with went to both the nature baths and Blue Lagoon and they said they prefered the Myvatn ones better (warmer, less crowded, more clear water, better scenery).

Also while we were in Myvatn we saw a van and people doing what looked like location scouting and some filming...we are almost 100% positive it is for season 3 of Game of Thrones

[msamyfarrahfowler]

Sounds like an awesome trip! I'm so jealous that you got to see the Northern Lights. When I visited a few years ago, we took a tour bus out to the middle of nowhere and waited all night to get a view, but never did.

I also found the good to be remarkably affordable. Did you by chance eat at the famous hot dog place?

[osumelissa]

Nov 19, 2012 19:11:23 GMT -5 msamyfarrahfowler said:

I also found the good to be remarkably affordable. Did you by chance eat at the famous hot dog place?

My husband did on our last day