David's Abbreviated Iceland Trip Report

Old Jun 25th, 2017, 03:29 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
David's Abbreviated Iceland Trip Report

Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to PinterestShare to Google+Share to More

Report Abuse


Printer Friendly




Hello everyone. I just returned from 8 days in Iceland (June 9 through the 16th) and thought I'd share some thoughts about Iceland. This was my first trip there and I absolutely LOVED ICELAND. For natural beauty, it is probably the most beautiful country I have visited. It was also my first trip to Scandinavia, which made it different from my other international travels that have mainly been focused on Mediterranean Europe, northern Africa, Japan and Central America/Caribbean. My primary objectives were to do some sporty activities and some incredible photography.

Traveling to Iceland was very easy--both Icelandair (which I flew) and Delta offer direct flights to Reykjavik from Minneapolis. The outbound, overnight flight was only 5 1/2 hours (where I was actually able to get some sleep on the plane) while the return flight was about 6 1/4 hours. Like others before me have noted, obtaining cash is pretty much unnecessary as credit cards were taken everywhere. I took out 5000 kronar (about $50USD) that I only used for tipping guides and drivers at the end of day or overnight tours.

My 8 days were entirely focused on the southern half of the country

Highlights of my Trip:
1. The Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon: Absolutely STUNNING! Some of my most haunting photos were from here.
2. Hiking on a glacier
3. Descending 400 ft. down to the surface of a volcano. The colors of all of the various rock and minerals were incredible.
4. All of the amazing waterfalls I saw, including Gulfoss (which I think gives Niagra Falls a run for its money), Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss, not to mention several others whose names I never learned.
5. Spending an incredible day touring the Snaefellness Peninsula. Black sand beaches, little fishing villages, descending down into and touring a lava cave and visiting Kirkjufell, the most photographed mountain in Iceland.
6. Reykjavik--a charming little city and witnessing the midnight sun.
7. The beautiful and charming Icelandic people. Everyone I met was so kind and truly happy to have you visit their country.
8. Picking up 2 gorgeous hand-knitted Icelandic sweaters.

The only downside (and it's minor, but as those who have gone before me have learned) is that food and alcohol are INCREDIBLY expensive. For example, as I'm a young man of the 80s, I love visiting Hard Rock Cafes in the cities I travel to. A burger, fries and a pint of beer were $40USD. And the shirt was $45! I did learn that you actually can find relative value in some of the more upscale restaurants in Reykjavik such as Resto where a 4-course dinner and one beer ran me just over $100USD. Again, this is a minor issue as food and alcohol are naturally expensive when visiting an island with little farmable land. And all of that spectacular beauty is more than enough compensation!

I would love to go back next summer or the summer after and spend a week touring the northern half of the country, including visiting Husavik for the whale watching, Lake Myvatn and of course, hitting Grimsey Island to get my photo standing next to the "you are on the Arctic Circle" monument.

I have some good friends who will be visiting Iceland in August and I can't wait to hear about their experiences. I can't recommend it highly enough to anyone with an interest in nature, activities, lovely people and in the case of summer, 24 hour daylight!
MinnBeef is offline  
Old Jun 25th, 2017, 05:14 PM
  #2  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Welcome back, David!
kja is offline  
Old Jun 25th, 2017, 06:03 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks kja. You are a force in every forum! Have you been to Iceland?
MinnBeef is offline  
Old Jun 25th, 2017, 06:18 PM
  #4  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not yet, but it is definitely a place I hope to visit! And when I do, I will read your report in detail and hope for the help that I know you will offer with your usual graciousness and thoughtfulness.

Good luck settling back into your routine.
kja is offline  
Old Jun 25th, 2017, 06:27 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Glad you had fun. Have wanted to see the northern lights, but recently saw photos of my nephew who encountered blizzard conditions in March and decided that this Florida gal should stay south!

Kja is certainly a well known source of information. I envy all the traveling she and so many other fodorites get to do. David - you too do your share of traveling!
dgunbug is offline  
Old Jun 25th, 2017, 07:39 PM
  #6  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@ MinnBeef & dgunbug: I feel lucky to have taken each and every trip I have taken, and I must admit that I envy the trips that the two of you have taken! (My shade of green gets pretty darn intense with a few of our other regulars -- but then, I never thought I would be able to travel, ever, so no complaints from me!) Whether a first trip or the last of many, I treasure the chance to share travel moments with people who also savor their opportunities to see the world - and IME, that includes each of you. Thanks to each of you for your kind words, and thanks so very much for sharing your travels!
kja is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2017, 03:53 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@kja: Absolutely! Happy to share any of my Iceland knowledge at whatever time you decide to make it your next trip.


@dgunbug: Yes, for sure. I believe that life is too short and not only is it important to travel while one's eyes are open but also, while one is still physically able to travel in the style one wants to. The night I returned from Iceland, I went ahead and cashed in some Chase Reward miles and booked my trip for next spring to Northern Spain and Portugal. I can't wait!
MinnBeef is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2017, 04:15 PM
  #8  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you haven't already seen it, you might want to look at my trip report for northern Spain and Catalunya. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
kja is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2017, 04:17 PM
  #9  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I meant that I'm sure you will enjoy your trip, not necessarily my report -- oops! How embarrassing!
kja is offline  
Old Jun 26th, 2017, 04:45 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Kja -very funny. Thank you for your kind words as well.
David - we start planning or dreaming of future trips before we leave home on the current vacation! How fortunate we all are.
dgunbug is offline  
Old Jun 28th, 2017, 08:45 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@kja: I have no doubt I will enjoy your trip report as well ! In fact, I remember glancing at it quickly as I was planning my first draft itinerary. I recalled you stayed in LaGuardia while you were in La Rioja, and I am planning to either stay there or in Logrono. Logrono seems to be much easier for getting around if I don't want to screw around with a rental car, although I don't know how feasible it then is to take taxis or some sort of publich transportation to bodegas like Lopez de Heredia (aka "the Holy Grail")

@dgunbug: Very true. I'm already noodling with the idea of heading back to Italy in 2019 as I have been studying Italian since January. (It's my heritage, but my Grandpa and Grandma who were right off the boat from Italy never taught my Mom and her siblings as back in the day, one left the old country behind and spoke English as they were in America now. If it's possible to have a regret that one had no control over, that's mine but I'm at least trying to remedy it a bit.
MinnBeef is offline  
Old Jun 28th, 2017, 04:31 PM
  #12  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What a memory! Yes, I did stay in LaGuardia and loved it, but seriously considered staying in Haro, instead, specifically because it would allow winery visits without a car. Lopez de Heredia is there, as are a number of other wineries. You might want to explore that option!
kja is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trebex
Europe
4
Jun 15th, 2017 01:13 PM
gard
Europe
11
Sep 27th, 2016 09:21 PM
live42day
Europe
13
Oct 2nd, 2015 11:26 PM
babuamus
Europe
14
Jun 24th, 2013 11:44 AM
egordon132
Europe
13
Jun 13th, 2007 11:00 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -