AnaBelen

DH and I have finally settled on Iceland for an Aug or Sept trip. So far we have four different travel books and lots of information from posts on this site (maybe too much information....most of it has formed one big jumble in my brain). We are thinking of a two week trip around the ring road, but I am worried that we will end up spending too much time in the car. Any thoughts on this from anyone who has done it? I know the mileage, but it is hard to estimate how long the driving will take. Our main interests are hiking and nature photography, and we prefer independent travelling to tours. Also, what in your opinion are the "don't miss" hikes and/or drives?
Thanks in advance

laclaire

Do not miss the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes peninsula (near Reykjavik). I was there in April a few years ago and did a 10 mile hike, starting in Reykjavik and walking along the water (to clear my thoughts. . . no clear destination), then I headed back to the city. There was nothing particularly interesting about it except that it is like walking on the moon and seeing the occasional pony (there was a pony farm not far). If by the Ring road you mean around the entire island, that is a lot of driving, but perhaps you could do Reykjavik to Akureri, then take the inland road back (which has more interesting terrain). Will you camp?

Claire

AnaBelen

Thanks Claire. We will definitely visit the Blue Lagoon. As for the rest of the trip, we do not plan on camping. We need to decide what we are going to see and then on accomodations. There are so many great sounding choices that it is a bit daunting!

AustinTraveler

Definitely do not miss Skaftafell. With a little light hiking you'll see Svartifoss (Black Falls) and a glacier. It really is awesome. There is a lagoon close by there too where you can take a boat ride to see the glacier up close (very cold!!). They filmed part of one of the 007 movies there.

Also, don't miss going to Thingvellir, home of the first parliment. Also, gullfoss (Golden Falls) and Strokkur and Geysir (geysers that are definitely a step above Old Faithful!).

Also, be sure and spend some time in Reykjavik as it's a great little city.

Also, with two weeks you have plenty of time to do the whole ring road. It sounds like you're the perfect type of travelers for Iceland...interested in nature and photography and a preference for going it alone. I would suggest studying geology just a little bit cause if you do you'll just be blown away at all the geology "examples" you'll run across in Iceland.

dkw

Hi Ana,

My Husband and I drove the Ring Road in two weeks last August. We felt that our pace was perfect for the type of travel that we enjoy. We spent 2-3 nights at each stop, visiting attractions in each area during the day.

Here is our trip report: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34670021

There is also a link to our photo site in that thread as well.

As for time in the car, we spent 4-5 hrs in the car about every three days. We didn't feel that it was excessive at all. We were forever stopping to take photos, look at scenery, picnic, stop at a gas station for hot dogs....etc. So it wasn't constant time in the car. We had plenty of time for our many day trips and activities.

Our list of do-not-miss activities include:

White Water Rafting
Cave Exploration Tour
Golden Circle
Blue Lagoon
Side trip to Dettifoss
Glacial Lagoon

The only thing we wouldn't do again.....Whale Watching in Husavik

I'd be happy to answer any more questions as you think of them. I know your confusion. With so little first hand information, the difficulties of the place names, and not knowing just how long the travel time will be from one point to another Iceland I found the trip to be a little harder to plan than previous trips.

DKW

AnaBelen

DKW, great trip report! We have decided to go around the Ring Road, and we are really excited about the trip. Now we need to spend some time planning the details. I will post an itinerary when we get ourselves sorted out.
Thanks,
Ana

burnhamski

Hey DKW! Loved your report, used a lot of it to plan our own 2 week Ring Road itinerary for Augus 2006. Also loved the very funny (but insightful!)comments by your husband at the end... and ta-da! very surprised to see his comments on the lead page in the Iceland section of the newest Fodors Scandanavia. Good reporting to you both.

dkw

Hi Burnhamski,

Thanks for the info about the Scandinavia guide. I ran to the bookstore today and bought a copy to surprise my Husband. We feel like Fodor's stars And also, thanks for the kind comments about our report. I'm glad it was helpful to you.

I'd love to hear what your itinerary is going to be. Will you be able to be in Reykjavik during the Cultural Festival?

Ana, a belated thanks for your kind comments as well. Do you have your itinerary worked out yet? I've been watching for it!

DKW

moxie

Wonderful report dkw; you have swayed me to go to Iceland and not St Petersbourg.