You really, really want me to? Okay...And now...the 100 best things in Iceland.

Message: Nope, that's not a joke. I could do the hundred all by myself, but I'd love to hear from others.
To begin
1. Hike Thorvald's boulders and waterfalls.
2. Ride Viking ponies through lava fields.
3. Visit the volcano slides shown and explained by the scientist who took them when the island of Surtsey was born.
4. Ride a bus through glacial rivers.
5. Explore Reykjavik's adorable shops and long for a bigger budget.
6. Eat seafood!
7. Wander down in downtown Reykjavik in a 10PM dusk, watching the sunset. (ok, only in summer)
8. Breathe deeply. Ahhh...world's cleanest air!
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: 9. Stay warm
------------------------------------------------------------------10. the Blue Lagoon, geothermal pool with terrific skin care properties, and
11. with a woolen sweater from all those sheep you'll see wandering about or
12. at the original Geysir and
13. in the boiling mud. (Okay, so maybe that's not on a par with the Louvre.)
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How about snarfing down the free salmon at the airport gift shop while you wait for your plane?
------------------------------------------------------------------14. whale watching on a fishing boat
15. the President's house, just right on out there in the open
16. greenhouse towns of amazing flowers and fruit
17. elves in Hafnarfjordur (no, I didn't see them, but that doesn't mean they're not there)
18. only five hours from the east coast
19. 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer (and I come from a 90's/humid city)
20. Viking sagas
21. Rotten shark and pickled rams'--uh--parts (so, it's an adventure)
22. Beautiful singing voices (pick up some CD's)
I could go on, but I don't want to be greedy...
23. Thingvellir, the Viking parliament, claimed as the first in Europe
24. Tectonic plate fissures in Thingvellir national park (of course that's exciting!)
25. Hotdogs (the national snack) down by the harbor
26. Active volcanoes
27. Snowmobiling on a glacier
28. Puffins galore
29. Lava fields with tiny wildflowers growing
30. Sculpture museum of manageable size
Hey, anybody else???
Date: 02/24/2001, 06:58 am

Message: Admire the Beautiful Blond women of Iceland.and their perfect skin
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That'll do for 31.
32. Visit the old style turf home and museum in the village of Skogar. It's like visiting an elderly relative with a fascinating history.
33. Public heated swimming pools all over
34. Lobster pasta under blue and white Viking sails at Pasta Basta in Reykjavik
35. Walk to the city airport and catch a flight to the north or to Greenland (and realize how "mild" Iceland is in comparison to Greenland)
------------------------------------------------------------------36. Climb to the top of Skogafoss (falls) and "on a clear day, you can see forever"
37. Gaze into the calm teal waters of a crater lake
38. Only telephone book that I know of in Europe that's listed by first names
39. Great cheap public transport system in Reykjavik
40. Tipping is not expected or even usually approved
41. Colorful houses glowing in the lambent light
42. Friendly helpful people who do not find it necessary to hover or handhold
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: I'll second the Gullfoss Waterfall and walking through Thingvellir National Park in the canyon where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. Just driving through the incredible landscape is perfect.
------------------------------------------------------------------Author: Amy (Missalg@hotmail.com)
Date: 02/24/2001, 09:00 pm

Message: Yup, the hotdog thing is for real. There is a tiny stand down by the harbor where there is always a line of people in business suits, tourist togs, and everything in between. (The hotdog stands are all over Denmark, as well.) The reason for the hotdog popularity is probably partly due to, yes, unfortunately, it is quite expensive in Iceland, as many things need to be imported to the island. However, you can get good deals on hotels and tours through Icelandair (and, I'm sure, others) and there are farm holidays and such in the summer that cost even less. We usually "picnic" one meal and do one in a restaurant; the included breakfasts in the hotels are large, not continental, usually.
I haven't yet been there at Christmas, much as I would like it; there are special trips for that time, and the average temp in the winter is actually one degree higher than NYC! Of course, the long, long summer days are offset by very short ones in the winter. Check out Icelandair's site; they've got terrific brochures that give you a real feel for the place.
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43. highest # of books published and sold per capita in the world--and some of them are in English
44. **warning**very touristic, but fun: buy a Reykjavik Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt and confuse the living daylights out of most of the people in the USA
45. Dryohaey (sp) Peninsula, where the seabirds by the hundreds nest in the cliffs
46. beautifully kept flower filled cemetaries (what? doesn't everybody like cemetaries?)
47. big hotel rooms (by European standards)
48. view from Perlan, the restaurant atop the water tower in Reykjavik
49. Keflavik Airport's size and manageability
50. Farmhouses that take guests
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Message: I've always used the public transport/taxis in Reykjavik, and tours (mostly of about 12-20 people) to reach the outlying areas. The tours were definitely not the typical coach tours!! I understand the driving can be difficult as not all the roads are paved or even marked. In addition, some places are inaccessible except by special vehicles. However, they do offer fly+drive packages, so it must be doable! Just depends on your sense of adventure in driving, I guess. I've stayed in Hotels Island and Saga, and prefer Saga's location. I can't remember the hotels in some of the outlying towns, but usually there's not a whole lot of choice: )
Have a wonderful time, all of you who are going this summer. I'll be in Portugal, but I'm looking at Iceland for October.
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: 51. You can really CHILL OUT there!
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: Neat, interesting thread, Amy.
How about for #52...look for Bork's home, birthplace, or something like that...?
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Message: You can easily rent a car in Rejkavik and drive out along the Ring road all around the island or just out on day trips into the country-- to Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Blue Lagoon etc... A car allows you to be as independent as possible.
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The Blue Lagoon is maybe 30-45 minutes outside of the city; there are busses and bus tours that go. Thingvellir, with the tectonic plate fissures, is usually part of what's called the "Golden Circle" tour, so I'm not sure how long it would take to just go to there. Also, unfortunately, if it snows it's not accessible.
It probably will be pretty cold, but the Gulf Stream moderates the temperatures and it really doesn't get terribly bad, from what I understand. Do take a waterproof coat, though--it can go from rain to sun back to rain just about instantly! (Or, in November, possibly snow.) I'll probably post back after my trip with "fall-ish" info, as my trips before were in the summer. (but I'd go any time--or could you tell?
------------------------------------------------------------------Author: Jen (jen_h_ma@yahoo.com)
Date: 10/04/2001, 08:05 am

Message: Amy - you shouldn't be alone! Booked a quick trip to Iceland this past March and LOVED it.

53. Most literate country in the world at 99.9%
54. 8th wealthiest country in the world
55. Standing between the North American and Eurasian tetonic plates - one of the most amazing feelings
56. Icelanders speak several languages fleuently.
57. Gullfoss - an amazing waterfall that's gorgeous in the winter.
58. The 'safety' signs around the geysirs - simply posted 'it's hot'.
59. Blue Lagoon skin care products; the best lotion I've ever found! Look on www.bluelagoon.is.
60. It's home of the first parlimentarian government in the world.
61. You get to fly on Icelandair - where the flight attendents don't take any c*** from passengers, and you suddenly realize who buys all the old planes! EEK! Forutnately, the pilots have got to be good to regularly fly in such a harsh environment.
62. Fish stew - Really quite yummy there.

Anyone else?
Author: Jen (jen_h_ma@yahoo.com)
Date: 10/04/2001, 02:30 pm

Message: Gullfoss is part of the Golden Circle - kind of near Pingvellir (I'm sure I'm spelling that wrong) National Park. Ask anyone when you are there - not a far drive from Reykjavik.

There are plenty of tour itineraries that you could go on, or replicate on Sunday. I'd take a rest if you'll be busy other days and hang out at the Blue Lagoon. Though it might be a bit warm now, I gotta say that sitting in 100 degree water in March in -10 degree weather was pretty cool. Never thought I'd wear both a bathing suit and my ski hat together...quite a site! They also have a lovely looking restaurant there.
------------------------------------------------------------------#63 - no lutefisk???
------------------------------------------------------------------Author: Escritora (aphra_abroad@yahoo.com)
Date: 10/05/2001, 12:07 pm

Message: OK, did I miss it in the list somewhere, or has no one yet spoken those immortal words:

Phallological Museum!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: Okay, Escritora, you've got number 64! Jen, thanks for your glowing contributions. (By the way, the beginning of the parliament place is an Icelandic letter that looks like {according to one guide} a "pregnant i", but it's pronounced like the th in "thing" and is usually spelled like that for the non-Icelandic)
I've got a few more to add after a renewing visit, October 5th to 10th.
65. Rainbows!!!
66. the view from Hallgrim's church bell tower--especially at noon with the carillon going wild above your head
67. the kid's park and zoo at Laugardalur
68. an official city guide that includes how to say the phrase "you're cute" in Icelandic, English, and German
69. black sand beaches, with cliffs and caves
70. soup, soup, beautiful soup
71. the tapestry that autumn makes of the low growing plants
72. "Our only army is the Salvation Army"
73. dogsledding available!
74. tap water that's better than most bottled water
75. the puffiest, fluffiest sheep ever-- they're so cute!
76. skyr--sorta like yogurt, only a lot better
77. sculpture in many public places
78. greenhouses that grow tropical plants and flowers, just a few degrees below the Arctic Circle
79. a special glowing quality to the light--but it's not there for too long this time of year!
80. waterfalls of all kinds--including one you can walk behind
81. a glacier that is black due to volcanic ash--land of fire and ice incarnate!
82. the little steam engine that could, sitting at the harbor
83. extremely exhilarating wind (and even rain--but do wear something to cover your ears)

Message: #84 Play the Iceland's national sport, tree hunting.
------------------------------------------------------------------Author: Judy (cyc33@hotmail.com)
Date: 10/12/2001, 09:38 am

Message:
61:have afternoon tea in the tiny cafe by candle light on the top of towering spire of Hallgrimskirkja church,overview miles of miles of Reykjavik.

62:riding Icelandic horse on purple Lupins covered meadows or lava fields.

63:catching trouts in the crystal clear glacier stream.

64:hiking on black sand deserts with giantic black and white glaciers by the skyline.

65. visiting tiny fishing ports along the picturesque fjords on the east coast.

Iceland is for all seasons, but if you really like to appreciate the magnificient sceneries ,summer will be a better choice for the long daylight and open roads.
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: Oops, please change the number to 85.
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: Just reminded of one for #90 by an e-mail I received...
90. low population density! (oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above; don't fence me in)
91. And speaking of starry skies, aurora borealis can be seen here--but alas, not when I was there (the nights weren't clear or cold enough)
For a one-time deal, I'd choose summer, I think, because it's only then that Thor's Woods (Thorsmork) is accessible, plus you get all those lovely long sunlit days. On the other hand, I do agree that any time would be great!
------------------------------------------------------------------Author: Jen (jen_h_ma@yahoo.com)
Date: 10/17/2001, 10:02 pm

Message: OK - I have a couple more...

92. The Tower room in the Hotel Borg. Great hotel room(s), with living room, 2 bathrooms, and a huge bedroom.
93. Dinner at Apotek.
94. Nightclubs that stay open until 9:00am!
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Message: Catching up on a few of the questions...
I don't actually have a list of my top 10 seafood places, as some of the best were in farmhouses and little spots in the fishing villages. Hotel Island's restaurant was good five years ago (haven't been since) and Laederbrekker and Caruso in the downtown area of Reykjavik were very good. One of the top-ranked restaurants in the world is in one of the hotels there-- Siggi Hall's Odinsve, I believe it's called--but I haven't had the luck to get there yet!
Mo, it's a five hour flight from the east coast. Icelandair and Amtrak do a codeshare to BWI that works really well from my area, and they also fly out of New York.

And...
95. Hot chocolate with whipped cream and a flakey pastry from the bakery along the main street while you're waiting for your hotel...and then being able to check in at 9:30AM! Calloo, callay!! (Of course, this was probably due to it being off-season, but still!) Also, hotel breakfasts are pretty good and sustaining.
------------------------------------------------------------------Author: smuggli (smuggli@dickjones.com)
Date: 10/29/2001, 07:45 pm

Message: 95.) One the of the Government web pages (I forget which one) actually advised tourists that Icelandic women can be "dangerously friendly".

96.) The Irish pub, where you can sit at any table, speak to anyone, and no one buys individual drinks... everyone offers to get the next round for the whole table.

97.) The sheep round ups. Oh man... best part of our trip!

It was great, they really don't have a lot of fences there in Iceland, so the farmers jump on their horses, and just start rounding up sheep that are roaming the country side. Many of the locals show up to help round up sheep into a central area and start grabbing them in this big cement circle where they all are sorted by ear tags. If you find one that's yours, you grab it by the horn and drag it to your pen. I'll never forget seeing a tall, beuatiful icelandic woman who, at 9:00AM had a tall can of beer in one hand and a sheep by the horns in her other hand!
------------------------------------------------------------------Author: smuggli (smuggli@dickjones.com)
Date: 10/29/2001, 07:54 pm

Message: I fell 1 number behind...

we're actually on 98 right?

98.) The nice people in the tourist office at the bottom of the hill who translated the Icelandic news for a frightened American on Sept. 11th.
------------------------------------------------------------------Author: Jen (jen_h_ma@yahoo.com)
Date: 10/30/2001, 08:58 am

Message: 99. The low crime rate - we left our camera in the taxi from the airport to Reykjavik, told our hotel of this, and they replied 'oh, there's only 1 taxi company that services the airport - what kind of car did you drive in, and was it a male or female driver?' Once we had given those facts, a phone call was made to the taxi company, and our camera was returned an hour later. Unreal!
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: Ooh, this is exciting! We're almost at 100! Can I quote just a fragment of Emily D.?
100. "Beauty crowds me"...but that's the only thing that does.
------------------------------------------------------------------Message: Someone asked about seafood restaurants- Naust is great, and so is the Pearl which I'm surprised no one has mentioned. It has a glass dome ceiling and the food is great.
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Hi, Katrina!
Didn't want to "hijack" your thread, but this thread isn't able to be called up anymore due to Fodor's indexing holes. I've edited a bit for space, and I hope it will give you a little help in your plans! (check out #67, for example)

Anyway, for small children, there are of course advantages and disadvantages, but I'd think that it would be just as easy and as much fun for them as a large city like London.

Have a lovely trip, whatever you do!

Katrina... your children will not care about whether they are in Iceland or London. We took our daughter to Hawaii when she was 3, big mistake. She now says, "oh sure, take me to Hawaii when I didn't know it." Go to Iceland, it's probably a little calmer than London ... slow down, we found that short trips in the morning, then an afternoon of "normal activities" worked best when we traveled with a toddler. PS... she's 21 now and relatively adjusted, even tho she doesn't remember the black sand beach in Hana. Have a grand time!