3-4 days in Iceland, late September
 

Stopping in Iceland late Sept. after spending 11 days in Germany. Staying in Reykjavik at the Hotel Esja. We need ideas on what to do and where to eat. Highlights of things not to be missed.

I stayed in Hotel Esja also. I would highly reccomend taking the golden circle tour which is put on by Iceland air, it takes you on a one day tour outside of rekjavik to a hot spring park , a geysir, the old parliament, and the gulfoss waterfall, you can book this through the hotel. You should also take a tour of the city to see their modern "great Church" and other landmarks

I agree with the city and grand circle tour. Also consider plane or boat to Heimei. Myvaten and the north are wonderful, but requires a stay over.

Also consider day trip to Greenland - very interesting. Bring passport.

Instead of taking an organized day trip out of Reykjavik, I would rent a car and follow their itinerary. We did that and the roads were great and we weren't rushed. The gorge at Thingvellir and the Gullfoss are really beatiful.

My wife and I lived three years in Iceland. I agree with the last poster, rent a car and see for yourself - the roads are great. It used to be and probably still is a law that a driver must stop if you are in trouble along the side of the road - The Icelanders can get you out of any problem you may have. By all meand see Thingvellir (This is where the chief used to turn his back on his people who were on the plain below him and when he spoke his words would bounce off the walls and his people could hear him very well), Gullfoss is a waterfall not to be missed. There ;used to be a whaleing station just north west, about an hours drive out of Reykjavik, if still there it is a must see since you can't see this anyplace else. <BR>Dinner in the old Hotel Borg was great when we were there assume it hasn't really changed although all of Reykjavik has changed quite a bit. People talk about the Blue Lagoon in town, It was not there when we lived there check it out. <BR>One tip - when out walking in the hinterland, be careful where you step, Iceland is heated by geothermal (sp) Hot Water!! very hot if you step thru the earth's crust into boiling water. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip <BR>Cheers!! Terry

There is a trade-off to taking a tour and going by car. <BR> <BR>You lose some freedom, but gain a guide, which we find is useful if you want to understand more fully what you see. <BR> <BR>We prefer a guide, but it is a matter of choice. If you can afford it, consider a private car and guide.

We stayed at the Esja on our 2-night stop-over. Perfectly nice hotel, but too far from the center of town to walk. You can take the city bus, but we decided to go with a rental car. On our one full day, we drove to the same "golden circle" sights that the tours go to and very much enjoyed the flexibility of being on our own. Driving in Iceland is VERY easy - good roads, well-marked. Very few other cars, but enough so you don't feel lost. For restaurant meals in town, we just strolled around the compact core of Reykjavik and looked at the posted menus. Lots of very nice places (none of which I can remember the name of!). <BR>The Blue Lagoon is a must. An enormous hot spring bathing area. The temperature ranges from nicely warm to too-hot depending on where you go in the swimming area. Go there on your way back to the airport, whether by bus (arranged by the hotel) or in your rental car. <BR>If you have a car, drive to the mall that's rather near the Esja. (You can even walk - it's less than a mile, I think.) They have a big supermarket where you can load up with picnic supplies. Get lots of the delicious salmon!! <BR>We poked into the Hard Rock Cafe at the same mall to get tee-shirts to bring back to our teenage nieces.