Jeffrey, DKW - This is difficult to answer. I'm very happy that I did the ring road, but I won't do it again unless I can spend a month doing it! Also, I have my favorite areas & least favorite areas, but the experience could be vastly different for you, depending on the weather!

I loved Akureryi. The hostel there is excellent! Scenery spectacular, etc, etc. Also, the hostel at Osar - perfect! Very remote, seal colony in front, mountain in back, excellent host...what more could you ask for?

My favorite town was Seydisfjordur in the East. Beautiful hiking! I'm sure everywhere in between our stops was spectacular, we probably blew right by it all because of our limited schedule.

One thing I did regret was spending two nights in Reykjavik. It's a beautiful city, but I would have stayed those two valuable nights somewhere on the ring road, spent the morning of our departure hiking around Reykjavik, and then headed to the airport for our afternoon departure.

I'm sure no matter where you decide to spend your time, you'll find it so spectacular that you'll be planning your return trip the minute you get home. I think about going back again ALL THE TIME!

Kay in Michigan
[email protected]

Jeffrey - we did not do a SuperJeep tour, though I would've loved it, I'm sure. My impression was that all tours were closed for the season (we travelled in late September). That's another thing I'd like to do on a return trip...explore some of the interior!
Kay

Jeffrey, DKW - one more post! Highlights: hiking to Glymur, hiking above Skogafoss, sitting with the seals in complete solitude, my first encounter with a ghost!

Feel free to contact me at my personal email. I have journals that I sent home with details about where we stayed, favorite things we experience, etc.

Kay

Thanks for the great info Kay. I will be e-mailing you directly as well! I am curious (as i am sure anyone who reads this is) about the ghost encounter. More details please!!!!

DKW

P.S. I am also in Michigan...Northern Oakland County

My 2 teenagers have become obsessed with going to Iceland this summer (I have no idea why) and your post provided more info than I have found here before.

While everyone who has been says it is memorable, I am having some difficulty planning out a trip - other than just rent a vehicle and do Golden Circle - any suggestions on how to start filling out an itinerary.

Gail - what you can do very much depends on how much time you have in Iceland. If you have enough time, a trip round Iceland via the ring-road is a basic itinerary starting point.

Was any of the information in your other thread useful?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34548953

HI Gail,

Well I think it first depends on how much time you have--have you thought about the length of your trip at all? I was only there for four full days and in that time we were able to cover a lot of ground, but I wished we'd had at least one more day. All the major and most well-known sights are a short drive from Reykjavik--the Golden Circle area. If we'd had more time I would have maybe gone east to Akureyri (the second largest city) and /or to the Westmann Islands.

Is there anything in particular your kids want to do/see? I suggest you buy a guidebook, have them make a list and try to build your trip around it.

Iceland is a fascinating place and I think you'd all have a great time there!

Patti

Hi Patti,

My boyfriend and I are going to Iceland in late March. I am worried about how expensive everything is going to be - do you have any suggestions for saving $? Also, I know that you were there in July, but do you think that we still be able to do a lot of outdoor sightseeing, etc?

What should we not miss?

Thanks!

Hi flyinryanka

I was in Iceland at the end of March and early April last year. It snowed everyday but I didn't think it was that cold - Mid 40's. I stayed at the Baldursbra B&B. Nothing fancy, but cheap and an easy walk to town. I paid around $50 a night. They give you a discount for paying cash and for staying a certain number of nights.

I did 2 day trips - the Golden Circle and South Shores with Iceland Excursions. I enjoyed both and they give you a nice overview of the amazing diversity of Iceland.

I had breakfast at the B&B, skipped lunch and then went to the grocery store for dinner. It was interesting to try and figure out some of the names on the food. I kept my food costs to less than $10 a day. Not as nice as in a restaurant but a whole lot cheaper. Iceland is an amazing country. I definitely plan on going back. Enjoy your trip!

I am considering a trip towards the end of April...will it be as pretty/scenic with the weather? Would you advise against going during this time? thanks

Topping

great report!

Re: your quest for SKYR - I know someone from Iceland who says that the Greek yogurt (I think the brand name is Fago) available here in the U.S. tastes very similar to Skyr. He often eats it with brown sugar and cream as breakfast or for a treat.

HI amr6,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have tried greek yogurt before but I think it was before I had skyr, so maybe it'll be close...

Patti

Husband and I are heading to CDG next march/april and on the way back we are stopping for one night in reykjavik. We got a good fare on Iceland Air out of BOS. We were going to go straight round trip but decided to stop just to stop. A couple of questions. 1. We are thinking of staying at the Hotel Fron. Anyone have any experience with it? 2. We were also thinking of doing a quick tour the day we leave. Itinerary: p.u. at hotel at 9:00, arrive at Ishestar Riding Center for pony ride on lava fields; Lunch at Riding Center restaurant; Ride to Blue Lagoon for a dip; travel to airport for departure at 4:45. Of course the riding center says this is a popular tour and very doable timewise. Is it? and would the weather be too severe? Any thoughts would be helpful. Oh yes, we arrive in Reykjavik on a wednesday at 3:45. What is there to do in Reykjavik that evening besides go out for drinks. I read something about the Northern Lights and being able to see them even right outside the brightest of the city area. True?

topping for a reply.

A must see is the Icelandic Penis Museum: http://www.time.com/time/europe/webo.../08/penis.html

Hi opaldog,

What about stopping at the Blue Lagoon on your way from the airport? It's open til 8pm. That will give you something to do on your evening and will free up time on the day you're flying out so you won't feel so rushed.

Patti

I'm thinking about doing the Blue Lagoon on the way from the airport to Reykjavik. Another poster mentioned how the water does a job on your hair. I would want to be able to shower and condition my hair. Yes, it's vain of me, but that's what I'm thinking.

Blue Lagoon requires you to shower before entering the pool. They provide shower/shampoo in bottles beside the showers. So, as soon as you come in from the pool, you may shower/shampoo and your hair will be fine.

We were in the pool at least 1 hour and we didn't notice ANY problems with our hair.

Just go and enjoy, Blue Lagoon is very relaxing.