And now...the 100 best things in Iceland.
 

Nope, that's not a joke. I could do the hundred all by myself, but I'd love to hear from others. <BR>To begin <BR>1. Hike Thorvald's boulders and waterfalls. <BR>2. Ride Viking ponies through lava fields. <BR>3. Visit the volcano slides shown and explained by the scientist who took them when the island of Surtsey was born. <BR>4. Ride a bus through glacial rivers. <BR>5. Explore Reykjavik's adorable shops and long for a bigger budget. <BR>6. Eat seafood! <BR>7. Wander down in downtown Reykjavik in a 10PM dusk, watching the sunset. (ok, only in summer) <BR>8. Breathe deeply. Ahhh...world's cleanest air!

9. Stay warm

Amy, <BR> <BR>You may have to finish the list for us. None of us know all these wonderful things about Iceland. The only one I could think of is "runways at the airport just the right length so that Icelandair planes can take off to fly to the rest of Europe!" <BR>

Not at all difficult to do in <BR>10. the Blue Lagoon, geothermal pool with terrific skin care properties, and <BR>11. with a woolen sweater from all those sheep you'll see wandering about or <BR>12. at the original Geysir and <BR>13. in the boiling mud. (Okay, so maybe that's not on a par with the Louvre.)

Rex - <BR>How about snarfing down the free salmon at the airport gift shop while you wait for your plane?

Ok, that was for "Silly". Now a few more for Rex... <BR>14. whale watching on a fishing boat <BR>15. the President's house, just right on out there in the open <BR>16. greenhouse towns of amazing flowers and fruit <BR>17. elves in Hafnarfjordur (no, I didn't see them, but that doesn't mean they're not there) <BR>18. only five hours from the east coast <BR>19. 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer (and I come from a 90's/humid city) <BR>20. Viking sagas <BR>21. Rotten shark and pickled rams'--uh--parts (so, it's an adventure) <BR>22. Beautiful singing voices (pick up some CD's) <BR>I could go on, but I don't want to be greedy... <BR>23.

Well, maybe just a few more... <BR>23. Thingvellir, the Viking parliament, claimed as the first in Europe <BR>24. Tectonic plate fissures in Thingvellir national park (of course that's exciting!) <BR>25. Hotdogs (the national snack) down by the harbor <BR>26. Active volcanoes <BR>27. Snowmobiling on a glacier <BR>28. Puffins galore <BR>29. Lava fields with tiny wildflowers growing <BR>30. Sculpture museum of manageable size <BR>Hey, anybody else???

Admire the Beautiful Blond women of Iceland.and their perfect skin

That'll do for 31. <BR>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. <BR>33. Public heated swimming pools all over <BR>34. Lobster pasta under blue and white Viking sails at Pasta Basta in Reykjavik <BR>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)

Topping this because certainly more people than Amy have gone to Iceland. <BR>This is interesting!

Thank you, Nancy. The Iceland Appreciation Club here was starting to feel a little lonely. <BR>36. Climb to the top of Skogafoss (falls) and "on a clear day, you can see forever" <BR>37. Gaze into the calm teal waters of a crater lake <BR>38. Only telephone book that I know of in Europe that's listed by first names <BR>39. Great cheap public transport system in Reykjavik <BR>40. Tipping is not expected or even usually approved <BR>41. Colorful houses glowing in the lambent light <BR>42. Friendly helpful people who do not find it necessary to hover or handhold <BR>

We're flying Iceland Air for the first time in a few days...and this trip, we're not spending any time in Iceland, not with a two week max itinerary. But the enthusiasm of Amy, and others, sure makes it seem like a good bet for some future stopover. Iceland? Lobster? We'll be there!

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.

Amy, <BR>2 questions; <BR>Hot dogs are the national snack?! <BR>Is Iceland really as expensive as I have been led to believe? <BR>Since I live in a climate which is cool to cold, for at least 6 months of the year (and I am being generous) , 55F as a summer temp is not terribly appealing to me. <BR>But, what is Christmas time like there?

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. <BR>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.

Thanks so much. I almost booked one of those cheapie Icelandair fares this spring, but changed my mind for various reasons. But I'm still interested in the stopover in Reikjavik and the local sights and will probably do it some year. I appreciate the information.

Amy: <BR> Thanks for this post. I am going to Iceland in July for two weeks and could not believe there are so few Iceland postings. I also have heard it is really expensive but I think the scenery and nature in all its glory should offset that. Plus, I will have so many extra hours in the day to enjoy it. Thanks again. Now I am really anxious to go.

Amy, <BR> <BR>Thanks for you post!! I am considering it for a vacation in may/june, but have not done too much research on Iceland. How is "getting around" in Iceland? Do most tourist rent cars or use public transportation? ( I noticed you said they have a good system). Additionally, where did you stay?

You're quite welcome! <BR>A few more... <BR>43. highest # of books published and sold per capita in the world--and some of them are in English <BR>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 <BR>45. Dryohaey (sp) Peninsula, where the seabirds by the hundreds nest in the cliffs <BR>46. beautifully kept flower filled cemetaries (what? doesn't everybody like cemetaries?) <BR>47. big hotel rooms (by European standards) <BR>48. view from Perlan, the restaurant atop the water tower in Reykjavik <BR>49. Keflavik Airport's size and manageability <BR>50. Farmhouses that take guests

Shannon, 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: ) <BR>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.

Amy, <BR>thanks for the tour of Iceland. :) <BR>Maybe some year! <BR>How long is the flight from Boston/NY?

I fly out of JFK in New York, and it's a five hour flight. First time I flew out of JFK (to Russia in 1984) I saw the Icelandair sign and thought to myself: " Who in the world goes there??" : )

51. You can really CHILL OUT there!

Amy -- I am *really* enjoying this thread. I don't expect to visit Iceland any tiem soon -- but the "arm-chair" visit was much appreciated!

Amy, <BR>thanks for all your info. <BR>My son **loves** oizza, so will be happy with our trip to Italy this summer. <BR>My daughter loves hot dogs(!)so maybe a trip to Iceland is in the picture for the future. <BR>I gather you really enjoy Iceland. <BR>How many times have you been able to visit there ?

Glad to share! <BR>Nancy, I only "discovered" Iceland in 1995, so I've only been able to go twice, as France, Ireland, Switzerland, Israel, UK, Netherlands, Italy and Denmark "interfered" and my travelling buddies refused to go back to the same place all the time; ) <BR>However, I do want to try to get back ASAP, but of course there are many many more places I'd like to visit as well! (the eternal dilemma of the traveler, isn't it?) I've been travelling to Europe since I was 19, and, Lord willing, I've got at least another 40 years or so to try to visit as many different places as possible and still return to the old favorites. Oh, for an unlimited travel budget!! <BR>(But that's another thread, I think.)

Neat, interesting thread, Amy. <BR>How about for #52...look for Bork's home, birthplace, or something like that...?

Who be Bork?

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.

Amy, <BR>thanks again for all the info! <BR>I am copying this thread to keep for future. <BR>Even if I can not convince the rest of my family to go, I can certainly see a longweekend in Iceland, sometime in my future. <BR>Thanks again for this great thread! <BR>Have fun on all your journies.

Topping this for Jeri.

Topping

We were in Iceland the week before Christmas,it was in the 30's the whole time and lovely. Rented a car and the country is amazing. The deals in December are great, cheap hotel rooms but meals are expensive. The Blue Lagoon is worth going to, we went twice in one week!

We are going to Iceland in a month (for the 2nd time) and after all the positive responses can't wait. I just hope they have improved the coffee. The last time we were there(1967) it was made from seaweed. Is it still? But believe me coffee is not high on our priorities.

Um, the coffee still wouldn't make the 100 best list, let's say, but I don't think it's seaweed anymore. <BR>XX {That's my fingers crossed for going back to Iceland in--Ta dah!--August of this year. It looks pretty promising right now, so here's hoping!

Topping this one for Anissa--and for me! <BR>I didn't make it in August, but I'm scheduled to go this Friday!

Amy, <BR> <BR>Thank you!!! I'm so excited to go over - the only Scandinavian country that I've been to is Denmark and I can't wait to see Iceland. It sounds lovely, although I wish that I could see it in the summer - I'm afraid that going in November, while lovely, may be cold for my southern bones and I won't have as much daylight as I would like! But, beggers can't be choosers as the saying goes. How far is the Blue Lagoon in time from the city? And how far is the tectonic plate?

Hi, Anissa! <BR>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. <BR>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? :-)

Amy - you shouldn't be alone! Booked a quick trip to Iceland this past March and LOVED it. <BR> <BR>53. Most literate country in the world at 99.9% <BR>54. 8th wealthiest country in the world <BR>55. Standing between the North American and Eurasian tetonic plates - one of the most amazing feelings <BR>56. Icelanders speak several languages fleuently. <BR>57. Gullfoss - an amazing waterfall that's gorgeous in the winter. <BR>58. The 'safety' signs around the geysirs - simply posted 'it's hot'. <BR>59. Blue Lagoon skin care products; the best lotion I've ever found! Look on www.bluelagoon.is. <BR>60. It's home of the first parlimentarian government in the world. <BR>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. <BR>62. Fish stew - Really quite yummy there. <BR> <BR>Anyone else? :-)

Where is Gullfoss?? Is that close enough that I can get there? I'll be there mid-day on Fri, and will have all day Sat and sun, my plane leaves on Mon. Also, are things open on Sun? or should that be my "rest/relaxation day??"