Do I want to go to Iceland Sept. 2021?
 

Just starting to research. A group is heading out on a trip. It looks interesting if a bit remote.

Depends on your interests I guess. We thought we'd fall in love with it, but we didn't.

You won't know until you go.

My TR if you're interested:

https://www.fodors.com/community/roa...-trip-1453922/

Thanks for your insight and trip report. I am reading it carefully. I’m more of a city girl so not quite sure if this is for me. My friends are going and I’m thinking of joining them.

Hope it helps.

We went in 2015 and absolutely loved it! We were supposed to go back last summer, but of course that was cancelled, so we are scheduled to return in August as well as February. Both trips are planned and everything purchased.

FWIW, our adult daughter has been twice so far, and is very excited to be going again. Same with our son, except he has only been once so far.

We had to cancel our trip there last June and will go in 2022. We love cities but now visiting a place filled with natural wonders has an even greater appeal.

We mostly had a great time but it's the sort of place that some like and others really don't.

anyway you may find my TR from 2008 helpful - or not.

https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/mum-s-been-to-iceland-or-round-iceland-with-a-cucumber-411393/

TPAYT - not sure why the TR is loading at the top of the second page [I tried reposting it but it didn't do any good] but if you scroll up you'll soon find the start.

Melnq8....annhig...and TeddG (in Annhig’s trip report)

I’m about half way through your trip reports and loving all the details. Excellent
a, b, and f road comparison, haha! Now I’m second guessing my idea of going.
My friends are going on a scheduled tour so we wouldn’t have to deal with driving.

Our last adventure together was in Nov. 2019 to Paris and then a bus tour to the
French Riviera. Somehow Iceland seems like the exact opposite. The scenery in Iceland
is a big draw but the food situation is a bit off putting. Don’t mind the cost, but quality is
a big deal. A great dinner with wine is high on my list of travel experiences.
Oh boy, decisions, decisions.

Thanks for posting your trip reports. I will finish them tomorrow. I think they will be a big
help in my decision.

Thanks for the links to the 2 trip reports. Good information there.

We are headed to Iceland for 9 days this summer. When opening was announced, summer Iceland nonstops were cheap: $500 RT on either Icelandair or Delta, and $1050 RT in Icelandair's Saga class (Delta's comparable "premium select" class was $2000). Summer basic economy flights even dipped to an incredible $315 RT in April. Dublin was also being offered for $1000 Saga Class, but in March I thought that was too risky (but now Ireland will be open by summer anyway). Reykjavik is only a 6 hour nonstop for me so similar length as flying to San Juan or Puerto Vallarta. New Zealand is a true flying ordeal, something like 22 hours all the way to the South Island, so that needs to be factored in to country comparisons. Although the Iceland rental car will cost double NZ and for 5 fewer days.

We were able to book a trip around the island with private toilets at all lodging averaging about $150 night and the highest price $200/night. Restaurant food and alcohol are not that important to us and looking forward to experimenting with cooking the local fish. We plan on bringing with us lemon juice, cajun spice, cilantro, and packets of honey and soy sauce, whatever needed to spice up grilled fish. Looking for mostly hiking destinations, and hoping there will be a lull in the crowds this year. Transited Keflavik 6 times now so at least will finally get to see what the rest of the country looks like.

Concerned about the occasional requirement for furtive public urination.

Sounds like a great trip, Tom. I honestly don't remember seeing any fish for sale but perhaps I wasn't looking for it and it was 13 years ago. I hope you find food that you like!

I spent 2 weeks in Iceland the next month after Melnq8 's visit in July .

Actually I wanted to go in July but the President of Iceland told me that Iceland was not big enough for Melnq8 and I at the same time !!

So I was forced to leave the next month in August.

I have read Melnq8's excellent report and I virtually followed her vehicle to the placers she went.

I did almost all of the Fjords on the East side of Iceland as we ziz-zagged our way from Egilssatir to Hofn..... I did all those Fjords and small towns.

Melnq8's pictures give you a nice idea of what it is like driving along the road in Iceland.

I had a private guide in many places as I did not want to drive.

Make sure you do see Dettifoss Falls

I will post a few pictures and make a few comments.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cb34addf80.jpg
There are golf courses in Iceland ! This is the view from my patio at the hotel in Borgarnes . I walked on the green as no players were is sight yet.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d6250482a3.jpg
When you come into Hofn , the golf course is right along the right hand side. Where else can you play golf and see volcanic mountains and have an ocean background !!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...104ed4c199.jpg
When you are passing by the town of Djupivogur on you way back to Reykjavik from Hofn via Vik , then what most people miss is that at the east end of the town is Merry Bay, which has a granite collection of 34 bird eggs ( of all the birds that nest in Iceland). The first egg is a Loon's egg.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7123a8334b.jpg
Eyjafjallajokull Volcano on the Horizon with The Famous Farm House before the Eruption in the Valley.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...009e139f5d.jpg
This is the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull Volcano on April 14 2010. Remember when flights to Europe were canceled due to all that volcanic ash..... well this is where it came from.. Poor farm house !!! , Well here it is again.....
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...772e5eaf1c.jpg
Here is that farmhouse today, all is fine and back to normal after much cleaning up and construction . !!!
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...34856fffd9.jpg
When you are on your way to Reykjavik or from Reykjavik you will pass this very nice town of Selfoss right along Route # 1, well, Bobby Fischer World Chess Champion died in Reykjavik and buried in Selfoss. Here is his gravesite in the Church yard.

Oh yes, if you do go to Iceland, then be aware of their politics.

I was unaware and wound up in jail

Here is my report about that episode !!!!!

https://www.fodors.com/community/fod...segow-1471087/


also if you visit the Penis Museum you can make a "donation " ;)

Here is my brief report.

https://www.fodors.com/community/fod...eland-1472086/

TPAYT - On the way home from Paris a few years ago, we took a 2-night stopover in Reykjavik. After spending the afternoon in the National Museum of Iceland (highly recommended), we walked in the rain back to our hotel and passed Le Bistro, a small restaurant about a block away. It looked pleasant and the price was not exorbitant like many others we had passed. But, we decided to try to find something Icelandic. Just as we left the hotel, a heavy rain began and we ran down to the Bistro where we had a very pleasant dinner. The next night we were so tired from the Golden Circle all-day tour that we had no energy left for wandering to find our Icelandic food, so it was back to the Bistro. So if you find the food offerings in Iceland lacking and very expensive, there is a little corner bistro to retreat to. ;)
https://lebistro.is/en/

Percy....read through your trip report and all the responses from other Fodorites, very helpful. Still haven’t
decided now that more of Europe seems to be opening but it’s still on the list.

maineGG.....somehow you knew you’d get me with the French Bistro since I post about Paris often. If we go to Iceland it will definitely be on the top of our dining list.

Seriously, I know there are probably some outstanding restaurants in Reykjavik, but the convenience and some French comfort food really hit the spot!

MaineGG - I agree with you about the National Museum of Iceland - we spent a very pleasant wet morning and lunchtime there - good cafe. And I wish I'd had your recommendation for Le Bistro - though perhaps it didn't exist back in 2008!

I agree about the National Museum ( across the Lake from the City Hall). Great Place.

The Le Bistro is along one of the major street and there are several good cheaper eating places around there ( like the Sandholt Bakery )

and also a place called Braud & Company which is about 2 blocks from the huge Cathedral.

Braud and Company has Cinnamon Buns to die for along with other pastry but it is the large Cinnamon Buns that everyone goes for.

My last evening in Reykjavik I ate in downtown Old Reykjavik at a place called Fish Company, excellent Seafood

Also for those that do not want to go to the highly price Blue Lagoon, my tour Guide gave me this tip !!

There are several Geothermal Pools in Reykjavik, you just have to know where they are.

I stayed at the Hilton and one was 3 blocks away called Laugardalslaug ............ you pay $5.00 and that is it. !!!

Some pictures:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1424460fb4.jpg
This is the Le Bistro. I ate here.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bfc24dc361.jpg
A few blocks away along the same street is the Sandholt Bakery. Rated the best in Reykjavik for pastries and sandwiches
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...511d1e4852.jpg
At the old Harbour you have to go to Saegreifinn (= Sea Baron) a great place for a Cheap meal and rated the best Lobster Soup on the World. !! They give you a big bowl of soup and some hot bread .
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ca9483d47a.jpg
Further along in the old Harbour , everyone goes to Valdis for Ice Cream. It is in one segment of a long former warehouse. So if you go, don't be surprised when you turn the corner and see a warehouse and wonder there cannot be an ice cream place here. !
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...496d5124cb.jpg
This is Braud & Company, the best Cinnamon Buns in Reykjavik. About 2 block from the huge Cathedral.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d2763dc4bb.jpg
Braud and Company, just a sample !
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...873fdb298e.jpg
The National Museum, yep they have lots of flowers in Iceland.,!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3b2f088ab4.jpg
Thomas Gudmundson (Poet 1903-1983), on West Bank of Tjornin Lake by the City Hall. I have to tell you this !!!, a tourist came to Reykjavik in winter and this statue was covered with snow in the man's lap and on his head. The tourist called the police and said, " There is a man on a bench here frozen to death , he is not moving " !! True Story.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...afe1a99772.jpg
Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool, where for $ 5.00 you get what you get at the Blue Lagoon.....but shhh don't tell anyone>

Tom--I can't remember, are we going at the same time as you? Late august for us. We too have private baths in all of our lodging, most of the time they are individual cottages. We don't care about alcohol at all and only a couple restaurants, such as Fridheimer and then Ingolfsskali. We plan on trying to fish in a few areas. We cannot bring poles from home as they have to be disinfected in a particular way, so just easier to buy them there. Very much hoping to catch dinner at least a few nights.

Tpayt--Snaps Bistro is an excellent French restaurant right in Reykjavik.

What about a trip to Iceland and then, just keep going on to Paris???? With luck, we will be there and we can share a drink.....or two....

Thanks for sharing your memories and photos, Percy. Looks like you had very similar weather to us in Reykjavik - we started our trip in a heat wave but by the time we left we'd seen quite a lot of rain. We did "splash out" at the Blue Lagoon but your suggestion looks like an excellent alternative.

Triviata.......how tempting! Paris is always a good idea. Wine with you two even a better idea.

Ooops, sorry for the typo. Traviata, like the opera not Triviata like the bits of information.

Iceland.

I think the clue is in the name.

If the weather co operates I’d probably say that it would be a stunning place. However, when we visited the weather didn’t help, it rained constantly in February for a week and so windy. Other than on one day which we managed to have one of the best days we have ever experienced. It was depressing to be in an area which probably should have been 15oC colder for the time of year and emphasised the issue of rising global temperatures. Strangely enough, the week after we left the temperatures dropped to -5oC there was a snow storm and the images looked beautiful.

We have visited far more stunning landscapes and the excessive tourists at each location was a shame. Add to this the silly realities cost of living and the fact that some of the locals were definitely tourist weather worn, left us feeling fairly empty.

HOWEVER, on the one clear day we booked a guided walk into one of the glaciers and into the ice caves which had formed. This was simply to second best thing we ever did.

I’d say definitely go and enjoy with your friends but be aware that it is a busy, costly wilderness.

Thanks for posting all the photos. The ones with the blue skies make Iceland look very tempting, the ones with the gray skies not so much. Guess you have to wing it and hope fir the best,

Tom_mn, We jumped on the cheap Saga fares ($997 RT from Boston) when the opening was first announced, and we are going in July. We found similar costs to those you found. We are staying 5 nights at a AirBNB ($140/night all in) in Reykjavik and 3 nights at a hotel ($200/night) in Vik. Our rental car is $700 for a compac with automatic and an additional driver.

My only concern is with the COVID test that we'll need for our return flight, as we will be in Vik for our last 3 nights. Since we leave on a Tuesday and test sites are closed on the weekend, we'll have to get our test on a Monday. We will probably aim to get the tests in Selfoss, as I have not seen any indication that Icelandair accepts Abbott's BinaxNOW COVID-19 Home Test that United and American will accept.

We flew in one morning (2am) in August and found everyone asleep but the city bright from the sun. The local spas spread everywhere are very good value and make up for the Blue Lagoon

I went to Iceland in May a few years ago and had a very fun trip. I am linking my trip report here:
Trip Report Iceland trip report! - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (fodors.com)

We stayed in the city the entire trip and took day trips. When driving remember there are cameras clocking your speed on these long and lonely roads. So don't drive too fast! Never made it to the Penis museum although we did look for it. My daughter and I really enjoyed our time there. It is not like anywhere else. The shopping is all of these really itchy sweaters. I thought for sure we would buy a sweater but the wool is very itchy! The wines were awful and expensive so I drank gin and tonics mostly. I found the food could be very good or not very good. Everything is expensive and renting a car is very costly. Get the insurance on the car even if you are not off roading. Some of the main roads turn to gravel. It is a strange land with a unique landscape. People are friendly and everything you buy or do is put on a credit card. There is no real need for cash at all.

Percy - who was your guide? What did you do with the guide? Thank you!!!!!

gruezi:

First I came to Reykjavik 3 days early , so I could see all I wanted in Reykjavik.
I did not need a guide in Reykjavik as I knew where 98.2 % of all the places I wanted to see were !! ;)

I had a small group Tour to do the Golden Circle and also Thingviller where you will walk between the European and American Teutonic Plates.

There is a flag here as this was where the World's first Parliament was.

This tour ends back in Reykjavik.

However since I came for 2 weeks I wanted to see as much of the Island as possible, so for our group of 5 we had a Private Guide.

The guide did all the driving and all the explanations and taught us the pronunciation of Icelandic words, which mean I should have extended the trip for a year !!1

Actually after a while you get pretty good at those names....Really !

We toured the whole Island including all those zig-zag fjords in the upper Eastern area of the Country.


You of course read my Trip Report of how I landed in the Iceland jail........ so please do not mention my name or that you even know me. ;)

Also you read how embarrassed I was at the Penis Museum !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I


A few pictures to wet your whistle !!

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5ff781213c.jpg
You gets to sample Icelandic baked goods and herrings and eggs all cooked by Thermal heat underground.. My driver Kris on the right
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...34c95d6e70.jpg
Getting to leave Gullfoss ( Waterfall)
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1ec6ea652f.jpg
Walking along the path between the European and American Tectonic Plates. Zoom in to the Flag on a Pole , that is where the World's First Parliament was.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1a947f40c8.jpg
The lovely Valley at Thingviller National Park,as you look down from your path above. We walked down there.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...170d057668.jpg
Fountain at the Akureyri Botanical Gardens, the most Northernly Gardens in the World. Close to the Arctic Circle !
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fa745cd81d.jpg
Our lunch meal Bacon Lamb Burger and Beer $ 75.00 !!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7aa3a4230f.jpg
The guide and I walked the Skaftafellsjokull Trail to the end sign. That is a solid iceberg in back. We did several hiking trails.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ac5be68d50.jpg
My Buddy ( guide Kris) at the end of a hiking trail.
All 6 foot 9 inches of him ! ;)

Thanks Percy!

Anytime :S-