empty nesters in Iceland
 

Will be in Iceland for 4 days early May. Just started planning, We are in our early 50s and not good hikers, but like to be active. Hopefully that doesn't sound like a paradox, but we are a bit leery of hiking a glacier and don't horseback ride, but would love to experience as much as possible - maybe caving, some light hiking, Blue Lagoon, volcano....thinking will stay in Reykjavik and try to do day trips. Don't really want to rent a car on our own at that time of year. Any specific day trips/ tour companies recommended? Also would love recommendations on Reykjavik hotels - looking to spend no more than about 200 per night. Thanks!!

200 what?

Bit of a difference between what dollars, loonies and pounds will buy you.

Sorry - US dollars. Thanks

We took southern coast tour with geoiceland.com, golden circle tour through Viator. Walked around Reykjavik one day and geothermal spa/northern lights that evening. Blue Lagoon our last day before heading to airport for evening flight. Had the BEST time.

Also we stayed at Hilton. Very nice. You might look into tour through Iceland Air. We booked through Travelzoo. Went in November

Also in our 50 something years we enjoyed a 6 night tour starting in Reykyavik [which is interesting but was not our favourite stop] then tootled along to Gulfoss and Pingveller [amazing] going down South as far as Vik taking in various waterfalls en route [fabulous] and then doubling back to do the Snaefellsnes peninsula [out of this world good]. Like you we are not keen hikers but found that with some sturdy boots there was plenty to enjoy outdoors and amazing scenery within pretty short walks from the various site car parks.

Just wondering why you are not that keen on renting a car in early May ? We went at end of February, rented a car, and had a great and totally hassle free time and were able to cover a lot of ground and to linger as long as we wanted to at places that interested us.

We did get a car with 4 wheel drive in case of snow at that time of year but only encountered a smattering on the road surfaces as the roads are so well cleared. The ring road is wide, empty, very well signed and maintained and relaxing to drive along. We felt very safe. There are maps online giving live details of any hazards so that you can check your route before setting off. http://www.road.is/

We only stayed in Reykjavik for one night at the Icelandair Marina Hotel. This was a quirky and nice and central with excellent breakfast but ? maybe slightly above your price mark. If you do venture further afield to stay, we enjoyed Hotel Framnes on the Snaefellsnes peninsular which was basic but friendly and cosy and with a decent restaurant. Well within your price range and within a stones throw of a little harbour with boat trips and whale watching etc.

Hope you enjoy it all as much as we did.

We love the Hotel Frøhn. Huge sunny rooms for 50 euros a night (what we paid last time we were there last April) and delightful staff. Right downtown. One of the best bargains we've found in Europe (and we live here and know how to find a bargain).

The Blue Lagoon, IMO, is a huge tourist rip-off. You can thoroughly enjoy any of the many local hot springs/pools/spas, for 1/6 of the price of the Blue Lagoon.

We've been twice and never got out of Reykyavik, but found plenty there to engage us for a few days. The local free student-led tours are fabulous. The city is chock ful of art galleries, funky stores, music venues, and more. The food sucks, but we really enjoyed the one Turkish restaurant, Meze, on the main city drag.

To really experience Iceland, I highly recommend getting out of the city and the whole "Golden Circle" area which is jammed with tourists and buses. I am a photographer and try to avoid cities.

The beauty of Iceland is its remote wilderness. Driving a car is simple and the roads are not busy once you leave the city. I was 59 when my husband and I drove the perimeter of the country in 2011. I highly recommend it.

We never hiked anywhere. WE saw many, many beautiful waterfalls, geysers and steam vents all from the car or a short walk from a parking lot.

YEs - the Blue Lagoon is a tourist trap - filled with tour buses loading and unloading hundreds of people who run in for a quick soak and run out again. Much better and a lot less expensive to enjoy the springs in the other towns.

I second the recommendation for the Hotel Fron. Last September we paid around $160/night for a studio apartment including breakfast. It is very well located. http://www.hotelfron.is/

Near the hotel are a couple of places we enjoyed:

Le Bistro - A pleasant little restaurant http://lebistro.is/ - Good rack of lamb

Sandholt Bakery - Good breads, sandwiches, soups, desserts
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...n.html#REVIEWS

Elsewhere in town - Famous Hot Dog Stand
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...al_Region.html

We did a Golden Circle tour with Iceland Horizons. The guide was excellent and we liked the minibus. Unfortunately the weather was horrible that day. Be sure you have adequate foul weather gear. http://www.icelandhorizon.is/

Our favorite visit in Reykjavik was to the National Museum of Iceland. Its chronologically arranged exhibits depicting the history of Iceland from settlement to the present are beautifully done. http://www.thjodminjasafn.is/english

Iceland is beautiful and fascinating. We hope to return.

Bookmarking as this also sounds like a trip I would be interested in someday soon.

Bookmarking

Thank you all for your VERY helpful input and advice. In response to the driving question from loncall, initially I was trying to talk my husband into renting a car (I'm the more adventurous one in general, although this trip was his idea) but the more I read about how unpredictable the weather is and how some of the roads are very isolated, the less enthused I have been about it. I will definitely be checking out the Hotel Fron, and also appreciate the restaurant suggestions as I've heard not such great things about the food. It seems that there are many who think Blue Lagoon is a tourist trap. This is definitely a different sort of vacation for us, so very glad to hear from those who have been there!

Don't be put off driving in Iceland. We went last summer and as long as you stay on the main roads you will be fine. We were only there a few days but we drove a lot of miles, saw some unbelievable scenery, did some great ( short hikes). We want to go back for a week and we will definitely drive.

I did a two day stopover, so stayed in Reykjavik and did the Golden Circle by tour. I did it that way since I was solo and only staying two days. But I intend to go back, with my husband and then I will definitely rent a car. I feel like I missed so much, but then my trip was only supposed to be a 'taste'.

Having said that, the Golden Circle tour I took was very good (I absolutely usually hate tours). I also stayed at the Fron.

Here's my report and link to photos

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...pover-trip.cfm

http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/iceland_2