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Family Trip to Iceland Itinerary Decision
Our family was supposed to travel to Iceland last year which was obviously cancelled. We are hoping to go in July. My husband and I are vaccinated but we are waiting to see what they say about kids. I'd like to plan a new itinerary in case we are able to make last minute plans. Or maybe this will be our plans for 2022!
We will now be going for 8-9 days. We have to end back in Reykjavík because my husband is schedule to run in the Laugavegur and the race bus leaves from there, plus we'd be closer to the airport for our departure. Option 1:
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I cannot imagine spending 4 or 5 days in Reykjavik itself. Even with 9 nights, you can do the RingRoad. One day for Reykjavik is plenty, IMO. Even if you don't think you can or don't want to do the RingRoad, why not at least venture out of Reykjavik for more nights? We too were supposed to go last summer, but have rebooked everything for this summer. I definitely understand wanting to be back near the starting point for the race at least a day before, so is there any way you can add even just 1-2 more nights? That would enable you to do the Ring Road and not be rushing to get back so that he can get settled in before the race.
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I was thinking we would use Reykjavik as home base for those days and venture out. Do you think it's necessary to stay along the Ring Road? Our original plans had us doing that for 2 nights but I was worried it would be too overwhelming and we'd lose time with all the checking in and checking out. Can we not do the RingRoad from Reykjjavik? I've been doing research but we have never been to Iceland so I'm still trying to figure it all out!
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Outside of two towns it is basically dry,stoney wilderness. Driving the ring in 2 days is a bit like driving across a barren desert for 2 days on tarmac and while young men might boast about doing it the drive misses the point. No riding, no pool time no little coffee shops. I'd do it in 4 days or just choose part to enjoy and limit your driving.
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Even if you don't do the entire ring road, I would still not spend all that time in Reykjavik itself. I would spend more time in places outside of Reyjavik and not keep driving back there each night.
I am certainly not suggesting driving the ring road in 2 days. The road just goes around the country, so you can do a loop or just do parts of it and backtrack a bit. Get a good paper map of the country and spread it out on the dining table and then you can plan your days much easier with seeing the whole thing all at once. |
We drove the Ring Road in 10 days and felt it was rather rushed, even though we made several stops.
My trip report might give you a few ideas, or not. https://www.fodors.com/community/roa...-trip-1453922/ |
day1
Arrival at Keflavik Airport @ 9:45am Drive to ION Adventure Hotel (approx. 1hour 20mins) day2 Drive to Golden Circle (approx. 1hour 15mins) Attraction: The Geothermally active valley – Haukadalur (contains Geysir and Strokkur Geysers). The spouting geyser erupts every 10 minutes. Drive to The Gullfoss Waterfall (approx. 10mins) Drive to The National Park – Thingvellir (approx. 1hour) Snowmobile Tour on Langjokull Glacier day3 (Optional) The National Park Secret Blue Lagoon Tomato Farm day4 Drive to Skalakot Manor (approx. 1hour 45mins) Highlights: Selijalandsfoss Waterfall (Optional) Skogafoss Waterfall Black Sand Beach Vik – southernmost village Vatnajokull National Park Blue Icebergs of Jokulsarlon Hike the scenic Laugavegur trail Icelandic Horse riding will start at the hotel day5 Thorsmork Valley Tour (US$265/person) day6 Drive to Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon Highlights: Skogafoss Waterfall Fjadragljufur Canyon Reynisfjara – black beach near Vik Drive back to hotel (approx. 2hour 15mins) day7 Highlights: Glacier Jokulsarlon Fjallsarlon Iceberg Lagoon Diamond Beach Vesrtrahorn – into the mountains Viking Village day8 Drive to Vatnajokull Glacier Glacier Hike (US$112/person) Drive to Reykjavik (approx. 4hours) Check-in into Sandhotel Private Northern Lights Tour (US$136/person) (approx. 4hours) day9 Self-drive to Snaefellsnes Peninsula – National Park (pprox.. 2hours) Highlights: Snaefellsnes Glacier Budiakirkja Church Arnarstapi (fishing village) Djupalon Bay Kirkjufell (church mountain) day10 Reykjavik and flight |
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