Iceland and the Fareoe Islands in two weeks
 

Hello Fodorites! I am back and planning a trip to Iceland.

I KNOW, you want details on the itinerary, dates, budget, interests, etc. but I can only give you so much at this time. So really if you can provide me with some insight on my plans below, I hope to have a real itinerary for you soon to give me feedback on.

Here's the plan so far:

There are four of us, in our mid-twenties travelling from Canada to Iceland for two weeks. At this point we are thinking Mid-July to Mid-August, give or take a few days. We are young and fit so not afraid of day hikes and excursions, and generally have an interest in anything Iceland has to offer so any ideas are welcome. As a group our interests include: photography (scenic views and excursions are a must), folklore, good food and drink, pubs full of culture and friendly people, northern lights, volcanoes..a plethora of interests really.

No official budget yet, but at this point the gestimate is $2,500 - $3,500 each - any insight on where we can cut costs/where we should invest more would be great. Is this budget even doable?

I used VRBO for my last trip and had a good experience so I will be looking into apartments again in Reykjavik (and other major cities) to stay for at least a few days. We also plan to rent a car to view the sites in the area. My main questions are as follows:

- What are the best cities to stay in when renting a car and travelling around the country.
- The Faroe islands are just an idea at this point. Is it doable to see Iceland as well as the island in two weeks, without having to stay in a new place every day. We'd like some down time to explore certain areas longer.
- Best tourist locations vs. which ones to avoid
- Local spots that most tourists don't know of that would be worth while to visit.

Thank you in advanced!

Also, the title is clearly a typo. I know how to spell Faroe...

My friend Graeme went to the Faroes for a athletic event. It was rocky and green. it was beautiful, but stark.

He took a tour. From the beginning of the tour, he could see the end of the tour. Not much open. Lots of tea drinking. One and a half days (two nights) was plenty.

I've always wanted to go there; now, maybe, not so much. The cost/value ratio is not advantageous.

Thanks Ackislander! That is good to know, as I mentioned we aren't too sure about the Faroes, they look incredible but we would prefer to spend out time and money elsewhere if it isn't worth the added travel and cost.

Cheers,

Iceland is wonderful. To keep costs under control do the appartment thing, maybe go horse riding (via a tour), do the gold circle on a tour, visit lots of town spas on bus/foot and stay away from too much meat which is very expensive.

Faroe, for some reason (cultural smultural) these wealthy sort of Danes like to hunt whales and slaughter them in a bay. Right now I'm on a boycott, yes, I no longer buy anything from the Faroes. Hurts them more than me I have to tell you.

Look instead at Orkney.

Iceland is just beautiful and a photographer's delight, so you're sure to love it! You could spend a few days in Reykjavik and do the Golden Circle tour, then go down south to Vik and Jokulsarlon to see the glacial lake.

My sister and her family spent a week in Iceland last year and did some farm stays, but they had a car. Anyway, you may want to look at the heyiceland site for ideas on where to go and stay.

I believe most gas stations have a small convenience store where you get simple meals at quite reasonable prices, soup, sandwiches, salads, etc. And Reykjavik has some famous hot dog stands, made with lamb meat

Since there will be four of you I suggest you just price a car rental and work out the cost vis a vis bus fares.

https://www.heyiceland.is/

Iceland is expensive, and I think $3500 CAD per person is fairly tight. I'm generally a fairly frugal traveller, but I found I spent more on this trip than I've ever spent. If you click on my name, you'll find my trip report from my trip where we spent 11 days there in August.