Mum's been to Iceland, or "round Iceland with a cucumber"
Feb 19th, 2015, 09:10 AM
#182
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I bookmarked this loooong time ago, to read in preparation for an Iceland trip. That time has come (I think), Iceland will be our summer destination in 2016. Great TR Ann, thanks for the chuckle and good info. We'll see how much we can do in 2 weeks...
Jun 24th, 2018, 02:41 AM
#190
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Ann, I just wanted to say thank you for this report, which even though it's ten years old now is still very helpful. I particularly appreciate the unvarnished nature of it as the truth about a place, good and bad, is what you need to hear when you're planning a visit.
Total digression ahead! I noticed you were speculating about the origins of the phrase "curate's egg" - if you're still wondering about that, a mere ten years after mentioning it, the original reference was a cartoon in Punch in 1895. The dialogue is:
Right Reverend Host. "I’m afraid you've got a bad egg, Mr. Jones!"
The Curate. "Oh no, my Lord, I assure you! Parts of it are excellent!"
Looking forward to reading some of your other trip reports, not least in order to procrastinate over Iceland planning! This is clearly a destination which repays meticulous research, which normally I'm happy to undertake in spades, but somehow, all those fosses, jokuls and fjordurs are making my heart quail. How on earth does one pick out the must-sees?
Total digression ahead! I noticed you were speculating about the origins of the phrase "curate's egg" - if you're still wondering about that, a mere ten years after mentioning it, the original reference was a cartoon in Punch in 1895. The dialogue is:
Right Reverend Host. "I’m afraid you've got a bad egg, Mr. Jones!"
The Curate. "Oh no, my Lord, I assure you! Parts of it are excellent!"
Looking forward to reading some of your other trip reports, not least in order to procrastinate over Iceland planning! This is clearly a destination which repays meticulous research, which normally I'm happy to undertake in spades, but somehow, all those fosses, jokuls and fjordurs are making my heart quail. How on earth does one pick out the must-sees?
Jun 24th, 2018, 01:23 PM
#191
kiwikitten -
We had the same problem when planning our trip to Iceland last year. We finally took the easy way out - we found an itinerary online that appealed, so we loosely followed it - tweaking it here and there. It was a bit out-of-date, but it worked - we drove the Ring Road (more or less) in 10 days.
I read annhig's report before I left as well - but it seems a lot has changed in Iceland in the last 10 years. I wish we'd visited 10 years ago - before the Iceland Air and WOW stopovers - before it got so crazy busy and expensive.
Be prepared for lots, and lots, and lots of tourists - and unless it has dramatically changed in the year since we were there - a strained infrastructure.
And FYI - you might (or might not) glean a bit of info from my trip report as well, although it's not nearly as entertaining as annhig's!
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...-trip-1453922/
Good luck with your planning!
We had the same problem when planning our trip to Iceland last year. We finally took the easy way out - we found an itinerary online that appealed, so we loosely followed it - tweaking it here and there. It was a bit out-of-date, but it worked - we drove the Ring Road (more or less) in 10 days.
I read annhig's report before I left as well - but it seems a lot has changed in Iceland in the last 10 years. I wish we'd visited 10 years ago - before the Iceland Air and WOW stopovers - before it got so crazy busy and expensive.
Be prepared for lots, and lots, and lots of tourists - and unless it has dramatically changed in the year since we were there - a strained infrastructure.
And FYI - you might (or might not) glean a bit of info from my trip report as well, although it's not nearly as entertaining as annhig's!
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...-trip-1453922/
Good luck with your planning!
Last edited by Melnq8; Jun 24th, 2018 at 01:26 PM.
Jun 25th, 2018, 05:12 PM
#192
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Mel, thank you so much for the link to your trip report, which I found immensely helpful. I hope you don't take it the wrong way when I say it was the deciding factor in our decision to skip Iceland
. Like you I'm a shoulder/off-season traveller, and coming from NZ my idea of a crowded beach is one where I can see someone else on it, so the thought of the massive amount of tourism in Iceland was already offputting. Iceland has always been low on my travel list as, while obviously it's hardly the same country, it shares so much scenic stuff with what we have in NZ that it's always seemed a long and expensive way to go to see what I already have at home. Also, the friend I travel with can't drive so it would just me doing what seem to be very long driving days (something else I heartily dislike). The only reason I was planning a trip now is that I'll be in Reykjavik anyway to leave for a trip to Greenland and it seemed silly not to take advantage of it. However, on balance and especially after reading your report, I think I'm going to give it a miss and go to the Faroes instead.
. Like you I'm a shoulder/off-season traveller, and coming from NZ my idea of a crowded beach is one where I can see someone else on it, so the thought of the massive amount of tourism in Iceland was already offputting. Iceland has always been low on my travel list as, while obviously it's hardly the same country, it shares so much scenic stuff with what we have in NZ that it's always seemed a long and expensive way to go to see what I already have at home. Also, the friend I travel with can't drive so it would just me doing what seem to be very long driving days (something else I heartily dislike). The only reason I was planning a trip now is that I'll be in Reykjavik anyway to leave for a trip to Greenland and it seemed silly not to take advantage of it. However, on balance and especially after reading your report, I think I'm going to give it a miss and go to the Faroes instead.
Jun 26th, 2018, 06:31 PM
#193
Kiwikitten - sorry if I put you off! So many people rave about Iceland, and as beautiful as it is, IMO, it's become a victim of its own success.
We've been visiting New Zealand since 1993 and I'm so envious of what you have at your door step. We spent yet another month on the South Island in May and while nothing like Iceland in terms of tourist overload, parts of it are beginning to feel a bit over-run with tourists as well. Not anywhere near what we experienced in Iceland, but NZ seems to be on the brink. I selfishly hope NZ doesn't go over to the dark side.
We've been visiting New Zealand since 1993 and I'm so envious of what you have at your door step. We spent yet another month on the South Island in May and while nothing like Iceland in terms of tourist overload, parts of it are beginning to feel a bit over-run with tourists as well. Not anywhere near what we experienced in Iceland, but NZ seems to be on the brink. I selfishly hope NZ doesn't go over to the dark side.
Jun 26th, 2018, 07:56 PM
#194
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No, no, not at all, we honestly are grateful. We've been on the fence about it for ages and now the balance has been tipped we feel relieved so we know it's the right decision.
I bet you've spent a lot more time in the South Island than I have as like a lot of NZers we tend to spend our holidays overseas rather than at home. I've been slow to realise how many treasures are on my doorstep and it's something I want to rectify. I share your concern about overtouristedness - new fees are to be introduced which I hope will redress the balance a little. Tourism is of course a big industry here but too much of it ruins the very things tourists come to see. I wonder if Iceland will make any moves to rein things in a bit.
I bet you've spent a lot more time in the South Island than I have as like a lot of NZers we tend to spend our holidays overseas rather than at home. I've been slow to realise how many treasures are on my doorstep and it's something I want to rectify. I share your concern about overtouristedness - new fees are to be introduced which I hope will redress the balance a little. Tourism is of course a big industry here but too much of it ruins the very things tourists come to see. I wonder if Iceland will make any moves to rein things in a bit.
Jun 27th, 2018, 11:25 AM
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I'm also glad this came back up - it has been fun to read as we prepare to head to Iceland next week. Also, Melnq8, thanks again for maps and booklets you sent! We have those out and are re-reviewing everything now.
May 20th, 2021, 03:18 PM
#198
annhig
What a lovely detailed trip report.
I love your writing style and sense of humour.
Boy did you have a driving trip or what.
You have way more nerve than I do , driving in Iceland to the places you visited.
Thanks for your Great Report.
What a lovely detailed trip report.
I love your writing style and sense of humour.
Boy did you have a driving trip or what.
You have way more nerve than I do , driving in Iceland to the places you visited.
Thanks for your Great Report.
