MainerGirl

Hard to say something is the best, right? I mean, I've been on some pretty awesome road trips - Newfoundland, California, Colorado, Michigan, Pacific Northwest, Southwest National Parks, Ireland....the list goes on and on. But I can say - Iceland trumps them all. The natural beauty is incomparable - it's AMAZING! Combined with the ease of foreign currency (all you need is a credit card), the delicious food, and the tourist-friendly attitude, makes this island THE BEST place to visit. Yes, it's cold. Yes, it's rural. No, there are no beaches to lay out in a bikini. It's not that kind of vacation. If you are looking for a natural wonderland and long roads where the only traffic is the sheep and horses on the side of road, then go here.

I wrote about each day of my trip on my blog: www.FreelanceAdventurer.com so feel free to check it out along with photos and daily stops/places to eat. I'll also type my itinerary below. I went with Iceland Unlimited Travel Agent to help plan the guesthouse stays and car rental. They were great and I think they got us better deals than we could have. Also, if you have questions for me, hit me up on Facebook (The Freelance Adventurer) or on Instagram (FreelanceAdventurer). Anyway, here's my itinerary...

15 Nights in Iceland (in July)

Day 1 (July 8) - Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik Introduction - Arrive in Iceland at 6:30 am. Take Flybus to Blue Lagoon for opening at 8:30 am. From Blue Lagoon, take Flybus to Reykjavik. Check into Guesthouse Aurora and explore local spots.

Day 2 (July 9) - West Iceland - Lupines, Waterfalls, Hot Springs, and Craters - Get rental car from Enterprise and drive west. Explore Hvakfjordur fjord and the Glymur waterfall. See other sights along the road. Stay at Hotel Borganes.

Day 3 (July 10) - Snæfellsnes Peninsula - Beaches, Churches, and Mountains - Explore the Snaefellsnes peninsula and glacier. Stay at Guesthouse Kast.

Day 4 (July 11) - The Wild Westfjords - Winding Roads, Mountains, Puffins, and a Ferry- Take 9 am ferry in Stykkisholmur alon Breidafjordur bay. See Latrabjarg cliff and puffins! Stay at Radagerdi hostel in Patreksfjordur.


Day 5 (July 12) - Westfjords Waterfalls and Coastal Villages - Explore more of the Westfjords including Patreksfjordur, Talknafjordur, and Bildudalur. Visit the Dynjandi waterfall and Isafjordur. Stay at Hotel Edda Isafjordur.

Day 6 (July 13) - Westfjords Continued - Hot Tubs, Waterfalls, and Sorcery - Explore the capital of sorcery and witchcraft while exploring more fjords and beauty. Stay at Guesthouse Laugarholl.

Day 7 (July 14) - Northwest Iceland - Black Beaches, Driftwood and Icelandic Horses- Drive by fertile farmland and barren mountains roads. Take an afternoon tour on Icelandic horses. Stay at Guesthouse Holar.

Day 8 (July 15) - Akureyri - Shopping, Food, and Drink - Drive to the capital of the north. Explore the town and stay at Guesthouse Gula Villan.

Day 9 (July 16) - North Iceland - Whales, Waterfalls, and Nature Baths - Head for Lake Myvatan. On the way stop and see Godafoss waterfall. Go on 3 hour whale watching tour in Husavik. Stay at Guesthouse Stong.

Day 10 (July 17) - Myvatn - Craters, Sulfur Pots, and Steam Vents - Drive to Eastern Iceland. Stop to see Dettifoss - Europes most powerful waterfall. Stay at Icelandair Hotel Herad.

Day 11 (July 18) - East Iceland - Hot Tubs, Lobster, and (more) Waterfalls - Drive through East Fjords and fishing villages. Stay at Guesthouse Arnanes.

Day 12 (July 19) - Southeast Iceland - Icebergs and Glaciers - See glacial lagoon through a boat tour. Explore Vatnajokull National Park, Svartifoss Waterfall, and Vik. Stay at Hotel Edda in Skogar.

Day 13 (July 20) - The South Coast - Waterfalls, Waterfalls, and Snorkeling - Drive the south coast and stop to see many waterfalls including Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui. Snorkel Silfa in Thingvellir National Park. Spend the night at Guesthouse Lambastadir.

Day 14 (July 21) - The Golden Circle - þingvellir National Park, Geysers, and Gullfoss - Visit Thingvellir National Park. See geysers and Gullfoss waterfall. Return rental car and stay at Reykavik Hostel Village.

Day 15 (July 22) - Reykjavik- Hot Dogs, Happy Hour, and Sunshine City- Enjoy the last day in Iceland by exploring Reykjavik on foot.

Day 16 (July 23) - Fly home - Morning flight back to Boston.

In conclusion, this trip might have been a "once in a lifetime adventure", but I can't accept that. I HAVE to go back! Who needs a retirement plan anyhow?

indyhiker

What a great trip and report. Your photos are fantastic! You sure did see a lot. Thanks so much for sharing!

MainerGirl

@indyhiker - Thank you so much!

Adelaidean

Great blog, can see why you'd like to return, just stunning landscapes.

MainerGirl

@Adelaidean - Absolutely. It was perfect!

GreenDragon

Great stuff! I did the opposite tour in the same time - counter-clockwise - last month. Loved it, will definitely be back! I did all the planning myself (because I'm OCD that way), and had a fantastic time - for about the same price (maybe a bit less?).

Sberg

Just came back from 2 days in Iceland. Not nearly enough. Loved the south coast. You have given me many ideas about my next, longer trip. Thanks!

marieann

the pictures are great .9
I have no idea that Iceland is so beautiful

annhig

Gosh, that's a lot of travelling - so far as I can see a different place every night, but you did get to go all the way round, which is more than we achieved.

which part did you enjoy most?

MainerGirl

@annhig - Tough to decide!!!!!! I think these were my favorite spots:

- Snaefellsness Peninsula - Djúpalónssandur beach and Kirkjufell (honestly - I think I liked this especially bc we had good weather...haha)

- Myvatn - Craters, Hot Springs, and Thermal Vents

- Southeast Iceland - Jökulsárlón (iceberg) bay and Vik beach

- Westfjords- Dynjandi Waterfall and Puffin Colony