Our daughter would like to give her hubby a trip to Iceland for getting his degree in geology. They are definately on a budget, and this may not be the time for this kind of trip for them. But thought someone out there might have suggestions. She said any place with a glacier, volcano, or something interesting like that will do just fine. But Iceland would be the dream place. I suggested Alaska, and she thinks that would be a nice trip if Iceland isn't a reality.

My daughter and her husband went to Iceland last year and really had a great time. They rented an apartment which was much less expensive than a hotel there. I think it was through a group of apartments called something like 'Apartment K.' They found a sale price on a flight through Icelandic Air.

If the trip is out of the budget, perhaps they would enjoy a visit to Death Valley or to the national parks in the Southwest, like Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion, etc.

I agree with checking out Icelandair - they usually have sales on package deals to Iceland: http://www.icelandair.co.uk/offers-a...89781/Iceland/

Also, pick up any alcohol at duty free as its SUPER expensive in Iceland.

There are inexpensive places to stay in Iceland such as apartments and budget hotels.
I think you'll find prices go up quite dramatically during the peak summer season though. Car rental prices are very high during the summer too but I think the trip is possible on a limited budget.

I have a stop over in Iceland next week and already booked a 4 night stay next summer so my advice is just from my research so far

Here's one place we considered staying at
http://www.simnet.is/holl/

VRBO is a useful site for accommodation. There is excellent information and advice on tripadvisor from several local experts.

Food is considered expensive though. Taking some basic supplies like granola bars/nuts will offset some of the cost.

Finally, if the trip is planned for next summer I suggest looking at airfare soon as prices are rising.

Iceland is a great place for a geologist to visit, and most of the natural wonders of the country--waterfalls, geysers, hot springs and lakes--are free. I'm not sure how close you can get to the volcano(es) but it's not like the US where we've made every place a national park--they just live with nature around them. Same with the glaciers--they're just there. Other cool geologic things--The Blue Lagoon is created by the outflow of a geothermal plant; Thingvellir sits on the edge of the NA continental plate and you can walk in the big rift created by the plates pulling away from each other; we also toured the Nesjavellir Thermal Power Plant (free!) I could go on but you get the idea--Iceland is a geologist's paradise! Get yourself a guidebook!

I wrote a visit report a couple of years back so surf back. Appartment is a good option and if not right in the centre then prices will be good. Also the local food will be reasonable (avoid the shark fin etc) but local food (mainly lamb ) will work out well. Reykavik has most of what they want but touring out of the capital adds up. Best to book flights early if they want to visit around the country.

Actually I didn't write it, but Mrs Bilbo did and it is in incredible detail