benmia

So happy to be planning travel again!!
My husband and I are planning on taking our 15 year old grandson on a delayed Bar Mitzvah gift trip to Iceland just after school ends in June. I always do my own planning of trips but for some reason I feel a little overwhelmed in planning this. Maybe i am out of practice!!

I had looked into Road Scholar Grandparent trips but the dates for his age group will not work for us. My husband and generally like to travel on our own utilizing private guides and small group excursions but thought a group with others his age would be fun for him.

Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

Fodorite018

We have been twice, with two more trips booked. I would highly encourage you to do it on your own vs a tour. Rent a car and drive yourself and that will give you the flexibility that Iceland deserves. How much time do you have?

We did the ring road this past August and are planning to do it again next summer. There is just so much to see and do!

benmia

I am cautiously back to planning our late June trip to Iceland with our grandson. I have flights booked and a hotel booked for 6 nights in Reykjavik. Is it doable to stay in one city or should we move to another place for some of the time? Planning on either renting a car and driving to sites or using small group tours. Any advice? Our grandson is really interested in seeing glaciers so I know that we want to do the "cruise" to see them. Thanks in advance

bilboburgler

You'll find that the golden tour day trip is offered by a bunch of companies who either want you in a big bus or a small van. I'd recommend the van because the leader has more time to talk to people about life in Iceland. You can book them from your hotel or your accom.

Not sure how big this subject is in your family but worth a read https://grapevine.is/mag/articles/20...fending-moses/

benmia

Does anyone know of private guides/drivers in Iceland?

Heimdall

This company may offer what you need. I’ve only used them for the Blue Lagoon tour, but they have private tours as well:
https://www.re.is/tours-activities/?type=private-tour

Fodorite018

We have used the link in the post above, but not for a private tour, just a group one of the Golden Circle on our first trip. They were great BTW.

I have read good things about www.hiddeniceland.is for private tours. www.troll.is also does private tours, but I don't know anyone that has used them for the private ones. Friends have used them for group tours and we are as well next week, so at least it is another one to check out.

With 6 nights and in June, I would only stay one night in Reykjavik and then rent a car and go see other areas on your own. You do not need to hire a tour guide/bus as it is so easy to drive there, as long as the weather is decent, which for June should be good.

Since your grandson wants to see the glaciers, go to Jokulsarlon and do the zodiac boat tour. We had a blast on that last summer and the guide noticed the glacier calving, so raced us over closer and we were able to watch the entire thing unfold. Amazing!!!

jakemoore1269

Similarly, as it is extremely light in Iceland in summer, it is exceptionally dull Iceland in winter, particularly in December and January.

While this might seem like motivation not to come, it's really probably the best motivation to visit, as it gives the best conditions to survey one of nature's most lovely peculiarities, which is additionally one of Iceland's most well-known attractions: the Northern Lights. Albeit the auroras are flighty, you will be bound to see them when the sky is dim and clear.

No two Aurora Borealis shows are something similar, and no two winter evenings in Iceland are something similar.

Winter is without a doubt the best ideal opportunity to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. To chase after the Northern Lights all alone, watch out for the Cloud Cover Forecast and Northern Lights Forecast.

benmia

Any recommendation for small group tours of Golden Circle and for Whale Watching from Reykjavik? Do we need to take an organized tour to go to the Blue Lagoon? We want to do this as a separate activity not a stop to or from airport. Also planning on a free walking tour of Reykjavik. We are active seniors traveling with our 15 year old grandson at the end of June. Also looking for restaurant recommendations.
Thanks in advance