In September 2005 my husband and I went on an amazing adventure. We did the 'Icelandic Stopover': 3 days in Iceland and then 5 in Scotland. Our flights to and from Scotland were free! It felt like two separate vacations. Upon our return we promised each other we would return to Iceland. We were hooked. We were determined to explore the western, northwestern, and northern sections on our next trip. It's only a 4.5 hour flight from Boston.
Yesterday I discovered a 'super saver' rate on Icelandair (the same airline we flew last time). It was $498/pp before taxes. I had been keeping an eye out. We could not decide if we wanted to go in September (like last time) or in October (to save even more $). In September the daytime temps are in the 50s and it is still good hiking weather.
So the rough plan of the trip has been set and so far 4 of our hotel nights are booked. The first night we are staying at the hotel we stayed in last time. We're also staying there the last night too. It is the FossHotel Baron in Reykjavik center. It is walking distance to all of the great places to eat and shop. We will not rent a car until the 2nd day. This time we'll get a 4x4 because our compact car last time had some trouble on the roads off the beaten track.
The 2nd night we will stay about 45 minutes to the north at the Hotel Glymur. This hotel is rated the #1 hotel on TripAdvisor...we had to splurge on one night there. Click here for a video on YouTube fo the hotel. The next leg of the journey will take us to the west (where we hope to take a ferry to explore the most western point in Europe). We hope to stay 2 nights at the Hotel Budir.
The next two nights will be spent in the north. I'm waiting to hear back from the Sveinbjarnargerði Country Hotel. While there we will visit Dettifoss (Europe's largest waterfall). The Myvatn area should be pretty neat (we've been told you can hike up a volcano). Our second to last night will be spent in the FossHotel Reykholt.
We know where we want to eat the first night (Ristorante Caruso). We also plan to go back to Reykjavik Bagel (they have our favorite lattes anywhere). The last time we were there the guy working in the bagel shop used to live in Boston. He was so helpful and gave us some great tips on what to see along the southern coast. This time we will take a bag of bagels with us in the car once again.
If anyone has suggestions on places to eat and things to do in these various areas please let me know. I'm also looking for folks that have gone geocaching in Iceland. We've never gone out of the US but hope to do a few on our journey.
Also, if any of you are thinking about going to Iceland...don't even think for more than a minute. It will change your life. The fact that they use geothermal heat and hot water is so wise. Also, the people are so kind, the food is amazing, and the air is so fresh and clean. Anyone I know that has gone says they also feel like there are parts of Iceland that make you feel like you are on another planet. I don't intend on rushing this upcoming summer, but it's nice to know my return to Iceland awaits when the summer is complete.
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Comments: 13
We also went to Iceland in 2005. We were on a cruise that started in Reykjavik, and visited ports in Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland, ending in New York.
I published a series of three articles on this trip in early 2006 called "Following the Vikings." We spent a couple days in Iceland before the cruise. Here is a link to the first article which is about Iceland.
LINK
We ate in a very charming restaurant right in downtown Reykjavik called "LaekjarBrekka." It's an old, historical house that has been preserved, and they serve all the traditional Icelandic dishes. Hey, you can eat Italian anywhere!
We enjoyed Iceland, but Greenland blew us away. We are planning a trip back to Greenland.
I would love to go on that same cruise route someday!
Also, I loved Gulfoss during our last visit. I think Dettifoss is the largest in volume...and I've heard it is an adventure to get to.
Iceland has an Oceanic climate, so it's very popular year-round. In the summer it is the 'land of the midnight sun' and in the winter it is only as cold as New York City (on average). Can you believe it? While we're there in September the weather will be in the 50s, so it's still great for hiking.
I'll be heading there soon to explore the south/southeast corner. Any tips--driving times, places to stay, food advice? I will definitely stock up on bagels.
South and Southeast corner--I have lots of suggestions! We were there only 3 days in 2005 and did the Golden Circle, lots of waterfalls, and drove to Vik to see the black sand beaches (as well as stopping at a glacier along the way). I LOVE the FossHotel Barron (that's where we're staying night 1 and on the last night). Also, take the FlyBus to whatever hotel you stay at. The FossHotels are all great (it's a Scandanavian chain). Please let me know if you need any other suggestions...we can't wait to go back!
I will have to check out those books before I go back. Thanks for stopping by and mentioning him.