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ICELAND!

Posted By: BEERMAN

ICELAND! - 05/29/2018 12:25 AM

I hope I don't become the boy who cried wolf, we've scrapped the Yellowstone trip and are now planning a 10 night Iceland road trip! I'm probably 99% on this idea because my wife and daughter have just booked lodging in two towns so far! We had considered Iceland weeks ago, but with the long days of sunlight in July the Northern lights won't be visible....but we have decided what the heck...ROAD TRIP! Our plan is to drive the Iceland Ring Road circumnavigating all of Iceland. Blue lagoons, fjords, glaciers, waterfalls, black sand beaches, geothermal areas, whale season and Puffin's! If you have any helpful tips we would really appreciate it, quite the learning curve on prepping for this trip!! Cheers and GO CAPS!
Posted By: Sailbum

Re: ICELAND! - 05/29/2018 01:20 AM

Beerman,

Next to sailing, Iceland is one of the most beautiful places to travel. I spent a week there a couple of years ago. Fantastic. Glaciers, natural hot springs, Geysers awesome hiking.
We went around the south side as far as Hofn. Then over the top on F35 and to the north side and then back to Reykjavik. With 10 days you might be able to go all the way around, but you may be rushing it. A lot of the neat stuff is off the beaten path - 4 wheel drive style. It's slower than driving the ring road but worth it.

If your family likes horseback riding, that's a must. Their horses have a 5th gait very unique.

You will love it.
Posted By: LBI2SXM

Re: ICELAND! - 05/29/2018 01:37 AM

A little bit off the path but I just came across a bit of info about Iceland in the news. With all the episodes of gun related crimes in the US being top stories, Iceland is a very big advocate of guns and they have not had one gun related murder in the last 10 years!! Sounds like a safe country to visit. I would love to go to Iceland.
Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: ICELAND! - 05/29/2018 12:43 PM

Hey Sailbum, "rushing it" yes perhaps, but we have found plenty of helpful blogs that describe doing this in 10 days or even less. F35 looks like a beautiful 4x4 drive, we had only considered going in as far as Gulifoss Falls. Looks like a 4-5 hour drive all the way through F35, if we were equipped for camping we would do that whole leg. Where did you stay around Hofn? we plan on 2 nights in 3 towns...is Hofn a good choice for 2 nights? Vik area is also a 2 night consideration. Appreciate your input!
Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: ICELAND! - 05/29/2018 10:43 PM

Flights are booked, it's a 100% GO! any additional advice will be greatly appreciated!
Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: ICELAND! - 05/29/2018 11:19 PM

Gee, I don't know--pack a warm coat???? grin I hope you enjoy it, but I personally would never travel to somewhere that's named ICELAND!! grin
Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: ICELAND! - 05/29/2018 11:57 PM

Carol, Beer is guaranteed to be cold!
Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: ICELAND! - 05/30/2018 12:15 AM

Hey, since I don't drink beer, that wouldn't be an advantage to me!!! grin Enjoy your trip!!!!
Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: ICELAND! - 05/30/2018 12:45 PM

I understand July weather is in the mid 50's give or take a few degrees, sweater weather, great for hiking! and with the "midnight sun" it's light out almost 24 hours a day, so when we wake up it won't be o-DARK early!
Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: ICELAND! - 05/30/2018 01:31 PM

Yikes! 50's is cold to me!! grin Enjoy your trip and send pictures! smile
Posted By: Sailbum

Re: ICELAND! - 06/01/2018 03:51 AM

Beerman,

We went in July and had several days in the high 60's and sunny so very comfortable. We also had rain and a bit of snow - even near the coast. Absolutely 24 hour daylight, gets an eery dusk from midnight to around 4 am.

F35 is like driving across the surface of Mars. We stayed at a lodge on the top of the mountain - 32 degrees farenheit. Sat in a stone hut tub fed by two pipes, one from (scalding) hot springs, one from snow melt - add or remove a pipe to desired temp. The drive would be about 8 hours I think - slower going than you would think.

In Hofn we stayed at Nyibær Guesthouse - nothing fancy but clean and adequate for one night. In Vik we stayed at the IcelandAir hotel-opposite end of the spectrum. We booked a lot of places through hotels.com or booking.com and stayed mostly in guesthouses/bed and breakfast type places. The black sand beach with Basalt pillars (near Vik) is interesting. I recommend the boat ride through the Jokulsarlon lagoon - we wanted to do the rafts, but it was too icy for them and our only option was the big amphibious truck - still fun. Drive to the beach where the lagoon exits into the ocean, it's fun to watch the iceberg pieces 'escape' the lagoon.

We also enjoyed the short hike on the glacier - very interesting but I think the short hike is sufficient - they offer longer ones.

The waterfalls are fantastic and we really never got tired of them. Seljalandsfoss was one of my favorites as you can walk around behind it - caution, the temperature behind the falls is easily 20 (if not 30) degrees less than in front.

The people are all very friendly.
Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: ICELAND! - 06/01/2018 12:20 PM

Sailbum, thanks for your info. Our lodging itinerary is just about set, finding places for 3 adults last minute has proven interesting, but doable!
There will be short driving days and very long ones, but it's all about the journey and with the 24 hours of light it should be awesome!

3 nights in a cabin up 35 towards Gulfoss falls. 3 days to cover Golden Circle and all the sights to Vik.

1 night guesthouse near Hofn, Skaftafell National Park and Glacier Lagoon etc.

1 night farm stay east fjords, Horseback riding, maybe boat trip.

1 night small cottage on a stream just outside Egilstadir, Sightsee east fjords.

1 night Guest cottage in Akureyri. on the way visit Myvatin geothermal area and Selfoss falls area. maybe morning Whale watching trip.

1 night "somewhere" between Akureyri and Reykjavik...tough decision.

2 nights in Air bnb center of old town Reynkovik to slow down again and relax, Brew pubs and coffee houses! Saving Blue Lagoon for last full day.


Any additional tips would be appreciated!
Posted By: Sailbum

Re: ICELAND! - 06/02/2018 02:10 AM

Sounds like a great plan. I am sure you will have a great time! If you plan on getting a local Sim card for your phone, Iceland air actually sells them on the plane. Saves some time once you get there.

We stayed in a small hotel in Varmahlid, but that's likely too close to Akureyri for your trip.
Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: ICELAND! - 06/02/2018 05:40 PM

Looks like we'll make the trek almost to Borgarnes, staying on a working farm! Sailbum, we just made our reservation in Reykjavik for our last 2 nights, center of old town and a parking space is not included. Plan to park it for the whole 2 nights probably, did you park a car there? any advice like street parking vs. garage or lot? We'll definitely ask the rental agency, but just thinking ahead. Thanks
Posted By: Sailbum

Re: ICELAND! - 06/02/2018 11:59 PM

We stayed at the Kex hostel in Reykjavik. We parked along the street - don't recall exactly but it was either free or cheap. By the way, we enjoyed the hostel, good beer and food in a friendly somewhat quirky environment. I believe the restaurant area is open to the public. We enjoyed walking around Reykjavik, very interesting architecture. There's a very modern steeple in town, worth the trip up an elevator for the view.
Posted By: marisol

Re: ICELAND! - 06/03/2018 06:27 PM

Enjoy. You will love Iceland. We were only there 4 days so our itinerary was not as extensive as yours. We were on our way back from France. We did the Golden Circle and loved it. The food in Iceland was some of the best that I ever had and the people are friendly. I was there in September so the days were cooler than you will have. When the sun is out it gets windy, so bring warm clothing. I would definitely go back!
Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: ICELAND! - 06/03/2018 07:28 PM

Thanks Marisol, Iceland has been on the bucket list a looong time. We have spoken with a few people who have spent less than a week like yourself and they all say we'll love it! What is the main highlight that sticks in your brain?


Sailbum, I'm reading that parking is relatively easy and cheap...I won't need to worry about that now, your comment helps there!! Now back to the many many blogs describing various 10 night itineraries!
Posted By: jphart

Re: ICELAND! - 06/03/2018 10:57 PM

Not on my bucket list!
But I know we will all enjoy your photos and trip report.
Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: ICELAND! - 06/04/2018 03:05 PM

Hey JP, this report will probably be time consuming, just trying to spell the names of things will slow the writing down..i.e Fjaorargljufur Canyon! Our bucket list is more like a barrel list!!
Posted By: Sailbum

Re: ICELAND! - 06/05/2018 02:41 AM

If you think spelling is hard wait till you try to pronounce some of the names. Be ready to point at a map or guidebook.
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