Yay!! Would you please post your experience when you get back? I’d also be very interested to have a ballpark figure of how much it cost, if that’s ok? (You don’t have to if you don’t want to.)
Well, right now, my flights come to approximately $708. I had to purchase a separate flight to Boston because Icelandic Air does not fly out of Chicago (bastards!). I am flying to Boston on American, to get the miles. No doubt there is a cheaper fare out there for Beantown, but $195 isn’t that bad (that’s round trip).
The guesthouse I’m looking at (and will decide tomorrow) is 55 Euros/night–which is about $72. Believe me, that is one of the cheapest I can find. Whoever said it wasn’t kidding–these are NYC prices. :eek: But I don’t want to share a room or have a bed/bunk–I’m too old for that. I don’t mind the toilet/shower down the hall, but I want to sleep alone.
I am a bit worried about food expense. I’m not that worried about seeing the sights–just walking around any European city is a huge treat for me. And walking is free. But I must eat–and more than herring, thankyouverymuch. 
I read recently a cheap way to go is to get essentially picnic food. Cheese, sausage, bread, etc. Hit the market/grocery stores and pick up bits and pieces?
Of course, I think Anthony Bourdain did a show on Iceland, but try not to think about that.
I posted my plans on FB. Most of the comments were pleasant. And then there is this one friend (who lives in Yorkshire, mind you and travels to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland annually for vaca).
How nice is that? talk about shitting on someone’s parade! Grrrrrr.
Rembember, he/she’s a Brit and therefore considers Fish&Chips to be the best gourmet cooking there is. So I wouldn’t worry too much about that
That thing about the Blue Lagoon is however quite correct.
Absolutely amazing vistas!
Yes, it’s not cheap. But not as expensive as it used to be. And no, they don’t put detergent in Geysir anymore. I believe they quit that after the big earthquake of -01 so now you’ll have to settle for Strokkur who blows every 10-15 minutes.
It all sounds interesting. I will definitely get some books out of the library this weekend (I’m working the next few days).
<need Viking smiley here>
Rigs! I’m green with envy. See? --------> 
I wish I could go. :: pout ::
no, 55E is not NYC prices, last time I had to go to NYC, Manhattan was running $145 for a not so great hotel in a not so great area of manhattan…
See if you can catch Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations show on Iceland. THat made it look like a small slice of heaven …
I’ll bet your friend is just envious, rigs. If not, she should be. Cuz I am. We’ll look forward to hearing stories and seeing pictures and everything! Sounds like a really fun trip.
GT
Well, she’s the same friend who pleaded with me to come to the UK and when we finally did, wrote to say she couldn’t see me that week! We were on our way to Paris (to scatter my sister’s ashes) so we couldn’t just bop up to Yorkshire to see her…
Whatever. I’m now ignoring her and getting excited about my trip.
Oi! We’ll have less of that, thank you very much, young man…otherwise I too will be hopping on a plane to Iceland to come and sort you out with a very sharp stick!
rigs - there’s plenty of sightseeing to be done. Check sites like Viator for their list of things to do in Iceland. There are trips for whale watching, puffin spotting and trips through underground caves if you’re into that kind of thing. We tried fissure snorkelling, did the Golden Circle tour, went to see the double cascade waterfall at Gulfoss and on to Geysir for the geothermal activity.
Some of the trips we booked were expensive but they were worth it for those sights you’re never likely to see again. As for your friend in Yorkshire, I know they’re known for being blunt, but that’s taking things a bit too far.
Be warned though, it is an expensive place if you’re looking to eat out so any meals you can put together as picnics are going to save you a lot.
Sorry. Just read about the Cod Wars and was in a giddy mood
But feel free to come, but preferably without that stick.
No 55E is not, but the other hotel prices quoted were. I’m not about to pay 145E to sleep, anywhere or with anyone.
I plan on having one nice meal (dinner) and the rest catch as catch can. Mostly when I’m on vaca, food is energy to me. I want to SEE stuff, not digest it. YMMV. I will plan on at least one tour, and hang the expense.
I do wish I were going in fall to see the northern lights, though–that is one thing I want to see before I die.
Oh, my.
I think getting excited is what you should be doing. Heck, I’m already looking forward to hearing the stories!
Ok, I resurrected this thread, rather than start a new one. I have been reading up on Iceland.
Don’t laugh (ok, don’t laugh too hard), but I started with the books on foreign countries available in the nonfic children’s section of the library. They are fascinating and very comprehensive. The most recent was published in 2006, so it is out of date, but it gave a good, superficial overview of history and general culture etc.
I am now reading The Far Traveler. See link:
VoyageofaVikingWoman
It’s uneven. The first half of the book is not well written, but once she starts on the actual voyages of Gudrid, it gets good. Resurrecting an ancient culture has always fascinated me. She also touches on Diamond’s book re the decline of cultures (can’t recall title just now) which I have also read a few years ago.
I also have a book of the sagas, but truth to tell, they seem a bit formidable to me. I find following the names and events difficult (which is weird since I love stories and have no problem holding the plots of several books in my head at once–there is something about how sagas/legends are presented that makes it hard for me). I have also checked out Frommer’s travel guide (the only one the library had).
I already want to try skyr, the yogurt type soft cheese I’ve read about. Also, I would like to try dried fish–herring or salmon or cod (or all 3). Not too sure about puffin: I am on a strict budget. I have crossed horseback riding off my list because of the cost. I also doubt I’ll rent a car. I wouldn’t mind kayaking, but again, expense is an issue.
Basically, I’m going to try really hard to do this on LESS than $100/day. $50 would be good (excluding lodging). I will pay for one tour to somewhere, though. I just haven’t read up on enough places as yet. Not sure if I want to do the Golden Circle, or just do one place.
I tend to like to wander and just see stuff, not go where all the other tourists are going. I do want to see a settlement museum and other museums in Reykjavik. Night life… not decided upon as of yet. I don’t drink (seriously–one glass of wine can put me to sleep). I’d like to try the local liquor that is supposed to be so strong (can’t recall name right now), but other than that… Do want to swim and hang out in a thermal pool for a bit.
I am booked to fly there June 3. I have my hotel (it looks nice and is inexpensive). Now I just need to plan stuff.
I know some here who have been have posted suggestions. Any other suggestions? Am I being unrealistic in my budget? (which, too bad, it’s all I’ve got to spend…)
Thoughts, experiences welcome. Thanks!
I went to Iceland about 7 or 8 years ago. It was surpassingly cool. Went to the Westmann Islands. Pretty neat how the town saved itself by hosing down a volcanic lava flow. Went to the Blue Lagoon. Smelly, but interesting. Went to a recreated Viking settlement. My ancestors were sturdy sunzabitches.
The people were friendly and accommodating. The food was good. That carroway-flavored liquor was vile. Didn’t try the rotten shark.
Overall, I’d recommend a trip to Iceland.
Bring a jacket. The wind, never, never, EVER stops.
Skyr is perhaps the greatest thing in the world, ever. And the Gulfoss waterwall, in the dead of winter and frozen solid was magic. I even liked the Brennevin.
I understand your feeling about hostels, but Scandinavian hostels are worlds apart from US or UK ones.
For affordable eating (and we went about two, three years ago) we tried the falafel place on the main shopping street, which was fairly comparable to Scottish / NYC prices at the time and the 10-11, which is pretty much a 7-11 minimart setup.
I’ve been to Iceland a few times, on those short, 3-day specials offered by Icelandair from New York.
It’s one of my favorite places to visit, and I’d love to go back there.
My best side trip was an early morning flight from the city airport in Reykjavik to Akureyri, in the north. A really terrific, knowledgable guide picked me up at the Akureyri airport and showed me around the area all day.
From the city center of Akureyri and botanical gardens (amazing) to Godafoss and Lake Myvatn, it was all so interesting. Lunch was at the Hotel Reynihlid , near Myvatn, where we had some of the wonderful bread that is slow-baked in the drums sunken into the hot earth. I forget what it’s called. (Worm! Help me out here!).
The guide also picked people up and dropped them off throughout the day, in a sort of informal taxi service, and I got to meet many nice, friendly people. The guide took me back to the airport and I flew back to Reykjavik around 7 pm. It was one of my best memories of Iceland. It was all arranged through the hotel I was staying at in Reykjavik. A bit expensive, but to me, worth every penny.
Need some help, please.
Frommer’s Guide says I might need an ethernet cable for my laptop while I’m in Iceland. I have 2 questions:
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Do I or can I rely on WiFi?
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If I do need one, which kind do I buy for my MacBook?
I am going to start to pin down my destinations and itinerary tomorrow (as much as one can). It all looks very expensive… But I am still going!