Iceland 2019
The Land of Fire and Ice, and "I'm Not Even Going To Try To Pronounce That"
This was supposed to be the year for a slightly less extravagant trip... but then we decided to go to Iceland! I'm not sure where that transition took place exactly; I'm just confident it was Alicia's fault!
I, like most others in our group, hadn't put much thought into Iceland until recently. After a fair amount of research though, I've found it difficult not to get excited about the place. Volcanoes and glaciers, lava fields and hot springs, waterfalls, and even more spectacular waterfalls. Then there's the potential to see the Aurora Borealis. We're not basing our trip on seeing the Northern Lights, because you have the risk of them not being visible, but Iceland in the fall has great potential, and we're keeping our fingers crossed! Bucket list item for sure.
Flights seems oddly inexpensive, less than half the cost of main-land Europe, and Hotels and AirBNB's are about the same as anywhere else. Food and local excursions are pricey, but that's the price you pay for island living. With that in mind, my personal hope is to do mostly sight-seeing and hiking, and less costly organized outings. The trip isn't ideal on motorcycles like previous years, which is a bit odd to wrap my brain around. I would love to get a bike for just a day, just to say we did, unfortunately the formal rental companies are shut down for the season by the time we arrive. It still may be something I'll look into!
While trying to be more relaxed than our last trip (travel every day, different hotel every night), I'm still trying to see as much as possible in the lower half of the country. With that in mind, my current thought is to spend two nights each in three different spots. I've borrowed (stolen graciously) ideas and pictures from several great itineraries I've found online, to come up with my own rough plan. As always, I'm sure it will be tweaked as the time gets nearer, and even once we're there for weather or other reasons.
The dates are tentative, and flights may dictate moving everything a day or two forward or back.
I, like most others in our group, hadn't put much thought into Iceland until recently. After a fair amount of research though, I've found it difficult not to get excited about the place. Volcanoes and glaciers, lava fields and hot springs, waterfalls, and even more spectacular waterfalls. Then there's the potential to see the Aurora Borealis. We're not basing our trip on seeing the Northern Lights, because you have the risk of them not being visible, but Iceland in the fall has great potential, and we're keeping our fingers crossed! Bucket list item for sure.
Flights seems oddly inexpensive, less than half the cost of main-land Europe, and Hotels and AirBNB's are about the same as anywhere else. Food and local excursions are pricey, but that's the price you pay for island living. With that in mind, my personal hope is to do mostly sight-seeing and hiking, and less costly organized outings. The trip isn't ideal on motorcycles like previous years, which is a bit odd to wrap my brain around. I would love to get a bike for just a day, just to say we did, unfortunately the formal rental companies are shut down for the season by the time we arrive. It still may be something I'll look into!
While trying to be more relaxed than our last trip (travel every day, different hotel every night), I'm still trying to see as much as possible in the lower half of the country. With that in mind, my current thought is to spend two nights each in three different spots. I've borrowed (stolen graciously) ideas and pictures from several great itineraries I've found online, to come up with my own rough plan. As always, I'm sure it will be tweaked as the time gets nearer, and even once we're there for weather or other reasons.
The dates are tentative, and flights may dictate moving everything a day or two forward or back.
Day 1 (Fly out the night of Saturday October 19th, and land Sunday October 20th)
Land in Reykjavik early morning, pickup rental cars, and head east on the Ring Road / Golden Circle. This first day will be, for the most part, an introduction to the country, and a bit of a teaser! I'd like to get 200 miles to the east, to the area of Vatnajökull National Park. This is our only long drive day, and from here we will begin our much more slow paced trip back to the airport over the next 5 days. Seljalandsfoss is one of many possible stops along our route for the day.
Land in Reykjavik early morning, pickup rental cars, and head east on the Ring Road / Golden Circle. This first day will be, for the most part, an introduction to the country, and a bit of a teaser! I'd like to get 200 miles to the east, to the area of Vatnajökull National Park. This is our only long drive day, and from here we will begin our much more slow paced trip back to the airport over the next 5 days. Seljalandsfoss is one of many possible stops along our route for the day.
If you're willing to get a little damp, you have a couple amazing options at this stop. There is a cave directly behind (inside?) this waterfall. You can get into it, and look back out through the falls. Also, 10 minutes up a walking path lies Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall inside a canyon.
All that stuff is at one stop, right off the main road. There are tons of potential stops. Iceland seems pretty alright!
Fast forward:
Eventually we end near the town of Hof, and Vatnajökull National Park. If we have time we can head into the park for some sight seeing, alternatively, we may be feeling the effects of an overnight flight and 5 hours time change, and more than likely will be ready to relax. FossHotel Glacier Lagoon may very well be our spot for this night and the next. It's in the right location, and seems pretty darn cool.
Fast forward:
Eventually we end near the town of Hof, and Vatnajökull National Park. If we have time we can head into the park for some sight seeing, alternatively, we may be feeling the effects of an overnight flight and 5 hours time change, and more than likely will be ready to relax. FossHotel Glacier Lagoon may very well be our spot for this night and the next. It's in the right location, and seems pretty darn cool.
Day 2
Big National Park Day! Vatnajökull National Park is the largest national park in Europe, and contains the largest glacier in Europe.
Some options include:
Hiking to Svartifoss (1 hour round trip); a walking path trail that takes your to a crazy rock column waterfall.
Screaming "ICEBERG, DEAD AHEAD" at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where the huge glacier continuously breaks off ice chunks into the sea.
Walking the black sands of Diamond Beach, where many of the aforementioned icebergs eventually lay to rest.
Hiking Vatnajökull Glacier: Many hikes in the area take you near or to the Glacier, where you can try to explore on your own. Alternatively (and more recommended), there are tons of options for guided hikes on top of, and inside the glacier. Hikes range from a few hundred feet from the parking lot, to several miles.
The day will end back at the same hotel as the previous night. Potentially after watching the sunset from the black sand beaches.
Big National Park Day! Vatnajökull National Park is the largest national park in Europe, and contains the largest glacier in Europe.
Some options include:
Hiking to Svartifoss (1 hour round trip); a walking path trail that takes your to a crazy rock column waterfall.
Screaming "ICEBERG, DEAD AHEAD" at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where the huge glacier continuously breaks off ice chunks into the sea.
Walking the black sands of Diamond Beach, where many of the aforementioned icebergs eventually lay to rest.
Hiking Vatnajökull Glacier: Many hikes in the area take you near or to the Glacier, where you can try to explore on your own. Alternatively (and more recommended), there are tons of options for guided hikes on top of, and inside the glacier. Hikes range from a few hundred feet from the parking lot, to several miles.
The day will end back at the same hotel as the previous night. Potentially after watching the sunset from the black sand beaches.
Day 3
We will begin heading west again this day, eventually landing near the Golden Circle. This is a common tourist route in Iceland, home to dozens of Must-See attractions. I found a company with rental cabins, and thought it would be a cool way to spend a couple nights. Blue View Cabins are near the northern rim of the Golden Circle, and are a bit more than halfway back to Reykjavik from our previous nights in Hof.
Eldhraun Lava Field, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gulfoss Waterfall are all potential stops for this day as we drive the Ring Road west.
We will begin heading west again this day, eventually landing near the Golden Circle. This is a common tourist route in Iceland, home to dozens of Must-See attractions. I found a company with rental cabins, and thought it would be a cool way to spend a couple nights. Blue View Cabins are near the northern rim of the Golden Circle, and are a bit more than halfway back to Reykjavik from our previous nights in Hof.
Eldhraun Lava Field, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gulfoss Waterfall are all potential stops for this day as we drive the Ring Road west.
Day 4
Today we have the potential to explore the Golden Circle in all of it's glory, including Thingvellir National Park.
Stops nearby on the Golden Circle include waterfalls, (swimmable) hot springs, craters, and mountains. Thingvellir will be the highlight though, as it is home to an ever-expanding crevasse between the North American and Euraisian Techtonic Plates. There are dry areas to walk, and other sections that have filled with crystal clear glacier water. Many scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed in this park, and you can even snorkle/scuba between the plates in the clear water.
We will eventually land back at our same cabins as the night before.
Today we have the potential to explore the Golden Circle in all of it's glory, including Thingvellir National Park.
Stops nearby on the Golden Circle include waterfalls, (swimmable) hot springs, craters, and mountains. Thingvellir will be the highlight though, as it is home to an ever-expanding crevasse between the North American and Euraisian Techtonic Plates. There are dry areas to walk, and other sections that have filled with crystal clear glacier water. Many scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed in this park, and you can even snorkle/scuba between the plates in the clear water.
We will eventually land back at our same cabins as the night before.
Day 5
Our destination for the day is Reykjavik, Iceland's capital and largest city. Driving straight through is just over an hour from our cabins, so an easy day of relaxing and exploring an Icelandic city and/or a Hot Springs Spa is a definite possibility.
Alternatively, I would like to head south of the city first, for some exploring around Reykjanesfolkvangur Nature Reserve and the Blue Lagoon Hot Springs.
In any case, we will plan on ending our day in downtown Reykjavik for a brief city tour, dinner, and a taste of the nightlife.
Our destination for the day is Reykjavik, Iceland's capital and largest city. Driving straight through is just over an hour from our cabins, so an easy day of relaxing and exploring an Icelandic city and/or a Hot Springs Spa is a definite possibility.
Alternatively, I would like to head south of the city first, for some exploring around Reykjanesfolkvangur Nature Reserve and the Blue Lagoon Hot Springs.
In any case, we will plan on ending our day in downtown Reykjavik for a brief city tour, dinner, and a taste of the nightlife.
Day 6
Similarly to the day before, we're in town, and could easily spend the day walking the streets, shopping, or relaxing in a would class spa. Alternatively, the day trip possibilities are endless: Whale watching, visiting tiny coastal towns, waterfall hunting, or hiking are all easily within reach. If a full day trip is what we're feeling, then Snæfellsnes National Park may be the area to see. At 2.5 hours away, it's not close, but it's a beautiful drive, with more amazing scenery to feast on upon arriving.
One more night in Reykjavik to see the town and nightlife, and it's time to prepare for our departure.
Similarly to the day before, we're in town, and could easily spend the day walking the streets, shopping, or relaxing in a would class spa. Alternatively, the day trip possibilities are endless: Whale watching, visiting tiny coastal towns, waterfall hunting, or hiking are all easily within reach. If a full day trip is what we're feeling, then Snæfellsnes National Park may be the area to see. At 2.5 hours away, it's not close, but it's a beautiful drive, with more amazing scenery to feast on upon arriving.
One more night in Reykjavik to see the town and nightlife, and it's time to prepare for our departure.
Day 7 (Fly out Saturday October 26th)
Flying home this afternoon, I imagine the day will be mostly spent packing, finding breakfast downtown, and heading back to the airport. The aforementioned Blue Lagoon Hot Springs does happen to be halfway to the airport (about an hour drive away from downtown), so if our flight out is later, one final soak may be in store.
Flying home this afternoon, I imagine the day will be mostly spent packing, finding breakfast downtown, and heading back to the airport. The aforementioned Blue Lagoon Hot Springs does happen to be halfway to the airport (about an hour drive away from downtown), so if our flight out is later, one final soak may be in store.
It's open to interpretation and subject to change, but that's my "Southern Iceland in a week" plan!
We'll have to hope for the best as far as weather goes... and of course, cross our fingers for some Northern Lights!
We'll have to hope for the best as far as weather goes... and of course, cross our fingers for some Northern Lights!