AKB: Iceland.....

[psuro]

I will be heading to the British Open next July (to watch, not play), and figured - let me look to visit a place I have not been, since I will be on that side of the pond. So....considering Iceland.

Who has been, and what are your thoughts? My current plan, should I choose to go, is to do a self guided tour, taking into account the scenery, perhaps do some rafting/kayaking, hiking and other outdoor type of activities.

Any input and/or sarcastic comments are welcome.

 

[NittPicker]

I hear the women are friendly.

 

[psuro]

I hear the women are friendly.

That's a plus.

 

[We Are . . .]

Beautiful place with a lot of natural wonders. The most popular are on the Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.

Be prepared for rain.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I’ve been twice - 2015 and 2016. On day 2 of my first trip, I determined I was definitely coming back.

Truly epic scenery - I’ve been everywhere except the far Northeast part - which people who have circled the country say is the least epic part, through still pretty, the interior where you need a 4 wheel drive and going on a tour makes sense, and the Snaefellses (sp) peninsula. Unlike almost all tourists, I spent time in the Westfjords (my favorite) and the Westmannyaer Islands.

It’s an amazing place and very easy - no need for a tour unless you want to go far inland. Try to spend a week to 10 days at minimum if you can.

If you go, hit me up closer to time and I’ll give you recommendations. My favorites though - Westfjords (all of it), Westmannyaer Islands - easy 30 minute ferry from South Iceland, South Iceland around Vik, and the Trollaskagi Peninsula in North Iceland.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Beautiful place with a lot of natural wonders. The most popular are on the Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.

Be prepared for rain.

Popular because they are easy to get to (and will be choked with tourists).

Of all the things I did in Iceland, the Golden Circle was the most ho hum - even then, the 3 sights are pretty cool.

 

[psuro]

I’ve been twice - 2015 and 2016. On day 2 of my first trip, I determined I was definitely coming back.

Truly epic scenery - I’ve been everywhere except the far Northeast part - which people who have circled the country say is the least epic part, through still pretty, the interior where you need a 4 wheel drive and going on a tour makes sense, and the Snaefellses (sp) peninsula. Unlike almost all tourists, I spent time in the Westfjords (my favorite) and the Westmannyaer Islands.

It’s an amazing place and very easy - no need for a tour unless you want to go far inland. Try to spend a week to 10 days at minimum if you can.

If you go, hit me up closer to time and I’ll give you recommendations. My favorites though - Westfjords (all of it), Westmannyaer Islands - easy 30 minute ferry from South Iceland, South Iceland around Vik, and the Trollaskagi Peninsula in North Iceland.

Thanks. I will make a note to resurrect this thread at that time.

 

[BobPSU92]

I hear the women are friendly.

FLAG.

 

[BobPSU92]

I will be heading to the British Open next July (to watch, not play), and figured - let me look to visit a place I have not been, since I will be on that side of the pond. So....considering Iceland.

Who has been, and what are your thoughts? My current plan, should I choose to go, is to do a self guided tour, taking into account the scenery, perhaps do some rafting/kayaking, hiking and other outdoor type of activities.

Any input and/or sarcastic comments are welcome.

Don’t sell yourself short. Since you’re going to the British Open, you should play.

 

[psuro]

FLAG.

Here you go

 

[interrobang]

I've heard great things. My only experience there were two layovers (one at 5am, one in pouring rain, so, so I saw none of the country) at the airport. And the airport deli was out of smoked lamb sandwiches.

 

[Fac]

Sarcasm? On this board? You have got to be kidding!

 

[PS4814]

I know nothing besides the continued rumblings that tourism is straining local and environmental sites.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/blame-it-bieber-iceland-canyon-too-popular-visitors-n1007446

https://grapevine.is/news/2018/01/15/iceland-being-ruined-by-tourism/

https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/7-reasons-icelanders-hate-tourism-in-iceland

 

[Obliviax]

not sure they still do it but a couple of airlines used to allow you to use iceland as a hub to a flight to europe where you can spend a couple of days in Iceland without paying a penalty. So, in other words, if you fly delta or united, you have to pay a fee as if Iceland was one of many places you visited. icelandicair, IIRC, allows you to spend a few days there before you complete your flight to the UK.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I know nothing besides the continued rumblings that tourism is straining local and environmental sites.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/blame-it-bieber-iceland-canyon-too-popular-visitors-n1007446

https://grapevine.is/news/2018/01/15/iceland-being-ruined-by-tourism/

https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/7-reasons-icelanders-hate-tourism-in-iceland

Yup. I went in June and then back in May. May was MUCH less crowded. To get away from the unthinking hordes, go in Shoulder Season and head to the Westfjords

 

[BobPSU92]

Here you go

Be right back.

 

[psuro]

Don’t sell yourself short. Since you’re going to the British Open, you should play.

You are correct. After all, it's "Open".

Yup. I went in June and then back in May. May was MUCH less crowded. To get away from the unthinking hordes, go in Shoulder Season and head to the Westfjords

I am kind of locked in to July 2020.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

You are correct. After all, it's "Open".

I am kind of locked in to July 2020.

Yeah, just general advice. A really nice thing is that it stays light about 20-21 hours or so at that time. You can see as much as you want to every day. It’s amazing to be hiking at 11 at night in just slightly darkening skies

Here is sunlight hours for today

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/reykjavik

 

[psuro]

Yeah, just general advice. A really nice thing is that it stays light about 20-21 hours or so at that time. You can see as much as you want to every day. It’s amazing to be hiking at 11 at night in just slightly darkening skies

Here is sunlight hours for today

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/reykjavik

Yes, dealt with that on a trip to Alaska a few years back. Takes a bit getting used to, but once you do - it's kind of nice.

 

[Locolion]

Popular because they are easy to get to (and will be choked with tourists).

Of all the things I did in Iceland, the Golden Circle was the most ho hum - even then, the 3 sights are pretty cool.

Of all the things I did in Iceland, an evening with the lovely blonde Terjit Nordsensdottir was the the best

 

[Aardvark86]

I have been, but in spring. It's great.

Most of the tours out of R are efficient, but, well, touristy - probably worth doing one to get the lay of things. The Golden Circle is neat because you do get a nice feel for the geography. Highlights for me though were ice climbing on glacier, and thermal baths up in lava fields. We stayed at the Black Pearl, which were great suites by the water. Don't let anybody convince you to do a full ring tour - you'll get waterfalled out. Read up on your geology.

In downtown R., Grillmarkaðurinn (Grillmarket) for a truly fantastic meal.

 

[IrishHerb]

There actually are golf courses in Iceland too. So if you're like me, can take only so much sight seeing, try to get in a couple of 18 holes.

 

[mcruny42]

My advise is to not base yourself in Reykjavik. It will save you a lot of driving. We went to the Highlands (which will be open when you go) and the South. The glaciers and glacier lagoon were amazing to see even with some of the crowds. Some of the less touristy stops we absolutely loved were Landmannalaugar in the Highlands, Gjain which is past the Golden Circle sites, Hrunalaug hot springs also a slight detour from Golden Circle and the Hjorleifshofoi Cave past Vik. Staying in places along the way allows you to get up and beat some of the crowds. Amazing scenery, great destination overall...we definitely want to get back.

 

[Woodpecker]

FLAG.

 

[jerrycalpal]

Drink at the Big Lebowski Bar

 

[00southpaw]

Stationed there in the military. Windy! Couldn't wait to get out of there. Beautiful scenery and that's it.

 

[Aardvark86]

Drink at the Big Lebowski Bar

But DO NOT order the nachos, which were horrific. Somehow.

 

[nittanyfan333]

Someone post some Crossfit chicks (thorsdottir, davidsdottir and sigmundsdottir). I would but I’m on my phone and copy paste on the app is janky.

 

[LionLen]

Stopped there a couple of times on the Iceland Air layover option. Beautiful place. We rented a car and did self-guided tours. You can find several companies that organize such things online. FYI I remember it was a pretty expensive place and in the last week or so I saw where it is now listed as the most expensive European country to visit.