Iceland, what to do/see (except Kerry Katona)

Iceland, what to do/see (except Kerry Katona)

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TokyoSexwhale

Original Poster:

12,230 posts

194 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
The OH has suggested Iceland for our January holiday (1-2 weeks), for no particular reason.

So it's now my job to see if it's worth the trip.

Has anyone been before? Worthwhile?

Many thanks

Puggit

48,439 posts

248 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
If Bardabunga is still spewing lava, then a flight around the lava fields would be incredible.

HenryJM

6,315 posts

129 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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Remember it'll be dark, a lot, in January - something like five hours of daylight.

andy-xr

13,204 posts

204 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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It's Peter Andre anyway.

Why's the O/H suggested it then?! I dont get this 'Let's go to x, hmmm....wonder what we can do' thing! I thought it was more usual to look into things you want to do then find the location?!

Anyway, hire some skidoos, go dog sledding (PS the dogs stink) and hire a car to go see the Northern Lights somewhere. Dont go drinking before 7pm, you'll run out of money by the time everyone else comes out at night, and check out the Perlan for somewhere interesting: http://perlan.is/

Blue Lagoon is the usual stop off on the way back to the airport

Shaoxter

4,074 posts

124 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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Hmmm 1-2 weeks means you should rent a car and drive around the ring road stopping off at all the sights.

sidicks

25,218 posts

221 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Golden Circle tour by Jeep, including snowmobiling on the glacier
Diving at Silfra
Blue Lagoon thermal pools (great massages)
Northern Lights trip

A week is more than long enough!

Edited by sidicks on Tuesday 30th September 11:51

Hackney

6,841 posts

208 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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To be honest, I think 2 weeks in Iceland at that time of year could be too long.... and expensive.
Does your other half know it'll be dark / cold. Although Iceland's outside the arctic circle so you won't get full dark (or full light) when ever you go it'll still be dark a lot which could limit travel and viewing options.

If you want to get in the good books suggest a week in Iceland and a long weekend in NY as part of the trip. It'll probably be cheaper.

Digga

40,316 posts

283 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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My top 2 would be:
Blue Lagoon - if you;re there for a while then make a day of it, rather than just shoving it into the itinerary on the way back to the airport like some weekenders do.
Superjeep safari.

HotJambalaya

2,026 posts

180 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
2 weeks is too long. Maybe in summer if you were into camping and moving around, but no way in winter.

Winter its nice for about 4-5 days at most.

As has been said above, blue lagoon is great, nice floating about having a massage and the food there is good too. Check what time your flight is leaving some people just do it on the way to the airport.

Super jeep safari, maybe a glacier tour, and the golden circle tour, all good all fun. Great place overall. Bloody cold in dec/jan...

Puggit

48,439 posts

248 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Hackney said:
If you want to get in the good books suggest a week in Iceland and a long weekend in NY as part of the trip. It'll probably be cheaper.
Not a bad shout - it's supposed to be the cheapest way to get to NY.

garycab

457 posts

167 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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I went this January, agree with others, 4/5 days is plenty. We were told to expect darkness early on, but it was darker in the mornings for longer, at night it was just like here, but we were very lucky as it was very mild didn't even wear gloves or hat. I didn't think it was overly expensive, London prices at most, plus there are plenty of nice restaurants in the capitol at all different prices.
A great place, a really good vibe around Reykjavik, would recommend to anyone.

JQ

5,741 posts

179 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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Agree with others - 2 weeks is definitely too long in winter.

If you can make it there for New Years Eve, the Icelanders do it in style. They are only allowed fireworks at New Year, and instead of letting them off slowly over 2 weeks like the UK, the entire island lets them off at midnight on New Years Eve - Reykjavik looks spectacular. Plus all the residential areas have huge bonfire parties, which are good fun - the President of Iceland attended the one we were at.

Westy Carl

178 posts

250 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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Hotel Ranga for a few nights, expensive but worth it.

Rovinghawk

13,300 posts

158 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
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Gulfoss is incredible if it's not frozen solid at that time of year. Even frozen I'd expect it to be impressive.

matt3001

1,991 posts

197 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
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Westy Carl said:
Hotel Ranga for a few nights, expensive but worth it.
Seconded. Went last January for 4 nights. Had a 4WD Octy and just toured the South of the Island.

Got to see the Northern Lights as well which was a huge bonus!