Iceland in December

[unclemark123]

I'm taking my wife for a surprise 40th birthday to Iceland near Christmas. So far I have only booked the flights and a small car. Can anybody recommend places to go/stay & see?

My first concern having spoken to someone who has been there, is that the roads out of the capitol are apparently snowy and icy. Can I presume that car hire company's hire cars with the correct tyres to deal with this?

Mark.

[unclemark123]

Thanks for the info all. Not a bad word from anyone - really looking forward to it now. we arrive mid day on Monday 19th Dec, back home Friday morning.

I think I will study a map carefully and plan a route. Want to cram in as much as I can

Mark.

[unclemark123]

giveitfish said:

Have been a couple of times, once for a long weekend in late September, and once in January for 5 days for my wife's 40th. Fantastic place and would go back again.

Golden Circle as above is a minimum. Winter in a hire car is fun, studded tyres help but even with a Ford Explorer 4x4 we found when the weather closed in driving can be a bit dicey. However most of the time the weather is more like Scotland than the artic circle.

If you have longer then there is whale watching, northern lights, Jökulsárlón etc. We found a lovely remote hotel for our 2nd visit: http://www.hotelbudir.is/

Also Icelandic pony trekking in winter was great. My wife loved it, and even I enjoyed it and horses do nothing for me! http://islenskihesturinn.is/

Here's some pics to give you an idea:

January: https://www.flickr.com/photos/giveitfish/sets/7215...

September: https://www.flickr.com/photos/giveitfish/sets/7215...

Photos are fantastic, and thanks for the help