(Back From) Going to Iceland Next Month

DPinBucks

Going to Iceland next month; driving the Great Circle.  We're not ones for beach holidays.

Itinerary won't allow for Blue Lagoon, but we have booked a boat trip on a glacier lagoon and whale-watching from Husavik.

Any tips/experiences would be welcome.  Will post a follow-up if anyone's interested.

We are aware of costs out there, so don't need warning of £20 burgers.  We have booked here for our last night:

Lækjarbrekka – Veitingastaður í hjarta Reykjavíkur

Really looking forward to it

yokozuma

The Blue Lagoon's just a heated swimming pool for tourists, no big deal missing it. We did the real thing sitting in a 40c stream in the middle of nowhere.

Mrs yokozuma did a couple of old blog posts on Iceland from a couple of years ago, few local tips and food suggestions:

The Cutlery Chronicles: ICELAND: eating in Reykjavik

The Cutlery Chronicles: ICELAND: mountain and hot spring hiking

DPinBucks

Many thanks; lovely articles.

We're only in Reykjavik for the first and last nights, so won't get too much chance to sample the food there, and the hotel rate includes breakfast.

I do fancy the fish'n'chips by the harbour, though.

FunkiestMonkey

Been to Iceland a couple of times.
We went through Discover the World.
Look on their website or brochures.
We did a self drive.
Did some amazing walks.
Tip: Most of the viewing and hiking sites have a small loo hut with heated water (geothermal).
Look for roadside cafes for cheaper burgers, etc. Not many, but some in small towns.
So much is free in Iceland, it is amazing.

FunkiestMonkey

Which route are you taking? I can pick out some must sees

DPinBucks

We're going with Nordic Visitor.  The package includes accommodation with breakfast and self-drive 4x4.

So far, they couldn't have been more helpful or professional.  We already have lots of literature, maps and a suggested route with annotated highlights and restaurant recommendations.

Google Maps/Street View is an amazing planning tool! I already feel I know my way around.  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?  I can never resist using it, though.

DPinBucks

Thanks.

We're essentially following Route 1 all the way round, omitting the North-East area and the Wesfjords peninsula.  We only have 9 nights, so that's the best we can do.

Our list includes:

Geysir/Gullfoss;
Hundafoss;
Vatnajokull;
Boat ride on Fjallsarlon Lagoon;
Whale watch trip out of Husavik;
Asbyrgi Crater;
Shaefellsjokull

yokozuma

Good luck on the whale watching. I've been twice to Iceland, trip each time to see the Northern Lights and whale watching...didn't see a single light or whale on two separate trips!

FunkiestMonkey

The double G. Especially the falls are a sight to behold.

Also see:
Þingvellir - Wikipedia
Also, look at southern coast waterfalls. Cannot remember name. Seemed a bit more spectacular than Hundafoss.

FunkiestMonkey

Seals aplenty