Reykjavìk, Iceland - Things to do? Places to see?

[Thor]

Also don't be this guy lol

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/05/wo...-gps.html?_r=1

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by Thor

Also don't be this guy lol

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/05/wo...-gps.html?_r=1

Haha. I see, though, that his journey got even better. Upon arrival at his hotel in Reykjavik, the hotel upgraded him to a suite and comped him a dinner and drinks. He also received a free admission to the Blue Lagoon and is extending his trip. He might not want to go home!

[Thor]

lol and today he went to the Blue Lagoon, and drove in to the employee side (following his GPS) and walked in to a large room where there was a employee meeting. When people heard who it was they all came up, took pictures with him, etc..

Starting to wonder if this is his shtick or just that clueless.

[Slacker]

Originally Posted by Thor

Also don't be this guy lol

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/05/wo...-gps.html?_r=1

Kind of a stupid question: how much Icelandic should I know for my trip?

I figured that I should know some basic phrases.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Thor

My Great Grandparents home, btw you don't have to book, or stay there, you can hike there or get a ride in and walk around, there are some stunning views off the cliffs nearby.

Looks like a lovely place. I took a look and they don't have any rooms available at the moment it seems. But perhaps I'll take a hike there. Any other things you recommend to do in that general area?

In terms of the Eastern Fjords, I'm assuming it makes sense to drive around the 96 route around the Fjords, instead of the 1/939 shortcut? I have about one day to get from Seyðisfjörður to Hofn...and am looking for the most photogenic route.

[flamesrule14]

The girlfriend and I are planning to go for a week in Iceland in May. Looking at doing a self drive tour. Anyone done one before? This is the one we are looking at probably doing. https://www.icelandtravel.is/package...ad-highlights/

Would people who have been there recommend something like that? Really looking forward to this trip.

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

The girlfriend and I are planning to go for a week in Iceland in May. Looking at doing a self drive tour. Anyone done one before? This is the one we are looking at probably doing. https://www.icelandtravel.is/package...ad-highlights/

Would people who have been there recommend something like that? Really looking forward to this trip.

That price seems almost too good...I'd guess either the accommodation aren't great or the car isn't great. Maybe both.

I self-drove it with my gf last year; really liked it.

Took 12 days i think, which was maybe a day or two too long. We did half our nights in hotels and guest house and half our nights camping. Camping was actually awesome and quite inexpensive (20-30$ per night).

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Slacker

Kind of a stupid question: how much Icelandic should I know for my trip?

I figured that I should know some basic phrases.

None, Icelanders all speak English. If you are single, maybe viltu ríða for when you are in the bar talking to girls.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Looks like a lovely place. I took a look and they don't have any rooms available at the moment it seems. But perhaps I'll take a hike there. Any other things you recommend to do in that general area?

In terms of the Eastern Fjords, I'm assuming it makes sense to drive around the 96 route around the Fjords, instead of the 1/939 shortcut? I have about one day to get from Seyðisfjörður to Hofn...and am looking for the most photogenic route.

Yeah you should do the 96 route for sure, mind you that depends on snow and road conditions too, you should be fine then though, "hopefully."

Sadly I've only done the fast drive up in the North East, and spend 5 days in Seyðisfjörður, so not an expert in the area.

This has some recommendations: http://www.visitegilsstadir.is/en/things-to-do

[Slacker]

Originally Posted by Thor

None, Icelanders all speak English. If you are single, maybe viltu ríða for when you are in the bar talking to girls.

Haha, why do I feel like I'm going to get in trouble?

Google translate doesn't tell me the whole story

Thanks for all the information Thor!

[Thor]

Oh it means "wanna ######" , hmm profanity filter lol, means want to have sexual relations

[getbak]

Google translates it as "You would ride", but if you add "mér" to the end, then Google cuts right to the chase.

[Thor]

Yeah Ríða is ride, but obviously had double meaning

[Slacker]

Originally Posted by Thor

Oh it means "wanna ######" , hmm profanity filter lol, means want to have sexual relations

Haha I had a feeling about the meaning of the phrase

[Baron von Kriterium]

We just returned from a one week trip to Iceland. It was fantastic! We are already making plans for a summer trip in the next few years.

We spent the first two days in Reykjavik just basically walking around. We didn't do any of the museums although I heard from several others that they are all very good. Part of our package deal with Icelandair included a visit to the Fontana Geothermal Spa at Laugarvatn followed by some aurora action. To do this separately with Reykjavik Excursions is about $170/person. Really not worh it, in my opinion. The spa by itself is about $40/person, which is expensive for sitting in some hot water. For the northern lights, I should have been paid, because I was the one walking around advising people how to set up their cameras. I would have thought the guide should have that knowledge. That was fun, though!

All of the Reykjavik Excursions trips are pricey and it is far cheaper to rent a car and just do your own thing. Which is what we did - rented a car for three days. On day 1 we drove the Golden Circle. It was snowing most of the way so it is difficult to judge as we couldn't see much. Gullfoss was under clear skies, though. It is spectacular or sure, but it loses some of its appeal for me due to all of the tourists. Summer would be better as you can hike and get away from the crowds.

On day 2, we drove to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Wow! This was the highlight for me. Perfect weather and no crowds. I would rank this trip significantly higher than the Golden Circle.

We drove to Vik on the south coast to see the black sand beach and the basalt columns. This was spectacular as well and was my wife's favorite journey. On the way back to Reykjavik, we stopped in a small coastal village called Stokkseyri (south of Selfoss) where we dined on Norwegian lobsters (langostines) for Valentine's dinner. This was an awesome meal - highly recommended, and not too far off the beaten path.

The restaurant is Fjorubordid.

My only gripe was the Flybus (operated by Reykjavik Excursions of course).
Our plane landed at 0600 and we cleared customs quickly and found the Flybus. We were the first to arrive and had to wait an hour before departing Keflavik. The bus then took us to a central terminal, where we had to unload and wait for smaller shuttles. We got to our hotel at about 0930 which really wasn't enough time to prepare (we couldn't check-in early without paying 50 Euros) for our walking tour at 1000. And it was freaking cold that Tuesday morning. The air temp was maybe -5 but the wind was howling at about 40 km/hr and then you add some humidity and it was darn right chilly without longjohns.

We coped, however, but it didn't make for an enjoyable walking tour.

Long story short, if you can find an alternate to the Flybus, you might want to consider it. But I think taxis are over $100 for one way so I'm not sure there are alternatives other than renting a car.

The pros definitely outweigh the cons, though, and we'll be back!

[Thor]

RE is a monster in Iceland, owned by some of the powerful elite of our largest political party (well brothers of one of our upcoming prime minister.)

The taxi and bus situation out of KEF is a hotly debated issue, and is rather frustrating for sure. Car rentals are ideal in Iceland, but a lot of people prefer to be guided around so I totally understand that.

You'll get to see a totally different Iceland when you visit next in the summer, its a dramatic shift between winter and summer here

Glad you had fun!

[Table 5]

So Thor or anyone else...last minute advice needed. How good is the hot dog at the famous Reykjavik Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur? Is it better/different that the other hot dog places from the same brand? Ive just travelled the ring road and frankly, Im hot dogged out. I also have a dinner reservation at Forettabarrin in a few hours that will most likely fill me up. I leave in the morning which wont leave time for more hot dogs...which my body doesnt want anyway.

So...I guess my question is should go down and stuff one down anyway? Is this particular stand better than the same brand elsewhere (which Ive had).

I need an answer ASAP!

[Slacker]

Originally Posted by Table 5

So Thor or anyone else...last minute advice needed. How good is the hot dog at the famous Reykjavik Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur? Is it better/different that the other hot dog places from the same brand? Ive just travelled the ring road and frankly, Im hot dogged out. I also have a dinner reservation at Forettabarrin in a few hours that will most likely fill me up. I leave in the morning which wont leave time for more hot dogs...which my body doesnt want anyway.

So...I guess my question is should go down and stuff one down anyway? Is this particular stand better than the same brand elsewhere (which Ive had).

I need an answer ASAP!

I had them when I visited them a few weeks ago and they're pretty good!

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Table 5

So Thor or anyone else...last minute advice needed. How good is the hot dog at the famous Reykjavik Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur? Is it better/different that the other hot dog places from the same brand? Ive just travelled the ring road and frankly, Im hot dogged out. I also have a dinner reservation at Forettabarrin in a few hours that will most likely fill me up. I leave in the morning which wont leave time for more hot dogs...which my body doesnt want anyway.

So...I guess my question is should go down and stuff one down anyway? Is this particular stand better than the same brand elsewhere (which Ive had).

I need an answer ASAP!

They are the world's best hot dogs. If you disagree, we can't be friends. Sorry, I don't make the rules.

[heep223]

@ Table 5 for some reason I can't quote you.

The hot dogs were pretty good but tbh I didn't see what all the fuss was about. Though I had been drinking heavily (which I thought would make them even better).

Forettabarrin on the other hand was excellent, by far the best meal we had there.