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

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by heep223

The hot dogs were pretty good but tbh I didn't see what all the fuss was about.

Now we are at war.


(In all seriousness, I do love them, but I also grew up eating them as a kid, so that perspective does help a bit...)

[Baron von Kriterium]

We stayed in the Centrehotel Plaza and there is a hot dog stand and a sub (boat) sandwich stand right out the door in the main plaza. We ate at both a couple of times. I enjoyed both.

Hot dog stand = Pylsuhúsið

Subs = Hlöllabátar

https://www.google.com/maps/@64.1482371,-21.9407696,19z

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by 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.

Forettabarrin was indeed excellent.

I never did end up having the central Reykjavik hot dog. But to be honest with you, after having probably a dozen of them across the country, I felt the hot dogs in Iceland were a bit over-rated. Good, but not mind blowing.

[Slacker]

My favourite place to eat was at the Sea Baron by the old harbour. The lobster soup was amazing!

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Forettabarrin was indeed excellent.

I never did end up having the central Reykjavik hot dog. But to be honest with you, after having probably a dozen of them across the country, I felt the hot dogs in Iceland were a bit over-rated. Good, but not mind blowing.

In defense of the hot dogs the one stand in downtown by the harbor must add crack or something, those taste better than anywhere else.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Thor

In defense of the hot dogs the one stand in downtown by the harbor must add crack or something, those taste better than anywhere else.

I consider it a good excuse to go back and find out in the future.

[FlamesAddiction]

Iceland smokes more marijuana per capita than any other country.

http://mic.com/articles/92547/the-co...ect#.slTi6GAjc

[stazzy33]

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Iceland from June 22 - June 27. By the look of things, it will barely get dark when we are there. This thread is an awesome resource and helping us come up with great ideas! For those that rented a car, do you have a suggestion of the best company to go with and where to rent from? Also, Thor, would you like me to pick you up some Flames gear before I leave? You can PM me if you want.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by stazzy33

Also, Thor, would you like me to pick you up some Flames gear before I leave? You can PM me if you want.

When he's paying for the gear, don't let him transfer the money from his Panamanian LLC.




... too soon?

[Thor]

Originally Posted by stazzy33

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Iceland from June 22 - June 27. By the look of things, it will barely get dark when we are there. This thread is an awesome resource and helping us come up with great ideas! For those that rented a car, do you have a suggestion of the best company to go with and where to rent from? Also, Thor, would you like me to pick you up some Flames gear before I leave? You can PM me if you want.

Great time to visit, be warned this year is going to be bananas with regards to crowds in the summer. #1 is to be sure you have accommodation first, we are having a major shortage of rooms anywhere in the country as the tourism boom is going up another 20% this year and we've been seeing that kind of increase for about 3 years in a row!

Just remember, gas is expensive here, so most people go with a smaller vehicle, and of course renting cars here is pricey. If you can afford it go a bit bigger, 4x4 is always nice if you plan on doing any non traditional sites, ie not the golden circle, but otherwise the little cars are fine.

Buy your full quota of booze at the duty free when you arrive, otherwise you will make Icelanders cry, the cost of booze is high here and if you want to have drinks here and there best to have at least filled your quota at the airport.

As for rental companies I'm not sure since I never use them, but maybe someone here can advise you on that, pretty much any of the companies here are good, strict regulations and all that since we are a dirty socialist nation.

Oh and thanks for the offer on the Flames stuff I'm good thanks

[Table 5]

Perhaps its just the internet magnifying things, but I actually read about a few shady dealings through some of the Iceland car rental companies. It seems like most of the time, issues tend to come up around the sand/ash insurance (some people don't get it, and then rental company claims suspiciously large damage charges). It gets REALLY windy in Iceland, so I can see why it could be an issue. I just got the insurance.

If you're puttering around Reyjkavik and the Golden Circle you don't need a 4x4. If you are doing the circle route or going into the more remote areas, I would recommend it. The weather there can get pretty extreme, and a lot of the cooler spots require a little bit of off-roading. Even if you're not doing anything crazy, i think its nice to have as some places can get remote and you dont want to get stuck.

After doing some research, I found only good things about https://icerental4x4.is/ and rented through them. They are more of a local dealer as opposed to a Hertz, I found them to be nice and professional, and while the car wasn't brand spanking new, it did everything I needed it to, and they included GPS for free.

Btw, one other bit of advice. Speed limits are slow in Iceland, but don't speed. You don't ever see a lot of cops, but they have radar boxes in many places, and apparently there's not much leeway for speeding, and the fines can get pretty crazy.

And yeah, definitely book as early as possible....Iceland does not have the infrastructure to handle the crowds that go there these days. The second largest city there is basically the size of Cochrane, and the hotel options outside of Reykjavik are pretty limited. If I went back, I would probably try to do the camping route instead...although there are also not a ton of public bathroom options, which has apparently become a big problem.

[Thor]

Yeah the roads are not meant for fast driving, there are some rather hairy turns, twists, drops, its best to keep around the speed limit. The roads here are very unforgiving, if you end up going off the road you don't end up in grass but lava rocks.

Also a good tip is that by law speed cameras HAVE to have a sign about 1 km before you drive by them to warn you of their location

Look for this sign:



If you keep an eye out, like Icelanders do you never get fined, not to mention we know where they all are, so sadly its just foreigners that get dinged.

This is what they look like:

[icarus]

My wife and I will be in Iceland from 16-19 May.

For Christmas, I bought her an Icelandair gift voucher and we will use the whole thing on holiday/tour packages once there.

Looking at the various ones available here, any recommendations?

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by icarus

My wife and I will be in Iceland from 16-19 May.

For Christmas, I bought her an Icelandair gift voucher and we will use the whole thing on holiday/tour packages once there.

Looking at the various ones available here, any recommendations?

Our voucher with Icelandair included the northern lights/thermal spa excursion. May won't be a good time for Northern Lights probably. We rented a car and quite enjoyed that. If there is a tour package that includes Vik and Snaefellsnes, go on one or both. Otherwise, rent a car. Everyone is different, so what is it you like to do?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Thor

The first couple of days, I thought those signs meant there is a lookout/nice point of interest nearby, ha.

I really hope I didn't get a ticket (apparently they may not show up for a couple of months)....my first day I booked it from Keflavik to Akureyri, and being jet lagged after a red-eye, I was driving quite spiritedly.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Baron von Kriterium

Our voucher with Icelandair included the northern lights/thermal spa excursion. May won't be a good time for Northern Lights probably. We rented a car and quite enjoyed that. If there is a tour package that includes Vik and Snaefellsnes, go on one or both. Otherwise, rent a car. Everyone is different, so what is it you like to do?

I'm not sure there would be a package that does both since they are in different parts of the country, but either would be a good option Im sure. Vik is a nice little town that has a lot of great sights around it, so a great place to spend a day or two.

It's a nice little picturesque town too.

Vik, Iceland by on Flickr

[Thor]

Vík is awesome, there is a lot of nice places to hike nearby. There is a really nice black beach nearby that people put themselves in danger all the time getting way to close to the ocean which has some gnarly incoming waves that can pull you out to sea.

Oh apparently I'm in this travel group now with my new job, if anyone is visiting and wants to try any of there packages I should be able to hook you up with a discount.

http://fi.is/en/home/

[icarus]

My wife and I will be there in a week and a half from now--we decided to do the obligatory Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon tours, but we're also going to Snaefellsnes. Thanks Baron for suggesting it, we looked at some photos and felt it was a must-see.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by icarus

My wife and I will be there in a week and a half from now--we decided to do the obligatory Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon tours, but we're also going to Snaefellsnes. Thanks Baron for suggesting it, we looked at some photos and felt it was a must-see.

On your way to Snaefellsnes, stop for lunch in Borganes. There is an excellent lunch buffet at The Settlement Center.

http://english.landnam.is/

From Borganes, we drove Rte 54 and then Rte 56.

[stazzy33]

Is the euro cup a big deal in Iceland as it is in the rest of Europe? We will be arriving on the June 22 and I believe Iceland plays that day. Will the bars be packed?