Iceland; been?

Let'sgoflying!

Let'sgoflying!

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Dave Taylor
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Just wondering if the reward is there; if I go it would be early fall. I like hiking and scenery, not city sights so much.
I see the Gullfoss, the Jökulsár lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Thingvellir; might be interesting. Not interested in dog sledding and have seen the A. borealis.
Just wondering if the diversion and hotel prices would make the trip worthwhile. Only so much time and $, have to choose wisely.
 
Haven't gone, but would like to. We've thought about doing a trip in the Aztec/310 going from Canada to Greenland and Iceland. I'd really like to fly myself over to Europe one day.
 
I'd love to spend a few days hiking around the Narsarsuaq area in Greenland. I'm guessing that it won't be quite as commercialized as Iceland. However, what little sight seeing I got to do in Iceland was cool.
 
I've spent a lot of time there. It's a great place, easy to get around but VERY expensive. I was last there in '06, so my info is a little dated. $8 for a Viking Beer (which is good), and about $75 for a decent meal at a restraunt. (no beer)

Hiking is great. The blue lagoon is probably a one-time thing, but worth doing. You'll want a few hours there minimum. I think its more fun when it's colder out. July/Aug is a great time to visit if you want to do the outdoor stuff. The north coast is probably my favorite part - around Akureyri. The ice hotel from the bond movie is on the east coast. That's also pretty cool (no pun intended). If you don't want to travel that far, there is an ice bar in Rek. Getting out on the glacier in some big 4x4's is also a blast - lots of tours available for that as well.

Get there before October if you want any chance of outdoor fun (and daylight).
 
Thanks. Is it 'Reykjavik' or Keflavik? Are they different or the same, or does it matter?
Greenland definitely has some appeal, too.
Wouldn't I love to do it by private a/c. I can do it without ferry tanks with a lot of ifs attached.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Thanks. Is it 'Reykjavik' or Keflavik? Are they different or the same, or does it matter?
Greenland definitely has some appeal, too.
Wouldn't I love to do it by private a/c. I can do it without ferry tanks with a lot of ifs attached.
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Both different. Keflavik used to be a US military base. Reykjavik is pretty much down town. If you fly yourself in, there is a hotel literally across the parking lot from the FBO at Reykjavik.
 
We flew through Rekyavik two years ago during the volcanic eruptions. The airport was a fine place to visit. Pretty quick going through security. I think I would like to visit for a few days if I get a chance.
On our approach, just at dawn, I saw the bright light of the volcano.
On our return trip, we ended up with a direct from Glasgow to Boston as the volcano had disrupted the whole airspace around Iceland. I just think they pulled up their welcome mat.
Don't ever, EVER do 8 1/2 hours on a 757.
 
Done it on a shoestring budget as a stopover on icelandair 20+ years ago. Definitely worth it, even more if you have a little bit of money to spend.

If off-roading is anything your are interested in, there are thes 'F-routes' through the interior desert that are pretty hardcore in that regard. If you are attached to your life, that is something to do on a guided tour (e.g. to have someone who knows what river-crossings are safe).

I saw gulfoss, the hekla volcano, landmannalaugar and a couple of other places in the few days I could afford.
 
If it ends up as a good trip or a bad trip, you'll still be having regrets years from now if you don't go.

So take a chance already!
 
Those mineral baths In turkey look pretty good too. Actually,
PTS of those places looked interesting.
I vote you go to Iceland
 
Not much to see in Kef - it's about an hour drive to Rek and that's where you'll want to be anyway.
 
Jeanie said:
Those mineral baths In turkey look pretty good too.
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Look at Budapest for baths.

There's a music festival in Iceland in the fall, I think. I think someone here went recently (though I may be wrong).

Icelandair is cheap commercial travel to the rock.
 
I am considering it for this summer. Not sure if this will be THE summer for it, but it's a contender. I would also like to see the Aurora Borealis, but that's more of a winter thing and I've already got Feb locked down.
 
Four times. 1987 and 1992 x 3. Always ferrying aircraft Europe to the States.

Stayed here in 1992 http://www.loftleidirhotelreykjavik.com/
Stayed at a B & B in 1987 - very nice and cheap. The ground handler made the arrangements.

It was a pretty laid back place when I was there, would have to guess that has changed post 9/11.
 
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