Ahh young grasshopper. Let me learn you the beauty of a VPN.
In simple terms, Using a VPN you can mask your location and make it appear that you’re some place else. For example, when I’m on vacation I set up the VPN to point to a server in the U.S to see certain shows. I also use it when I’m home to point to some server in the E.U where there’s open licenses to see other shows.
I’m not sure if that made sense but long story short, get a VPN. It is also important to use when connecting to sketchy internet when traveling. It’ll help protect your privacy.
Example: HBO Now is blocked at work, so I launch my VPN and it allows me to access HBO.
Edit: For those in need of a VPN on the quicksand, you can download NordVPN for $2.99 for the month and test if you like it or not. Either way, it'll work. At least it did when I tried it when abroad. You can install the app to your phone/tablet/laptop.
My french press travel mug. Like many, I have to have my morning coffee. There were many days we were either staying somewhere where hot coffee wasn't an option, or the coffee shops weren't open yet. Every place we stayed had an electric kettle and I bought a bag of coffee from Bónus on Day 1. Now I bring it on every adventure!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008TYX1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_YJBRH3ACXY81QK3PCKD2
We just brought these, plus a version with 2 plugs. It worked perfectly fine. Except for my poor white noise machine that was instantly fried - didn't realize it was an advanced voltage like hair dryers or whatever
https://www.amazon.com/European-Adapter-TESSAN-International-Adaptor/dp/B07L87GPPT
But in the airport, I met someone who had one of these, and it was pretty amazing. Would be much easier to use with hard-to-reach outlets.
https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Universal-Converter-Charging-Worldwide/dp/B01E140XWA
The voltage in European countries is 220 (as opposed to 120v used in North America). Many of your power adapters/chargers can run on either 120 or 220 (look at the plug side of the transformer to see what voltages will work). If it is OK for 220v, then all you need is an adapter for the plug like this one: https://smile.amazon.com/European-Adapter-Adaptor-Countries-Netherlands/dp/B008JCVF0U/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=american+to+euro+plug+adapter&qid=1552347573&s=gateway&sr=8-6
If your devices require 120 v and can't take 220v, then you will need a stepdown transformer like this: https://smile.amazon.com/World-Travel-Plug-Power-Converter/dp/B07C1LPMRQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=220+to+110+converter&qid=1552347865&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
If you're on a budget, install Appy Hour on your phone ( Google Play | iTunes ) to find bars with happy hour discounts
Don’t be overwhelmed, I’ll help. Are you renting a camping stove or bringing one?
Get yourself a soft cooler that’s collapsible. Pack it in your suitcase and bring it with you. Even those lunch sized ones will hold a few skyr, cheese, butter, coffee cream and probably 6 eggs. Like this: CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag: Insulated Leakproof 50 Can Soft Sided Portable Cooler Bag for Lunch, Grocery Shopping, Camping and Road Trips, Heather Grey/Black https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01KPW8ZEK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_5VXG0DVJR76SD86EM6F4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I also try to read every time I go somewhere! Prior to going to Iceland, I read this book, which came out recently: https://www.amazon.com/How-Iceland-Changed-World-History/dp/0143135880
It was pretty interesting, although some of the claims are a bit of a stretch.
Absolutely buy vodka at the duty free to save some money. Then install Appy Hour on your phone ( Google Play | iTunes ) to find bars with happy hour discounts
Microbar in Reykjavík has a wide range of Icelandic craft beers so you can try a lot of different things.
Iceland has a state monopoly that handles all alcohol retail sales. It's safe to assume that if your brand or product does not appear in its search engine, it is probably unavailable in Iceland.
WOW
Jesus tap dancing christ you did all that on a iphone?
I cant say thank you enough. The information is exactly what Im looking for. I shared your response with my wife and she simply replied WOW.
We have a place outside of the city area. See link. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7715160
Being that we have two young daughters 8 and 11 our days of partying are long behind us. So we thought it best to save some money and choose a spot out of the city. As for driving I decided to go with a Suzuki Vitara 4x4 just to play it safe. I don t plan on going too far off road as Im sure everything I want to see if within walking distance from a parking lot. How hardcore did you pack and dress for the elements. We are leaving Feb 22nd and have been concerned that it might be too cold. I said "fuck it" I mean its Iceland I am not expecting to get a tan while Im there. Did you have any issues at ATM machines? or where you able to use your debt credit card all the time. Do they tip there? Dont mean to bug you but as of now your the closest thing to a Icelandic travel agent I have.
Stay well
David
Sun and Moon calendar for Reykjavik: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/iceland/reykjavik
Weather patterns based on averages https://weatherspark.com/y/31501/Average-Weather-in-Reykjav%C3%ADk-Iceland-Year-Round
Note that it's very cloudy in Iceland. It's between overcast and partly cloudy about 75% of the time in September.
If you're lucky enough to have a clear night, I would head south to Reykjanesfólkvangur. I was there this past April. It's nearby and has the same expected beautiful scenery as anywhere else within an hour of Reykjavik.
Daylight calendar and weather is typical Iceland. Changes all the time, be prepared for everything (especially rain, so waterproof everything). In general, Iceland is almost always windy and has clouds every day. Some days are clear and gorgeous however.
If you like doing outdoorsy things and seeing gorgeous scenery, Iceland could be up your alley. Exploring it puts you in some remote areas so if you're looking for a lively city... there aren't many in Iceland ;)
On the plus side, you'd be in Iceland for the start of aurora season, and if you like landscape photography or hiking, then it's worth heavy consideration.
If you dislike being cold, the wind, or being rained on, then maybe take it off the list.
Hi, fat woman here:
5'4" 160 lbs - shorter legs, amble bottom & hips - I have these and I really like them: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L1RD9X6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Size UP. I am in a 12 and probably could do with a 14. They do fit over thin base leggings.
I would just bring dual voltage products - here is a random one I found from Amazon.
I bought these on amazon. Miraculously it didn’t rain when I was there, but I’ve used them since and they work well.
SWISSWELL Men's Waterproof Rain Pants Black Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y45G9XZ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
It depends. There are various providers are there. Some more "private" than others. I believe some of the bigger names out there right now are NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access.
I personally use Nord since it had fairly good reviews and there was a deal. $90 for three years.
Anyway, you buy a subscription to these services and download the app to your phone/tablet/laptop.
I have the app on almost all my devices and they work well.
NordVPN currently has a $2.99 for a month deal if you just want to test it out for a month
Per person, this is not a good deal, at all. 2598 CAD is quite steep.
What I would recommend is renting your own car. Which you could get a good deal, for around 5-600 CAD. Like: https://www.northbound.is/rental-car/523/2017-kia-rio-diesel-manual?c=hatchback&o=low_price&start=2018-08-16-0000&end=2018-08-23-0000&l=keflavik_airport&dl=keflavik_airport
Then maybe book an Airbnb, like: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/25811479?location=Iceland&adults=2&children=0&infants=0&guests=2&check_in=2018-08-16&check_out=2018-08-23&s=Y9TFMRYy
Its like 630 USD for 7 nights.
I would definitely organise it yourself. If you plan well, you will get it much lower than the Exotik tour price. For an Airbnb and car for 7 nights, its like 1600 CAD.
Edit: Typo
Cannot recommend Brynhildur enough.
Lovely private room, nice setting, amazing family. She really goes above and beyond the "normal" experience.
She is located in Keflavik near the harbor off the main road.
We stayed here in Reykjavik this year, and really liked it.
Car rental is easy, there are lots of options - major international chains and some local ones. Make sure to thoroughly document the cars condition when you pick it up, note it on your paperwork and have an employee sign it. The environment in Iceland can be pretty harsh on rentals; seems more common to get vehicles w/ scratches or dents in them, then you would in Canada/US.
Sadly I don't really remember, it's the darkest in December at least. So if the weather allows, december and january are probably the best times.
You can probably get some info from reading through these tables here http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/reykjavik?month=8&year=2015
My best bet is Kolaportið, a weekend folea market in Reykjavík.
Pretty sure you can get hákarl and whale in stores, not sure about puffin.
Check out the Katla House. it's a bit in the middle of nowhere, a little outside Vik. But a pretty central location between the majority of the south landmarks and the south east/east landmarks.
it's easily the most beuatiful place I stayed at on my trip. but because it is in, literally, the middle of no where, you may get that 'cabin in the woods' feeling. but you'll be with 8 people!
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1550096
even if it's currently booked. keep an eye out. this place randomly opened up exactly when I was in the area. so I was ble to book it only a few months prior to my August trip last year.
Probably flying to New York or Boston or Chicago then directly to Iceland would be faster... or if from Vancouver then can go to Seattle then direct to Iceland.
Anyways no point me typing out my guesses, use google flights
+1 for food in Selfoss, although I think it's about 30 min away from Hella. One of my favorite restaurants was there - Tryggvaskali Restaurant. As the reviews say, amazing food - best salmon I've ever had! Oh, it's not cheap, but totally worth it if there's room in the budget for a splurge dinner.
We had pretty good luck with Waze actually. Also, any of our apps that used OpenStreetMap was pretty good (e.g. geocaching.com or MapMyHike)
All three of those apps had these marked: https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/64.3222/-15.5614
I ended up having a bunch of apps downloaded and would switch between them. The mobile hotspot we used worked everywhere in Iceland (except from literally within the Vidglemir cave)
Snæfellsnes sounds like a great place for you then. Just beware that getting a lot of local music or variety of cuisine can be hard to find in the small places in Snæfellsnes. That sort of thing is easiest to find in Reykjavík.
You can check out this natural spring, which I think is the only usable one on Snæfellsnes, since it does not have very high geothermal activity. There are however swimming pools and hot tubs with geothermal water in almost every small town in Iceland, which can give a similar feel to it.
EDIT: You could also check this out. I do not recommend going cave exploring on your own. If you go hiking for some distance in a remote area, make sure that someone knows of your travel which you check in with before and after setting off.
I'll actually be in iceland in the same timeframe as you. Look into this website for some guidance of average temperatures. Average Temperatures are in the mid to low 40's. Biggest notable thing is that Rainfall will be pretty constant, though with an average 45% chance of raining at some point during the day.
July August? Nothern lights slim chance due to very long days. Push to september first week at the earliest. You do have slight chance in last week of August https://weatherspark.com/averages/27562/8/Reykjavik-Capital-Region-Iceland If you see this, you get complete darkness only after mid august. Slowly it increases.
That said, its an otherwise lovely time. In July you can catch puffins in westfjords and also at other places. Almost entire day is bright with hardly any darkness, so gives you a lot of time to explore. Highlands are accessible too! So you can go to the interiors. Do some research, and figure out what you want to see.
Here you go: https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=13/65.4755/-15.5292
And here's an app for OSM: https://organicmaps.app/
Google Maps is very lacking in detail compared to OSM for these kinds of things.
I used Maps.me Android ( http://maps.me/en/home ) offline exclusively and was very happy with it. It's fed by Open Street Maps and the data quality everywhere we went seems quite good - better than Google Maps in some places - especially in terms of showing points of interest on the map.
The search isn't great, but it works. Use bookmarks and search with Google Maps when you have wifi and you'll be fine.
There's an iPhone version.
I went last April 6-16 and rented a camper van to drive the ring road also. If you are no stranger to driving in the snow I wouldn't be concerned. Some parts were slushy, some icy but no deep snow to drive through. Here is a crappy video we made which shows the roads conditions.
I personally always have a tough time finding hiking pants. My hips aren't so wide, but I do have a bit of a booty and athletic thighs and calves. Basically I just have an athletic shape and I hate the way that joggers and leggings look on me. Anyway, I'm finishing up my trip in Iceland and my favs were REIs Savanna pants and Prana Summit pants. I got the REI pants last year and at that time they had an additional pocket that went horizontally across the leg, but now it seems they no longer have that. I'm not certain that the pocket was the most flattering, but I LOVED that pocket for quickly storing my phone on hikes when I needed to reference it for the All Trails app or to take a photo. However, the regular pockets were also quite deep, but if you're scrambling or doing anything with a lot of hip movement, then you always risk your phone getting tossed out of your pocket. The Prana Summit pants are amazingly comfortable. They feel like you're wearing pj's. They also have a drawstring at the bottom so that you can adjust them into a tighter boot cut or even leggings. They also have an elastic waistband for an extremely easy on/off. The Savanna pants will roll up into crops which was really helpful during river crossing hikes (I had a few of these) and two buttons to close them at the waistband -- I always found them quick to get on/off and they felt very securely on. Both pants kept me nice and warm during regular hikes and when I was in the Highlands or during glacier hikes, I just slipped leggings on underneath. They also were both quick-drying which made it very easy to wash out in the sink when they got dirty or to just continue on my hike when they got wet in the rain or from a river. Good luck on your hiking pant search! I've been there!
Hah, I'm not a southerner (unless you count growing up mostly in Virginia Beach--I live in Portland Oregon now), but I know I'm relatively outgoing/talkative/friendly compared to other Americans, lol. I'm also traveling solo in September for a week and I'm about your age (41) and a gay lady myself!
What kind of craft beers do you like? I'm partial to citrus-y IPA's but I love ambers and reds and fruity sours, too. I'm reasonably good at trivia (aka interesting but useless info) so if you find any pub trivia nights (that are in English) I could be a team member? :D
Re: learning about Icelanders: this book especially (plus several others by the same author) are quick, (mostly) fun reads. I kept finding myself screenshotting things from my kindle app to share with friends: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PEXI6YU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o03?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The Little Book of the Icelanders: 50 miniature essays on the quirks and foibles of the Icelandic people, by Alda Sigmundsdóttir
You can find it on Amazon music and Apple Music! Attaching the links! The band is called “Peter’s Cafe” :)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XLV2QX7/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_ME13STRQ6GV958GT1T0W
https://music.apple.com/us/album/seasons/1555591108?i=1555591113
Totally, I just bought a second one of these sims because it worked so well for me a few years ago (i.e. the last time I had a year of mixed intl travel):
https://www.amazon.com/internet-SIM-tablet-dongle-Mobille/dp/B006H7BKXG
A set amount of data to use in any of 60+ countries, anytime during the 12 mos following your activation of it – 3GB for $16 / 12GB for $44 / 24GB for $65
Sold & administered by one of the big UK carriers
Works in the US (iirc their partner here is T Mobile) so you can test here / no hassle on arrival
I think you can pop it into & out of any number of phones/devices (at least last time, registration was not device-specific, it was just an online form)
It does not allow you any normal voice calls or sms! But anything data-based works great (incl Skype, WhatsApp, full normal FaceTime & iMessage, etc.)
I’m sure there’s some device you can buy for women but I can’t vouch for it !
Deal: Pitch and Trek Female Urinal - Travel Urination Device & Pee Funnel for Women - Discreet Carry Bag - Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Activities & More https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PH2P3KZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KXV773T3A4EC772NCSBZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I have this Amazon 50 inch tripod. It's very lightweight and fits right into my jansport backpack. I'm going to iceland in march and bringing this with me. And it's only $17 for the 50 inch.
I was just looking last night, and I found these well-reviewed pants from Columbia on Amazon:
Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Convertible Pant, Gravel, 34 x 30 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QYGP76/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Ne0zBbE183244
They're about $40, depending on what size you need.
I'm goi g in July, so I got this book off Amazon. There is a ton of info in it. Everything from what to see, where to eat and where to sleep.
also, manual navigation wise, there's a good offline iceland map app some roads i found in google maps were'nt up to date - and unless in a city looking for a guesthouse, satnav really isnt needed... its road 1 most of the way.
It is better to go down the pass because you will have the breathtaking view in front of you all the way down, but there are some places along the road where you can stop safely and take a look behind you when going up. As for road conditions: if you have a smartphone, install the Vegagerðin app so you can check if there is snow or ice on the road: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ionicframework.faerdclient839769&hl=en
You do need to be aware that the road is not tarmacked, there are several hairpin turns on it, and parts of it are quite steep (which can make it scary for people with a fear of heights to go down it).
You can get inexpensive collapsible 2.5 gal containers on Amazon that pack down flat and will fit in your luggage. e.g. https://smile.amazon.com/SurVivv-Collapsible-Container-Hurricane-Emergency/dp/B085Q1PY23/
You will be charged at the time of booking. Depending on how strict the host is about cancellation, you can get a full or partial refund if you need to cancel. Here is more info...
Also, booking.com is a great site. I've used it quite a bit as well.
We stayed here
A+++ location. 3rd floor, narrow stairs so if you have a lot of stuff (we did) this will be slightly annoying. Super warm place. HOT shower. The room was VERY small but fit our 3 pieces of luggage (we over packed. Don't do this.) Walking distance to pretty much everything, we walked literally everywhere. Super quiet building. Cheapo parking lot nearby if you have a car.
The better way to go about this is to have a time you'd like to go and go from there. As a geologist myself, I could have spent months there. Funds are also an issue and limit what you do and how long you stay.
Any chance you could do a field camp there? I know SD school of mines does one there, and I'm certain other schools do too. It'd be a good way to learn about the geology. I'd also recommend this book. I bought it after I came back and love it.
They also have a book of poetry I recommend you check out. Who ever is in charge of Bonus marketing and products deserves a raise.
That chocolate bar is fantastic.
I've been obsessed with getting ahold of more of the Gammeldags licorice that I found in all the grocery stores. I haven't been able to find anything comparable since getting back.
I use this wash on my hand knits: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001W93UWS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It should help soften the sweater. It will also stop shedding over time. Another thing you can try is freezing the sweater, place it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for a few days. This can also help from what I've heard.
Would you recommend this storm defender as well and then layer a down jacket under it?
I am curious... lol
/u/icelandwithkids wrote a book about puffins in English, you can find it here.
Blue car rental is recommended a fair bit. I attempted to do comprehensive research (see it here) and came to the same conclusion.
Pros:
They rent new model cars, for the most part. This seems somewhat unusual in Iceland. It's a short walk from the airport to their rental office. Most insurance is included in the price, including gravel insurance.
Con: They still have some reports of problems potentially overcharging for damage.
The paying for extra damage also seems to be fairy common, and I'm not sure what to make of it. Take pictures / videos of the car when you get it, just to be safe(r).
This seems really unwise, but as I'm not a mountaineer or ice climber, I'm talking out of my ass.
Try over on the Trip Advisor forums and you might get some information.
I went with a tour company, so we stayed where they put as- at a guest house in Hofn. While TripAdvisor is pants at many destinations, I found it a good resource to get information for our trip. Hofn hotels. Guesthouses are another option, and AirBnB offers up some surprisingly good options as well.
The thing to keep in mind with hotels/guesthouses vs. airbnb is dinner. Our guesthouse (which I don't remember the name of) provided dinner, and I'm guessing most hotels will too. It's pretty quiet out there, so if you AirBnB'd it, you'd have to bring food to cook probably.
In case you missed it, reviews on Extreme Iceland and Local Guides on Trip Advisor, but you'll have to scroll through to find reviews on the tours you're looking for (since both groups do many).
I did the 2 day Jokulsarlon tour with Extreme Iceland, mainly because I didn't have the time for the 3 day Ice Cave tour. The Jokulsarlon tour was highlight of my trip and Extreme Iceland was a great company to go with.
Well, I can recommend Extreme Iceland, SuperJeep, Sterna Travel an Time Tours. Trip Advisor is actually an excellent resource for tours/what to do.
I highly recommend the free Reykjavik City Walk (#1 thing to do on that link) and if you want to do the Blue Lagoon, you must be advance tickets these days.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HP6HHPH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I order two pairs of these. WARM AF. I haven't worn them out out because I'm in Texas and my trip is in Oct.
Second everything mentioned so far. Look on Ebay if you want SmartWool, look for the 250 weight for winter.
The brand that makes this is a budget friendly option to explore. I have this shirt and it's extremely warm as a base layer, too warm for summer in Iceland but fine for winter.
Something similar to this
Don't use them to go onto glaciers
People hve died doing that
I brought and used a few times these bags. I found them very convenient. They turn to gel. Downside is it creates trash. Upside is that there are some places where there is no where to relieve yourself and no privacy behind a rock or whatever. They also sealed really well and I tested them at home to make sure they were leak proof. If you use TP you can put it right in the bag when you're done.
You will be on the transborder zone (usa) at YUL and there's only one airport lounge, it's the Maple leaf lounge from air canada. Check here https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/fly/premium-services/maple-leaf-lounges.html#/ under "qualifying customers tab . Also for 8 hours you have time to go to Montréal and back . Make sure to come back 3 hours before departure to have time to cross security and us border. To speed up crossing at us border at yul, you can use the mobile passport app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.cbp.pspd.mpc
Honestly, my husband and I just got pants off Amazon and wore a wicking layer underneath. We hiked through downpours and were 100% dry. You don’t need to spend a fortune. I got these: https://www.amazon.com/33-000ft-Lightweight-Waterproof-Windproof/dp/B096KCVGSH/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=2N0SFC5QKD56X&keywords=rain+pants+women&qid=1659552944&sprefix=rain+pants+w%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-7
The frog trogs are also cheap. Bloggers make money from ads, they will encourage you to spend your money on stuff that is way too expensive that you may use once or twice. You just need to be dry.
Anything along the lines of this adapter:
You don't need a converter.
Definitely a detailed list shared above, I would totally rely on that. Adding on some more tips I have from my recent trip in August.
1) definitely wear clothing that you can remove and add on easily to add warmth. A lot of hiking places will get you real sweaty and hot and you would want to carry light winter wear that you can remove and carry.
2) carry empty water bottles from origination. Water is ridiculously expensive and you can ask folks to fill them for you when you run out. Be it a restaurant or gas station. It's great water and they will oblige. Tip offered by a gas station attendant
3) carry additional camera battery, you will thank me for this one.
4) most important, not all European travel chargers can be connected. Carry something like this,
5) buy groceries there in a bonus. I prefer those to even Costco. There is one not too far from the airport. $100 grocery will last a family of 4 for 5 days.
6) if you are staying in an Airbnb then don't buy salt and sugar, many other tourists would have left theirs behind
7) eating out is ridiculously expensive, the cafeteria at haukadalur geysir was amazing though. Do check that place out. Also OB gas stations have amazing french fries..
8)carry waterproof hiking shoes and ponchos. Will absolutely need them at the seljalandfoss + gulfoss
9) carry spandex/Lycra material tops if you are not big on swimsuits. They are allowed in the geothermal springs that you pay for.
10)
I also recommend reading a little about Icelandic society and history. I've heard the book The Little Book of the Icelanders gives a good insight for foreigners. If you ever make it over to Iceland feel free to send me a message. Good luck :-)
Personally I'd get some medical tape, a craft stick of some sort (something like this), then use it to support/protect the toe for the moment until I get back the US. I fractured my big toe playing soccer in the past and did something similar as I couldn't get into a hospital for a few days and it worked well.
Hm, I see this for kids on Kindle. Looks cool.
I used an Orange Holiday card from Amazon. I had a very good connection the whole way to Höfn.
Sure! I just got this one off amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XFHW99P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
​
I'm not sure what voltage my inverter is yet, but this one switches between 110 and 220 so I figured that would be the way to go
The weather is so unpredictable in Iceland even if you don't think you'll be dealing with water it'll just start raining, snowing or both at the same time out of nowhere so would definitely recommend waterproof pants. Can't speak to affordable fleece leggings because I lived in a pair of LL Bean fleece leggings the whole time I was there (highly recommend if you feel like splurging!), but I will absolutely recommend the Columbia rain pants! I brought those as well as my ski pants and I didn't wear the ski pants once, the Columbia's were that good.
Google "Malco Fizzy Pop"
Available at the Made in Switzerland online store for pretty cheap as compared to Amazon.
I got these 90 degrees fleece leggings off Amazon and used them for Iceland and winter running at home. I I use their regular leggings for gym workouts and love them. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R1YQWBF?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder-t1_ypp_rep_k1_1_5&amp&crid=3BJJ4DFM3KOHP&amp&sprefix=90+de
I flew to and from Seattle on Alaska/Icelandair in late May and even then only about 25% were masked.
The current variants are incredibly contagious and the vaccines are not as effective against them, so I'm wearing an N95 these days even though I'm double boosted. I got these and they're pretty comfortable, although any properly fitting N95 is not going to feel wonderful. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095FJ36H2?ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details&th=1
I got these waterproof pants: CRZ YOGA Women's Stretch Hiking... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098D27N9N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share and Dragon Fit Joggers for Women with... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086L7RS5J?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share. Also I wore some yoga pants I already had that dried quickly. I never bought rain pants. We just got back last week. I brought two beanies, a puffer coat, a hoodie for layer, a fleece, long sleeve shirts and tshirts and wore layering combinations of them all. I just bought standard socks and was fine because I had good waterproof shoes so it was never an issue.
I wore my 32 degrees puffer vest almost every day. I got mine at Costco but they have them on Amazon too. https://www.amazon.com/32-Degrees-Womens-Lightweight-Packable/dp/B09B1G87M1/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3I8AILZ7CVWAD&keywords=32+degrees+vest+womens&qid=1656692226&sprefix=32+degrees+vest%2Caps%2C412&sr=8-4
I got this waterproof jacket from Amazon and loved it! I am 5’ 4” and 145 lbs and originally ordered a medium but it was too big so I got a small and was still able to wear a hoodie underneath for warmth: Mapamyumco Women's Waterproof... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S7FVK2J?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I reccomend getting a good guide book such as Lonely Planet Iceland. They include basic itineraries plus hotel and restaurant reccomendations.
Get this. Tip, wear a hat under it like a baseball cap, so that it keeps the net from sticking to your face.
Bug spray won't do much but some people say so. So...
Great info, thanks! I have a "real" photography tripod and one of the cheaper mini ones like the one you mentioned. Do you think bringing my real one would make a difference?
These are the two I have: MACTREM Professional Camera Tripod DSLR Tripod for Travel, Super Lightweight and Reliable Sturdy, Ball Head Tripod Detachable Monopod with Phone Mount Carry Bag, 21.5" to 62.5", 33lb Load https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DCSW2V4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_N8G32GB22W2N84A5ZPSZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
RIF6 Flexible Tripod for iPhone, Digital Camera, Webcam; Lightweight, Mini and Portable with Mobile Ball Head and Universal Octopus Mount https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T6LVH74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_3GGBXR02H5H0T6MH62CY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
One tip for Blue Lagoon is to show up when they open. We went straight there from the airport to wash the travel away, and had a fantastic time. It didn't feel crowded at all. But by the time we left a few hours later, it was starting to pick up.
Krauma we visited as we were heading around the ring road with an extra day, and I'm glad we did. It's got a different vibe than the others, maybe more of a boutiquey-spa with separate areas vs. the big open lagoons. But it's kind of in the middle of nowhere which means it was the least crowded of all of them. Very chill. And at the time, there was a free coupon in the Icelandic Coupons app to get a pretty decent discount as well.
I was pretty happy with this rechargeable fan/light/powerbank. It was great for light and ventilation in the campervan when we were settling in for the night, and was particularly useful for helping dry damp clothes/shoes as well. We didn't use the powerbank part of it, but that seems like it could come in handy as well.
Second thing: a pocket blanket. When you're off on a long hike, you might want to have a sit. This might help you avoid a case of the soggybottom, and they don't take up much space at all.
I noticed that a lot of the price differences were in whether or not you needed a bus to get to the kick off point. Maybe rent a car and drive to each place. Save the 25% on those tours to recoup the cost of renting. The car has the freedom, but the bus drivers are experienced in the snow and ice. Weather Report shows ice in the mornings and probably clear roads during the day.
Title applies perfectly to me too! Which days in August are you going? I'm going at the end of August.
I booked a place at this hostel. It has great reviews!
As for activities in Iceland, I'm kind of planning on just going with the flow and seeing what the people at the hostel are going to do for that day. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this thread to see what people suggest!
My family rented this apartment a block off the central square (Ingolfstrop) and it was a dream. Huge apartment with a full kitchen, laundry, bathroom with a heated towel rack, heated mudroom. We wanted to buy the place from the owner. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7555200?eluid=0&euid=6b173462-59d1-b7a6-3795-38fa0bb20af8
There's a reason why non-4x4 vehicles are forbidden to drive in the southern highlands (maybe that rule also exists in other places). But since you are familiar with unpaved roads, this should not be a problem for you. The F-roads are very often (maybe always) gravel tracks but they are in quite good shapes.
However, there are a lot of non-F-road tracks (e.g. this: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/687461573), which aren't maintained and therefore are in bad conditions. It's probably more challenging but not a big problem with a good 4x4 car and you experience. And also: Those tracks are more rewarding because there's often literally nobody ;)
Thank you! I’ve ordered everything from that website except for the remoulade sauce. The brand one their website is Gunnar’s for $36.99 total. I found one on Amazon for a total of $26.48 but the brand is E.Finnsson. I think it’s still an Iceland brand. Not sure if there would be a taste difference. Would you happen to know if one is better than the other?
This is the one on Amazon- E. Finnsson Icelandic remúlaði remoladi remoulade Hot Dog condiment, easy-squeeze plastic bottle, 400ml - 13.5oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W3V9BL4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_BGF8KNZDMW6WN9XYQJA5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Was this it? Not bad! We're here until Saturday on our honeymoon, but my parents paid for most of it haha.
...Thank god because we're horrible with money and hadn't saved up ANYTHING :'(
I forced myself to pack extra light for once and opted with just a Carry On and Personal Item. I reused clothing for the entire 9-day trip. You won't really sweat unless you end up hiking strenuously so your clothes shouldn't stink that fast.
Highly recommend base layers. CostCo currently has these on sale right now. Buy them soon, because these seem to be end of the season stock and may sell out soon. They also have wool socks for cheap right now too... get those. Those were great too, especially if you sleep in a camper. Another option is Uniqlo's HeatTech line. Wear these under fleece and a waterproof jacket and pants.
Beanies and gloves are a must too. Snow gloves in particular... they're waterproof and more wind resistant then your usual knit gloves.
From http://wikitravel.org/en/Iceland "The drinking age in Iceland is 20 for all alcoholic beverages; while there are no penalties for under age possession or consumption, any alcohol possessed can be confiscated. While it is not recommended to break the law in any country you visit, please note that the 'de-facto' drinking age in bars appears to be 18, with staff asking for identification being an almost non-existent phenomenon. That said, you will almost certainly be asked for identification in any store when trying to purchase alcohol"
Ironically I found something the opposite (from Greenland to Iceland same day)
But I do not see Iceland to Greenland for a day. There are only 2 airlines so this is up to you to find out what might work best.
Air Greenland flies from KEF, and Air Iceland Connect flys from RVK
This cottage in Vik was wonderful. It is basically "on" the black sand beach at Vik. Easily the closest dwelling to the beach, and a great proprietor that has been renting it out for more than 20 years. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10364912?guests=1
Another suggestion: Stay here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9822632?s=FxOXVWXg
We spent 2 nights in this amazing little house about 30-40 minutes outside of Akureyri. If you like hiking this will be a good fit for you. Directly behind the house are paths that will lead you up to some lakes hidden behind the mountains. (We filled thermoses with water from the lake to have with supper.)
Well acutally we want to cross rivers on our way to Laki (F206) and around Askja.
According to my research Askja and Sprengisandur are no problem (even for a Dacia Duster). But the first river to Laki could be quite deep (I think it's this one: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/620947587#map=13/63.8784/-18.2107).
Alternatively we could to a Toyota Landcruiser.
Of course depending on weather the amount of water changes it's not a good idea to cross rivers it in any car. So maybe we even that might not make a difference.
So I bought and used these ones. I think they’re called cleats actually. Unless you are going glacier hiking, these will do just fine
When it comes to weather in Iceland and anywhere else, you are playing a numbers game. My advice is to see when the weather is better on AVERAGE, and aim for that.
https://weatherspark.com/y/31501/Average-Weather-in-Reykjav%C3%ADk-Iceland-Year-Round
Looking at the historical trends, you can see that the two time frames you mentioned are different in terms of average temperature and precipitation, with the weather being worse in the later time frame.
You might show up mid August and hit lots of rain, and you might show up in September and have clear and sunny skies. No one can predict the future. But if you're concerned about weather all you can do is maximize your odds by traveling during the time when the conditions are TYPICALLY more favorable.
This is the same way you would approach planning a snowboarding trip when there should be more storms and snowfall, a surfing trip when swells are at a good size, etc.
Journey to the center of the Earth by Jules Verne. The entrance to the center of the Earth according to the book is Snæfellsjökull volcano in West Iceland.
The thing you need to keep in mind about Iceland is that it is a lot smaller than you are probably thinking.
The towns are tiny, and only in (basically) Reykjavik are you ever going to find specialty stores. So finding freeze dried stuff in the city is possible, and you can find camping food here and there, but idk what the options are.
What you might want to do, and what we did, is just buy a cooler and pick up stuff along the way and cook it wherever you like. I mean the island is basically deserted for most everywhere you'll go, and you can pull off the road pretty much anywhere to cook when you're feeling hungry.
I bought all my food and cooked along the way, making camp later than dinner, and making breakfast at camp. Also, try for oats, and meals that just require water. You'll do fine!
Also- buy your own tent. Everyone should own one, and they're really useful if you know how to set one up and take it down without all the fuss of figuring it out. We had one night where the winds were too much and my S.O. and I had to disassemble our tent at 3 in the morning and did it in two minutes - Had we needed to fiddle around to figure it out, we'd probably have lost a fly.
Guest houses/hostels and hotels are, to me, prohibitively expensive. There are a few I'd recommend, including this guy, but really, most airbnb's are kind of much too.
The campsites are almost always lovely, and a hell of a better way to meet other travelers who'll be able to tell you where you ought to go!
The food's just not that unique. They've got a small amount of local things that live there and can be killed and eaten, so try those, but everything else, you'll basically be eating a slightly more generic version of the original.
The Icelandic Coupons app has free to use coupons. We saved a few bucks at Krauma with it.
Also, here's the Aurora app I used.