Making the Most of Iceland

For my next Bucket List adventure, I thought I would wax lyrical about one of my favourite countries, Iceland. I travelled there for the first time 15 years ago and fell in love with the stunning landscape, friendly people and the abundance of quiet open spaces! I think I am right in saying it is still the most sparsely populated country in Europe.

I first went to Iceland for a long weekend and then returned a couple of years later with 26 sixth form students in tow! I loved teaching them in this amazing outdoor classroom, showing them the most amazing waterfalls, glaciers and volcanic landforms ‘in the flesh’ so to speak!
Now, as a Travel Consultant, this has become one of the most popular holiday destinations I have been asked about, particularly from people looking to see the Northern Lights for the first time or wanting a surprise holiday for their significant other, somewhere ‘a bit different’!

Getting there…….

Iceland has become more accessible in recent years as its popularity has increased. I had to travel to Stansted to fly there 15 years ago but now you can fly from Manchester with regular flights at really good times. The number of airlines has also increased with the budget providers like EasyJet, Jet2 and TUI adding more to their flight plans. This summer the number of flights to Keflavik airport is set to rise sharply following the announcement that Iceland is on the Green List for travel from the UK.
Keflavik airport is about a 45 minute drive from Reykjavik. Coach transfers are frequent and do give you the opportunity to see some of the volcanic landscape on your way to the capital. Most visitors opt for a hotel in the capital as this is an excellent base for tours and an amazing city to spend some time in. You can of course opt for a more remote hotel, lodge or hostel but you would need to factor in hiring a car from the airport to ensure you make the most of your stay.

This, along with Lisbon, is my favourite capital city! Architecturally fascinating, culturally rich and in a stunning location on the southwest coast of the island. Europe’s most northerly capital city!

I highly recommend taking a bus tour with a guided commentary to help set the scene and give you some ideas of where you would like to spend time. You can book a ‘Hop on, Hop off’ type of ticket over a couple of days so you can use it both as a guided tour and as a form of transport during your stay.

There is so much to see in the city that I recommend spending at least 2 full days exploring the capital and a further 2 – 3 days for Iceland’s other attractions. Most people who have booked with me have opted for a 5 day stay. The capital has so many hotels ranging from budget hostel-type to 4 and 5* hotels with saunas and rooftop bars overlooking the harbour. I would recommend opting for the 3* and above accommodation and steering clear of many of the large hostels. These are much cheaper but personally I have stayed in one and did not like the shared facilities and the lack of privacy!

Food-wise Reykjavik has the same variety of choice as any other capital city. From traditional Icelandic menus to standard restaurant fayre, you can take your pick! Food is reasonable but alcoholic drinks are expensive, so be prepared for this! Depending which bars and restaurants you choose to visit, you can end up with a healthy bar bill before bedtime!

Here is a list of just some of the sights in Reykjavik worth a visit:

• Alþingishúsið – the Icelandic parliament building
• Árbæjarsafn (Reykjavík Open Air Museum)
• Hallgrímskirkja – the largest church in Iceland
• Harpa Reykjavík – Reykjavík Concert Hall
• Höfði – the house in which Gorbachev and Reagan met in 1986 for the Iceland Summit
• National Museum of Iceland
• Ráðhús Reykjavíkur – city hall
• Reykjavík 871±2 – exhibition of an archaeological excavation of a Viking-age longhouse, from about AD 930
• Safnahúsið, culture house, National Centre for Cultural Heritage (Þjóðmenningarhúsið)
• Vikin Maritime Museum – located by the old harbour
• Reykjavík Botanic Gardens

There are so many options for exploring the island. You can of course hire a car for your stay and then you have the flexibility to travel as far outside the city as you want and on your own timescale. However, I found that if you are visiting for the first time, you miss out by doing this as you do not have access to the local guides on the organised tours.

Most tours depart from bus stops all over the city. You can usually find one very close to your hotel without having to walk any distance to one of the main stops in the city centre.

Pre-booking is advised but you can of course book them during your stay, with some hotels offering the facility to do this at reception. Several are full day options, with some half days. The Northern Lights tours are a must and the local guides will take you to the best locations to see the lights. These are usually a couple of hours one evening and often include a snack or drink with your ticket. Many of the excursions and tours do include lunch, which is a really good option and worth checking as you can then plan if you need to take food with you from a nearby supermarket.

My recommendations for excursions are:

1. The Blue Lagoon
This is just a short drive from Reykjavik and some tours include a visit here as part of the days itinerary. I really enjoyed relaxing in the geothermal pool with a volcanic mud mask! This is the main reason I have not aged a bit in the last 15 years……! Ideal for those who love to bath or want to experience some relaxation treatments during their stay.

2. Skógafoss And Seljalandsfoss
These are two of the most popular waterfalls to visit and they’re just 29 kilometres apart, so can be visited one after the other. I love waterfalls so these were a must! Don’t forget your camera, and a waterproof!

3. The ‘Golden Circle’ Tour
The route itself is beautiful (especially through Þingvellir National Park) and a day of gasps and such contrasting scenery. The geysers and Gullfoss waterfall are two highlights and really do make you realise how powerful nature really is! At Þingvellir National Park, you even get the opportunity to stand with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia!
There are so many other places to visit but I thought I would highlight those that are possible on a short break and give you a real flavour of the country, culture and geography/geology.

Iceland has so much more to offer than the Northern Lights and is often overlooked as a destination for a city break or weekend away. I highly recommend adding it to your Bucket List if it isn’t already on there!

Marcus Edwards
Personal Travel Consultant

If you would like more information about a trip to Iceland, please get in touch!

marcus.edwards@notjusttravel.com

07714307008

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