I decided over the weekend that I'm going to start seriously preparing for a week's vacation in Iceland next year...I've been talking about wanting to go for several years, and I think it's time to finally do something about it.

I want to spend two or three days with the geysers and the glaciers, and I want to spend time in the city shopping and drinking and checking out the local music. I don't want to have a touristy experience - I want to experience how the people live rather than be herded around to tourist destinations - but I also don't want to miss out on anything especially cool.

I'm also considering a package deal where I can take a day trip to London, but that might be a little too extravagent.

Anyway. I've decided to start budgeting and looking into flight and hotel prices, and I've decided to go either next May or next September.

Has anyone been to Iceland? I know we have at least one resident on the Org...any advice or tips or stories would be appreciated.

What inspires you to go there?

I know very little about Iceland.

pinkgirl93 said:

i just think it sounds like a very amazing country. from the books and films i've seen, the nature looks unlike anywhere else, and the culture of iceland comes across as very much up my alley - there's a huge population of artists and creative people, and it seems to me like, since Iceland is fairly isolated, people have to make their own kind of entertainment.

Plus, I've never traveled abroad, and I want my first experience to be REALLY different.

Anx said:

How about the Sudan?

Imago said:

Nah, I don't plan on renting a car while I'm there.

The most important think you should know is to take me with you.

(Though I do, in fact, care where we go. And, what we do. Sorry. )

HereToRockYourWorld said:

you're not bringing that blonde lady and the chick with the teddy bear with you this time. they creep me out.

Anx said:

Fruit bowl, though?

Hi Anx! First of all I'm glad you've decided to go to Iceland... I'm sure you'll have a great time here.... About the glaciers and thermal springs: There is a classic daytrip called the "Golden Circle" which covers most of the natural phenomenas in Iceland, at least those closest to the capital.... Here is a link that lists several very different daytrips, including the Golden Circle: http://www.allrahanda.is/...lTours.asp
When it comes to glaciers the most famous glacier site is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (seen in the TV show The Amazing Race and the Bond film Die Another Day)... unfortunately I couldn't find any trips to that place except from June to August.... that glacier site is a 3-4 hour drive from the capital... there is however available from May through September a trip to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier which is probably about 2 hours from the capital.... If you are interested in the local music scene, there's always something going on in Reykjavík, both on weeknights and on weekends... however there is actually one massive music festival with the best Icelandic acts October 18-22 this year... this festival, Iceland Airwaves, features a lot of unknown talents mixed with popular Icelandic bands (mostly indie, alternative and dance) and some big foreign acts as well.... If you can't travel to Iceland in October I'll gladly point out some interesting gigs or possible festivals when the time is right .... If you're looking for an interesting shopping experience, I would avoid the shopping malls as they are probably not that much different from what you would find at home.... Most of the shops in the malls are also in the main shopping street, Laugavegur, anyway... also there are many interesting shops exclusive to Laugavegur.... And also be sure to save up enough money for the trip, as Iceland is an expensive country, especially when it comes to alcohol... One large pint of beer will cost around 8-9 US$ at a regular bar... however the beer is much cheaper at the state-owned liquor stores (approx. 2.50 $ for one large can) so if you're willing to do things the Icelandic way (i.e. drink a few beers BEFORE you go downtown) it will probably be easier on your wallet.... And during your stay in Reykjavík, I can possibly guide you through the best places to drink or eat or to see live music... In the meantime, check out this website: http://www.grapevine.is
It's a monthly magazine published in Reykjavik in English and it covers most of the things to do that particular month and also covers whats happening, both in the news and culturally.... also there's a great guide to restaurants and cafés inside the magazine... you can read the latest issue of The Reykjavík Grapevine and some back issues on the website.... OK, I guess this is enough for now .... I hope this info is useful to you
[Edited 5/15/06 8:01am]

the women in Iceland are gorgeous and quite..."easy"...bring lots of condoms!

I forgot the mention the hotels..... here's a link to budget accommodation in downtown Reykjavík: http://www.travellerspoin...-1048.html .... the rates there should be much lower than at the standard hotel chains..... also if you're willing to spend a lot of money on a deluxe night out with a professional nightlife guide, here's a link : http://www.nightlifefriend.is/

PurpleRein said:

for some reason, i don't think that will be a big temptation for me.

Wow - good choice!

I bet it is a fantastic place to visit.

All I know is that it can be a very expensive place to visit. Take money.

purplehippieonthe1 said:

thanks for all your input!

i don't want to really glam it up while i'm out there...i'd LOVE to have accommodations with a bed, but i'm willing to bring a sleeping bag and a pillow. from what i read there are bone-cheap accommodations that are insanely spare, and i could probably handle that...but if i have the extra money, i'll spring for a mattress.

i mainly just want to roam around for a week and get a feel for iceland, both city life and nature. check out some nightlife, find some weird shops and raid a wrecka stow or two, look at the architecture and some of the old churches...stuff like that. i don't really care about expensive restaurants or five star hotels.

Whatever you do, DO NOT, I say, DO NOT speak to Bjork if you see her at an airport.....


M

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

i will beg her for a hug. i will also carry a taser, just in case.

Anx said:

The picture in my head of you tasering Bjork.....priceless.


M

This tour sounds amazing.

Anx said:

You're welcome .... You can definately find some weird shops and wreckastows in downtown Reykjavík.. As far as wrecka stows go, there's one large chain called Skífan which has the largest record store in Iceland in the Laugavegur street... also downtown there's a great wrecka stow called Geisladiskabúð Valda (Valdi's CD shop)... It has lots of used and some out-of print titles along with some new titles as well as DVDs, computer games and used vinyl at relatively fair prices..... I bought most of my Prince CDs there, including the Black Album.... Also there's a store called Safnarabúðin (Collector's store) which is basically organized chaos ... it can be kinda hard to find specific titles there as the CDs and vinyl records are not always alphabetically indexed there... but there are plenty of gems to be found there if you have some time to browse in the store.... Also there's the official Bad Taste (Smekkleysa) record store... It's a store owned by the label that brought you The Sugarcubes and Sigur Rós....
The Bad Taste offical website: https://www.smekkleysa.net/
[Edited 5/15/06 8:43am]

the bad taste store's gallery looks pretty cool. speaking of galleries, how is the art scene out there? are there many galleries or museums you'd recommend?

My aunt and her husband are gaga crazy over Iceland. They go, like, every year. They are also the ultimate yuppies. They live in the mountains with their two huskies (who they take out dog sledding everyday) and the dogs and their house were featured in last winter's Eddie Bauer catalog.

Natsume said:

have they ever said what they like doing so much in iceland?

Anx said:

It's mostly the beautiful scenery and the outdoor activities. They're HUGE hikers.

Natsume said:

i want to hike up the side of a volcano. i don't care if it erupts and i get melted into hot anxy pudding. i can think of worse ways to go, and i want to be cremated when i croak anyway, so it would be thrifty.

Anx said:

I've met her 3 times and she was nothing but sweetness and light. You should see if she'll take you around on her new scooner.

Anx said:

I would recommend The National Museum... It received some kind of special recognition this year from a competition amongst the European Museum Union.... Also the National Art Museum and Reykjavík Art Museum are always popular.... there's no entrance fee to the National Museum.... For more alternative museums and art galleries there's a nice listing in The Reykjavik Grapevine (the latest issue in PDF-format here (page 14): http://www.grapevine.is/p...5_2006.pdf)
[Edited 5/15/06 12:45pm]

beware of Icelandic men...they're pretty and quite 'easy'....bring lots of condoms

PurpleRein said:

Anx said:

That it's a horrible cliché to go over to Iceland for a vacation.