Posted by: Svava | July 25, 2010

Top Iceland Excursions

"Geysir" is one of the sights on the Golden Circle tour

Planning a trip to Iceland and fancy an excursion for some sightseeing? Bus excursions are a fun, convenient, comfortable, and affordable way to explore Iceland. And, there are many, many facets of Iceland to explore; it’s a sightseeing wonderland. 

This article is intended to point out some of the top, most popular Iceland excursions. Booking a bus excursion is easy and can be done before you leave for your trip or when you’re in Iceland.  Here is a list of some of the most popular Iceland excursions:

Golden Circle – The Golden Circle is one of the most popular and well-known tours in Iceland.  It almost always consists of three attractions:  the falls of Gullfoss, the Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park. This bus tour leaves from Reykjavik and the tour itself last approximately 4-5 hours with stops at each attraction for sightseeing and photos.  

Blue Lagoon – Another popular Iceland excursion destination is the Blue Lagoon, which is located on the Reykjanes peninsula. This famous geothermal spa and pool is must-see/experience, with its warm blue-green water surrounded by moon-like landscapes.  This tour also leaves from Reykjavik, or from the Keflavik airport as a way to pass time between layovers.  From Reykjavik, it’s about a 45 minute drive and about 20 minutes from the airport.

South Coast – Next on the list is the South Coast of Iceland. Tourists love visiting the glaciers, waterfalls, mountains, and black sand beaches of the southern shores of Iceland. The diversity of nature will have you awe struck. Bus tours are a very comfortable and cost effective way to see and experience this part of Iceland.  All-in-all, a great day tour idea.

Reykjavik – Reykjavik is actually a small city but, with much to see and do. Many tourists choose the bus tour of this interesting Northern capital city for the expert guides and local knowledge.

The best part of these excursions is that the tour operators make all the arrangements and you can sit back and just enjoy the ride. After every stop you will be able to hop back on the bus and share your thoughts with your family and friends. Most of the excursions pick you up at your hotel and offer multiple attractions in one tour.

Also, don’t worry about being trapped inside the bus. You will have more than enough time outside of the bus to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of Iceland. The bus is merely an efficient and comfortable medium of transportation to maximize your Iceland travel experience.

Posted by: Svava | July 20, 2010

Iceland Travel Information

First, let me say that Iceland is certainly worth a trip.  It’s a truly unique and unforgettable place.  I lived there for two years and still travel frequently for business.  I, of course, don’t know everything about this country but, I have learned a lot.  This article will give you much of the basic information you’ll need to make the most out of your trip.

Language
The Icelandic language is one of the most difficult.  My working vocabulary is limited, despite being married to an Icelander for 16 years and living in the country. That said, I can often follow along with conversation.  I remember my first trip to Iceland and taking photos of the street signs.  Icelandic looked so foreign to me.  The words can be comically long and the alphabet has numerous characters that are quite foreign to many, especially Americans.  Take for example the small town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a small town in southeastern Iceland with approximately 150 inhabitants.  Many of the signs for this town don’t use the full name because of its length.  You’ll often see it written as “Kirkjubæjar,” which means “church town.”

Pronunciation:
Icelandic has characters in its alphabet that may seem quite foreign to some. Here’s a quick guide to help with your pronunciation
Ð (capitalized)/ ð (lower case): called “eth” and pronounced like the “th” in there.
Æ/æ: called, “aye” and pronounced like the “i” in Iceland.
Ö/ö: pronounced like the “u” in further or murky.
Þ/þ: called “thorn” and pronounced like the “th” in thin.
Á/á: pronounced like the “ou” in ouch.
É/é: is like a normal “e,” but with a subtle “y” before it. For instance, the Icelandic word for company is, “félag” and is pronounced like “fyelag.”
Í/í: pronounced like the “ee” in eat.
J/j: are pronounced like a y in ‘yell’. Example, Jon in Icelandic sounds like “Yone”
Ó/ó: pronounced like the “o” in open.
Ú/ú: pronounced like the “o” in move.

Icelandic belongs to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages.  The language has changed little since the time of the sagas, something that Icelanders (Islendingur) take much pride in.  As far as I can tell almost every word is Icelandic is conjugated, even names.  My wife’s name is Svava and depending on the context of the conversation would be conjugated as Svövu (her’s is an easy example).  Another example is the name Sigríður, which is conjugated as, Sigríði and Sigríðar.  No wonder I never learned the language.  Picking up a new language as an adult is very hard.  But don’t worry, the vast majority of Icelanders speak English quite well.

Weather
Iceland’s weather is notoriously capricious.  Even in the height of summer, you can experience 3 seasons.  Annual temperatures range from about freezing to 55 degrees F on average.   So, while Iceland is certainly not the coldest place on earth, it is almost never ‘warm.’  That said, I have experienced many summer days that were in the low 70s.  Given the country’s latitude that’s pretty warm.  It is good to be prepared with waterproof hiking shoes, rain jacket, fleece of wool inner-jacket, hat, mittens and sunglasses.  You want to bring layers.  This especially true if you are going to be in the countryside.  And, don’t bother with an umbrella, it’s often too windy.   Here’s a good site for checking the weather.

Accommodations
Hotels in Iceland are expensive.  There are no two ways about it.  If you can afford it, that’s great.  But there are alternatives.  There are two hostels in Reykjavik.  There are also flats for rent, which are a better deal if you are going to be travelling with a small group.  Outside the capital city, I suggest staying in guesthouses.  Most offer sleeping bag accommodations and are pretty affordable.  Most of the hotels will have a list of guesthouses but, you’ll also see sighs along the Ring road, Iceland’s only highway.

Car rentals
In my opinion, the best way to experience Iceland is to rent a car and explore.  Since there’s only one main highway, getting lost is not a big problem.  Renting a car is not cheap – nothing in Iceland is – but it’s worth it. I suggest you pick up a map of places off the main highway.

Driving in Iceland
Keep your wits about you.  Iceland’s ring road is a fairly narrow two-lane road. the speed limit is 110.  I suggest not driving much faster than that, even weather permitting.  Out in the country, there are dozens of single lane bridges.  These can be dangerous.  In fact, I got into a small accident on one of them.  Here’s a link to useful information about driving in Iceland,  in 4 languages.

Food
Read another article I wrote, “A guide to low cost eating in Iceland

Things to do
Swimming.  There are numerous public pools in Reykjavik, and dozens more sprinkled across the country.  they are cheap, clean and generally offer everything from lap pools to hot tubs to steam saunas.
Iceland tours. I have gone on many tours in Iceland.  My two favorite tour operators are Icelandic Mountain Guides (www.mountainguides.is) and Iceland Rovers (www.icelandrovers.is).  Icelandic Mountain Guides specializes in hiking, climbing, backpacking, trekking and skiing.  They offer Iceland tours for people of all levels.  Some of their most popular tours are glacier walks.  Iceland Rovers specializes in guided super jeep tours.  These jeeps can seat 7 and can go just about anywhere.  The main takeaway is that booking an Iceland tour with one of these companies will afford you the opportunity to see Iceland’s beautiful outback; places the buses don’t go and places you generally can’t and shouldn’t take a rental car. They both offer a great selection of day tours and overnight tours, depending on what you want to do and how much time you have.  Another good resource for Iceland travel is the Icelandic Travel Market.  They have a website, www.icelandictravelmarket.is as well as a booking office in downtown Reykjavik.  You can choose just about any Iceland activity you can think of, either online or at their sales office.

Posted by: Svava | July 19, 2010

Iceland Jeep Tours

Iceland Jeep Tours

Iceland Jeep Tours

There is really no better way to travel the countryside of Iceland than with the assistance of a specially-equipped super jeep. These 4×4 jeeps can traverse the roughest terrain, including rivers and streams. Many Iceland tour operators offer such jeep tours with expert guides who can drive you up close to the natural phenomena of Iceland, especially that which is not accessible by roads. Whether you are interested in seeing volcanoes or glaciers, these jeeps can give you a unique perspective while keeping you safe and comfortable. This is an excellent option for those who are unable to go on hikes or walks of great lengths due to disabilities or health reasons.

One of the most popular tour destinations in Iceland is the golden circle. Yes, you can take a bus tour to these attractions but it is much more exciting and far less crowded to take a jeep tour. Not only that but it will be a much more scenic route since these jeeps do not need roads for safe travel. Imagine having the freedom to drive from the falls of Gullfoss and see the shooting Geysir and Thingvellir National Park in a matter of several hours with just your friends and family. You will be able to enjoy the attractions more without the clamor and annoyance of other people and be able to take better pictures from a closer view point.

Another aspect of a jeep tour to take into account is the ride itself. Riding in these powerful vehicles is very exhilarating and has a bit of a roller coaster feel. All you have to do is hop on, enjoy the ride, and take in the sights around you. Let the experts do the work and make sure to buckle up as it may get a little bumpy!

Overall jeep tours are very entertaining Iceland tours that will give you a great feel for Iceland’s beautiful back country. So remember, next time you visit Iceland, stop by a tour operator’s office in Reykjavik and request a jeep tour for an adventure you will never forget.

Posted by: Svava | July 15, 2010

Iceland Holidays

Reykjavik

Reykjavik

One place you may have never considered visiting of your holiday is Iceland, the land of fire and ice. Iceland is a tiny island located in the North Atlantic Ocean which is often overlooked by prospective tourists and vacationers. However, Iceland is somewhat of a hidden gem, overshadowed by its larger, more popular European neighbors such as England and Ireland. Whether you want to experience some of most breath taking natural scenery in the world or explore an interesting culture dating back thousands of years I would highly suggest Iceland as your next destination.

The best way to take in the natural phenomena of Iceland is through guided tours from professional tour operators. They will ensure you are safe and comfortable as you hike and drive to mountains, valleys, waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, black sand beaches, and much more. Some tours are strictly hiking while others require vehicle assistance in order to reach terrain where there are no designated roads. Iceland tour operators drive specially equipped super jeeps that can cross rivers and drive over boulders. They are professionally trained to operate these 4×4 vehicles and will be able to provide you with a safe and luxurious ride to see the back country of Iceland.

Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, is a place of bustling industry and riveting culture and lifestyle. Make sure to spend some time roaming through the streets of the city to get a sense of the Icelandic metropolitan way of life. In Reykjavik you can find beautiful architecture, delicious culinary offerings, and an evolving culture from rural to metropolitan. Do not be concerned with the language barrier as most Icelanders speak English and several other languages as well.

Overall, Iceland has a lot to offer tourists and travelers. Iceland combines the allure of untouched beautiful nature with bustling metropolitan city life creating a culture like none other.   So remember, if you decide to visit this beautiful island you should definitely take an Iceland hiking tour or an Iceland jeep tour and take some time to soak up the sights and sounds of Reykjavik. Hopefully this article has encouraged you to make your next holiday an Iceland holiday!

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