Iceland horses and nature on the Westmann Islands

Iceland is a real gem of a country in more ways then I can say.  But, the country is kind of an anomaly.  It is small, very small and there are only about three hundred thousand Icelanders.  That many people would make you would wonder how their economy survives.  But it does and, in fact, they enjoy a very high standard of living.  Iceland is also very beautiful, clean and exotic.  The air is clean, the water is pure and the nature unspoiled.  When the weather is good, enjoying the Icelandic outback is a world-class experience.  Iceland is also a very modern place so you can enjoy all the amenities you are accustomed to.  That said, if you are interested in visiting this beautiful land, there are a few negatives you may want to be aware of. 

First off, I must mention the weather.  Iceland’s weather is notoriously capricious.  You can literally have four seasons in one day.  That’s not just hyperbole; I have experienced it for myself.  Also, it is almost never really warm.  The average summer temperature is somewhere in the mid-to-high 50s.  That isn’t to say that on occasion it can’t get warmer, that’s just the average.  It can also rain in Iceland – a lot.  You could go there and have rain for the whole vacation.  So, come prepared for wind and rain and wear layers so you can modulate your temperature as  circumstances dictate.

The second big issue is that Iceland is galactically expensive.  This has been mitigated by the recent depreciation in the Icelandic currency.  Even still, (written from an American point of view) like most of the Scandinavian countries, taxes are high and the cost of everyday goods and services is high.  Food is three to four times the cost compared to America.  This can come as a real shock for US visitors who are used to cheap food.  This is less true for European tourists who are used to higher costs.  Also, alcohol is very expensive.  I believe that Iceland ranks right up there with the most expensive alcohol prices.  If you drink, I would recommend buying your booze in the duty free store before you enter the country.  You will be limited to certain quantities.  Once you are in the country you will need to find a “Vin Bud,” pronounced, “veen booth” which literally means “wine store.”  The Icelandic government has a monopoly on all alcohol, so these are state run stores.  There are many scattered around Reykjavik as well as here and there around the country.  They are not always open, like 7-11’s in the states so, keep this in mind.  If you buy drinks at a restaurant be prepared to be shocked.  A beer is at least $10 and a glass of wine is anywhere between $10 and up.  Eating out is tremendously expensive.  I would recommend shopping for most of your meals if you can.

Next is the cost of rental cars and hotels.  If you plan on traveling outside of Reykjavik, you will need a car unless you want to take a bus tour or jeep tour.  If you are just going to stay in the capital you can get around just fine with the bus system, or on foot.  If you do rent a car you should know that gas in Iceland is, currently, about $8.00 per gallon.  So, make sure your budget can handle it.  Hotel rooms are outrageous, so if you are willing to lower your room expectations, I would recommend staying at a guesthouse.  Most of the guesthouses have common showers and a common kitchen so you can cook.  There are many in Reykjavik and many more scattered around out in the country.   

I know that I am not painting a very pretty picture here.  But, in truth, if you have traveled to Europe you already know about high prices.  It’s just that Iceland seems to take it a step further.  But, you can get by with a little less and the pay off is that you will get to experience a truly wonderfully unique country – really.  Some of the experiences I have had in Iceland – camping, golfing, hiking, etc, are unforgettable.  What I am saying is that, despite the costs, it is worth going.  Just be prepared.

There are many things to do in Iceland.  You can take bus tours, jeep tours, hiking tours, and just about every other outdoor pleasure you can imagine.  You can enjoy the wonderful spas and pools all over Reykjavik, visit museums, art galleries and more.  The downtown area of Reykjavik is very charming and old world.  Other areas are very modern and cutting edge.  The Reykjavik nightlife is pretty much world famous, so if you like to party then this is a good destination for you.

Having lived in and worked in Iceland for a couple years, I have had the privilege of many memorable trips, events and excursions which may help you to cut through the clutter and plan your Iceland vacation.

Iceland is certainly and exciting and unique vacation destination and is worth visiting. This is especially true if you love the outdoors and crave wilderness and wide open spaces. Iceland is also a fun destination for its nightlife. But that won’t be the focus of this article as that was never something I got into.

First, I would recommend going during the summer months which are between late May and August, give or take a few weeks. Don’t expect warm temperatures though, the average temperature during the summer months is somewhere in the high 50s.  Every once and awhile the temperature can get into the 70s but those days are few and far between.  That said global warming has been good to this island nation below the Arctic Circle. People I still maintain contact with tell me that they often go weeks without rain and that it is warmer than it used to be.

Second, you should be prepared for an expensive vacation. Iceland is very pricy even with the current favorable exchange rate.  Food, gas, lodging, car rentals, alcohol and just about everything in between is anywhere from double to even triple the price of goods and services in America.  There are ways of saving money and I recommend taking advantage of every discount, including staying in guesthouses, shopping for and cooking your own food where possible, using pubic transportation or tour buses, and buying your alcohol in the duty free shops when you arrive. Ok, with that information out of the way, here are some fun things to consider:

Iceland has numerous glaciers and there are all kinds of tours offered that allow you to explore and experience these. You can book glacier hiking tours, jeep tours that will drive right onto the glacier, ice climbing for the more adventurous and snowmobiling tours.

Pony Trekking in Iceland is very popular. Icelandic horses are a unique breed in fact they are the only horse species with five different gates.  These horses are short and stocky and quite easy to ride.  There are many tour companies that offer everything from day tours to longer tours into the countryside. Many of these companies will even come and pick you up from your hotel or guesthouse.

Another fun adventure-type Iceland tour are jeep tours. There are several tour companies that offer these. They are mostly day tours. These jeeps are locally called “super jeeps” and they are specially outfitted to handle just about anything from crossing rivers to driving on glaciers. This is a fun way of getting a guided tour well beyond the reach of the bus tours. Most of these companies offer themed tours that cater to different tastes and interests, some even provide lunch.

I am not a huge fan of bus tours because they are not very personal but, I can see the appeal of being able to see some of the countries highlights in a few hours.  Bus tours are probably the cheapest option and they will usually even come pick you up at you hotel or guesthouse. Many people choose the golden circle tour which will take you to Thingvellir national park, Geysir, and Gullfoss and very large and famous waterfall.

In my opinion, one of the funnest things to do in Iceland is to go on a hiking tour. The nature and scenery of Iceland is truly world class and what better way to experience this than on foot, up close and personal. There are several well-established hiking tour companies that offer all kinds of tours from day hikes to overnight backpacking trips and even longer expedition style tours.  I realize that not everyone is interested in this but once you get out in nature, you’ll be glad you’re there.

The fishing in Iceland is excellent, especially the salmon fishing. The season for salmon fishing roughly coincides with the summer season. There are numerous rivers and streams all over the country some of which are right in the capital city of Reykjavik. However salmon fishing is very pricey.  So this kind of activity may not be for everyone. Many celebrities and wealthy individuals come back to Iceland every year just to fish for salmon.

Rounding up the list of things to do is whale watching, and white water river rafting. I have never done these personally but know that they are popular activities. Whale watching is a day tour. There are one or two main tour operators in Reykjavik that will pick you up and take you down to the harbor where you will board a boat and spend a few hours. White water river rafting in Iceland is not for the faint of heart. The rivers are extremely cold which requires the use of dry suits.