Reykjavik Journals

Iceland Adventure

A July 2004 trip to Reykjavik by Ju

Quote: Iceland is no ordinary European destination. Its extraordinary landscape, combined with friendly people and proximity to both Europe and North America make it the perfect trip for an adventure.

Iceland Adventure

Overview

Quote:

Wander around Reykjavik's pretty streets, see the amazing natural sights of Gulfoss waterfall and the geysers at Geysir, go skidooing on Europe's largest glacier and soak away your troubles at the Blue Lagoon.

Quick Tips:

Take cereal bars for breakfast or snacks as eating out can be expensive and not all accommodation offers breakfast. Explore guesthouses and take a sleeping bag to save money. From the UK or Denmark, Iceland Express flights can be significantly cheaper than other airlines.

Best Way To Get Around:

Cheer!
Flag

Iceland Princess Hotel

Hotel

Quote:

To share, this boutique hotel represents excellent value for money by Reykjavik standards. The standard of accommodation is excellent, furnishings are simple and elegant, with internet access and satellite TV, and effective blinds to keep out the night-time light in summer. The service is first-rate; nothing is too much trouble and they even bring you a delicious breakfast to your room each morning. Best of all, it's only five minutes walk to the centre of Reykjavik's old town where all the bars and restaurants are located.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 10, 2004

Iceland Princess Hotel
TUNGATA 34
Reykjavik, Iceland 00000
354-534-0444

Cheer!
Flag

Caruso

Restaurant

Quote:

This place is intimate and friendly. No reservations are needed; if they are busy, they have a sitting room upstairs with comfy sofas for you to sip a drink and study the menus. The menu is Italian with an Icelandic twist; from the grilled halibut to sundried tomato and cheese pizza, the quality of the food is outstanding and the portions large.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 10, 2004

Caruso
Main street
Reykjavik, Iceland

Cheer!
Flag

Jokulsarlon Lagoon Trip

Attraction

Quote:

An amphibious vehicle loads on land and drives you the short distance to the lagoon. You drive in and boat around the lagoon, plenty of space to see the icebergs, and a charming guide to tell you about the lagoon. It was frozen for James Bond to skid around on in Die Another Day, but to do so they had to block off the sea water. Even on a cloudy day, the reflections of the icebergs in the water are incredible and the colours stunning, from translucent turquoise to dark brown with the glacial moraine.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 10, 2004

Jokulsarlon Lagoon Trip
Jokulsarlon, Southern Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland

Cheer!
Flag

Gullfoss

Attraction

Quote:

The most famous and most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland, accessed by public bus or by Golden Circle tour. The falls from a distance are truly amazing; close-up, you get drenched by the spray and can touch the water. The basalt gorge created by the falls is stunning. Best of all, commercial facilities have been limited to a car park and a rope rail, leaving you to view the falls in their natural glory.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 10, 2004

Gullfoss
South East Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland

Cheer!
Flag

Strokkur

Attraction

Quote:

The home of the original geysers, this is the setting for Strokkur, the most active geyser at Geysir right now. A crowd gathers as the water bubbles up and down, teasing its audience. Finally, it oozes up into a turquoise dome, before bursting into life as a 30 feet high jet of water and steam. Fantastic!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 10, 2004

Strokkur
South-East Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland

Cheer!
Flag

Blue Lagoon (Geothermal Spa)

Attraction | "Blue Lagoon"

Quote:

Perhaps Iceland's most famous attraction, but it is not actually natural but man-made. A few years ago, it opened as a way of using the wasted hot water from the geothermal power station behind. Sheltered by lava fields, and a milky turquoise due to the high silica and other mineral content, the location is as stunning as the experience is memorable. It costs about £10 to get in, with all facilities included, such as luggage lockers (big enough for suitcases, making it a perfect stop-off en route to the airport), hairdryer, conditioner and shower gel, towel and swimsuit hire. Inside the lagoon, you can use the silica mud provided free to give yourself an al fresco facial, take a sauna or pay for a mas...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 10, 2004

Blue Lagoon (Geothermal Spa)
Grindavik lava field, Reykjanes Peninsula
Reykjavik, Iceland

Cheer!
Flag

Skidooing On Vatnajokull

Story/Tip

Quote:

Vatnajokull is Europe's largest glacier and we accessed it on a day trip from Reykjavik by plane. Our outbound 1-hour flight to Hofn left from the domestic terminal in the centre of the city, and was an eight-seater plane. We were then bussed up a gravel path to the glacier, where we hired a skidoo and were kitted out in snowsuits and helmets. A snowcat took us onto the glacier where we had a fun hour bouncing along in the snow and dodging crevasses, led at all times by an expert guide. The scenery was spectacular and we even hit 55kph at one point. What a rush!