Iceland 2018
Iceland 2018
Executive summary:
Reviews
5 day plan
Stuff to bring
Summary:
Having just spent five days in Iceland, Wednesday, October 24, 2018 — Sunday, October 29, 2018, this write up covers the five day period of sites to see, dining and other random facts. The write up below is based on a self planning journey and minimized the use of a professional tour. While I do not have first hand experience of the tours, based on people I know, the planned tours are equally as good and might be somewhat easier.
The airport is incredibly modern. Compared to Boston or other major cities, this place is a technology wonder. Let’s start with the security process. These people have figured out how to setup a security checkpoint where multiple people can be unloading their bags, furthermore, they have figured out how to automatically return the bin and eliminate people in the process. It was an amazing security process to experience and far less painful than the “sin
Lessons Learned:
Ok, so if you are in a rush and leaving in the next day, spend a moment and collect the following items below:
Overall, Iceland takes planning! Do not show up without having a full itinerary planned of where and when you are going. Key items to remember:
- Glove liners, that allow you to operate your smart phone are helpful. Most of the time you will be wearing heavy gloves or mittens and you will not be able to operate your phone. I had a pair similar to these; Head: Multi-Sport Gloves with SensaTEC. They were thin enough that I wore them under my mittens. When I took off my mitten, I could operate my phone and still keep my hand warm.
- Mobile hot spot, Don’t leave your rental car company without it. From the car rental company, Blue Car Rental / Cars Iceland, I added the mobile hot spot with the rental and they provided a mobile hot spot device. This device worked everywhere in the country. Combined with the fact that Google Maps worked everywhere in Iceland on the mobile hot spot, I can’t imagine being without it. Also, if you want to work, this device should allow you to connect to your office network.
- The night after your Northern Light tour, do not book an early adventure. Your Northern light tour will go “late” into the night. You don’t want to get up at 6AM for your next adventure. You will want to sleep in on the morning after your Northern Light Tour.
Schedule
OK, so you have collected the components above and you need a fast schedule. Here is the one that was executed, October 24 — October 29, 2018. Please note, DO NOT schedule anything early on the day after the Northern Lights Tour:
- 8:30 PM — 6:20AM Washington (IAD) — Keflavik (KEF)
Iceland Air - 6:20 AM — (Iceland time) — 8:30 AM Pick up rental car at Blue Car Rental / Cars Iceland
- 8:30 AM — 9:00 AM Drive to the Bridge Between Continents
10:00 AM — 1:15PM Time to take that trek out to the Blue Lagoon. (Please note, this is not the scene from the movie.) Once again, upon arrival you may ask yourself “What is everybody doing in the middle of nowhere” on a random weekday.
My assessment of the Blue Lagoon only consists of walking around the facility. I have no knowledge of participating in the activity.
The Blue Lagoon is in fact Blue. It looks like a “medium size” pool at a resort. There is a swim up bar and even at 11AM in the morning, several people were in the Lagoon with what appeared to be alcoholic beverages. Upon arrival there is a well organized “line” to enter for those with tickets, without tickets or some type of VIP access. Once you go through the line, I am unclear of what occurs.
Bypassing the line allows you to go to the “Cafe”. This is well appointed with nice tables and chairs. Light meals, coffeee and tea are available. Furthermore, you have a window view into a section of the Lagoon activities.
From what I can tell the Lagoon is warm and seem to be a “romantic” thing to do. I did see some “Lifeguards” on duty. It appears that you can stand in the Lagoon. I have no idea what the bottom feels like.
Overall, I don’t feel like I missed much by staying on land and not participating in the Lagoon activities.
1:15 PM — 2:15 PM Time to head back to the hotel. In our situation, we stayed at the Centerhotel Skjaldbreid, Laugavegur 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. Several of the reasons to stay there are listed below, but overall it is the service that would make you return. During our trip, I was celebrating my Birthday. My significant other called to the hotel and arranged for a cake and balloon to be present when I arrived and they delivered an amazing cake! It was in the room when I arrive and was a fabulous surprise. Thanks to my significant other and the Center Hotel, it is the Best Birthday ever.
Please note, Center Hotel has several locations in the city. Our specific location was Centerhotel Skjaldbreid, Laugavegur 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. If you are looking to be closer to the water and their other property that has a roof deck/party atmosphere, then you may want that location. If you want to be close to the city, here is why you want to stay at the Centerhotel Skjaldbreid, Laugavegur 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland..
Some items to be aware of include: 1. The beds are twin size beds that are pushed together. They are comfortable, but the “Crevice” between the beds can be something to avoid at night. If you are handicapped, call the hotel and check for access in and out of the facility. There are stairs to go into the hotel (4–6 small steps) and then you can take the lift to the reception desk, but please check for your specific needs.
- The Staff. Incredibly friendly and helpful. They know the area and the important points.
- Location. It is close to “Bus Stop 7” which is a key pick up point in the city for various tours
- Free Breakfast. You get an incredible selection for a continental breakfast and you have the ability to make a sandwich to take with you for the day
- A parking garage is around the corner, just a short 1 block walk. I was able to get a Toyota Land Cruiser into the garage, albeit tight, I made it fit. I saw some Land Rover Defenders in there as well.
Reviews
Dill Restaurant:
Dill Restaurant | Hverfisgötu 12 | 101 Reykjavík | 552 1522 | dillrestaurant@dillrestaurant.is
Dill is a dining experience that should not be missed while in Reykjavik! The team at Dill creates a dining experience that is absolutely delicious! Throughout the meal a “Green” theme emerges. Each dish has some “green” in it, which I believe is a tribute to the environment of Iceland.
The restaurant is intimate and is a great for any occasion. While all restaurants welcome kids, I am not sure if the Dill menu wold be suitable for little people, but the adults will love it!
The menu consists of a 5 or 7 course meal and has a pairing option. Choosing the 7 course option is the way to go so you can sample all of the dishes. The menu consisted of: <Insert Menu Here>. The service was impeccable and appeared to be a “Team” approach. No need wait for your server for extras!
<Insert meal Review here, course 1–7>
While I am not handicapped and can’t make a proper assessment of the accommodations, for those that are, you should check on the setup at Dill for ingress, egress and rest room access. The restrooms were located down a flight of stairs, that would be unmanageable from a wheel chair perspective. I did not ask about the exit and entrance, but a visual review did not reveal any available ramps.
Center Hotel
Here is why you want to stay here:
1. Location. It is close to “Bus Stop 7” which is a key pick up point in the city for various tours
2. Free Breakfast. You get an incredible selection for a continental breakfast and you have the ability to make a sandwich to take with you for the day
3. The Staff. Incredibly friendly and helpful
4. A parking garage is around the corner, just a short 1 block walk. I was able to get a Toyota Land Cruiser into the garage, albeit tight, I made it fit. I saw some Land Rover Defenders in there as well.
The beds are twin size beds that are pushed together. They are comfortable, but the “Crevice” between the beds can be something to avoid at night.
If you are handicapped, call the hotel and check for access in and out of the facility. There are stairs to go into the hotel (4–6 small steps) and then you can take the lift to the reception desk, but please check for your specific needs.
Originally published at https://medium.com.