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PBaruch: https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=60568.0
Aurora, Storms, and Snowpants: An Icelandic Saga by Something Fishy, whYME, and ChAiM'l
@Yehuda
BrachaB
Ponash123

Airlines that fly to Iceland direct from NY:
1. Iceland Air
2. Delta
3. Wow Air
4. United (May 23 - Oct 4)

Hotels in the Reykjavik Area:
1. 101 Hotel (supposedly one of the best spas in Iceland)
2. Ion (set on a lava field and one of Iceland's newest luxury hotels)
3. Hotel Ranga
4. Blue Lagoon Clinic Hotel (provides exclusive access to a private lagoon for hotel guests only)
5. Radisson BLU 1919 (Can use Club carlson points and in the middle of town) Will warm and store food for a nominal fee.

Camper/RV Rentals:
There are several places where you can rent a camper truck or motorhome, including here:  http://www.campericeland.is/

Campgrounds:
The campgrounds in Iceland are large and never feel crowded.  Many offer excellent facilities and amenities.  You can drive in at any time of the day or night and pay the nominal fee whenever the office opens.

Kosher Food:
Kosher food is pretty much non existent in Iceland.  Even many American brands do not have a hechsher.  Some foods that have been found with a hechsher are Cheerios Cereal, Nature Valley Granola Bars, and Powerade.  That being said, several DDF members have been able to bring in kosher food/meat without being checked or stopped.  Just walk through the "nothing to declare" line.

Random tip of the day: if you are in the Reykjavik area and need to heat up a meal but don't have easy access to an oven, the Ikea food court has an oven for guest use. Right side, near the sandwich and pastry checkout.

Tons of great seating as well. (HT: SomethingFishy)

Language
Most of the populace speaks English and children are taught English starting in the sixth grade.  It is rare but you might find some older folks that do not speak English.

Communications:
The Iceland Air Saga shop sells starter Síminn branded sim cards for a nominal amount.  If you order in advance, they will even deliver the sim cards to you on your Icelandair flight (one of the cheapest options to get a starter sim card).  You can also find stores in the airport that sell sim cards.  Vodafone is the other major carrier in Iceland and also sells sim cards.  You can purchase the Saga Shop sim starter here:

http://www.sagashop.net/men/detail/?id=57860-0009

GPS - Navigation
Garmin Nordic Maps includes Iceland and can be purchased here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BS4Q3I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Voltage
Iceland uses 220v.  Most cell phones, cameras and laptops come with a multi switching power supply (verify by looking at power supply) so you will only need to buy a cheap adapter such as this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058EG0KC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01

Currency/Credit Cards
Credit cards are almost universally accepted in Iceland.  As a result, you may find no need to exchange currency for the Icelandic Kroner (ISK).  If you use a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, you should be set.  If you do decide to exchange currency, there are ATM machines in the airport right outside customs.

Activities:
1.  The Golden Circle Tour is very popular and takes you to Geysir (lame compared to Yellowstone), Gulfoss Waterfalls, and Thingvellir (where the continental drift between the North American and Eurasian Plates can be clearly seen in the cracks or faults which traverse the region.  You can dive in a lake and touch both plates). 

2.  Inside the volcano tour to Thrihnukagigur Volcano.  In this tour, you either hike ( a few kilometers) or take a helicopter charter from the Reykjavik airport to the volcano.  Once there, you are lowered by a construction type lift into the magma chamber.  The least expensive way to get a semi private tour of the magma chamber is with the helicopter, which takes you there in between the regularly scheduled tours.

3.  There are various Super Jeep Tours (vans and SUV's with tractor tires), including a tour to Langjokull Glacier, where you drive onto the glacier.  Private tours can be arranged.

4. Jokulsarlon - a large glacial lake in southeast Iceland, on the edge of Vatnajokull National Park.  Here, you can take a duck boat tour or a zodiac boat tour of the lake where you will see icebergs, seals, and various birds.  Across the road from Jokulsarlon is a black sand beach where you can see icebergs on the beach.

5. The Blue Lagoon - the public lagoon gets very crowded and if you go it is recommended to get there when they open.  If you can manage a stay at the Blue Lagoon Clinic Hotel (currently 15 rooms but they are expanding to 30 rooms) you will get exclusive access to the private lagoon for hotel guests only.  Since there are only 15 rooms at present, the private lagoon rarely has more than a handful of people in it at any time. Most people do not make a full day out of the Blue Lagoon and instead go on your arrival into Iceland or upon departure before the airport. All the Bus lines have stops to and from the airport. 3-4 hours is ample time.

6. Waterfalls abound including Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

7. Dog sledding in Skallafell.

8. Icelandic Horses - Horse back riding is extremely popular in Iceland. Most residents actually own a horse. Iceland is the only place in the world where you will find the Icelandic horse. It has 5 Gaits oppose to the 3 that most other horses have. They are gentle animals and very comfortable to ride.
« Last edited by yelped on June 21, 2021, 11:36:59 AM »

Author Topic: Iceland Master Thread  (Read 220467 times)

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #440 on: August 02, 2016, 01:28:02 PM »
Per people in the London thread, VAT is only for things you can prove you're taking out of the country with you.

CampEasy wants 3000 ISK for the grill and 2900 for propane - that's $50! You don't think you could have found a grill to buy for cheaper than that or you didn't want to deal with spending time shopping?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #441 on: August 02, 2016, 01:29:35 PM »
you didn't want to deal with spending time shopping?

That.
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Offline PBaruch

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #442 on: August 10, 2016, 11:46:22 PM »
Anyone interested in an Iceland RV caravan trip next summer?
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #443 on: August 15, 2016, 01:48:46 PM »
Last thing to plan, food.

I have most of it planned out, and I'll post here to help others in the future, and I'll save my actual question for the end. With 3 days in a camper from (CampEasy) and 2 days in a hotel in REK, I have to figure out some different types of meal options. The camper comes with a burner, and I'll bring a pot for boiling water. I'm also figuring out the best way to get a grill as CampEasy wants $50 for a rental, and I'm trying to find a store where I can purchase one for cheaper. Assuming I get a grill, then... For breakfasts I'll bring different types of bars and oatmeal. For lunch, I'll bring sandwich stuff and, while in the camper, we can also do Tradition soups or pasta. For dinners, with the camper, I'll bring BBQ stuff.

My question comes for dinners in the hotel. I'm not sure if they have microwaves, but even if they do or even if I buy a toaster oven, what food can I bring (POM meals, etc.) that will stay fresh by the time I get to the hotel after 4 days? I'm not sure more food will stay that fresh or even fit in the small "fridge/cooler" that comes with the camper. Perhaps CampEasy has a fridge in their office I can ask to leave food in, but that doesn't sound like an ideal option. Any other ideas?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #444 on: August 15, 2016, 01:51:38 PM »
Maybe see if the hotel will store it for you for a few days before you check in.
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Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #445 on: August 15, 2016, 01:59:02 PM »
Maybe see if the hotel will store it for you for a few days before you check in.
Thought about that. Just another stop after picking up the camper is annoying if I want to get in an activity before catching the ferry. But I may have to do something like that.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #446 on: August 15, 2016, 02:01:04 PM »
Thought about that. Just another stop after picking up the camper is annoying if I want to get in an activity before catching the ferry. But I may have to do something like that.

Reykjavik is not a very large city, worst case is probably half an hour out of the way.
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Offline Luvtotravel

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #447 on: August 15, 2016, 03:15:07 PM »
i believe it was koshwhere.com that sent me an email that they now provide meals in iceland. i erased the email and dont know how to find it though
Don't wait for the perfect moment; take the moment and make it perfect.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #448 on: August 15, 2016, 03:19:35 PM »
i believe it was koshwhere.com that sent me an email that they now provide meals in iceland. i erased the email and dont know how to find it though
Cool, thanks. Their site has REK listed with a Hechsher from Chabad of Vienna. But either way, they have only Pareve foods and nothing sounds appetizing. (Things like pitas with spreads or Pareve lasagna.)

Offline Luvtotravel

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #449 on: August 15, 2016, 03:44:41 PM »
Cool, thanks. Their site has REK listed with a Hechsher from Chabad of Vienna. But either way, they have only Pareve foods and nothing sounds appetizing. (Things like pitas with spreads or Pareve lasagna.)
good to know. where will you be staying in rek?
Don't wait for the perfect moment; take the moment and make it perfect.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #450 on: August 15, 2016, 03:50:08 PM »
good to know. where will you be staying in rek?
Radisson Blu Saga

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #451 on: August 16, 2016, 01:40:23 PM »
Last thing to plan, food.

I have most of it planned out, and I'll post here to help others in the future, and I'll save my actual question for the end. With 3 days in a camper from (CampEasy) and 2 days in a hotel in REK, I have to figure out some different types of meal options. The camper comes with a burner, and I'll bring a pot for boiling water. I'm also figuring out the best way to get a grill as CampEasy wants $50 for a rental, and I'm trying to find a store where I can purchase one for cheaper. Assuming I get a grill, then... For breakfasts I'll bring different types of bars and oatmeal. For lunch, I'll bring sandwich stuff and, while in the camper, we can also do Tradition soups or pasta. For dinners, with the camper, I'll bring BBQ stuff.

My question comes for dinners in the hotel. I'm not sure if they have microwaves, but even if they do or even if I buy a toaster oven, what food can I bring (POM meals, etc.) that will stay fresh by the time I get to the hotel after 4 days? I'm not sure more food will stay that fresh or even fit in the small "fridge/cooler" that comes with the camper. Perhaps CampEasy has a fridge in their office I can ask to leave food in, but that doesn't sound like an ideal option. Any other ideas?
It's nice to have a smart wife. :) Tuna and deli will do for the last 2 dinners. And deli is small enough that it should fit in the cooler.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #452 on: September 07, 2016, 02:06:47 PM »
My G-d, Svartifoss is so beautiful.



(Was just looking through my pics.)

Offline Luvtotravel

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #453 on: September 07, 2016, 03:30:55 PM »
breathtaking! the rock formation looks upside down somehow...
Don't wait for the perfect moment; take the moment and make it perfect.

Offline Luvtotravel

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #454 on: September 07, 2016, 03:32:01 PM »
and waiting for a proper summer in iceland TR. (no offense PBaruch, loved yours too)
Don't wait for the perfect moment; take the moment and make it perfect.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #455 on: September 07, 2016, 03:34:53 PM »
breathtaking! the rock formation looks upside down somehow...
Agreed. I'm sure there's a reason for it. You'll see other basalt formations like this at Reynifsjara Beach and if you go rafting on the Hvita River. Rafting guide was impressed I had the answer to "where else can you see these basalt formations." ;D Interestingly, on Hvita, they were formed horizontally.

and waiting for a proper summer in iceland TR. (no offense PBaruch, loved yours too)
Intro complete, just need to add a few pics and proofread. It may be insanely long...  :-X

Offline Ergel

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #456 on: September 07, 2016, 04:57:04 PM »
Intro complete, just need to add a few pics and proofread. It may be insanely long...  :-X
Would expect no less
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #457 on: September 07, 2016, 05:05:45 PM »
Would expect no less

+1, and looking forward.
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Offline sky121

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"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline shael

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #459 on: November 06, 2016, 09:36:53 PM »
Agreed. I'm sure there's a reason for it. You'll see other basalt formations like this at Reynifsjara Beach and if you go rafting on the Hvita River. Rafting guide was impressed I had the answer to "where else can you see these basalt formations." ;D Interestingly, on Hvita, they were formed horizontally.
Intro complete, just need to add a few pics and proofread. It may be insanely long...  :-X
Looking forward to reading your TR