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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 220549 times)

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread - Covid testing before return to US
« Reply #800 on: May 27, 2021, 03:58:48 PM »
I know that the rules might change between now and July but I'm stressing over the covid test you have to take before returning to the US.  Looks like the testing sites are mostly in Reykjavik but we will be there less than 24 hours before returning to the US.  The day before we are on an all day jeep tour out of Selfoss (as far as I can tell their clinic is only open for a half hour mid-day), and the day before we will be near Vik but there are no clinics there.

Any recommendations?
Spend another day in Reykjavik?
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

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Re: Iceland Master Thread - Covid testing before return to US
« Reply #801 on: May 27, 2021, 04:32:38 PM »
I know that the rules might change between now and July but I'm stressing over the covid test you have to take before returning to the US.  Looks like the testing sites are mostly in Reykjavik but we will be there less than 24 hours before returning to the US.  The day before we are on an all day jeep tour out of Selfoss (as far as I can tell their clinic is only open for a half hour mid-day), and the day before we will be near Vik but there are no clinics there.

Any recommendations?
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/coronavirus/can-now-purchase-covid-19-self-tests-use-traveling-abroad-order-enter-us/

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #802 on: May 27, 2021, 05:45:55 PM »
Call pharmacies in Vik, Hveragerdi, and Keflavik and see if they do antigen testing, you should be in and out in 15 minutes. No need to deal with a clinic most of the time. My group just did this in Manaus.

@Joe4007 your idea is very expensive for a family, you need to buy an entire pack for each person. It's pretty nuts.
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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #803 on: May 27, 2021, 06:02:41 PM »
Call pharmacies in Vik, Hveragerdi, and Keflavik and see if they do antigen testing, you should be in and out in 15 minutes. No need to deal with a clinic most of the time. My group just did this in Manaus.

@Joe4007 your idea is very expensive for a family, you need to buy an entire pack for each person. It's pretty nuts.
Nuts indeed. Thought you could use 1 test PP.

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #804 on: May 27, 2021, 06:09:38 PM »
Nuts indeed. Thought you could use 1 test PP.

Well that would've made sense, so no ::). Someone finally had a good idea and they went and crippled it like that.
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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #805 on: May 28, 2021, 10:06:58 AM »
No pharmacy does tests in Iceland.  However the self-test is the way to go. We are flying United and they link to emed that sells self-tests that meet the requirements (someone watches you administer the test via telehealth and sends you the results via an app) to determine the results are valid.  Oddly only 6packs of test seem to be sold on the website but at $150, that is not so much more than the $60 (7000 ISK) than Iceland charges.

FYI for any one who looks at this thread later.  The self-tests sold at CVS do not seem to meet the requirements.

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #806 on: May 28, 2021, 10:17:29 AM »
Nuts indeed. Thought you could use 1 test PP.
Has anyone actually tested it?
On FT there are a few reports of using it for 6 people.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2021, 10:23:41 AM by Dan »
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #807 on: June 08, 2021, 04:21:11 PM »
In preparation for my trip I went through the official entry rules and sorted them out a bit as they pertain to U.S. and Israeli travelers.



Proof of vaccination option:
https://www.landlaeknir.is/um-embaettid/greinar/grein/item44162/Certificate-of-vaccination-against-COVID-19-accepted-at-the-border

Proof must be:
- In English or accompanied by a "certified stamped translation" if it isn't
- For one of the approved vaccines in the link above

Proof must include:
- Your name as it appears on your passport
- Date of birth or national ID number
- The fact that the vaccine is for COVID-19
- Country or city where the vaccine was given
- Date of vaccination
- Name of the lab or facility where the vaccine was given
- Manufacturer of the vaccine
- Dates to show that all doses were taken at the proper timeframes

If you use a Yellow Card, it must also be signed and stamped.

If your CDC card was filled out properly, it will include all this info and you're good to go.

The Israeli green passport seems to be missing the location, so that doesn't seem to be acceptable. The paper vaccination certificate, OTOH, has all the info needed but is mostly in Hebrew. With a translation in hand this should be good to go.



Proof of antibodies option:
https://www.landlaeknir.is/um-embaettid/greinar/grein/item43709/certificates-regarding-previous-covid-19-infection-that-are-accepted-at-the-border-in-iceland-from-10-december-2020

Proof must be:
- In English or accompanied by a "certified stamped translation" if it isn't
- From a laboratory

Proof must include:
- Your name as it appears on your passport
- Date of birth or national ID number
- Date the test was done
- Address where the test was done
- Name of the lab
- Phone number of the lab or website
- Type of test
- Number of antibodies (IgM only is NOT acceptable)
« Last Edit: June 08, 2021, 04:27:11 PM by Something Fishy »
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Online AsherO

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #808 on: June 08, 2021, 05:43:31 PM »
In preparation for my trip I went through the official entry rules and sorted them out a bit as they pertain to U.S. and Israeli travelers.



Proof of vaccination option:
https://www.landlaeknir.is/um-embaettid/greinar/grein/item44162/Certificate-of-vaccination-against-COVID-19-accepted-at-the-border

Proof must be:
- In English or accompanied by a "certified stamped translation" if it isn't
- For one of the approved vaccines in the link above

Proof must include:
- Your name as it appears on your passport
- Date of birth or national ID number
- The fact that the vaccine is for COVID-19
- Country or city where the vaccine was given
- Date of vaccination
- Name of the lab or facility where the vaccine was given
- Manufacturer of the vaccine
- Dates to show that all doses were taken at the proper timeframes

If you use a Yellow Card, it must also be signed and stamped.

If your CDC card was filled out properly, it will include all this info and you're good to go.

The Israeli green passport seems to be missing the location, so that doesn't seem to be acceptable. The paper vaccination certificate, OTOH, has all the info needed but is mostly in Hebrew. With a translation in hand this should be good to go.



Proof of antibodies option:
https://www.landlaeknir.is/um-embaettid/greinar/grein/item43709/certificates-regarding-previous-covid-19-infection-that-are-accepted-at-the-border-in-iceland-from-10-december-2020

Proof must be:
- In English or accompanied by a "certified stamped translation" if it isn't
- From a laboratory

Proof must include:
- Your name as it appears on your passport
- Date of birth or national ID number
- Date the test was done
- Address where the test was done
- Name of the lab
- Phone number of the lab or website
- Type of test
- Number of antibodies (IgM only is NOT acceptable)

I guess it can't hurt to also get proof of antibodies so if they reject one you have the other.
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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #809 on: June 08, 2021, 06:46:23 PM »
In preparation for my trip I went through the official entry rules and sorted them out a bit as they pertain to U.S. and Israeli travelers.



Proof of vaccination option:
https://www.landlaeknir.is/um-embaettid/greinar/grein/item44162/Certificate-of-vaccination-against-COVID-19-accepted-at-the-border

Proof must be:
- In English or accompanied by a "certified stamped translation" if it isn't
- For one of the approved vaccines in the link above

Proof must include:
- Your name as it appears on your passport
- Date of birth or national ID number
- The fact that the vaccine is for COVID-19
- Country or city where the vaccine was given
- Date of vaccination
- Name of the lab or facility where the vaccine was given
- Manufacturer of the vaccine
- Dates to show that all doses were taken at the proper timeframes

If you use a Yellow Card, it must also be signed and stamped.

If your CDC card was filled out properly, it will include all this info and you're good to go.

The Israeli green passport seems to be missing the location, so that doesn't seem to be acceptable. The paper vaccination certificate, OTOH, has all the info needed but is mostly in Hebrew. With a translation in hand this should be good to go.



Proof of antibodies option:
https://www.landlaeknir.is/um-embaettid/greinar/grein/item43709/certificates-regarding-previous-covid-19-infection-that-are-accepted-at-the-border-in-iceland-from-10-december-2020

Proof must be:
- In English or accompanied by a "certified stamped translation" if it isn't
- From a laboratory

Proof must include:
- Your name as it appears on your passport
- Date of birth or national ID number
- Date the test was done
- Address where the test was done
- Name of the lab
- Phone number of the lab or website
- Type of test
- Number of antibodies (IgM only is NOT acceptable)

they also have an option for a previous positive test (which seems to be separate then the antibodies).

Regarding antibodies, they ask for "measured by ELISA or equivalent serologic assay* *EIA, ECLIA, ELFA, CMIA, CLIA, CLMIA are equivalent tests to ELISA", are there other kind of antibodies test? do you have to specify this when you go get tested?

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #810 on: June 21, 2021, 11:30:38 AM »
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.
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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #811 on: June 21, 2021, 01:18:19 PM »
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.
Nice dp!

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #812 on: June 25, 2021, 02:01:18 PM »
Starting to plan a trip to Iceland the week of July 25th.
We are landing at 6:15 am and are renting a car, how long should we expect it to take till we are on the road? 3-4 hours?

We are planning on sleeping in hotels and doing the southern end of Iceland.

We are going with a 2-year-old and a pregnant wife, so trying to keep the walking and adventure activities for another trip.
Sleeping Monday in Vik area, Day Tuesday in Hof/Svinafell area (if i can find something), Wednesday somewhere on the way back and Thursday night at the hotel Ranga. I was looking to go to the Hotel Ranga Wednesday but there's no availability. We will be in Reykjavík for shabbos. Does anyone have any hotels along the way to recommend? Is this to much driving/activites?
I have a list of the glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches that have been mentioned so far.
Any and all help would be appreciated ;)

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #813 on: June 25, 2021, 03:45:51 PM »
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.
Or just stick a tripod in it and place it on lava.

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #814 on: July 14, 2021, 09:00:42 PM »
What's the best way going about renting a car in Iceland?

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #815 on: July 14, 2021, 09:47:12 PM »
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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #817 on: July 15, 2021, 10:00:56 AM »
Wow, what a difference a few weeks makes! I was there just last month and got an automatic from Blue for under $80 a day all-in.

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #818 on: July 15, 2021, 10:05:07 AM »
Wow, what a difference a few weeks makes! I was there just last month and got an automatic from Blue for under $80 a day all-in.
TR?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #819 on: July 15, 2021, 10:12:50 AM »
TR?

Trust me you don't want to see it.

All you'll feel is regret for not seeing the volcano then.
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