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Trip Reports:
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 220606 times)

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #860 on: July 20, 2021, 03:41:56 PM »
Ok thanks for the update.

What’s the easiest place in Monsey to get a COVID test?

Any of the urgent cares. I use Medrite personally.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Matzav26

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #861 on: July 21, 2021, 01:54:29 PM »
On Icelandair's website, it explicitly states that travel until July 27 does not require a COVID test. From July 27th and on you do require a test. I am landing on the 26th, so that is very important to me.

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #862 on: July 21, 2021, 01:56:15 PM »
On Icelandair's website, it explicitly states that travel until July 27 does not require a COVID test. From July 27th and on you do require a test. I am landing on the 26th, so that is very important to me.

Hmmmmmmm

The official rules were updated to the 27th apparently!

https://www.covid.is/sub-categories/vaccination-and-antibodies
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Zalc

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #863 on: July 21, 2021, 02:20:28 PM »
Car rental prices are truly insane, any tricks I'm not thinking of or time to drop the trip planning for now?

Contact Chabad, he has a guy who can get better rates sometimes.
Do you have any tips for getting a camper when they seem to be all sold out?

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #864 on: July 21, 2021, 02:24:32 PM »
Hmmmmmmm

The official rules were updated to the 27th apparently!
On Icelandair's website, it explicitly states that travel until July 27 does not require a COVID test. From July 27th and on you do require a test. I am landing on the 26th, so that is very important to me.
+1 landing on the 26th

This is literally a roller coaster

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #865 on: July 21, 2021, 02:25:18 PM »
On Icelandair's website, it explicitly states that travel until July 27 does not require a COVID test. From July 27th and on you do require a test. I am landing on the 26th, so that is very important to me.
What’s your itinerary?

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #866 on: July 21, 2021, 02:25:35 PM »
Contact Chabad, he has a guy who can get better rates sometimes.
Do you have any tips for getting a camper when they seem to be all sold out?


Nope
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline moisheyb

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #867 on: July 21, 2021, 02:26:40 PM »
Any of the urgent cares. I use Medrite personally.
Thanks , the lines can be long sometimes

Offline Zalc

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #868 on: July 21, 2021, 10:17:39 PM »


Any of the urgent cares. I use Medrite personally.

Do they do the more sensitive antibody test?
I had covid a while back in March 2020, had positive antibodies and then negative a few months later.
My wife had it too but never got a positive antibodies test.

Are there other tests that can be taken in NY that will still pick up enough to satisfy their requirements for proof of recovery, below?

Result of test:
Antibodies (IgG) present with method included (list below) or a numerical result
(IgM antibodies appear soon after an infection but IgG appear later. IgM only is not valid.)
*EIA, ECLIA, ELFA, CMIA, CLIA, CLMIA are equivalent tests to ELISA




Offline Dan

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #869 on: July 21, 2021, 10:21:04 PM »

Do they do the more sensitive antibody test?
I had covid a while back in March 2020, had positive antibodies and then negative a few months later.
My wife had it too but never got a positive antibodies test.

Are there other tests that can be taken in NY that will still pick up enough to satisfy their requirements for proof of recovery, below?

Result of test:
Antibodies (IgG) present with method included (list below) or a numerical result
(IgM antibodies appear soon after an infection but IgG appear later. IgM only is not valid.)
*EIA, ECLIA, ELFA, CMIA, CLIA, CLMIA are equivalent tests to ELISA




https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=125811.0
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.

Offline Zalc

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #870 on: July 21, 2021, 10:24:58 PM »
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=125811.0

Thanks!

Now to find a office in NY that can order this.

The sample result doesn't specify IgG (vs IgM) antibodies, which Iceland requires. Do you think it's still safe?
« Last Edit: July 21, 2021, 10:34:17 PM by Zalc »

Offline cholent

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #871 on: July 22, 2021, 03:00:21 AM »
Thinking of a trip next week, landing Monday morning 6 am and departing Thursday afternoon at about 5.
Suggestions for what to include for those 3.5 days?
This is a pretty last second trip, so any help at all would be appreciated!
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers

Online Traveler718

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #872 on: July 22, 2021, 10:17:49 PM »
The big question will be how much driving you want to do. If you're okay with a fair amount of driving, I'd go as far as Jokulsarlon over 2.5 days, using the remainder for the volcano and Golden Circle. If you want less driving, only go as far as Vik, which will leave you more time for the other 2 activities and possibly for the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #873 on: July 23, 2021, 06:06:40 AM »

Offline Zalc

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #874 on: July 25, 2021, 01:47:44 PM »
Thinking of a trip next week, landing Monday morning 6 am and departing Thursday afternoon at about 5.
Suggestions for what to include for those 3.5 days?
This is a pretty last second trip, so any help at all would be appreciated!
Can I ask what you are planning for vehicle and accomodations this last minute?
I'm waiting on my antibody results to decide...

Offline cholent

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #875 on: July 25, 2021, 02:20:42 PM »
Can I ask what you are planning for vehicle and accomodations this last minute?
I'm waiting on my antibody results to decide...
I found some camper rentals online, not cheap though. Ultimately I ended up cancelling my tickets as we decided we were not ready to vacation someplace without a minyan.
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #876 on: July 26, 2021, 11:33:23 AM »

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #877 on: July 26, 2021, 11:34:10 AM »
I found some camper rentals online, not cheap though. Ultimately I ended up cancelling my tickets as we decided we were not ready to vacation someplace without a minyan.
I don't know if a camper adds anything anymore. All the small towns along the way have affordable hotels.

Offline Therebbesbocher

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #878 on: July 26, 2021, 11:42:30 AM »

Offline cholent

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #879 on: July 26, 2021, 02:43:43 PM »
I don't know if a camper adds anything anymore. All the small towns along the way have affordable hotels.
Considering the cost of rental cars, a camper made sense... But since the trip didn't happen anyway, it's ultimately irrelevant
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers