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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 220619 times)

Offline dhalpern1

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Re: Iceland & Greenland Master Thread
« Reply #80 on: August 07, 2012, 09:33:52 AM »
Also paying for tours incl ride till tour or drive and meet there?

No idea of options, but if say 5h drive cost in a tour $100 per person, an expensive rental might make sense.

We rented a car and did everything ourselves, over the course of a couple days you would save money. When you are going to the extreme parts of iceland, the driving gets rough with the weather.

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Iceland & Greenland Master Thread
« Reply #81 on: August 07, 2012, 10:43:45 AM »
Is it hard to find all routes yourself? Need a gps? Did you get to see all vantage points etc?

Offline dhalpern1

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Re: Iceland & Greenland Master Thread
« Reply #82 on: August 07, 2012, 11:07:44 AM »
Is it hard to find all routes yourself? Need a gps? Did you get to see all vantage points etc?

The GPS worked pretty well, the names were annoying to type in, but as long as you knew where you were going beforehand it wasnt bad.

You might lose a little of the vantage points by driving, but if you pull over once in a while i cant imagine it would be that different than a tour (minus the information they might provide).

Offline Dan

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Re: Iceland & Greenland Master Thread
« Reply #83 on: February 08, 2013, 01:59:49 AM »
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 PlatinumGuy

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Re: Iceland & Greenland Master Thread
« Reply #84 on: February 08, 2013, 02:06:26 AM »
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline mendoul

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #85 on: February 08, 2013, 08:12:39 AM »


wow there is a way to go there?
where is that which city?
mendy

Offline dhalpern1

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #86 on: February 08, 2013, 09:46:14 AM »
wow there is a way to go there?
where is that which city?

Looks like the Glacial Lagoon, maybe a 4-5 hour drive from Reykjavik.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2013, 10:05:40 AM by dhalpern1 »

Offline mendoul

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #87 on: February 08, 2013, 09:59:29 AM »
Looks like the Glacial Lagoon, maybe a 5-6 hour drive from Reykjavik.

they are hotel in the erea where we could stay?

there is things to do in this erea?

whats about kosher food in this place?
mendy

Offline dhalpern1

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #88 on: February 08, 2013, 10:03:07 AM »
they are hotel in the erea where we could stay?

there is things to do in this erea?

whats about kosher food in this place?

I assume you are asking about close to the pic posted above (Jökulsárlón)

Hotels are mostly in Reykjavik. This one might be closest: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g189960-d1890812-Reviews-Gerdi_Guesthouse-Hofn_Northwest_Region.html

Things to do: Explore, Duck tour in the glacial lagoon, black sand beach

kosher food: BYO.

Offline mendoul

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #89 on: February 08, 2013, 10:09:23 AM »
I assume you are asking about close to the pic posted above (Jökulsárlón)

Hotels are mostly in Reykjavik. This one might be closest: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g189960-d1890812-Reviews-Gerdi_Guesthouse-Hofn_Northwest_Region.html

Things to do: Explore, Duck tour in the glacial lagoon, black sand beach

kosher food: BYO.


thank you very much is that a expensive place to go to for a few days vacation?
mendy

Offline dhalpern1

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #90 on: February 08, 2013, 10:11:42 AM »

thank you very much is that a expensive place to go to for a few days vacation?

I would stay in Reykjavik, hotels are priced well, (there are a couple chain hotels also if you have points- Radisson and Hilton) and then get a car to drive anywhere you please. It might be a little expensive, but I believe well worth it. Might have been one of the most unique places I've been to.

Offline mendoul

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #91 on: February 08, 2013, 10:28:40 AM »
I would stay in Reykjavik, hotels are priced well, (there are a couple chain hotels also if you have points- Radisson and Hilton) and then get a car to drive anywhere you please. It might be a little expensive, but I believe well worth it. Might have been one of the most unique places I've been to.

thank you very much
ill let you know before im going to get good deals ;)
mendy

Offline ual902

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #92 on: July 14, 2013, 12:05:07 PM »
Is this one day Golden Circle enough?:
http://Http://www.icelandrovers.is/day-tours/the-classic-golden-circle-tour/#

Or I need to rent a car and do it in a few days?.

Offline dhalpern1

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #93 on: July 16, 2013, 09:36:59 AM »
You can do it in a day (might be a little packed in but very doable).

Offline ual902

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #94 on: August 04, 2013, 06:47:01 AM »

Iceland's Handful of Jews Keep Faith Alive
50 Gather on Rosh Hashanah in Shadow of Arctic Circle



Read more: http://forward.com/articles/181557/icelands-handful-of-jews-keep-faith-alive/?p=all#ixzz2azp2Atvq

Offline yare

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #95 on: August 05, 2013, 04:37:44 AM »
Iceland's Handful of Jews Keep Faith Alive
50 Gather on Rosh Hashanah in Shadow of Arctic Circle



Read more: http://forward.com/articles/181557/icelands-handful-of-jews-keep-faith-alive/?p=all#ixzz2azp2Atvq

"The immigration officer’s response, according to Moussaieff, was: “I couldn’t care less who you are. I’ve never heard of Iceland, and the people there don’t interest me at all.”"

lolol  gotta love israelis

Offline avadah

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Re: Iceland
« Reply #96 on: August 15, 2013, 06:23:06 PM »
Has anyone had issues bringing in food I saw mentioned in the threads a 3 kg limit?

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #97 on: October 25, 2013, 09:34:09 AM »
So the current plan is a trip combining Lizensk and mekomos hakdoshim with a 3 day Icelandic photography marathon - non-stop shooting and driving, not touching a bed. Nothing's booked yet, but it looks like it'll be JFK-TXL-KRK-CPH-REK-JFK on AA, Norwegian, and IcelandAir.

The hardest part with planning for me is trying to keep track of these blasted unpronounceable names. I have no idea whether I'm coming or going :o. When I was planning my Hawaii trip I was getting frustrated trying to keep track of the difference between Halema'uma'u and Mau Loa o Mauna Ulu. But now trying to sort out Breiđamerkurjökull from Fjađrárgljúfur... Oy!
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #98 on: October 25, 2013, 11:21:00 AM »
Just a word of caution:
One of the main sites is a national park surrounded by glaciers (can't recall the name). When i went with 2 friends we rented the cheapest car they had. Turns out, some of the roads have rivers running across which can only be traveled with an SUV. We drove for about an hour to get to the park only to come across a river and had to turn back.
RENT AN SUV!!!

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #99 on: October 25, 2013, 11:23:31 AM »
Also, I went scuba diving in a glacial lake there AWESOME!!! it is the only place in the world you can touch the euro-asian and american continental plates at the same time