Kimkim Trip Reviews for Iceland

Trip was amazing! Eva did a great job scheduling out all the activities for each day…never felt rushed on any day and each day had the perfect amount of activities. It was a great mixture of active, fun, and more leisurely things to do. Each excursion went off without a hitch and it was a great time!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Reykjavík Saga

Reykjavík

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hótel Kría

Vík

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Hnappavellir

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Stracta Hotel

Hella

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Alda Hotel Reykjavík

Reykjavík

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fosshotel Stykkishólmur

Stykkishólmur

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lava Tunnel Tour

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Djupalonsandur Black Sand Beach

Iceland

Zodiac Boat tour

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cliffside walk at Arnarstapi

Iceland

Reykjavík Culture and Food Walk Tour

Reykjavík

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Langjokull glacier snowmobiling

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ice Cave Expedition

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Black Sand Diamond Beach

Iceland

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Iceland

Gerðuberg Basalt Cliffs

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Explore the Lóndrangar lava formations

Iceland

Emanuela was very helpful and accommodating . She provided us with the perfect itinerary, capturing as much as possible of sites and experiences that mattered most to us. She was able to make adjustments as our travel plans changed and was extremely helpful when we were faced with an unexpected Icelandic storm, throwing everyone into a state of emergency, and causing our Zodiak iceberg tour to be cancelled. She urged us to leave the area quickly and found us new accommodations further South. The next morning the ring road was closed from our new location northward. We would have been trapped without her assistance. Instead, we had 2 more very lovely days to explore Vik and surrounding area with plenty of time to regroup in Reykjavik before heading home. Though we enjoyed all of Iceland, our favorite place was Seydisfjordur, where we stayed with Hotel Aldan (Highly recommend them). We loved our room in the Old Bank and they served the best breakfast of our entire trip. This is also where we finally witnessed the Northern Lights' splendor. Shout out to Martin (works with Anton) - our guide on our Northern Lights tour in Lake Myvatn, who taught us a lot about how to look for them and, though we did not see them that night, I credit him with teaching us how to find them the next.

My wife and I had an incredible experience in Iceland, largely thanks to KimKim.

More specifically, our local specialist Sylvia. She was responsive and organized. She suggested many activities we would have never thought of by ourselves and help us coordinate along the way as our plans changed. I can’t stress enough how amazing she was!

Countless waterfalls, glaciers, mountains, lakes, and of course natural hot baths. I would recommend to anyone that they visit, and get Sylvia’s help to do so!

What a great experience! Jenny was a perfect coordinator with our plans. She stayed in constant contact, if we had any concerns or questions. 100% recommend to anyone traveling to a new place. Everything was easy to navigate, locations, hotels, car, I could not have asked for anything better. Thank you!!

Activity Review

Skaftafell Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike

Iceland

Our guide, Pascal, was informative and awesome. We learned a lot about the landscape and how to climb safely. 100% recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbet did an incredible job planning our twelve day trip to Iceland. She really listened to our needs and gave us a very structured list that made planning the trip easy to follow. Not only that, she was very responsive to any messages we sent regarding changes to our itinerary or any other questions we may have had. In fact, one day an excursion we had planned was canceled due to the weather and she contacted us before we had a chance to reach out to her to reschedule at a different location. There is so much to see and do in Iceland (and the language is so difficult) that it was a huge relief to have someone who lives in and knows the country plan our stops and ensure that our trip stayed on a realistic schedule. We loved our horseback riding trip at Hellasport. I have every reason to believe those horses are very humanely kept. Vok Baths, the Secret Lagoon, and Sky Lagoon were our favorites. Blue Lagoon is a must stop, but the other three places were more intimate. I wish we would have had time to fit in a dog sledding excursion, perhaps another time. Our favorite hotels were Hotel Geysir in the Golden Circle and Hotel Laxa at Lake Myrvatn. Hotel Laxa’s staff were so warm and welcoming, and they’re manager, Fion, has created and nurtured a fun, friendly, very comfortable environment. Be wary of the IcelandAir/Berjaya hotels. Evidently, they behave been purchased by another company and are planning to renovate, but some of the rooms look like they haven’t been renovated since the 90s. It’s also a more family friendly chain, which isn’t the environment one would hope for when celebrating a wedding anniversary. However, some places are so remote that they were likely the best options. All in all, I’m very grateful to Lisbet and kimkim for taking the stress out of a fabulous vacation.

Overall, the planning and support by Eva of Iceland Untouched was terrific. We had a small hiccup in that the airport transfer for one of two couples on arrival never showed due to a travel agent miscommunication, but was remedied quickly. If there were any complaints, I would say there was very little down time. We were constantly moving in a hurry to keep on schedule. Because the days were planned around our ability to stay in certain hotels, when one hotel was unavailable, the driving went from 4 hs to 5 1/2 hrs on one day, which was very difficult.

Generally, our guides were excellent, except for one: Ricky, of Glacier Adventures, for our Ice Cave Expedition. He was always in a hurry (our hike from the van to the cave was done at a far faster than needed or normal pace) and he was void of personality. We were the last ones to check in at the facility because we had a 1 1/2 hour drive under normal conditions, but because of the hotel change, we had to leave the hotel well before sunrise and travel on icy roads, which slowed us down considerably. When we were boarding the van to depart Base Camp for the cave, my wife asked if she had time to use the restroom before departure. Ricky appeared irritated and anxious to leave. His response was ok, but there's always the river. My wife, sensing his desire to be on the road, climbed aboard. The ensuing expedition was not very comfortable for her.

If we were to do it again, we would work to limit the amount of driving and build in time each day for some relaxation, instead of always being in a rush.

I was a bit skeptical with using a professional because I have always booked my own trips, but I will say that it was 100% worth giving up the reigns with Emanuela. She took just a few tidbits of what I was looking for and was able to deliver really the perfect trip. There were so many examples of places that I would have missed seeing because they were tucked away off the main road. Emanuela provided a very detailed, but simplified itinerary that I was able to follow without any issues. Thank you Emanuela, I hope to have another trip in the future!

**If you usually book your own trips like I do, I would suggest for Iceland that you avoid that. I met people who were "doing their own thing" and so many of them seemed a bit lost and missed the off-the-beaten path sights. For Iceland specifically, I'd highly recommend using a local professional like Emanuela.

Activity Review

The Secret Lagoon

Iceland

Emanuela was incredibly responsive and answered all my questions. There were some great recommendations that we checked out and found some of our own…definitely include the “Icelandic Phallological Museum” for places to see on Reykjavik 😁

I can't say enough about using kimkim for our Iceland trip! After reading reviews, we decided to explore the service. Preeti asked us a series of questions to gauge the experience and price point we were looking for, then she sent us a starting-point trip. From there, we were able to tweak and customize every aspect of this "bucket list" trip. She helped us navigate the covid cancellation of 2020. She helped us navigate the cancer cancellation of 2021. Through all this time, we always felt supported and actually cared for. This year we finally got to see the planning through! During our trip we had some weather issues that affected our bookings - Preeti and her team were there for us. They rearranged our hotel accommodations and our trip bookings for us and made the whole process so easy and effortless on our part. And for the bookings that couldn't be rescheduled, we had a refund within days. I've never had this level of service or support from any other travel agency. I already have, and will continue to talk about our experience with Preeti, and kimkim. We will absolutely recommend, and will plan our next trip with kimkim!

Hotel Review

Hotel Rangá

Hella

I had hand-picked this hotel to be part of our Iceland experience, and it did not disappoint! The check-in experience was friendly and efficient. The hotel was comfortable and offered features that really enhanced our stay - like the game room, the multiple HOT hot tubs, and the Aurora wake-up call! Not only did we sign up for it, but we got the call and saw the lights for the first time in Iceland! We were also able to enjoy the observatory. Our dinner was splendid, and the first time we had been able to order reindeer. And the breakfast buffet included MIMOSAS as well as a hot entree in addition to the standard buffet. Our stay had everything we were hoping for. My only regret is that we couldn't stay longer. I highly recommend Hotel Ranga'!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon Zodiac boat tour

Iceland

This was my favorite tour on our Iceland trip! We got up close with an iceberg breaking up, and with seals! You know when your guide gets their phone out to start capturing a moment, you're witnessing something special! Also loved that it was only about an hour long, so it didn't take up a big chunk of precious time. There were food trucks onsite for lunch too! Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Julian was funny and really knowledgeable of the area and the history

Transport

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

So glad we made this our first stop from the airport! I was worried that we might be too tired to enjoy it, but the excitement and adrenaline keep that from happening. This was the perfect start before hitting the road. Relaxing, warm and comfortable, fun! Love that there are fresh cold drinking spouts (we call them bubblers here) to stay hydrated. I would absolutely do it this way again!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Iceland did not disappoint and Kimkim as well. The entire process of selecting dates, tours and accommodations was pleasant and seamless. My specialist Terry was very responsive to my questions and provided information that I specifically was interested in, in a professional and friendly manner, so I felt confident embarking on the trip. My 7 day vacation saw me reaching most of the sights and experiences that i shortlisted, and then some, in an unhurried, safe and comfortable manner. The tour guides on the ground were knowledgeable and able to add much local colour and info about Iceland over and above the bare facts. Felag was the most notable of the guides but all were good and spoke excellent English. If anything could be improved the choice of hotel in the city centre could be revisited - the Holt is centrally located when its possible to walk around to sights and activities, the breakfast was AWESOME and the front desk staff, the breakfast staff and bartender were EXCELLENT, but the rooms are somewhat shabby with barely single beds with thin mattresses, and thin walls (so we could hear a heated, scary, quarrel next door during one night). Also drop offs to the Holt involved a 5 -10 minute walk which felt safe but we often got lost in the cold while seeking out a meal along the way. Communications with the tour agency while in Iceland could also be improved if an Iceland sim is included in the package with a small amount of data or some communication through the hotels - even though wifi is available on the buses and in the hotels, we didnt receive news of a cancellation until it was too late and wasted taxi fare and nearly half day of our first day (and i could have gone to the Settlement Museum in that time - sniff).
Overall I would definitely recommend Kimkim as a travel agency with the expertise to craft a totally enjoyable vacation adventure, to suit a wide range of interests.

Activity Reviews

Iceland Thermal Bath Experience

Iceland

This was not my 1st experience of natural thermal baths, but the 1st in Iceland, and it was awesome. My sister and I became friendly with a few other visitors on the bus to Sky Lagoon and that added to the social aspect. We were fortunate to see the northern lights come up while we were luxuriating in the warm infinity pool, overlooking the sea - believe me, nothing tops that experience! The rest of the Pure spa experience- the cold bath, the body scrub, all were fabulous, to top off a totally memorable experience.

Quality of Experience

the location and service is unparalleled

Guides, Drivers and Staff

It's a self guided experience

Transport

Pick up and drop off at hotel would be much better. I had to walk to/ from bus stop ion the cold - it almost killed the buzz

Whale Watching from Reykjavík

Reykjavík

A really Thrilling experience, even if one does not handle the sea well. The tour company Elding, was very thorough about the safety considerations and on checking in they offered motion sickness pill to any who felt they would need it. The crew gave information on the population of mammals that they observe and study, and we were fortunate to see two groups of white billed dolphins, 3 humpback and a minke whale during the hour trip. The weather was fine so no rain coats were needed and there were life jackets on board for any emergency. It was exciting and the ride was smooth. My only reservation is that the initial booking was cancelled due to bad weather(understandably) but this was communicated to me after I arrived, which derailed my day plan and cost me extra taxi fare.

Quality of Experience

the ride was smooth and the staff knew where to search

Guides, Drivers and Staff

very knowledgeable and chatty staff. The sent photos afterwards but their photos were as crappy as mine

Transport

Golden Circle day tour

Iceland

A very enjoyable and informative tour all round. The vistas in the rift area and the geothermal area were spectacular. The waterfalls, hot spring baths and horse ranch visits were also lovely. The guide Siggi Anton was really helpful and knowledgeable (5 Star). The only inconveniences were that drop off and pick up were some distance from the hotel in Reykjavik, which in cold weather was a bother, and that participants who smoked during stops, trailed the cigarette smoke scent into the small bus, making it uncomfortable for others.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Two day/one night South Coast tour - Day 1

Iceland

The two day trip was wonderful and many unique sites were visited - Jukulsarlon and the Vatnajokul glacier being just 2 of them. Overall I would say that this tour was my favourite of three that i participated in. The guide was phenomenally knowledgeable and gave us just a tidbit about each site and about Icelandic history and life in general - he left us wanting more info on the folklore and growth of the nation. The overnight hotel was spartan but adequate and the meals were typically expensive, tasty and filling. I had not anticipated a 2km trek over uneven ground to and from the ice cave and it was not mentioned in the tour description - it should be - I would still have gone but people need to know. It seems that Iceland expects all its visitors to be at least a contender for the olympic games, if not the world games, to fully participate in the tour activities. Overall, a great experience. Being picked up and dropped off at a remote site in the cold was difficult, because, although the distance was not great, getting around in the dark, finding an open dinner spot that didn't require a reservation somewhere nearby and not getting lost in the maze of streets in the town centre was challenging.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The wide knowledge of the guide, although he only teased us

Two day/one night Snaefellsnes & West Iceland tour

Iceland

We got off on the wrong foot because the bus didnt arrive until 9:20 and I was already flustered as to whether I'd missed it in the half hour that i was waiting. Since i did not have an international sim, i contacted the tour operator using a borrowed phone- ugh. Anyway, Tomas (Thomas?) the guide was lovely and conducted the tour well. We visited some interesting sites - waterfalls, larva cave, seal coast, the glacier used as the Wall in Game of Thrones, and some less than amazing ones, among them a random lighthouse and a church. I felt that better information on why these were important or of interest could have allowed us to appreciate them more but as it was, some stops just seemed random and just a drive around with no purpose. We also spent an inordinate amount of time at Oddi - once the home of Snorri Sturluson, whose significance was not known to us and really the adulation of him was lost on us visitors without a prior backstory. It seemed like a waste of time, especially after finally being admitted to the church gift shop and finding that the exhibit on him was closed. Bummer. Tomas was engaging and as a point to improve, he could say why things or places or people are important to the Icelandic story. The accommodations in Borgarnes was fine- food was delicious. The prediction for northern lights was way low and we didnt see any. That should not be in the tour title.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rather than random facts, the reason why or the importance of the next stop should be stated so that participants can be c,ued in

Words cannot express how wonderful our Iceland trip was. Jenny planned it perfectly for us. She listened to what we wanted our trip to be like and was spot on from what we discussed with her. The whole trip was put together in such a timely manner -- and whenever we had questions for Jenny she responded immediately. Most of our activities were self-guided, and Jenny provided us with suggestions on sites to visit, the history of those sites, and how to get there. Also provided were places to eat, several which we tried, and we were never disappointed. Our nightly accommodations were just so great – clean and so comfortable and we liked the variety. Hotel staff was always so pleasant and helpful. With the maps provided by Jenny and the help of the car’s GPS we were able to get around without any difficulty. We never got lost!
The views were breathtaking – every turn on the road. So many different types of views: glaciers, volcanoes, craters, gorges, canyons, geothermal areas, black beaches, lava fields, seas, and an ocean. And don’t forget the waterfalls – everywhere you look there is a waterfall. The big ones were truly spectacular.
Not sure where our next trip will be, but we will definitely use kimkim again.

Activity Reviews

GeoSea - Geothermal Sea Baths

Iceland

We were in the GeoSea Geothermal Bath in the afternoon -- it was not busy. This bath flowed into the Greenland Sea, which we thought was surreal. Thoroughly enjoy it.

Quality of Experience

Relaxing.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pleasant. We arrived an hour early, and that was no problem at all.

Transport

We drove ourselves to the site.

Blue Lagoon Premium Admission

Iceland

The Blue Lagoon sits in the middle of a lava field, was quite a site. We were there for the morning and then headed to the airport. It was a perfect way to end our trip.

Quality of Experience

Just fun.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Always pleasant.

Transport

We drove ourselves.

Amazing Icelandic Adventure!

Othman worked with us to plan a spectacular trip to Iceland! Our trip was a trip of a lifetime for me, my husband, and my father. We participated in amazing activities, saw spectacular sites, and fell in love with every part of Iceland that we visited. I would highly recommend KimKim to anyone who is looking for expert guidance and planning for their trip to Iceland. We loved every thing we did and cannot thank KimKim enough for helping us plan this trip, and I will definitely use them for trips in the future.

Shannon Kearney

Activity Reviews

The Secret Lagoon

Iceland

Beautiful setting to relax in a geothermal bath.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Iceland Thermal Bath Experience

Iceland

We loved it! Beautiful facilities right on the ocean!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Helicopter Tour - from Reykjavik

Reykjavík

This is was definitely one of the best things we did in Iceland! I would do this again in a heartbeat. We loved that we experienced Iceland from land, sea, and air.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Whale Watching from Reykjavík

Reykjavík

The staff was amazing. We found the tour very informative and enjoyed being out on the ocean.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lisbet customized and planned the perfect trip for our specific tastes. She was a fantastic communicator and responded to us whenever we requested assistance or information. We have done several kimkim trips in the past couple of years, and this was up to the company's high standards.

Iceland . was . AMAZING!!! Our local specialist, Lisbet, went above and beyond to make our dream vacation and reality before and during our trip. All of the excursions we booked were incredible (ice cave, horseback riding, dog sledding, into the glacier, blue lagoon, krauma and more) plus the personalized driving plans were easy to follow and super convenient. We had some snags along the way with an entire day cancelled for bad weather and an important item forgotten at a hotel and Lisbet was super responsive and worked diligently to reschedule and rearrange things as needed and help to retrieve our lost item. Couldn't recommend more!

Activity Review

Dog Sledding

Iceland

What a great experience! Kids all loved it, our guide was super knowledgeable and passionate about the dogs and we all had a great time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip to Iceland was unusual in many predictable and unpredictable ways. The Iceland Offbeat team stepped up to the plate and provided a high quality of service and support before and during the trip.

Starting at the planning phase, they had to deal with different expectations and requests from the 2 travelers, both for activities and hotel stays. Duncan did a great job in showing different options for both of us.

During the trip we faced unpredictable challenges, beginning with me missing the departure flight and culminating in a wind storm that left us stranded in the southeast of the country for 2 days. Duncan and Sigurður were there on every step of the way providing updates and adjusting the itinerary to the extent possible. They went above and beyond and managed to negotiate refunds for a couple of activities and hotel stays we missed because of the wind storm.

We are grateful for having them as our specialists for this trip and recommend them for the next travelers to Iceland.

I'm a professional travel planner in the US, and could not find a supplier of mine that was able to accomplish what Andres Ulfur did for us, price wise and itinerary wise!
His guide service personally was excellent in the Icelandic highlands without exception! and the guest house he put us at, Hrifunes glacier view guesthouse was an incredible suggestion and one where we saw an extreme Northern lights!
There was only a small bump in the road on arrival when our private transfer was not at the airport, but I called Andres around 6 am from there and he picked up the phone and quickly rectified the situation by getting us another driver. He sent us a nice bottle of red wine as an apology for the mix up. All accommodations he had for us and itinerary suggestions were spot on! Staying the last night at the Silica hotel at the Blue lagoon was a great suggestion as it's 20 minutes from the airport, a luxurious hotel and you. have the private area of the lagoon available to you without being in the large touristed part of it in your usually only steps from your room with a fabulous room and amazing breakfast and food at the facility and the people at the hotel couldn't have been nicer. Iceland itself is the most amazing country! it's wild and untamed, clean as you could ever imagine. and the food is all locally sourced and grass-fed and the water is so clean. all you need is a refillable water bottle and you drink from the top! again couldn't have done it without Andres and Untouched Iceland! thank you 🙏💖

So we managed to squeeze an extra vacation in last minute this summer, and the KimKim delivered. They set us up in great hotels, we nailed all the sites we wanted, and had some action/adventure every day. Preeti and Sigudur( I know its not a d, but i cant find the keystroke on my Mac) were there for us from beginning to end. I recommend both of them if you are looking into an Iceland adventure.

Terry was absolutely incredible! We could not have imagined a more magical time in Iceland. The entire process was effortless. We simply told Terry what we wanted, and she put EVERYTHING together. From the restaurant recommendations to the hotels to the excursions - it was truly perfect. I have never had a vacation run so smoothly and seamlessly, nor have I ever had as much fun. My husband and I could not have asked for anything more from Terry and the Kim Kim team!

Our trip to Iceland was our first trip with Kim Kim and we have already recommended both (Iceland and Kim Kim) to friends.

Emanuela Grieco was fabulous to work with. She developed a trip itinerary that checked all of the boxes for things I wanted to see and do in Iceland. Her expertise was invaluable in knowing what were the not-to-miss sights and experiences as well as what might not be worth our time or further driving distance. Some of our favorite things were hiking Fjadrargljufur Canyon, Skogafoss and the trail that starts above it to so many beautiful waterfalls, and up along the river to Hengifoss.

Our accommodations were exactly what we had asked for and Emanuela planned our itinerary for the perfect driving distance between each stop so there was time to enjoy the sights and relax in the evenings. We loved her restaurant recommendations from elegant dining in unexpected places (Narfeyrarstofa in Stykkisholmar) to casual, non-touristy breweries (Ölverk in Selfoss).

We also truly appreciated that Emanuela was looking out for us during our trip. At one point a big storm was headed to Iceland and Emanuela got in touch to make sure we knew to headed to our next destination early, before the Ring Road was closed. She managed a couple of tours that were canceled because of the storm and made sure we were refunded - no extra work for us. With her guidance we were safe and sound!

Activity Reviews

Silfra Snorkeling Adventure

Reykjavík

Silfra Snorkeling was one of the most unique experiences of our trip. The water was so blue, so clear and so cold! But the equipment kept us comfortable and we have a great story to tell!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Driving around Iceland you see plenty of lava fields but seeing what lava does underground is amazing!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We did so much in five days that my head is still spinning. The detailed plan, with driving directions and all confirmations and reservations made it possible to stay on schedule and see as much as we possibly could. Duncan worked with me to make changes as needed before the trip, including some last minute changes due to a traveller not being able to go with us. It all worked out with minimal stress for me. Duncan's expertise and knowledge of Iceland was invaluable, and resulted in a week packed with activities and no wasted time.

Iceland itself is an incredibly beautiful country, with dramatic, and at times otherworldly landscapes that have to be seen to fully appreciate. Waterfalls everywhere, history that goes back over a thousand years, and the "Fire and Ice" aspect make it a destination for anyone, but especially those who enjoy the outdoors. We bought new hiking boots for the trip and they were well used every day. We were cautioned that a fall (October) trip meant potentially mixed weather, and this trip didn't disappoint in that regard, but we got three nice days out of five, with one incredibly windy day, and one very rainy and cloudy day to round it out. We packed layers, with a good winter coat and rain pants to keep us warm and dry, and they worked. Our rainy day was just as full and fun as the others.

Must see spots from our trip and our perspective would include the lava fields at Fagradalsfjall. Parking area P2 is a short hike to the tip of the flow, and about a ten minute walk to the edge of the lava field where you can collect a sample for a souvenir and photo. If there's an active eruption (which there wasn't for us) it will take a much longer hike to see it, but this stop is easy. There are other trails that go farther to other parts of the valley and lava fields.

The Bridge Across the Continents is another quick and easy stop. There isn't much to it, but the impact of standing at the rift between two active tectonic plates is pretty impressive to contemplate, and it's fun to walk across the bridge from Eurasia to North America (and back).

The Blue Lagoon is a classic, and while more touristy than other hot springs, it is big and impressive, and warm and nice. I would recommend it for a final day activity to relax and unwind before flying home.

We spent the first night in Reykjavik and enjoyed the town. If seeing the city itself is on your list, then plan to spend one or two days there. It's a great town, and worth seeing, but we had a quick afternoon before dinner and bed and then on to the next day's adventures.

Whale watching at Reykjavik harbor was fun and easy, and we got to see whales! Several white nosed dolphins, four Minke whales, and two Humpback whales. The boat is large and comfortable, with inside seating to keep you warm, as well as full weather suits so that you can go up on deck without freezing when it's cold outside. On deck is definitely the best experience, even if it's cold. Our crew did a great job of looking out for whales, and helping us all look in the right places to see them. The two humpbacks came up alongside the stern for photos, which was a real treat. Do be careful with the directions to the ticket office; there is more than one operator, with different locations at the harbor. You don't want to be at the wrong one and miss your boat. If you are heading out of town afterward and want a good burger for the road, I recommend the Plan-B burger place on Grandagarður street. Very tasty.

Þingvellir National Park was a great stop for us. The visitor center has a large area that shows the history of Þingvellir back to its use in the earliest days of Iceland's history as a place of government. You can easily spend an hour in the visitor center, and there's a lot of park outside of that, so plan your time accordingly. We took a hike to the waterfall and then back past Thingvallakirkja (church). There are many hiking trails that you can follow if you want to spend the day.

The Geysir geothermal area is small but a fun visit. It doesn't have to take much time, so it fits into the schedule pretty easily. There were two highlights for us; one was visiting the place where all geysers got their name (though that original Geysir is no longer active), and the other was the very active geyser that erupts on about a five to seven minute cycle, so you never have to wait long for a show. More for the "fire" list. We were scheduled to go to Gullfoss after Geysir, but we spent so much time in Thingvellir that we ran out of daylight, so that will have to be on the "come back for more" list.

Kerid crater is a good stop for a short hike. The crater adds to the "fire" checklist, and there is a hiking trail around the upper rim, as well as inside along the water's edge. The blue-green water is beautiful. It makes for another easy and impressive stop.

Waterfalls. What can I say? Each is different, and all of them are beautiful. Seljalandsfoss was especially fun to walk behind the falls. The climb to the top of Skógafoss is a steep and long one, but the view is impressive. On sunny days, when the sun is right, the spray from the falls creates a beautiful rainbow.

The black sand beaches are really impressive, and there are many to choose from. We stopped at Dyrhólaey, which has a few hiking trails, one leading to the ideal spot for a photo of the "door hole" arch. Just up the road from Dyrhólaey is Reynisfjara, which was a big hit with my son, who loved to explore the caves and climb on the rocks. The scenery is dramatic, so be ready with a camera, but stay clear of the waves and be aware; the surf is dangerous and bitterly cold. Don't mess with it.

Vik is a charming little town on the south coast. We didn't have time to explore but it would be worth going back to. In Vik there is a "Lava Show" where they melt lava rock and black sand in a furnace and then pour it down a sloping display in front of the crowd. The heat and sound and sight is really amazing, as is the information provided by the guide who runs the show. You learn a lot about lava, how it forms, how it flows, as well as some local history about the nearby Katla volcano and the glacier that covers it. We enjoyed the show a lot. There is a nice little cafe outside of the theater where you can have lunch. They have some really great soups and light sandwiches.

Further east is Jökulsárlón, where icebergs break off from Vatnajokull (say "vat-na yokurk" and you'll sound like a local) glacier and float out to sea past the "Diamond Beach". There are lots of icebergs to see, as well as some harbor seals swimming among them. You don't need to go out on a boat to enjoy the bay, but we took the amphibian boat tour, which was fun just for the amphibious boat, but also for the informative tour and ability to get closer to the icebergs. The tour guide did a nice job of presenting information about Jökulsárlón and Vatnajokull. It was interesting and a pleasant half hour tour. There are also tours that go out on smaller, faster, inflatable boats.

On the beach side of the road is "Diamond Beach" where pieces of ice from Jökulsárlón wash up on shore and sit on the black sand like diamonds in the sun. It is very pretty and you can get some nice photos, but be aware that, like Reynisfjara, and other popular places, it can be crowded, so you will probably not get that "lonely beach" photo.

Further east was our easternmost stop, for the Crystal Blue Ice Cave tour under the Breidamerkurjokull glacier. The tour begins with a ride in a large off road capable van, which carries you down a bumpy, twisty, though flat, "F road" for about a half hour to a parking area where you then hike across the glacial moraine to the foot of the glacier. The walk is about twenty minutes and is not difficult, though the path is not paved. The view of the landscape is dramatic and enjoyable in and of itself. Our tour guide Andrea was a wonderful resource, providing history, and natural science information about the glacier and its moraine valley. Once at the glacier it's similar to entering any cave, but this one is made of ice. The color and shapes were spectacular. The cave is large, and although there were a fair number of people there from multiple tours, there was plenty of room. Again, be aware that you aren't likely to get a photo without people in it. This tour was one of the real highlights of our trip. The folks at GlacierAdventure.is were great and provided a very memorable experience. If you've worked up an appetite on your tour, there is a restaurant just across from their office that serves Icelandic dishes. "Ice theme"; check, check, and check.

Along the ring road is Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, which was formed by a glacial lake that overflowed and cut the canyon long ago. It is deep and dramatic with a waterfall down one side. It doesn't take long to see it, and is a nice stop that won't take all day.

Back toward the west the "Lava Tunnel tour" is a cave tour of a lava tube that formed during an eruption long ago. If you have toured a cave before, this one is nothing unexpected, and in some ways less dramatic. There are no stalactites or stalagmites, but there are basalt formations and some mineral colors on the walls and ceiling that are unique to the lava tube. What makes this tour interesting is understanding how the tube was formed and seeing how the lava created the structures that cover the walls and ceiling. This tour isn't long, and it's not too far off the main road, so it would fit into a busy day without too much time taken. If you've seen other caves, and don't have a lot of time, this might be one to skip. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't give up a glacier tour or famous waterfall for it.

Iceland is a spectacular country; from the mountain climbing sheep to the volcanos, and glaciers, it is dramatically beautiful and full of surprises. My advice is to pack well for all types of weather because you are likely to see them all. Bring rain suits or a waterproof coat and rain pants. Waterproof hiking boots are a must. Most of all bring an adventurous spirit because this place has a lot to offer and it's almost all outdoors. Make sure that you pay attention to the cautions and advice about driving; there are some "gotchas" like the gasoline pump handle being green and the Diesel handle being black. Don't mess that one up. Make sure that your cell phone works in Iceland for voice as well as data. Mine (Verizon) worked fine for text and data, but was hit and miss for voice calls. Food was a question in my mind, especially in some of the less built up areas, but in general it's not hard to find something to eat, and as long as you are flexible, you will not go hungry.

October in Iceland was beautiful and amazing. We need to come back to see the summer, hopefully very soon.

Thanks to Duncan and kimkim for the excellent trip plan and coordination. It made getting the most out of our time so much easier. I have a memory with my sons that none of us will forget.

Hotel Reviews

Room With A View Apartment Hotel

Reykjavík

This hotel is downtown on one of the main shopping streets. The location is very good for someone staying to see the city for a day or two. The rooms are nice, with a European style. The restaurant for breakfast was great. You'll want to figure out where to park in advance since there is no parking associated with the hotel itself. Street parking is available if you can find a spot, and there is a parking lot not far away but you don't want to be searching at the last minute.

Authenticity & Character

The decor was nice, it was contemporary European style, which fit the area.

Location

Right in the shopping district.

Staff

Friendly staff, especially at the restaurant.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable beds, everything was clean and working as expected.

Blue Hotel Fagrilundur

Bláskógabyggd

The hotel is right on the Golden Circle, which makes it a good stop. The check-in area has a sort of family feel, while the separate building with the rooms is more like a traditional hotel. Breakfast in the morning is a continental buffet as at most places, and it was good. They have hot tubs out back in the evening to relax in.

Authenticity & Character

The layout of the hotel was different, the rooms were simple and nice. It was just a pleasant place.

Location

Right on the Golden Circle. Very convenient. There is a nice restaurant "Restaurant Mica" right next door. It was very good, with a varied menu. Note that this is the only restaurant in the area, so be prepared. They're open for lunch and dinner. There was a 1 hour wait for dinner when we dropped in unannounced. Not a problem for us, but it pushed bedtime back a little.

Staff

Very friendly, helpful and nice people. Everyone in Iceland is nice.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Laki

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Hotel Laki is an interesting mix for me. The location is stunning, with scenic countryside all around. The hotel itself presents well in the exterior and public areas. The restaurant, though a bit expensive, is nice and puts on a great buffet for dinner and breakfast (maybe lunch too?). There is a roof terrace that has a beautiful view, and is a great place to view the northern lights at night (if they cooperate). The surprise that cost them a star was the corridors and interior of the rooms. Both were clean and in good condition, but the decor was what I'd describe as "cell block chic", with plain, undecorated surfaces, and steel doors with turn-key deadbolts. It gave the impression of being fairly old, but maintained reasonably well, though it could definitely use an update. The rooms were compact but perfectly comfortable and clean. I would stay there again, but not if I was trying to impress a traveling companion. Any shortcomings were more than made up for by "Lady", a delightful Border Colley puppy (ca 2022) who met us in the front yard and invited us to play "fetch the stick", which of course we did.

Authenticity & Character

The rooms and corridors need a make-over.

Location

Very convenient location between Vik and the more eastern glacier areas.

Staff

Nice, friendly, and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and working.

Eldey Airport Hotel

Reykjanesbær

Eldey is nothing fancy, but it is very convenient for staging prior to a departure the next morning. The rooms were simple and comfortable. There was a continental buffet breakfast in the morning, which helped get everyone going before heading out to our flight.

Authenticity & Character

It's just a hotel. No special theme, none needed. It doesn't have "character", but it was a nice stay.

Location

Right on the airport, it's a ten minute drive to the terminal.

Staff

Very friendly staff. The woman at the reservation desk gave us an excellent recommendation for a restaurant for dinner.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable rooms. Nothing fancy, but they did the job. The rooms have very large closets and a counter with a sink that suggests maybe longer stays would be suited to it, though I'm not sure why you would do so in this area.

Activity Reviews

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

This is probably the most "touristy" thing we did on our visit, but it's almost required. They have a kind of spa theme now, that has been added since I was last there many years ago, but it is still warm and wonderful to soak in the water while the cold Icelandic air swirls around.

Quality of Experience

Well organized and easy to get in and out. Everything was clean, the water was wonderful.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Helpful, friendly.

Transport

We drove ourselves there. Parking was close and sufficient. It's easy to find the entrance.

Whale Watching from Reykjavík

Reykjavík

This was a great activity. The boat and crew were wonderful, with constant communication about what we were seeing outside, where to look for whales, and dolphins, etc. There was a large indoor cabin where you could stay dry and warm, and they provided cold weather coveralls so that you could go out on deck without getting too cold. Being on deck was the best place to be for seeing the wildlife. We got to see several Minke whales, two Humpback whales who came alongside for close up pictures, and many white nosed dolphins and countless sea birds.

Quality of Experience

The great crew kept us informed and entertained. There was a place inside to get snacks and things to drink. The boat was large and comfortable. We got to see whales!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent staff. They were constantly working to help us find whales and other things to see.

Transport

We drove ourselves. If a tour operator takes you there, it's no fuss, but otherwise you have to find your own parking and then walk over to the ticket office.

Icelandic Lava Show

Iceland

I really enjoyed this presentation. They have a great presentation where the presenter talks about the types of lava, how it forms and flows, the geology of the local area and the huge Katla volcano that sits under a glacier just outside of town, complete with a story from the last eruption in the early 20th century. The lava show itself is impressive. The heat and sound and bright glow of the lava as it flows out is very cool. The presenter does a great job of helping the audience learn about the nature and behavior of lava. It's a great activity, especially on a rainy day.

Quality of Experience

It was dramatic, beautiful, and educational.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our presenter was very knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor and personality. He gave us a great show.

Transport

We drove ourselves. Finding the place was easy, and there was plenty of parking available.

Crystal Blue Ice Cave

Iceland

Wow. This was my favorite activity of our trip. From the bumpy van ride to the parking area to the hike through the glacial moraine valley to get to the cave, just getting there was an adventure. The cave itself is beautiful and dramatic. Large enough to have many areas to see and photograph. I consider this a unique experience. There aren't many places where you can explore underneath a glacier.

Quality of Experience

Magnificent scenery to and from the cave, and the absolutely beautiful cave itself. The whole trip was an adventure.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide, Andrea, was excellent. She was engaging, and knew the area well, providing history, science, and climatological information all along the way, as well as being a great driver and entertainer.

Transport

The ride to the parking area was an adventure in and of itself. Some will disagree because it is very bumpy and twisty, but it's clear that you are going somewhere off the beaten path!

Lava Tunnel Tour

Iceland

This was an interesting and fun stop. Anyone who has gone on a cave tour will recognize this, however unlike a "normal" cave, the geology of the lava tunnel is very different. For example there are no stalagmites or stalactites, but there are basalt formations and colors created by the minerals deposited by the lava as it flowed through. I would say that this tunnel is not as visually dramatic as a lot of traditional limestone caves, but I found that the reality of what it is, a tube that lava flowed through and formed, was really special.

Quality of Experience

Different, educational, unusual type of cave to see and experience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. The staff was very friendly and extremely helpful, even accommodating a change in tour times for us.

Transport

We drove there ourselves. It was easy to find the location, there was adequate parking, and the ticket office is right at the entrance to the lava tunnel.