Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights
We booked a trip to Iceland on WOW airlines when we went to Paris. WOW (and Iceland air) offers free stop overs on the same itinerary so we took advantage. Note: WOW is a low budget where everything costs money (even water!) so keep that in mind.
We traveled in November and while I thought I was ready for the cold weather, I wasn’t! It takes your breath away! Pack hand and feet warmers and appropriate clothing including thermal underwear. Shoes with traction are extremely helpful since everything was a sheet of ice. The sun doesn’t rise until after 10am and sets around 3:30pm so short days!
We booked an Air B&B in Reykjavik – look for one (or a hotel) near Laugavegur Street (main street)
Reykjavik is VERY expensive (out of this world) also keep that in mind.
BEFORE you leave the airport, pick up some wine/liquor/beer in duty free (best prices in Iceland) to have in your Air B&B/hotel. Trust me on this one. Drinks run from $15-$40 each so it is better to have a drink or two prior to leaving your house to save $.
Blue Lagoon: Go on your way to Reykjavik from the airport. Most likely you will land very early in the AM (we landed around 6am) and the first bus transfer from the airport to the Lagoon is at 7:30 am so perfect timing. You can book a bus that stops at the Lagoon and then will ultimately take you to downtown Reykjavik.
The Blue Lagoon is amazing. Yes, it is touristy, but arriving early in the AM is awesome because it is before all of the tourists get there and you ultimately have the Lagoon to yourselves. When you get there you can check your luggage so you don’t have to deal with it. We went to Iceland in November so it was still dark until about 10:30 AM which was really cool and had the opportunity to watch the sun coming up while in the Lagoon. We spent quite a bit of time here. Just leave the day open and relax! You are on vacation! Plus the swim up bars are fun. https://www.bluelagoon.com/
Sunrise over the Blue Lagoon
GET THE VIP package – just like getting liquor in the duty free just trust me on this one and shell out a few extra dollars! With the VIP experience you get a robe and a towel and sandals. That way you don’t have to lug that stuff with you, plus it is nice when it is freezing out to have a robe. You get to enter the resort without waiting in a major line, and a discount at the restaurant, albeit overpriced (where you can eat in your robe!)
Try all of the masks available (even Ken did it!) they are cool and make your skin feel great after the overnight flight.
DON’T get your hair wet! Put TONS of conditioner (free in bathrooms) in your hair and leave it in when you go in the Lagoon (as well as putting your hair up) as it provides some protection. (guys included on this one!)
Drink the water – there are fountains by the snack bar and also in the Lagoon – the water is delicious.
Golden Circle: We booked the Golden Circle Classic Day Trip on Viator https://www.viator.com/tours/Reykjavik/Golden-Circle-Classic-Day-Trip-from-Reykjavik/d905-2970AH12
The trip was amazing – it does last all day, but totally worth it as you get a sampling of the Icelandic country. It was freezing – wear appropriate clothing and shoes. We saw waterfalls (frozen!), geysers, and amazing frozen tundra
Gullfoss waterfall
Northern Lights: We booked Guide to Iceland Northern Lights Minibus Tour. The tour was great, and if you do not see the Northern Lights, you can go for free the next night. We went out the first night and it was much to our disappointment that we didn’t see them, however with the guarantee we were able to go out on night 2. Success: Bucket list check! Try to go out early on your Iceland vacation so if you have to you can make a second go of it. Travel Tip: Download the Iphone Ap to take pics of the lights, or bring a good camera if you want to try to capture the beauty. Most important: Just enjoy and take mental snapshots. It is truly amazing!
Touring around Reykjavik:
Walk along the water and see the Viking statues
Visit Hallgrimskirja Church – go to the top – so pretty and great view of Reykjavik
Reykjavik is a very walkable city – we walked all throughout, the main street (Laugavegur)- there are tons of cute shops and bars/restaurants.
Drink the local beer, it is refreshing and delicious!
Hallgrimskirja Church
View from the top of Hallgrimskirja Church
Transportation from the airport: We used FlyBus – on the way from the airport, we did the free stop over at the Blue Lagoon on the way into Reykjavik https://www.re.is/flybus/
Restaurants:
We ate at the following:
Primo Ristorante – Italian – cozy and warm, food was really good (dinner) http://primo.is/en/
Sæta Svínið Gastropub – Lunch – our Air B&B host recommended – was really good! He specifically recommended the Lamb sandwich – Ken ate it and loved. Drink local beer too! Viking http://saetasvinid.is/en/
Mess Inn – Dinner – this was by far my absolute favorite meal. Make a reservation http://messinn.com/messinn/
Apotek – Dinner – this was good, fancy. We tried puffin and minke whale here. Make a reservation http://apotekrestaurant.is/?lang=en
·Grillmarkadurinn – Dinner – Also fancy. Ken ate Reindeer. Cool vibe. Make a reservation http://www.grillmarkadurinn.is/en/
Primo Ristorante – Italian
Sæta Svínið Gastropub
Mess Inn
All restaurants are expensive – but really good. Definitely go to Sæta Svínið Gastropub and Mess Inn. There is also a famous spot (near Sæta Svínið Gastropub) to get hot dogs, we didn’t do it but if you like hot dogs apparently really good.
Delicious Viking Beer
Remember to pack:
Depending on the time of year (we went in November) pack the following:
Shoes with traction
Warm layers
Hand and feet warmers
Bathing Suit
