Iceland

Fabio

Has anyone in these patches ever travelled to Iceland?

I am heading there on Thursday for Cork City's Intertoto Cup tie against Valur of Reykjavik and can't wait to go!

There was a group of us booked together to go and we're going from Cork to Stansted to Reykjavik. Our stop over in Stansted is for about 12 hours so it could be quite a long wait there....I have heard it ain't the most interesting of airports!

Any tips on things to keep us all occupied, or where to eat and drink in Stansted?

Finally, and more to the point, has anyone actually been to Iceland and if so what is it like and what are the people like?

H2G2

Fabio wrote:

Finally, and more to the point, has anyone actually been to Iceland and if so what is it like and what are the people like?

I have been there lots of time ... twice this year... and I love it. The country is great, people really nice and the weather is better than you may expect. There is lots to see, but you really need a car, the public bus service is not that good and there are no trains. There are bus tours, but for a small group a car is much much better value. Expect to pay 100 euro per day for small to mid size car, but a 4x4 jeep is way better fun for off roading...
Places to see:

• Reykjanes peninsula, near Keflavik Intl. airport. Amazing geothermal sights with lots to see: Hanfir, Bridge across the Álfagjá rift, and lots lots more.
• A must is the Blue Lagoon geothermal swimming pool. Its like nothing you have ever see before.
• The “Golden Circle” tour is good. See Gullfoss - the Golden Falls, Kerið - Volcanic crater lake and Geysir - Geothermal hot spot.

Reykjavik is a nice city. Its easy to walk around and very safe. The main streets of Laugavegur and Bankastraeti have lots of shops, restaurants, bars, etc. At this time of year, you can leave a club at 5am and its still daylight :cool:

Advice on money… Lots of people say Iceland is horribly expensive, but I disagree. Its not that much more than Ireland. BUT, you do need to take care. Alcohol is not cheep and wine is much more than beer. Expect to pay 600 ISK (7 euro) for a local beer and more for import. So make sure you stock up on duty free before you arrive and after you land. Good restaurants such as The Perlan will set you back 100 euro per head, but Café bars are much better value. Some of my favourites are: Café Victor on Hafnarstræti, and Café Solon on Bankastraeti, which give good value by local standards. Stay awar from the Ice bar, it sounds great, but its probably the most expensive drink you would ever buy.

Grid.

Great lookin women there!!:D

Fabio

Nice one lads. I'm really looking forwartd to it.

I have had a quick scan through some travel books about Iceland and it seems like a really surreal place, what with the geysers, the Blue Lagoon and such...

It's a pity I won't see the Northern Lights but hey, at least there will be almost 24 hrs of daylight!

Zebra3

Iceland's a kip.

An expensive kip. Stay away from the Irish bar. Rip-off merchant.