Iceland.

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Diamond Dog
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Iceland.

Postby Diamond Dog » 29 Jun 2013, 12:42

Okay - possibly looking to visit Iceland next May or July, probably for a week.

I know next to nothing about the country - just fancied doing my best "Immigrant Song" impression in the land of ice and snow in the midnight sun....Any tips?

Where to stay, what to do, what to expect etc etc?
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Re: Iceland.

Postby Hugh » 29 Jun 2013, 19:24

Brotherlouie has been. I'm sure he can help.

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Re: Iceland.

Postby Captain Jazzmag » 29 Jun 2013, 20:30

My mum went. Not sure why.
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Re: Iceland.

Postby Goat Boy » 01 Jul 2013, 20:52

I'm going for a week in december so I'll add something after that.
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Re: Iceland.

Postby Diamond Dog » 02 Jul 2013, 13:58

Goat Boy wrote:I'm going for a week in december so I'll add something after that.



cool thanks.
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Re: Iceland.

Postby Limpin' Jez McKenzie » 02 Jul 2013, 14:57

You need to go to Kaffeebarin, a bar in Reykjavik partly owned by Damon Albarn. It is apparently a brilliant bar.
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Re: Iceland.

Postby Spec » 08 Jul 2013, 09:53

I went in the early 1990s for 16 days of camping and hiking. It has changed a lot since then so I'm not sure I can offer much helpful.

Then, Reykjavik wasn't the most exciting place. We had a couple of days there but felt we'd seen everything we needed to within an hour. It might have changed especially as it has become a place to go.

The country is unimaginably beautiful. Skogafoss, the geysers, the spluttering mud pools, the little bays, the lava flows, glaciers, everything.

Swimming in the hot rivers is amazing.

Riding a skidoo across the ice cap was one of the coolest things I've ever done.

We were there is August / September and were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights (rare that early in the year).

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Re: Iceland.

Postby Diamond Dog » 08 Jul 2013, 19:30

Cheers Spec.

I got in touch with Brotherlouie, who gave me loads of ideas.

And look forward to your views, Goatboy.
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Re: Iceland.

Postby The Prof » 05 Sep 2013, 23:31

We're off in January.
Cheap flight with Easyjet and a great hotel with Secret Escapes.
Can't wait.

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Re: Iceland.

Postby Minnie the Minx » 15 Sep 2013, 02:39

Captain Jazzmag wrote:My mum went. Not sure why.


Did you need some garlic bread?
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Re: Iceland.

Postby Snarfyguy » 18 Sep 2013, 01:02

Haven't been since the economic crash. I would hope it's a little more affordable now; it was stupidly expensive in the mid 00s.

That "Blue Lagoon" spa, I think it's called, is sensational.

Reykjavik is really pretty boring though.
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Re: Iceland.

Postby BARON CORNY DOG » 06 Oct 2013, 04:13

They do these things on towns I know and I think they're kinda bunk, but I never been to Iceland.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/tr ... wanted=all

Lemme know if you can't read it and wanna
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Re: Iceland.

Postby Goat Boy » 05 Nov 2013, 13:15

We fly early December so we're starting to book things now.

The Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon (and horse riding) and a Northern Lights tour so far.

I'm looking into doing a skidoo trip and maybe a helicopter ride.
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Re: Iceland.

Postby The Prof » 05 Nov 2013, 19:15

We're looking to do roughly the same in January. Minus the horse riding, I think. Or the helicopter.

It's not exactly cheap up there.

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Re: Iceland.

Postby BlueMeanie » 05 Nov 2013, 19:52

I know quite a few Icelandics in Copenhagen. I'll ask about unusual places/non-touristy places to visit. Apparently it's a lot cheaper than it was before the crash.
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Re: Iceland.

Postby The Prof » 16 Nov 2013, 19:04

I've heard that too. Because alcohol in pubs is way too expensive everyone drinks at home.
Dunno how serious the skirmishes are though as I'm sure I read somewhere that there are only 150 people in prison in the whole of Iceland.

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Re: Iceland.

Postby Goat Boy » 22 Nov 2013, 12:40

Sounds just like Aberdeen.
Griff wrote:The notion that Jeremy Corbyn, a lifelong vocal proponent of antisemitism, would stand in front of an antisemitic mural and commend it is utterly preposterous.


Copehead wrote:a right wing cretin like Berger....bleating about racism

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Re: Iceland.

Postby Goat Boy » 11 Dec 2013, 13:16

Diamond Dog In A Manger wrote:Cheers Spec.

I got in touch with Brotherlouie, who gave me loads of ideas.

And look forward to your views, Goatboy.


We spent an enjoyable week there but were limited to what we can do by finances and the weather. It was -15 the first few days! We booked the Northern lights tour, a skidoo tour, the golden circle, blue lagoon with horse riding and a whale watching tour. First the letdowns....

Northern Lights tour - My expectations were low as I knew there is a big difference in what the naked eye sees and what the photographs look like so I wasn't let down when we saw a faint green glow and nothing else. The stars in the night time sky did look spectacular though so it wasn't a wasted trip but considering the time of year you're going none of this will affect you I guess!

The skidoo tour - a massive let down for me as it was the one bloody thing I really wanted to do. I had visions of speeding across the ice towards a spectacular sunrise like James motherfucking Bond and instead I spent 5 hours in a four wheel drive. Unfortunately the weather was shit with really bad snowstorms so when we reached the foot of the glaciar the trip was called off. Then ten mins later it was on again but we were warned that visibility was so poor we wouldn't be able to see anything and we wouldn't be going fast either so we made the decision to simply head back to Reykjavik as none of us could be fucked with such a limiting experience. Of course by going on the tour we had committed to paying 150 quid and so we had to haggle to get money off and eventually got it down to 75 quid. A real pain in the arse though.

Whale watching - no fucking whales. Next!

Golden Circle - the highlight of the trip really. Along with the blue lagoon this is the one thing everybody does but it's definitely worth it. I can recommend Iceland Horizons and if you're lucky you'll get an English guy called David who was fantastically informative and personable. Plus we were in a small van and because he picked us up early we arrived at the places before the bigger tour operators got there so we had them to ourself. A really great experience.

Blue Lagoon - we did a horse ride prior to this because the lass loves 'em but I wasn't fussed about this really. My horse was a playing a cunt and I was glad to get off him. It was minus 15 as well. The Blue Lagoon is great though. The water is perfect and you can buy cold drinks as well. 5quid for a pint mind but it has to be done. It's not cheap though - about 30 quid for the basic experience i.e. no towel or robe so if you're gonna do that then remember to take your own. If you're going with a lady friend she may want to go for a more exclusive experience and pay extra for a massage etc. Be warned though, during summer it gets very busy so be prepared for crowds.

We went for a few meals out but had to compromise because we had two veggies and somebody who doesn't really give a shit about food at all so we didn't go to all the places I would have liked however I can recommend a couple.

First of all a Tapas bar - Tapas Barinn.....http://www.tapas.is/en/

I know you may think 'a tapas bar in iceland? Fuck off' but the quality was fucking excellent, it was reasonably priced and you can order daft shit like puffin and whale (both delicious). For five of us we ended up paying 150quid. I can recommend the oxtail and scallops and the puffin with blueberry sauce! The waitresses were cute as hell too. Which is nice. Dougies rating: 4.5/5

Icelandic Fish and Chips....http://www.fishandchips.is/

If you have a craving for fish and chips this might work as a substitute. The fish was lovely although the batter was a bit bland and the 'chips' are wedges. I'd still take a good 'ol British fish supper over it any day of the week mind but it was decent enough. The waitresses were uber cute again. Dougies rating: 3/5

Eating out is no more expensive than the UK and you can get plenty decent meals for 40quid or less. There's a good range too so it's very much like eating out in any major European city. Booze is expensive of course - around 5/6quid for a bottle in bars and restaurants so duty free should be your friend. Iceland has strict duty free regulations - one bottle of spirits and one bottle of wine - but there was nobody at customs when we arrived at night so we could have taken through bags of booze with us. Slip a few bottles of red into your luggage would be my advice.

In terms of bars and cafes then Rejkavik is full of them. We visited Damon Albarns part owned bar - Kaffibarinn - which is supposed to be the hippest in the city and it's a cosy place and really quiet before 11pm on the weekends when it starts to get busy.

You should also visit The Pearl for superb views over the city. It's about a 40min walk from the main drag where all the pubs and cafes are situated.
Griff wrote:The notion that Jeremy Corbyn, a lifelong vocal proponent of antisemitism, would stand in front of an antisemitic mural and commend it is utterly preposterous.


Copehead wrote:a right wing cretin like Berger....bleating about racism

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Re: Iceland.

Postby The Prof » 11 Dec 2013, 15:17

Ta - that's very useful info.

I'm surprised they took you an a whale watching tour. Most of the ones I've seen operate in the summer because they all bugger off in the winter. The whales that is.
We've got plans to do the golden circle and the blue lagoon but it's so expensive.

After doing all that stuff did you have any change left out of a £grand?

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Re: Iceland.

Postby Goat Boy » 11 Dec 2013, 18:59

The Prof wrote:Ta - that's very useful info.

I'm surprised they took you an a whale watching tour. Most of the ones I've seen operate in the summer because they all bugger off in the winter. The whales that is.
We've got plans to do the golden circle and the blue lagoon but it's so expensive.

After doing all that stuff did you have any change left out of a £grand?


I think I spent about 600 in total but then I was traveling in a group of 5 so I only paid 100quid for a weeks accommodation. The flight was the same price.

You can just get a bus from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon for about 10-15 quid and then pay 30 for the cheapo experience, so with a couple of beers you're looking at just over 50 quid. You can stay in the lagoon as long as you like by the way.

The Golden Circle tour was 40quid in total....http://www.icelandhorizon.is/Excursions.aspx?id=GoldenCircle

If you want to save money it may be wise to go for a flat rental so you can cook food yourself by the way.
Griff wrote:The notion that Jeremy Corbyn, a lifelong vocal proponent of antisemitism, would stand in front of an antisemitic mural and commend it is utterly preposterous.


Copehead wrote:a right wing cretin like Berger....bleating about racism


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