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Travelling to Iceland
Angry puppy
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So I'm thinking of going to Iceland. I may be going alone in October, but chances are more likely I'll be going with my Mom around July or August of next year. I'm not old enough to rent a car and it seems like a good place to go with someone anyway. I have a few questions for anyone who's ever been, or may happen to live there. Most of my big questions were already answered by the wiki entry, luckily..
Anyway. I always find that with places with beautiful landscapes, they usually are more beautiful (at least to me) the worse the weather is. Clouds, either thick or parted, enhance the look IMO. Would October yield more results for what I'm talking about? Is it usually always sunny in July and August?
Also, how much should I and my Mom expect to spend together? I want to spend at least two weeks there and try to hit all the really beautiful looking locations, spending like a day or two at each place. We'll probably camp as much as possible. Round trip seems to be 800 per person coming from CA, and I read that car rental for a 4wd is 100 a day, 35 a day for 2wd (is 4wd really necessary over a 2wd over there?). So I guess aside from those the only other expenses would be food to pack and a few nights hotel stay maybe.
Can't think of anything else to ask. Any other tips or whatever would be appreciated. And in the spoiler are the main places I want to visit. Names off hand I can think of are Skogar and Asbyrgi.
And then I guess this helps to, but all of the cool spots from this video (probably mentioned them in the pictures already). God knows it's cheesy and corny as hell though, but the shots are gorgeous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG92NUXKzZ0&feature=related
Anyway. I always find that with places with beautiful landscapes, they usually are more beautiful (at least to me) the worse the weather is. Clouds, either thick or parted, enhance the look IMO. Would October yield more results for what I'm talking about? Is it usually always sunny in July and August?
Also, how much should I and my Mom expect to spend together? I want to spend at least two weeks there and try to hit all the really beautiful looking locations, spending like a day or two at each place. We'll probably camp as much as possible. Round trip seems to be 800 per person coming from CA, and I read that car rental for a 4wd is 100 a day, 35 a day for 2wd (is 4wd really necessary over a 2wd over there?). So I guess aside from those the only other expenses would be food to pack and a few nights hotel stay maybe.
Can't think of anything else to ask. Any other tips or whatever would be appreciated. And in the spoiler are the main places I want to visit. Names off hand I can think of are Skogar and Asbyrgi.
And then I guess this helps to, but all of the cool spots from this video (probably mentioned them in the pictures already). God knows it's cheesy and corny as hell though, but the shots are gorgeous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG92NUXKzZ0&feature=related
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Thinking of food, McDonalds there do not serve breakfast. If you like Sbarro's, you are going to be a happy man. Icelanders love them some Sbarro's.
If you can swing it, you definitely want to go in the summer, particularly if you are camping. Certain roads around the country are closed off when it gets cold (I'm not sure if this counts for October but I wouldn't be surprised). Also, it sounds like you're going to be all over the countryside - most cars that you can rent are equipped to handle driving through some standing water from snow/rain. However, if something happens and your car dies not only will you be stranded in the countryside but you'll have to pay for the car. Keep in mind, too, that roads outside the city are pretty bad, so you really want that 4wd! We had a Volkswagon Polo and nearly stranded it outside of Thingvellir.
Another thought about camping - if you go in the summer you will get almost 24 hours of daylight. It's amazing for pictures, but something to think about if you can't sleep with the lights on.
There's a ton of stuff we didn't get to do because of time constraints, but even just roaming around Reykjavik and the Golden Circle we had an awesome time. I don't think you can really go wrong with Iceland if you do your homework and plan ahead.
I can attest (having dated an Icelander) that their cuisine is great. Try and avoid eating at American fast food places while there. The point of going to another country is to experience it, not eat at Pizza Hut.
*Some* Icelandic cuisine is great. However, it's easier for an American to compare the price of Pizza Hut pizza than to compare the price of Skyr (yes, we had both).
The same can be said of any country. I just think it's silly to go another country and eat a bunch of American fast food. Sample the local delicacies!