Iceland - 7 days!

Reykjavik

I realize that scheduling travel with friends is always tough. Especially when folks are spread out from NY to LA and job schedules vary and costs change. So instead of trying to get a group together and risk prices rising and plans falling through I figured, I'm an adult, I can travel alone. I mean it would be great to have company, but this is something I love to do so just damn well carpe diem Anderson!

Tjornin Pond, Reykjavik

Water front, Reykjavik

Punk Museum, Reykjavik

Hallgrímskirkja

Our Game of Thrones Tour Guide

Gullfoss, Golden Circle

Sighted while driving the Golden Circle

Geysir, Golden Circle

Mullen and I

Blue Lagoon, hot springs

Ice Cave

Lava Cave

Spring break was scheduled early this year - the first week of March to be exact (a cold and snowy March).  While most would think to go somewhere warm and sunny for their winter escape I had done some research and if I left for Iceland the first week of March there would still be a chance to see the northern lights! By September I had a ticket in hand (or in my email) and had months to plan and look forward to my trip.  I put the word out to my friends but as expected no joiners until... November when my good friend Andrea messaged asking about my travel dates. She had recently gotten a promotion at work and with a bit of extra cash coming in was hoping to swing a trip! Splitting costs and having an old pal to share adventures with is always grand! Solo travel is nothing to avoid but as many before me have discovered if you get the ball rolling others often join in once they see what a smashing exploit you’re in for. 

Having just one week we decided to stay in Reykjavík, and rent a car to get in and out of the city.  We had no trouble renting a car* to meet our needs and our airb&b* was awesome!  It is very easy to be smitten with Iceland. It was very easy going and laid back.  The general to do when traveling was not really an issue. Renting a car, grocery shopping, cooking, finding the sights and getting around, everything was simple.  The people are friendly, relaxed, easy to talk to and eager to help.  And then there is the city and the landscapes.  The cities and towns are quiet and humble balancing out the ostentatious beauty of their surrounding countryside. From hot dogs to hot springs this country had no trouble capturing my heart.  


7 Day Itinerary 

Day One

• Arrived very early in the morning at the airport- met up with Andrea and grabbed beer, wine, and snacks from the duty free store (it’s all cheaper here then trying to buy it in the city)
•  Picked up our rental car 
• Drove into Reykjavík
• Nice breakfast at Sandholt a few blocks from our place.  Did some window shopping.
• Checked into our place. Took a much needed nap.
• Walked to Hallgrimskirkja church
• Walked to Punk Museum (cool little joint with a helpful worker who gave us a map of all the local record stores!)
•  Hopped in the car to go grocery shopping (much cheaper then trying to buy things in the city at convenience marts)
• Got home- cooked dinner and passed out

Day Two-Game of Thrones Day

• Cooked breakfast
• Game of Thrones Tour (6 hours) – White Walkers’ stomping ground at Pingvellir National Park (the location of the Althing, Iceland’s historic parliament and the oldest in history and an UNESCO World Heritage site), the incredible Lake Thingvallavatn scenery, Thjorsárdalur valley, and the filming location where a village was massacred by the Wildlings.  It was very cool! We lucked out and got a tour guide dressed in full costume who was very sarcastic and fun. It is not a tour for children as the language and topics are of the same content that the show is well known for (sex and violence).   Also as a side note we packed sandwiches and chips for lunch though there is a place to grab a bite that they stop off at. We figured it would be one of the ways we’d save a few bucks.
• Mircobar happy hour! – Tried a flight of Icelandic brews recommended by our tour guide. I spot to wind down the day.
• Did some window shopping and checked our some record stores.
• Cooked dinner passed out

Day three-Golden Circle Day

• Cooked breakfast/packed lunch
• Drove to Geysir
• Ate lunch
• Drove to Gullfoss
• Drove home ate early dinner
• Drove to Blue Lagoon hot springs (totally worth it! Do not miss out on this! Andrea had the amazing foresight to sign up for an 8pm slot for an evening under the stars. And don't forget that your first drink is free!)
• Got home/passed out

Day four- Cave Day

• Cooked breakfast/packed lunch
• Drove to Husafell for Ice Cave Tour in Langjokull Glacier (it is not accessible without a tour, and it totally worth it! )
• Ate lunch
• Drove to Víðgelmir Lava Cave (again it is not accessible without a tour, and was possibly my favorite tour since it not only talked about the geology of the cave but the legends and stories associated with it as well)
• Returned to the city
• Ate out at Messinn (absolutely delicious! We each had fish dishes with a pint and they were wonderful! Well worth one night out!)
• Returned home/passed out 

Day Five- City Day

• Cooked breakfast
• Lake Fjornin
• National Museum (excellent collection and very informative of Icelandic history)
• Settlement Exhibition
• Shopping and Record Stores
• Late lunch/early dinner at Big Lebowski
• Northern Lights Tour- We did see them! They were a bit dim but there for sure. My phone’s camera was not the best at capturing them but there is an app that you can download that may help your exposure on your phone.)

Day Six – City Day, Andrea’s last day

• Cooked Breakfast
• National Gallery of Iceland
• Strolling, coffee, shopping
• Ate lunch
• Dropped Andrea off at the airport
• Walked down to Sun Voyager and Harpa
• Cooked dinner/packed/ passed out

Day 7- Last day

• Cooked Breakfast
• Cultural House
• Old Harbour
• Saga Museum
• Ate Icelandic hot dog (Delicious!)
• Returned car
• Flew home 

 
*We rented our car through Guide to Iceland and got a small four door car with gravel insurance and a GPS (which we used every day and would recommend).  Just be mindful about space in your car. We ended up going with the four door because the trunk space in a two door might not have successfully fit our two carry on suitcases and backpacks, the same would likely be true if you had a four door and four adults, so just something to keep in mind.  

*Grettir Apartments was on a quiet street a few minutes away from the down town. Street parking when we went in March was easy and uncomplicated. There were parking kiosks that you could grab a day parking pass from when you wanted to stay in the city and evening parking after a day out of the city was free.