Advice for Iceland

OK so Iceland is cold, especially in winter - I am sure this is not news! However, even though I knew it was going to be cold, I was not prepared for just how bitterly cold it can be.  You might look at the temperature forecasts and think it doesn't look so bad (-1 for example), however you need to take into account the wind.  It is usually windy in Iceland, and the wind takes the temperatures much lower!  So the forecast might say -1, but that it will 'feel like -12'.  Think of the sort of cold that makes your eyes and nose run!!! The best advice I can give for dealing with the cold is layers, and lots of them!  On this latest trip, I spent a lot of time wearing jeans with tights underneath, with calf-high boots and a longish coat with a furry hood.  Underneath that I usually had a long sleeved top and a sweatshirt.  I didn't go anywhere without a scarf and gloves, and a lot of the time I had a bobble hat too.  If you feel the cold, wear lots ...

On our first trip to Iceland, we had a hire car and did a little tour of the south coast (it was winter, when it is harder to go North!).  You can still see a lot by just doing day trips out of Reykjavik, however be prepared for some longer days and some time in the car.  If you have your heart set on getting out on a glacier or seeing an ice cave, I would highly recommend staying in Vik for a night rather than trying to do it in a day from the city. This trip we did a tour with Icelandic Mountain Guides called Golden Circle and Magical Nights .  I highly recommend this tour over other big bus Golden Circle tours, as it starts out later and therefore you tend to get much fewer people at the main attractions on the Golden Circle.  It also includes lunch and dinner, with an ice cream stop in between, and entry into Fontana Spa, making it a very good value tour.  We honestly had a great day, and were lucky enough to be only a group of four!  We even caught a...

Having spent a few days in the city, I can recommend a few things to do and places to eat. The Reykjavik Food Walk is very good value, and not only will you get a little tour of the city, including lots of tasters, but the guides will also give you a little bit of Icelandic history.  So you're getting a bit of orientation, a few tips on where to eat, some culture and a lot of food all in one go!  I'd advise to do this as early in your trip as you can!  It starts at Harpa, the concert hall in the city, which in itself is worth a look around and is very photogenic.  Before I went on the tour, I took a walk along the waterfront to the Solfar, Viking Sun Voyager statue.  It looks great in all weathers, with views of mountains behind. Harpa Solfar Another thing that is worth doing is taking a trip up the tower of Hallgrimskirkja Church if you get a clear day - you can see for miles. There is a lake in Reykjavik called Tjornin, which is current...