reykjavik
time spent: weekend break
discovering reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and it's biggest city. It is mostly a nature trip, where you get to see wonderful landscapes. There is a city centre with some restaurants and stores.
keep in mind
> It's best to rent a car, because you'll need to drive everywhere.
> Everything there is quite expensive since they import everything, specially food.
> Check the weather before going, I went during winter (November) and it was freezing cold. Take a big jacket that is capable of blocking the wind.
> Even though it is part of Europe, they use Króna, not Euros. It is the smallest country to have their own currency!
> If you are looking to see the Northern lights, keep in mind the peak season is November - March, but it still not guaranteed you'll see it by going at this period of time. There are many tours you can book to see it, but it will depend on weather conditions/luck. I was unable to see it myself.
where to stay
Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel:
environmentally friendly boutique hotel
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Eyja Guldsmeden: a new boutique hotel that is all about environmental responsibility. It is very charming and cozy and the hotel staff was very nice.
WHERE TO EAT
Full Meals
note: most of our meals, where quick breaks among the way of what we were doing. There are two restaurants though that I would like to specifically recommend:
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Matur Og Drykkur:This is a must go if you want to try very original Icelandic food. They only offer tasting menus and it is very good. Recommend making reservations.
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Lava Restaurant: Located at the Blue Lagoon, it is a delicious gourmet restaurant with a very nice view to the lagoon. It can be added to the package when you make your reservation.
Breakfast
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Sandholt Café: a family owned Icelandic bakery, which opens at 7 am and it is perfect for those seeking an early, good breakfast.
THINGS TO DO
note: we only spent a weekend there, so this is based on a weekend plan. There is much more to do, and if you have the opportunity to spend more time, definitely do!
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Thingvellir National Park: We opted to see the Golden Circle by car instead of going on a tour. The National Park, which is one of the most historical landmarks of Iceland,was our first stop and it is truly magnificent. Since 2004, it has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
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Geysir: Our second stop while driving around the Golden Circle. It was the first geyser to be known by modern Europeans. It has been inactive since 1916, but you can still see Strukkur, a geyser 100 meters from Geysir, erupt in intervals of around 10 mins. Truly amazing to watch. Right in front there is a visitor center, with restaurants and a shop. It is a good idea to stop and grab lunch. We ate at "Supa," a soup restaurant in the center which was simple but good!
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Gullfoss: Also known as the Golden Falls, it was our third stop in the Golden Circle and it is a short drive from Geysir. This two steps, breath taking waterfall, is in the river Hvítá and its glacier water is brownish.
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Blue Lagoon: A dream! one of the 25 wonders of the world, it is a geothermal spa in a lava field in Grindavík, Iceland. You have to pre-book your ticket online at their website ( bluelagoon.com) and schedule your arrival time. You can put mud masks as many times as you want once you are in the lagoon. They also have shuttles to take you from and to the airport and a place to store your luggage. It was really an incredible experience! We had lunch at LAVA, their restaurant build into lava cliffs with views to the lagoon but you can also eat at one of their cafés! A MUST go for anyone visiting Iceland!
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