Iceland recommendations

[Jesusmaryjosephandtheweedon]

Hi would be grateful for all and any advice. I am planning to bring my husband to Iceland next year as a 40th bday surprise. I know he would love to see the northern lights so I understand its best to go from Sept to April for the best chance to see them, his bday is April so will probably go Sept/Oct however other than that I know very little about the island.

When is best to visit? Where to go? Type of Clothes we will need? Spending money etc! Do we do day trips with companies or hire jeeps and drive. Is it easy to drive? I hate driving in snow here!

Any recommendations, info, advice are welcome.

Thanks

Following as we are going in Feb so interested to see the responses despite my very extensive research!

Iceland in April. What to pack? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/holidays/4515010-Iceland-in-April-What-to-pack

I also have the above thread bookmarked if you want to have a look re clothing

We went feb half term, hired a car (all have winter tyres). Did golden circle tour with a company and other stuff ourselves. Saw northern lights just outside rekjavik, was handy to jump in car and just get there. Loved the swimming baths in rekjavik near our hotel-the Hilton. Take lots of money-we liked big lebowski bar for cocktails and food.

Loads of threads asking basically the same in the last couple of months.

I went January.. pre covid.

Clothing wear layers.

In terms if trips we did the glacier, golden circle tour, secret lagoon and a boat trip to see the northern lights..

All trips pick up from hotels to a central bus station then filtered onto tour buses..

We had an amazing time.

Food and alcohol are expensive take snacks and duty free with you

Join all the Travel Iceland and similar groups on Facebook and find lots of tips. People do really short trips, based in Reykjavik and taking organised tours and activity trips to the golden circle etc, or if they have a bit longer go to Vik (Black Sand Beach, Game of Thrones location I believe) or Akureyri (Whale watching, Fjjords) for example, or drive the whole ring road (we did this in August over 12 days), not sure of what is suitable for your season. The weather changes a LOT, the wind can get very strong and conditions can change quickly. There is an app called Safe Travel that is good for alerts and advice, look it up to get an idea of conditions.
Would your husband enjoy being in on the planning? Look up Aurora Iceland Facebook group for Northern Lights info - basically you need the aurora forecast on Vedur to be above 3, for there to be no cloud cover, and to be out after dark and be lucky. There are apps where people post sightings so if its pinging and people are posting photos you know there's a chance. And make sure you know what to look for when its weaker its better viewed through a camera. Wonderful holiday, wonderful place.

I've went to Iceland on a 8 night trip last month with Intrepid going all around the island, with a group of 12.

In September dress for a UK winter. It's a good idea to dress in layers, but gives scarf and hat are all a good idea too. Wear walking shoes with a good grip as around waterfalls it can get slippery.

The weather is very changeable, so if you go on a self-drive tour look at the weather reports every few hours. There was a bad storm while we were there, but we managed to avoid the chaos and road closures by knowing in advance.

Note that the Northern Lights are not at all guaranteed - they need a clear night. We did see them, but it wasn't spectacular.

The blue lagoon is very expensive. The secret lagoon much cheaper and whilst not as blue still very enjoyable (we went to both).

Everything is of course very expensive! Normal vegetarian meal about £25 - if you add a glass of wine and dessert expect to pay £40.

You don't need cash at all anywhere on the island. A small amount of change maybe required for some toilet facilities (although I only saw this once). The petrol stations facilities are fine and clean.

Roads are very good - looked very easy to drive there - although they must get icy in the very cold months.

When taking the bus from the airport (if you take a taxi then prepare to re-mortgage), don't be surprised when you reach a terminal and they ask you to leave. Everyone then gets on small busses which drop off around various spots in Reykjavik.

Its an amazing place. We were unlucky and didn't see the Northern lights but everything else was amazing.
We went in March and driving round the south of the island was fine, this however, was the road getting a bit further North (near grundarfjodur).
Clothing wise, plenty of layers and good quality clothing. Again, around Reykjavik was quute mild, however by the time we got to grundarfjodur it was so cold (think frozen waterfalls), I have never been so cold and wet in my life. Waterproofs that withhold any weather in the UK were soaked through in minutes, and my Sealskin gloves that normally see my fine through a Northern/Scottish winter, may have been washing up gloves for how cold my hands were.
Walking boots and icegrips are another must.
I didnt think the food was that expensive, only slightly more than the UK.
But all in its an amazing place and i am looking to return this winter.

Thanks for the responses so far. Will look for those other threads.

Yes I think DH would like to be in on the planning of what we see. I dont fancy the driving so I think based in Reykjavik and doing the trips is probably our best bet.

We can only do about 5-6 days as we have three small DD's at home so couldn't ask family to.mind for much longer.

Golden circle, lagoons, waterfalls all sound fab and I think are definites. Dh can choose some of the other activities then after I tell him.

The blue lagoon is incredibly overrated - give that a swerve

Agree.

We're going for 4 nights at the start of Nov, staying in Reykjavik and have booked day trips to the South Coast (private tour in a 4x4 that was recommended by a friend who went earlier in the year) and the Golden Circle which included the Secret Lagoon (by small group minibus). We're booked for Blue Lagoon straight from the airport after we arrive. Not mad keen on either lagoon but figure we have to try them once so we at least have an informed opinion and have ticked that tourist box. We also have a Northern Lights small group tour booked but that'll depend on the weather cooperating.

The locals strongly advise against self-driving in winter as the driving conditions can become quite bad very quickly.

HundredMilesAnHour can you possibly tell me what company you booked the 4x4 south coast trip with please

We had a great time on the brewery tour in Reykjavik, it’s less of a tour than a comedic presentation of the history of alcohol in Iceland punctuated by drinking. Definitely don’t drive to it.

We also did a gastronomic golden circle tour, lots of delicious local food and all the other sights.