Where I’ve been:
- Tour around the island 2022
Iceland it was one of my dream since I was 20yo because at that time I visited Ireland and I extremely love it was an amazing experience, into the nature so I always says that after I wanted to visit Scotland and Iceland but both of them are really expensive so I could do it only now. Also when I was living in Riga during my exchange was popular do a trip in Iceland but I didn’t because I went to Lapland which it was cheaper that trip with the University. So yes now January 2022 it’s the best time for me to visit Iceland.
Those are few tips for an Icelandic adventure. Hot to find the Northern lights, check the weather and how to get public buses in Reykiavik.
- For northern lights : My Aurora forecast app
- For weather : https://en.vedur.is
- KLAPPIÐ for bus
DAY 1 – Sunday 23.01.22
( Night at: First Hotel Malpensa )
After one month in Italy I decided to take a little break and travel in Europe where I never been an Iceland it has always been a place that I wanted to visit. So I planned everything roughly because I was afraid of COVID cancellation or COVID restrictions that they might not let me in or whatever so I just booked a flight with Wizz Air which is the only company that does direct flight from Milan. My mum takes me to Vercelli train station at 18:49 pm to Milano centrale where I took the train at 20:25 pm to Milano Malpensa T1 with a little stop at the McDonald’s for the dinner. Than I arrived at the airport and the shuttle comes to pick me up to go at the First Hotel Malpensa, where I ll spent the night there waiting for my flight the morning after. The hotel was very nice and the service pretty good as well.
DAY 2- Monday 24.01.22
( Night at: Kex Hostel, Reykjavik )
( sunrise flying with Wizz Air to Iceland )
I woke up at 3:45 am I got ready and I went down to the hall of the hotel to catch the shuttle to Milano Malpensa. My flight was at 6:30 am. Once I arrived at the airport I did all the control and thank I went to have a quick break because boarding. The flight was pretty long but very beautiful it was all the time sunrise. When I landed I pick up my backpack and I did the border control which I passed and I was very happy about it. After I buy the bus ticket to the central bus station in Reykjavik because I landed at the Keflavik airport. The travel takes around one hour and I was good, mine time I booked two night at the Kex Hostel in the city. At the bus terminal I took an other bus for 10 minutes which it takes me in front of the Hostel. I did immediately the check in and I went out since there aren’t many light hours during the winder and the weather was cloudy but pretty good. I visit first the Sun Voyager and than I walked around till the Hallgrimskirkja the famous Lhuteran church of Reykjavik. Than I keep walk around till I stopped for lunch at Islenski Barinn, a typical Iceland restaurant where I eat a grilled whales meat for the forest time in my life. After that I walk back to the hostel and I slept a bit because I was very very tired. Around 8 pm I woke up and I tried to go at the Magic Ice Reykjavik but it was about to close, so I’m front of it I went to the tourist office because I wasn’t sure about the plan for the day after. Than I come back to the hostel at restaurant of the hostel and I had a tomato soup and than I went to sleep.
DAY 3 – Tuesday 25.01.22
( Night at: Kex Hostel, Reykjavik )
( Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik )
I woke up at 8 am I wet to down to the hostel at the bar and I did a breakfast buffet there is was kind of nice, while I was eating I made the plan for the day. Any escursion ll be possible due to the strong wind so the only solution is activities inside and for the night I do have booked a tour Northern Lights. So I decided to visit the Perlan that open at 9am so I downloaded the map and tickets for the bus and I went to catch the bus to the museum. The Perlan in was very nice with the ground floor made by ice caves and than the Aurora video explanation and plus few others interactive activities. The best thing is the top floor with the view all over Reykjavik but unfortunately the weather was really bad rainy and foggy. I did a second breakfast there and than I took again the bus and I went to the Flyover Iceland a 4d experience, it was amazing very incredible looks like to be at the Luna park honestly. The way there and back was pretty hard due to the strong wind that it’s makes me impossible walk sometimes. After I went to eat something at Salka Valka restaurant that makes typical Icelandic meals. I took a fish soup that was very good and made my body warm, I spent a bit time there while I was waiting to go at 5 pm at the Magic Ice that I couldn’t go in yesterday so I booked for today. The Magic Ice it was an amazing experience totally recommend, i always wanted to do it, included in the entry tucked there was a fruity wodka lemonade. It was wonderful everything made with ice, sculpture and everything. Than I went back to the hostel to chill and rest a bit. I bought a tour to see the northern light with East Coast on Viator. They comes to pick me up at 8:30 pm and we went out of Reykjavik to hunt the lights. It was good well I saw them but not too strong actually they were pretty bright KP 4 probably or even less but it was a nice experience anyway, after I come back to the hostel to sleep.
Northern light tour : https://www.viator.com/tours/Reykjavik/Northern-Lights-Minibus/d905-47245P7
DAY 3 – Wednesday 26.01.22
( Night at : Hotel Dyrholaey )
( Northern light from my bedroom in Hotel Dyrholaey, Vik )
Tour of 7 days around Iceland with Artic Adventure
https://adventures.is/iceland/multiday-tours/6-day-tour/7-day-complete-iceland-tour/
Pick up starts at 08:00 am. This tour is different than all the others that I did because we were just me the guide tour/ driver and a couple from the Philippines such a small group.
Your first day is all about sightseeing and the true beauty and amazing power of Icelandic nature. We start by visiting the Golden Circle attractions including the historic Þingvellir National Park, home to one of the world’s first democratic par- liaments. This place is also a geological wonder, it is here that two great tectonic plates have slowly drifted apart, creating a rift valley, this is truly a sight not to be missed. You will see the sensational Gullfoss waterfall, feeling the spray in the air as the great torrent of glacial water, sourced at Langjökull glacier, powers through the falls. Lunch at Restaurant Geyser Glima. You will witness an erupting geyser at Geysir, you never have to wait long, Strokkur, the most active geyser, erupts every few minutes. Next on the agenda are the two best known waterfalls on the south coast, the extremely different but equally beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Skógafoss waterfall. Seljalandsfoss is known as ‘the waterfall you can walk behind’ and Skógafoss is mysterious, vigorous and graceful, the cascade dropping into the calm river below. Mountain glaciers and famous volcanoes tower above this part of the coastline, on a clear day the views are wonderful. Stop at the Reynisfjara to watch and enjoy the sunset. Than we did a quick stop in Vick. The night at the Hotel Dyrholaey and we had the dinner there.
DAY 4 – Thursday 27.01.2022
( Night at : Adventure Hotel Hof )
( Into the glacier, Iceland )
We left the Hotel at 8:30 am and did the breakfast there every morning the breakfast is included. Today we will get a chance to really encounter the full variety of Icelandic nature. First, we visit the pitch black volcanic sand beach of Reynisfjara with its forceful waves and the remarkable and stunning Reynisdrangar basalt columns. These crazily shaped forms tower above the ocean waves, it is easy to see how a famous troll legend came to be linked to them. Your journey will then take you across the Eldhraun lava field, Eldhraun means ‘fire lava ́, the flow of fire-red glowing magma which formed this lava field was mighty. Having witnessed the work of the fire from the center of the earth you will be ready to set foot on the ice! Your magical glacier hike will take you onto an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. The glacier is a special and very powerful place, you will see wonder-ful and stunning ice features, and learn all about this fascinating place. Stand still and you will feel the peace, but the glacier is always moving and changing. This place really is like nothing else you have ever seen, somewhere which is a real must-visit. The glittering, and often very large icebergs calve off the receding Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, a tongue of Vatnajökull. These surreal natural ice statues float across the continually growing, and already very large, lagoon. The icebergs head to the Diamond Beach and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. When you see them shimmering on the coal-black sands you will truly understand why this beach is so named. The memories you take away from today will be totally unforgettable. The night will be spent at accommodation in the Höfn area at the Adventure Hotel Höfn.
DAY 5 – Friday 28.01.22
( Night at: Hotel Valaskjalf )
( Morning view from my bed drinking a hot tea )
From Höfn we will drive a scenic route to Djúpivogur, a charming little fishing village in the wild and unspoiled East Fjords. See the famous sculpture work, Eggin of Gleðivík by Sigurður Guðmundsson, the name translates beautifully into English to ‘The Eggs of Merry Bay’. This granite artwork represents the eggs of the 34 bird species which nest in the Djúpivogur area. You get some time to look around, giving you a great picture of traditional Iceland before traveling onwards, following the stunning Berufjörður Fjord, then up across country to the Egilsstaðir area. Lunch at Við Voginn eating fried fish and chips. We take you on a fabulous hike up to the exquisite Hengifoss waterfall, Iceland’s second highest waterfall and the walk will take you through varied and highly photogenic scenery. You will also see the very attractive Litlanesfoss waterfall. This easy hike takes about three hours, your guide will provide a lot of information about the area, there are plenty of photo stops and opportunities to pause and admire the views. It is in the East that we are most likely to spot reindeer, hopefully as we are driving along we will get the chance to see some. When we do we always stop at the nearest safe place and enjoy a little reindeer gazing and photography. The night will be spent at accommodation in the Egilstaðir area and dinner at Glóð Restaurant.
DAY 6 – Saturday 29.01.22
( Night at: Icelandair Hotel Akureyri )
( Me at Mývatn Nature Baths, Iceland )
We left the Hotel at 10:30 am due to the bad weather and the roads closed. Breakfast 8 am at the Hotel as usual included. We start our day quite early and head to the remarkably powerful Dettifoss waterfall, arriving early, hopefully, we can beat the crowds and have the place mostly to ourselves. The road there doesn’t get any winter service, so the access of this highlight may be changed depending on the weather conditions. The next adventure on our list is the geothermal paradise of Námaskarð, get ready for steamy puddles, sulfur scented steam, and moon-like landscapes. The colorful boiling mud pots really are amazing, this place is so otherworldly it is hard to describe! Mývatn Nature Baths are our next stop where you will get the chance to soak in the amazing silica and mineral- rich waters, totally relaxing in the pool and coming out feeling completely renewed and refreshed. We visit Dimmuborgir a wonderland of stunning lava formations which will leave you feeling mesmerized even before you go to the enchanting and mystical Goðafoss waterfall. These graceful crescent shaped falls on the Skjál-fandafljót river rate very highly on lists of favorite waterfalls in Iceland. This is the place where, after Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, the last Pagan Chieftain, known as the Goði, is said to have thrown his Pagan statues into the waterfall. Goðafoss means ‘the Waterfall of the Gods’ or ‘the Waterfall of the Goði’. Late in the afternoon we arrive in Akureyri, the Capital of the North and the biggest town you will see outside of Reykjavík during your trip around the Ring Road. The night will be spent at accomodation in Akureyri.
DAY 7 – Sunday 30.01.22
( Night at: Hotel Laugarbakki )
( Whale watching with Arctic Sea Tours )
Departing at 9 am and we start the day in an exciting way with a whale watching boat tour from Dalvík, a fishing village near Akureyri. Dalvík is known for being one of the best places to spot whales in Iceland, especially if you want to see more than one type of whale and other ocean wildlife. We spend a little time enjoying the charming and traditional town of Dalvík. This is one of the premier skiing areas of Iceland, with really beautiful steep mountains. Unfortunate we couldn’t see any whales it was a pity. And after the drive supposed to be amazing but unfortunately was snow a lot so we had to stop for few hours stuck in the snow for few hours and drive very slowly into the storm I could see basically nothing and that’s was all the afternoon and than we were heading to the Hotel hoping to arrived in the evening. And than we had dinner all together at the Hotel the last one because the day after the will drop me off and I ll join a day tour and than back to Reykjavik. The night will be spent the night at accommodation in North West Iceland.
DAY 9 – Monday 31.01.22
( Night at: Hotel Borgarnes )
( Iceland horse at Sturlureykir Visiting Horse Farm )
We depart at 9 am direction Borgarfjörður that has many splendid sights and we will focus on these today. We stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the legendary waterfall, Barnafoss (the Children ́s Waterfall), and the Hraunfossar cascade, the atmospheric very low and wide falls where the water emerges, literally straight out of the lava field. Next on the agenda is the historic and picturesque site of Reykholt, home to Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, poet and the author of some Icelandic Sagas. See Snorralaug, Snorri ́s pool, dabble your fingers and feel the temperature of the water in the place where Snorri is likely to have bathed. And tham we stopped at the Sturlureykir Visiting Horse Farm to see the horses and get to know how this family is producing the bread at home baking into the hot underwater which it was super testy very nice, I love that experience, I wish to come back in summer and do a horse riding with those horses because they look so pretty. The they drop me off at the Hotel Borgarnes, did the check in and than I went around the village to take few photos but was freezing so I didn’t walk too much around. I went back to the hotel I took a shower and than I went out for dinner at The Settlement Centre even it was very complicated for the ice in the road and than I went to sleep.
DAY 10 – Tuesday 1
( Night at: Kex Hostel, Reykjavik )
( Church of Búðakirkja )
I woke up at 8 am I did the breakfast by myself and actually I was the only guest at that moment and than I got ready to leave and at 9:30 am the bus with a new tour guide a new group comes to pick me up and star the new adventure in the Snaefellsnes peninsula, we will make our way through the dramatic lava field of Berserkjahraun. According to Viking legends from the pagan times in Iceland, this is the place where two Swedish “berserkers“ forged Iceland‘s first road. Over to the south side of the peninsula through a rural highland pass. Our first highlight will be one of the best ones, every photographer’s dream – the epic “arrowhead” mountain Kirkjufell, at the northern side of Snæfellsnes peninsula. Rising 463 meters out of sea this idyllic landmark stands tall above the fishing village. After soaking in the view of this outstanding natural treasure and its beautiful waterfalls, we’ll continue along the coast of Snæfellsness. Our next stop will be the dramatic black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur which offers astonishing views of the sea and here your guide will tell you fascinating stories of shipwrecks that lie on the beach. Next, we will visit another, even smaller fishing village, Arnarstapi. There are few places in the world as charming as this location and here we will take a walk to the scenic coastline. While in town, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Miðgjá stone bridge, a natural rock arch off the coast. Just east of Arnastapi, we’ll stop to admire Búðakirkja, the 19th-century church and then head to see some cute seals at Ytri-Tunga. For lunch we stopped at Lýsuhóll a local farm and restaurant it was very nice, with typical icelandic food. After all the amazing thing that I’ve seen today and in those day the tour will end in Reykjavik where they will drop me off at the Hostel the same one that I stayed at the beginning. I had dinner there as well just eat a warm soup before going to sleep.
DAY 11 – Wednesday 02.02.22
( Night at: Kex Hostel, Reykjavik )
( Volcano Geothermal )
Our Volcano hike and Geothermal tour is a great introduction to the influence volcanic activity has had on the landscape of iceland. This tour explores the Reykjanes Peninsula which is located a short drive from the capital Reykjavík. The peninsula is situated on the fissure line of the mid-Atlantic ridge which is the cause of all the eruptions, earthquakes and other seismic activity in the region. The highlight of the tour is of course the visit to the eruption site at Fagradalsfjall volcano situated in the Geldingadalir valley. This is Iceland´s most recently active volcano. Though the eruption has certainly slowed in recent months, if you´re lucky you might see flowing lava and molten rock. You are guaranteed to see the vast, newly-formed lava fields. This is a rare opportunity indeed as there have been very few easily accessible and safe to visit active volcanoes in Iceland in living memory. This tour offers a chance to experience geothermal wonders, natural phenomena, and places of stunning beauty. Along with this magnificent volcano, our experienced and knowledgeable guides will take you to some of the other highlights that Reykjanes Peninsula has to offer. These include the boiling waters and sulphuric steamy air at the Seltún and Gunnuhver hot-springs, a walk between the American and Euroasian continental plates at the Bridge between Continents, a wonderful photo opportunity at Reykjanesviti lighthouse and the black sand beaches of Kleifarvatn Lake. The compact nature of the peninsula means that you fit an awful lot into this 10 hour day tour. I come back to the hotel around 6 pm and I went straight to the bed to sleep a bit and relax for the northern light tour that I ll have have it at 9:30, the KP to see the northern light are 6 which it’s amazing you have this possibility only few times a year. I did it with my room mate and other guys of the hostel. I booked with TravelBus and it was the cheapest tour of the northern light. Unfortunately we were very unlucky because it was cloudy, very cloudy impossible to see anything we come back to the hostel at 2 am very tired and disappointed about the weather.
Vulcano eruption link day tour:
DAY 12 – Thursday 03.02.22
( Night at: Kex Hostel, Reykjavik )
( Blu Lagoon, Iceland )
Woke up at 8:30 am I did the breakfast at the Kex Hostel and than I walked around Reykjavik to buy few souvenirs, I drink a hot chocolate at the Mokka bar and than at 12:30 pm I went to the bus stop to get into the bus at 1 pm direction Blue Lagoon. I booked the ticket for the bath at 1 pm so I took the shuttle to go at the Blu Lagoon it was very comfortable just an hour drive and than once I get there it was perfect relaxing, there is everything lockers they provide a face mask there was as well one drink included I enjoyed a lot and actually I stayed there till the sunset and I took the bus to go back to the city and I had the last dinner at ….
Transfer per Blu Lagoon: https://www.getyourguide.com/reykjavik-l30/from-reykjavik-to-blue-lagoon-return-transfer-t230667/
DAY 13 – Friday 04.02.22
( At the Keflavik airport )
I worked up very very early in the morning at 5:30 am I did the check out at the hostel and than they called a taxi for me to go at the BSI bus station, I could have walked but the weather was very very wind so I preferred to take the taxi. Than I took the flybus at 6:30 am to Keflavik airport. The bus takes one hours to go there and than I took the flight at 10:35 am which I landed in Milani Malpensa around 4 pm because it was a bit in late. After that I took the train to Vercelli where my mum comes to pick me up.
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