Friday, July 22, 2016

Iceland: Full Itinerary with Pictures

Whether you're planning a trip to Iceland or just day-dreaming about it (for now!), you might be wondering how much beauty and wonder you'll be able to pack into x days. We weren't sure: Toor's trip planner app, Sygic Travel, continually chided us for trying to cram 36 hours of activities in one day. 

Joking aside, this app was a vacation saver with its accurate GPS regardless of network or WIFI connection. Do not assume that you will be able to get online when you're not in Reykjavik!

Here's what we were actually able to see and do during out 8-day vacation in Iceland:

Wed. June 15  2016
Arrive in Keflavik & pick up rental car 6:00 – 8:45
Lief the Lucky Bridge between continents





Gunnuhver mud pools and steam vents, former farm



Mystery cemetery



Blue Lagoon geothermal spa 10:30





Selatangar fishing village ruins





Krysuvik (Seltun) geothermal fields





Return Reykjavik around 18:00
Dinner at Hresso (traditional Icelandic meat soup, fish stew)

Thurs. June 16  2016
Leave for Thingvellir National Park/Silfra 8:00
Silfra snorkeling 9:00





Hiking in Thingvellir



Raufarholshellir lava tube caves 




Return to Reykjavik around 15:30
Hallgrimskirkja church




Hang out at hostel

Secret Solstice:
Flatbush Zombies (Valhalla)
Some chick tried to buy my panda hat off me!
Gisli Palmi (Valhalla)
Secret headliner Sisters Sledge (Valhalla)

Fri. June 17  2016
Tea and pastries at Kaffitar
Icelandic Independence Day parade & festivities
Beers & Euro cup game 

Secret Solstice:
Skip insane line for Radiohead (VIP, baby)
Lady Leshurr (Valhalla) 18:40
Ulfur Ulfur (Valhalla) 21:10
Action Bronson (Valhalla) 22:30

Sat. June 18  2016
Breakfast at 24/7 grocery store
Befriended sudsy Icelandic football enthusiast
Iceland v. Hungary Euro cup game in outdoor square 
Drinking at the game
Beers & doner kebab
Drinking at the hostel
Making friends!
More drinking, details hazy

Sun. June 19  2016
Painfully awake around noon
Scheme to sneak our new buddy Matt into Secret Solstice
Brunch at the Gray Cat diner (Eggs, bacon, tomatoes, toast)
Diarrhea and nap time
Swiss v. France Euro cup game

Secret Solstice:
Skip insane line for Die Antwoord (VIP, baby!!)
Roisin Murphy 20:30
Pulla with sweet mustard, mayo, and something crunchy like fried Dorito’s
Drinks at the VIP bar
Of Monsters and Men (Valhalla) 22:00
Die Antwoord (Hel) 23:00
Late night drink on the roof terrace of the hostel

Mon. June 20  2016
Up early to finish packing
Dan picked up our next SADcar (also criminally neglected)
Drive out of Reykjavik on the Ring Road
Kerid/Crater Lake


Geysir/Strokkur




Gullfoss



Secret Lagoon/Gamla Laugin



Hjalparfoss



Gjain gorge


Urridafoss



Camping overnight at Arhus campgrounds

Tues. June 21  2016
Scavenged breakfast at the campground restaurant
Seljalandsfoss





Rutshellir cave




Skogafoss


Solheimajokull glacier






 Solheimasandur beach/ abandoned plane wreck



Dyrholaey sea cliffs/beach



Vikurfjara black sand beach & Memorial for German sailors/fisherman [who wrecked offshore] and their Icelandic rescue team 




Late lunch at Halldorskaffi (local Atlantic charr & bacon cheeseburger)
Icelandic licorice/chocolate candies (we loved the licorice-filled chocolates)
Fjadrargljufur Canyon/scenic deathtrap



Camping/grilling at Skaftafell National Park



Wed. June 22 2016
Morning hike to Svartifoss & Sel






Zodiac boat tour of Fjallsarlon glacier lake 





Glacier lagoon (Jokulsarlon)  




Grocery shopping: bread, pulla, mustard, arugula, kartoffelsalat, charcoal starter, chicken, & apple juice (for our sleeping vodka)
Reynisfjara black stone/puffin beach





Camping overnight at Hamragardar (near Seljalandsfoss)



Craic with groundskeeper James, who always loses his phone after 6
Camping, grilling, & huddling over our hot cooking stone



Thurs. June 23  2016
Wake and pack soggy gear promptly
Leftovers for breakfast on the Ring Road back to Reykjavik
Icelandic Phallological Museum


Mink whale and horse tartar at Saeta Svinid gastropub (best food of the trip!)


Back to the Keflavik airport
FIN

While this may seem like a lot, you'll have the midnight sun on your side when visiting June through August. Also, bear in mind we didn't even make it to Hofn, let alone to the gems of Northern Iceland (like Akureyri) or the majestic Westfjords. So I guess what I'm saying is, prepare to be blissfully busy.


All photos courtesy of DT Explorer, 2016. All rights reserved.

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