Before the trip
Before your trip, do the following:
- Rent your car early on. This means months, not weeks, you really save this way. And do rent a car.
- 4x4 is the best way to go, especially winter times. If you want to see things, it's good to have a good car
- Find shoes you can hike with, or walk in a city. On this trip I'd say fivefingers are really a good option for hiking in rough (but not icy) terrain
- Read travel blogs and advisory sites about places you're interested of. There's so many things to see so it's good to have some kind of plan what to do and where to go
- During the winter, from Finland you have to change flights usually in Oslo, but from spring there are straight flights from Helsinki-Vantaa to Keflavik
- Flights are also cheaper when you're booking them early on
- After doing some ground work, try to think is a week enough for you or not. For us, even second week was too little.
- Remember that you really need some good hiking gears here, even if you're spending your week in the city. Warm, wind- and water proof jacket and trousers are a must. In my experience, the local brands are better than our normal Haglöfs and stuff, so I'd recommend you to buy some local brands when you arrive. Trust me, they know what you need in these weather conditions. Still have something wind proof on when coming from the airport to Reykjavik...
- The prices and also the exchange rate is notably higher on hi-season
- Instead of a hotel, try B&B or Gasthauses
- If you have a camera, be prepared with extra batteries and memory cards and something where you can store them. If you move around the country, the pictures will pile up!
Little things about Iceland
- The water is safe to drink - cold water tastes usually good.
- Hot water usually smells of sulfur. So don't be alarmed. Some soaps seem to react with it and feel odd on your skin but nothing to worry about.
- The airport isn't near of Reykjavik, so order your rent car delivered or use the airport busses.
- The shops close their doors relatively early (18-19), same does the shopping centres, so be out and shopping early on - check the opening hours from the internet beforehand so you don't get disappointed
- There are some big markets (i.e. Hagkaup) which are open 24/7, you can get almost everything from there. There are also some fast food places which are open long (04,-05 or 24/7)
- The food quality in local markets is very good. Vegetables are fresh and so is the bread. Try the local juices, they are soooo good and usually have low calories because they are made of real fruits, not extracts.
- Don't get stuck to Reykjavik. There is SO MUCH to see in this country that you should try to see and experience stuff. There are lots of vendors who offer services for tourists; from segway drives in Reykjavik to scuba diving, white water rafting, whale spotting, or just getting a ride in monstrous trucks to the glaciers and other beautiful places.
- There are lots of thermal pools and locals use them all the time. So should you. Blue lagoon is ok, but it's a long drive away, and kinda isn't worth of the entry fee if you just want to relax in a pool and watch the sky. You can experience that in every town here :). They usually are open quite long, 21-22, so their opening hours don't go hand in hand with the shops.
- Winter times the main road 1 is in good condition and can be driven around the country. Some roads are forbidden with some rental cars even summertime, so choose you car so that you can get the places you want (F-roads).
- If you truly want to see things, plan your trip in a way that you'll stay in some town for day or two, exploring the area before moving to another
Social life and people
- For a Finn social interaction is always some kind of a problem. Icelanders are very outgoing and it's very easy to end up having a conversation with the locals. They are very proud of their country and heritage - and so they should. This country and it's people are awesome
- Hipster-look. It's everywhere. Be prepared. Half-shaven heads, converses, rolled up pants showing socks, they are everywhere. I mean, everywhere in Reykjavik :).
- Local night life is very different than in Finland. People are starting around 02:00, and usually they drink few drinks in one place, party like crazy and then change to another place and start again. The bars are quite small, usually have their own DJs and the PAs play music loud. Usually there isn't any cloakrooms or entry fees.
- These people are very charming and good in flirting, or so I've noticed :P
- When in a shop, don't assume you get service by looking like a Finn, staring to the vast emptiness, ask bravely for help and you will get it.
More later. When I remember.
- Miu
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