Was anyone else disappointed in Iceland?
Jun 15, 2016, 2:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 9
Was anyone else disappointed in Iceland?
I've heard great things about Iceland so I decided to check it out myself and was a bit disappointed. I found everything really expensive and all the sights far away. There wasn't much to see except a few sights here and there. Am I missing something?
Jun 15, 2016, 3:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 42
Iceland has some truly amazing sites
Reykjavik can be a bit plain if you arent into the bar / nightclub scene, but head out on the Golden Circle and there are some good sights to see.
SPend a bit more time going round the island (we took 2 weeks) and there are some absolutely amazing places to visit.
SPend a bit more time going round the island (we took 2 weeks) and there are some absolutely amazing places to visit.
Jun 15, 2016, 4:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA, UA lowly commoner
Posts: 782
I guess it depends on how you feel about wild landscape and wildlife. A friend and I spent 10 days driving around the Ring Road a few years ago after a brief visit to Reykjavik and were blown away by the scenery. There are even a few neat museums and craftspeople, if you look hard enough. On the negative side, I don't eat seafood and thought the food was generally ghastly (and expensive, of course).
Last edited by Giggleswick; Jul 3, 2016 at 6:40 pm Reason: Fixed typo: "Ring Road" not "Ring Round."
Jun 15, 2016, 4:06 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
Agree. Reykjavik did little for me. It's a kind-of cool medium sized city with decent nightlife options. The beauty of Iceland - and you do need to be into beauty - is everywhere else. We spent 12 days on the drive around the island. We stayed in farms (there is a big farm-stay program). As a result, we saw much and met many.
Jun 15, 2016, 5:47 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
I had the same feeling. I think it is a bit overhyped.
Jun 16, 2016, 6:01 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,938
If you stay in Reykjavik your entire time then yes, the sites (and sights) are far away. If you travel around the country like posters 2, 3, and 4 did, you can sleep within hearing distance of a waterfall and a glacier right outside your window.
And yes it's expensive. It's an island in the middle of nowhere (ever go to Hawaii?) without the weather to raise many crops and there are almost no trees so they have to import most things. Other than fish, water and heat.
And yes it's expensive. It's an island in the middle of nowhere (ever go to Hawaii?) without the weather to raise many crops and there are almost no trees so they have to import most things. Other than fish, water and heat.
Jun 16, 2016, 6:02 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,106
Jun 16, 2016, 9:15 am
#11
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,449
That's what I plan on doing during a short two day stopover on the way back from CPH in October. A very full day of sightseeing on the Golden Circle and some time in and around Reykjavik will be a good introduction as I'm sure I'll return for a longer visit in near future.
Jun 20, 2016, 5:19 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
I had a full day layover in Iceland so I rented a car at the airport, went to the Blue Lagoon when it first open to avoid the crowds, then drove to Reykjavik for some sight-seeing and lunch. I spent the rest of the day driving the circle and checking out the scenery which was pretty cool. Yes, renting a car was expensive and getting gas was a pain since credit cards require a PIN, but it was definitely worth it.
Jun 21, 2016, 10:22 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
Maybe the new chip cards can be use without a PIN, but next time I will just carry more Icelandic Kronas with me.
Jun 21, 2016, 8:37 pm
#15
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,043
Not the gas station that I went to. The attendant told me that I could only use my credit card at the pump, which required a PIN. So I drove to another gas station and there was no attendant on duty. It was getting late in the evening and my flight was coming up so I got so frustrated with the ordeal that I returned the car and paid the penalty.
Maybe the new chip cards can be use without a PIN, but next time I will just carry more Icelandic Kronas with me.
Maybe the new chip cards can be use without a PIN, but next time I will just carry more Icelandic Kronas with me.