Thanks to all for the really good information and great links - all very helpful. While part of the fun of travel is discovery, the helpful hints ahead of time will only serve to create an even better trip - things like prices and seasoned travel trips are not something to "discover" on one's own. Many thanks.

Now here is another one - realized we are starting our driving trip around the Ring (counter clockwise - going east first) on July 1 - which your reading tips claim to be the busiest weekend of all. Our first pre-booked overnight July 1 is in the middle of the Golden Circle (Iceland for Beginners) area, and the second night - Sunday July 2- near Vik.

That appears to put us right in the middle of what may be a very impacted tourist area for two days.

Any hints on how to best manage this - more out of the way places in this area to explore with a 2WD car?

Thanks again - and looks like a walk into town and the Opera Cafe is going to be perfect our first night. Nice to learn how late businesses will be staying open.

Keep all this good advice coming - leaving next Thursday (June 29) - I can hardly wait. And while we are at it - what is a good wardrobe --besides my full LLBean Gortex rain suit?

sbagal