12 Day Travel Itinerary for Iceland

Many people have emailed me requesting more information on how we planned, organized, and timelined our 2013 trip to Iceland. I already have several posts highlighting the amazing feats of nature that we encountered in Iceland, as well as the fascinating man-made sights, but each post is basically a stand-alone story designed to be read on its own. I guess I wanted my posts to be able to be read individually so that people could decide whether or not to include that particular sight in their own personal travel plans.

Why I've Changed my Mind about Hostels

While planning last summer's trip through Iceland, I made a point of writing about why I disliked staying in hostels - the dormitory-style beds, shared bathrooms, lack of privacy, and the possibility of stolen possessions all made hostels sound horrific and "too young" for an older traveler like me. (I'm aware being in your early 30s is not OLD; but nor am I in the college crowd era anymore.) While finding a 'home away from home', I like the privacy and security of my own hotel room, or at least my own tent.

Iceland's Skaftafell National Park & Svartifoss Waterfall

There are three national parks on the island nation of Iceland.  The biggest, Vatnajokull, is made up of three 'former' national parks, combined to create one large park in 2008.  Vatnajokull National Park is the central portion and features the Vatnajokull glacier, Jokulsargljufur makes up the northern portion, and Skaftafell National Park rings the southern edge of the park and features some amazing natural features and waterfalls.

The Majestic Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon of Southern Iceland

While researching the beautiful country of Iceland to determine what activities and sights were within driving distance of our planned route along the southern coast of Iceland, and which were affordable or worth the cost, I came across some fantastic photographs on Pinterest of a place called Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. (Please don't ask me how it is pronounced - I truly massacred the Icelandic language when trying to sound out any word I encountered.)  Carved 100 meters deep into volcanic rock, and ranging at least 2 kilometers, this canyon is an impressive sight indeed.  I instantly added it to the itinerary.

The Coastal Town of Vik, Iceland

The Ring Road around Iceland, although shown to be 'skirting' the coast on a map, is in reality quite a distance from the actual coast line.  While driving the southern portion of the Ring Road (Route 1 if you want to be formal) from the capital city of Reykjavik, my husband and I first glimpsed the ocean from the road as we neared the town of Vik.

Experiencing Skogar and Skogafoss in Iceland

Want to travel around Iceland on a tight budget?  Websites like Trip Adviser and Huffington Post Travel offer advice such as "shop at local grocery stores" and "avoid guided tours by exploring on your own".  Both are things my husband and I did during our recent stay in this picturesque nation.  Another really great way to experience the beauty of Iceland is to avoid the overpriced hotels and to instead choose to camp your way across the countryside.

Iceland's Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon Experience

Iceland is a nation of natural juxtapositions.  Glaciers rest next to deep green valleys, and barren lava fields are bordered by gorgeous black sand beaches.  Nothing seems to make sense, but it all comes together perfectly.  If you don't believe me, just go visit the area around Jokulsarlon.

Hiking the Seljavellir Valley in Southern Iceland

"Where's the campground?" I asked, scratching my head.

My husband climbed a moraine of loose boulders and gravel, and gazed across an open field of volcanic rock and stones, marred only by a small, winding stream that cut through its center.  The field was surrounded by tall, lush, green cliffs, each featuring its own rolling, sparkling waterfall.  It was like a scene from "Lord of the Rings", but we couldn't focus on that just yet.

"I don't think there is one," he responded.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall of Iceland

While planning our driving route along Iceland's Ring Road, I noticed a recurring theme - "See Waterfall", "See Waterfall", and once again... "See Waterfall".  A waterfall here, a waterfall there, waterfalls, waterfalls, everywhere. This is not necessarily an exaggeration.  Like I said in a previous post about road-tripping it through Iceland, if you didn't have a chance to pull over and check out a waterfall on the side of the road, just wait 30 seconds for the next one to appear.

Tour Iceland's Golden Circle: Geysir, Gulfoss, and Pingvellir National Park

Iceland is a nation full of amazing natural treasures - waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, and deep canyons to mention only a few. After trekking through the city of Reykjavik for a few days, my husband and I decided to book a tour to explore some of the closer must-see destinations located in the central portion of the island known as the Golden Circle. The next day we were scheduled to pick up our rental SUV and drive the Ring Road, so we felt a bus tour was the perfect thing to gear us up for our road trip. What better way than to see the interior of the island before we set out to drive around the exterior portion?

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Reykjavik, Iceland

Yet another delay in keeping up with my blog!  I have been obsessively nesting for baby, despite not being due til January 12.  The nursery is painted and ready, with all bedding and furniture on order, and other rooms in the house have been cleaned out, purged, and organized.  However, after hearing for the umpteenth time from friends, "I can't wait to hear more about your Iceland trip", followed by a pointed look, I have decided to sit down and focus on this post, which I have been picking away at distractedly for two weeks.  I hope it is worth the wait. (Just like baby! Aaahhh!)

What To Expect on a Road Trip Around Iceland

My husband and I have been driving around Iceland for six days now, and are returning to Reykjavik tomorrow to drop off our rental vehicle.  We didn't get through the entire loop of the Ring Road (the main highway, Route 1), as many tourists decide to do.  After much discussion, we decided to head east from Reykjavik, take the road low and and slow and not worry about 'doing the loop'.  We wanted to stop and see whatever tickled our fancy, and not feel pressured to adhere to some maniacal timeline that forced us to 'just keep driving, just keep driving, just keep driving'.  And I'm so glad we did.

Swim in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Little did I know how much I'd enjoy (or how much I'd NEED) a swim in Iceland's beautiful Blue Lagoon.  It was a place I'd seen in pictures and read about multiple times, testimonies of its healing waters and relaxing  atmosphere reverberating in my head.  But I had no idea how necessary it would be.