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ineffable-writer · 5 years ago

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New Year’s Eve: Aziraphale gets a wild idea about a question he’s wanted to ask for a while and Crowley does not understand why they’re going on holiday to Iceland.

I’m in Iceland for the new year (I’m posting this from 2020!) and of course I spent the last day of 2019 writing ridiculous fluff. Everywhere the Husbands go is real, and places I’ve been (though I did not get a luxury suite at the Blue Lagoon, I’m sad to say).

Previous installments are sweet but not necessary to read to understand (and can be found under the tag #PlaceWithoutPlot, although that’s not 100% true after this excerpt?). Excerpt here, full on AO3 or below the break.

The best crepes in Scotland were, undoubtedly, in a small café near the Meadows, which quickly became a regular spot for lunch on the days they wandered about separately. It was covered in tartan and old records, owned and operated by one man. The drinks were good and the crepes were divine.

“I was thinking, you know,” said Aziraphale, sipping a hot chocolate and relaxing into the tartan, “we don’t need to go back right away.”

“No?” asked Crowley. “Plants will miss me.”

“Oh, the Devices have nowhere to be,” said the angel. “Anathema will keep them alive and I’m sure they don’t mind a little reprieve.”

“You’re scheming,” Crowley lightheartedly accused, fighting to keep the smile off his lips. Aziraphale didn’t laugh or shoot Crowley a disapproving look, which meant he was legitimately nervous about something. The effort of hiding something distracted the angel, which meant Crowley could always tell when it happened. Crowley sat forward a bit: I’m paying attention. I know this is important. I’m listening.

“It’s just, well. We know Edinburgh. The whole island, really. We’ve lived here a very long time.”

“Understatement.”

“Yes. Well. So. I thought perhaps—if you wanted—we could go somewhere new.”

“New?” Crowley raised an eyebrow. “Everywhere’s new, angel. World keeps changing. That’s what we like about it. Remember?”

“I know! But it’s so easy to get around these days. No more horses, no more ships…”

“What’s wrong with ships? I like ships.”

“You never went on a trireme, if I recall,” said Aziraphale.

“No more triremes, I’ll give you.” Crowley raised an eyebrow. Aziraphale was avoiding talking about whatever he wanted to talk about, now. “Where did you want to go?”

“Iceland.”

“Iceland?”

“Iceland.”

Crowley bit back the why, the what in the world is in Iceland that makes you want to go there, the what has gotten into you lately, you’re always such a homebody, I literally moved right down the block from you because we both hate putting in more effort to go places than absolutely necessary. Aziraphale had something in mind, and Crowley had the sense that the wrong reaction would absolutely shatter the man. Besides, Crowley trusted him.

“All right,” said Crowley. “Iceland. What about New Year’s, then?”

Aziraphale insisted on being mysterious about his plans once they got to Iceland, so Crowley demanded the right to do the same.

“If you get a mystery,” he said, “I get a mystery too. And mine’s near the airport, so unless you’ve got a fantastic reason, I get to go first.”

They arrived in Keflavik—not Reykjavik, not on an international flight—and Crowley’s reasoning became apparent quickly. The flight didn’t exactly get in early, but this time of year the sun didn’t rise until noon, so it was the middle of the night when they landed at nine AM. They still didn’t have the Bentley (Newt was not to touch the car back in Sussex, and he was terrified enough of Crowley that Aziraphale suspected he’d form a permanent bond with the houseplants) but Crowley had managed a half-decent rental car. He convinced Aziraphale to get in before breakfast—“Trust me, angel, there’s food where we’re going!”—and they set out into the night. The weather was somewhat warm for the season. It was cold, but not freezing.

Iceland was famous for its stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes, but in darkness like this all they could see were black shapes against gray sky. As the sun rose, it cast long shadows over a broken landscape. The earth had cracked and crackled after centuries of volcanic activity, leaving fields that looked like the ruined cities of ancient giants. Trees here were short and grew in sparse copses—it had once been a forest island, but not after the Nordic settlers arrived—and the tumbling rocks were covered in silver-gray lichens and mosses. Here on the southwest corner, the mountains were mostly distant, framing the horizon.

Crowley peeled off the main road and drove towards an alpine cluster, and the sky grew lighter. He was sure Aziraphale would guess immediately—apparently the angel had been reading about Iceland—but it wasn’t until they drove past the first pools that Crowley saw his eyes light up. He’d picked this place for stupid, indulgent reasons, one of which was that the color of Aziraphale’s eyes matched the water exactly. (He also liked the idea of getting out of the chill for once, warming his serpentine bones, and that played into it.)

Hot springs. Deep-earth saltwater, heated by the volcano and pumped into what was essentially a fancy swimming pool by these brilliant, stupid human beings that they both loved so much. It was indulgent and warm and frankly good for their corporations and souls alike, and after doing things the Human Way for a bit he could use a little pampering.

There was a resort. Crowley had picked the top package, the one that came with free breakfast and facial treatments and daily yoga and guided hikes in addition to everything you could ask for at the hot springs. He’d booked a room for two nights, one with a view of the lagoons. It only came with a single king-sized bed, but honestly, so had every other place they’d stayed. Crowley was the only one who used it. Aziraphale just stayed up reading. Aside from a comment on the décor—“Clearly you chose this place, it looks just like the flat in London with a bit more natural light.”—Aziraphale didn’t mention it at all.

Aziraphale immediately ran off on one of the guided hikes, spouting something about history and geography. Crowley did yoga, taking a moment to try and guess what the angel was getting at with this trip in the first place. He was done first, and was relaxing in their suite with a silica mask when Aziraphale got back (grumpy from the physical activity, but excited about the geological history). Then there was dinner at the restaurant—a great wall of glass built next to the natural volcanic stone, with a table for two right next to illuminated volcanic pools and a plate of Icelandic cod for the angel—and a quick change into suits before they went into the main pool.

Public baths were familiar to them both—they had been around since the moment humans had discovered the delights of warm water—but there was something mystical about hot springs. The vivid water, as opaque and blue as a settled fog. The mist that rose and danced in the air as wind whipped around them, eddying in the rocks and around bridges. The open air, cold and wet with rain against the heat of the water.

The pool was an expanse. The far borders were lost in the mist, and patrons drifted through the water in various masks: mostly white silica, ghostly, with their laughter and conversations muted by the open space. The resort provided towels and bathrobes, so the bridges around the pools were inhabited by patrons in white as well, exploring the intricate landscape of the baths.

Crowley and Aziraphale hung their robes on hooks outside and darted to the water, laughing. They had both slicked back their hair with conditioner—the salt and silica stuck and dried it out—and Aziraphale looked ridiculous, his characteristic curls stuck flat to his head. Someone took someone’s hand and they ended up drifting like the dead in the water, looking up at the darkness and locked together, holding tightly, refusing to ever let go.

Crowley washed his hair in the private shower of their suite. The conditioner had done little to protect it, despite the spa’s claims that it had been specially designed for the water here. He could just miracle back the keratin, but some deep-down part of him liked the feeling of Aziraphale seeing him as imperfect. He slathered it in a keratin treatment instead, slicking it back against his head, before drying off and wrapping up in a robe. He’d get some rest and in the morning—

The demon’s wandering train of thought was jolted off its track as he came into the bedroom. Aziraphale was sitting on the bed. The angel was wearing pyjamas, silk beige ones with a gold trim, which was a sight Crowley had not ever thought he’d see. His hair was frizzy with silica and salt. He looked nervous. He jumped when Crowley closed the bathroom door.

“Ah. Hello.”

“Hello,” said Crowley, waving his hand in Aziraphale’s general direction. You’re in my bed, the gesture said. This is a new turn of events, please tell me what is happening.

“Yes. Well. I thought perhaps—so much has happened, lately. So much has changed. I’m… I’m tired, I think.” Aziraphale swallowed. “I’m quite tired. And I’ve never been much good at…” At trusting anyone, the pause said. At relaxing enough to let my guard down. Relaxing invites attack. Relaxing means I cannot avoid conflict once I see it coming. “…At sleeping. I thought perhaps I’d try it.”

“Am I on the couch, then?” asked Crowley, perhaps a bit more snidely than he meant it. It wasn’t so much that he was opposed to seeing the angel in pyjamas. He just assumed, at this point, that it was part of the Agreement that he was entitled to any bed in a room they shared, and he’d been looking forward to this one.

He’d give up any bed in the world for Aziraphale, but that was beside the point.

“No,” said Aziraphale.

“Oh,” said Crowley, surprised.

It was utterly impossible to sleep. The bed was warm and soft, and the rain pattered outside in a gentle white noise. Crowley rolled over, restless, assuming he’d see Aziraphale as a knot of blankets with a little angelic cloud of hair sticking out. Not the case: Aziraphale had turned to look at him, too.

Their eyes met. Gold to blue. Crowley breathed.

“You’re not very good at this,” said Aziraphale. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.”

“Sometimes it’s difficult.”

“Clearly.”

“You’ve messed with my usual routine,” said Crowley. “I don’t usually have distracting angels in my bed.”

“Distracting?” Aziraphale’s voice was prim. “So sinful.”

Crowley hit him with a pillow.

The second night was clearer, and the private lagoon that came with their suite produced less steam. Crowley, who was beginning to doubt that he would ever sleep again, floated in the water and watched the stars for a while. There was some small light pollution from the spa and a nearby geothermal plant, but for the most part the sky was clear, and he could see the galaxy.

Aziraphale joined him. Crowley hadn’t bothered with a suit—no one could see them here and he still felt a little weird dressing up to get in a bath. Neither had the angel. He laid back in the water and joined Crowley without a word.

Crowley pointed. “Helped build that one,” he said.

“I know,” said Aziraphale. He pointed at a nearby cluster. “And those. And most of the structures around Ursa Major, didn’t you?”

“You kept track?”

“It’s not hard,” said Aziraphale. “You tell me every time we go stargazing. We’ve done quite a lot of stargazing.”

Crowley laughed. “Humans say, when they get old, their friends know all their stories.”

“And their partners,” said Aziraphale, and then he seemed like he was going to say something else, but he hesitated.

Crowley elbowed him. “Why are you so nervous?”

“It’s my turn tomorrow,” said Aziraphale. “You’ll find out then.”

It was New Year’s Eve. They didn’t leave early, not until the sun was up. They needed to arrive after dark, Aziraphale insisted, and the drive wasn’t too long.

Bullshit, in Crowley’s opinion. Not too long was about seven hours from the resort, at the speed limit and with no stops. They drove north, touched the edge of Reykjavik, then swung east on Route 1 and took the Ring Road into eternity. And Aziraphale kept stopping for nibbles and photo opportunities. They took a detour north because he simply had to see Þingvallir National Park, and then he kept taking pictures out of the car window rather than just waiting for the lookout points, and then there was this lovely little farm-to-table place in Reykholt where they had to stop for a late lunch. It had a stunning mountain view, although it also had views into the actual barn and Crowley felt a bit odd eating a hamburger next to its still-living friends.

“Is this the thing?” Crowley asked, every time they stopped. Þingvallir was spectacular, great sweeping hills absolutely spattered with snowcapped mountains and boiling, broken earth. The barn food was good. The landscape was beautiful. But each time, Aziraphale shook his head. He was stalling, the bastard. Wherever he wanted to be, Crowley suspected he wanted to be there at midnight.

It was eleven-thirty when Aziraphale told him to pull over into a nondescript parking lot. They were a third of the way around the Ring Road. They weren’t even close to a town. (Hof didn’t count, it had a total of six intersections and five roads.) It was as godforsaken as Crowley was, and that was saying something.

“Just pull in,” said Aziraphale. Crowley was grumpy and tired. “I promise you, it’s worth it.”

Crowley obeyed. Wherever they were, Aziraphale had dragged them to the ends of the earth for it. Demons trusted no one, but Crowley trusted his angel. Always.

They parked and Crowley stepped out onto black sand. It was gritty and volcanic and nothing special, exactly: it covered the entire island like a blanket. It even pooled up at the bottom of the hot springs. They hadn’t traveled all this way to see sand.

Crowley turned around.

It was a minor miracle, he was sure, that the sky was still so clear and the beach was so empty. They were the only sentient creatures present for miles, and the stars spilled above them in a shining display that was almost as clear as the day Crowley had made them. They looked like diamonds, spilled across a sky of black velvet. And in front of him, in this perfect place, the beach—

“Behind us—they call it Glacier Bay. It’s full of icebergs that break off from the glaciers, and they all exit the bay through that small opening there. They break up and smooth down in the ocean, then get caught in the tide and pulled back here.”

“Angel…”

“They call it Diamond Beach because the ice is so clear and smooth, and the broken ice looks like diamonds on the black sand. One of the employees at the bookshop in Edinburgh went here, they showed me pictures. They do look like diamonds, of course, but I saw the pictures and I thought it looked more like—”

“Stars,” Crowley breathed.

Some of the shards were the size of Crowley’s hand; some were the size of Crowley. They were scattered along the sand like glass on ink, like stars on the sky, like diamonds on velvet, and it was freezing but it was beautiful, and this time Crowley knew exactly whose hand reached for whose. He’d taken Aziraphale’s and grasped it tight.

“I thought we could go for a walk here,” said Aziraphale.

“You brought us to Iceland for a walk?” He’d already started, tugging the angel along behind him. Down the slope to the beach, careful not to slip. Aziraphale cleared his throat and caught up.

“One could put it that way.” The angel extracted his hand from the demon’s in favor of tucking into Crowley’s arm instead. He was clearly trying to be romantic, to cuddle a little, but he was too nervous and his back had gone stiff. Crowley kissed the top of the angel’s head.

“I saw it and it reminded me of you,” said Aziraphale, clearly trying to segue into something. “You helped make the stars. It’s silly, thinking you’re older than me. I wasn’t around yet, not for that part.”

“Didn’t think I was older than you.”

“Not by much.”

“Not by much,” Crowley mimicked in a posh accent. He was teasing. Time as a concept didn’t really apply to angels.

“Hush, you. It made me think, well. You talk about them so much, and I think it was a happy time for you. I hope it was a happy time for you.” Complicated topic. But Aziraphale was building up to something, and Crowley wasn’t going to stop him. “And because, well, because it seems like a memory of a safe place, something important to you—a beginning, really. Not our beginning, not The Beginning—oh dear, maybe I should have done this in a garden—”

“Angel.” Crowley laughed. The sand sunk under their footsteps and the ocean—pure Atlantic, powerful and deep—beat steadily in the background. “Keep going.”

“It just seemed like a good place to ask you a question, that’s all. I didn’t have a diamond. This isn’t very well thought-through.”

Crowley paused. There was a feeling like warmth spreading through his chest.

Aziraphale took the opportunity to let go of Crowley’s arm and turn to face him. They stood there, eyes locked, twin points of light and darkness in a line parallel to the ocean. The angel breathed deeply, and the demon forgot to breathe at all.

“I need you to know what it is that I am asking,” Aziraphale said. “I don’t… There’s so much of this, of our relationship, that I never want to change. I enjoy our independence. I will never stop you from running off to see Bond Films at the cinema or saying unforgiveable things to your plants. I know that over the years we have both developed—ah—close relationships with humans on occasion, and I do not expect that to stop for either of us. I think those relationships, whatever they might be, are important to us.”

“Aziraphale…”

“I think our freedom, however we use it, is important to our dynamic. I don’t want anything to change between us, except perhaps for each of us to… to know. Crowley—Anthony—earlier this year I said something truly horrible to you, and I need you to know it wasn’t true. It has never been true, not really. I’ve been lying to myself. I think I’ve been lying to myself for quite a long time.”

The angel took the demon’s hand.

“I am on our side. Anthony Crowley—”

“Anthony J. Crowley—” It was a reflex.

“Anthony J. Crowley, I have chosen you for six thousand years. I have done so bucking and—and fighting, on occasion. But I have done so. And I know that you’ve done the same to me. In fact—in fact, I think I’ve lied to myself more than you’ve ever lied to me.”

“I’ve never lied to you,” said Crowley, holding that hand like it was the end of the world.

“What I’m asking you,” said Aziraphale, “is simply to… make it official, as it were. Say to each other, directly, that we are on our side and no one else’s. That we will choose each other over all future sides. All future… er, choices. All future loves.”

He removed his signet ring.

“When I say marriage—”

Crowley finally broke down. He wasn’t sure if he was laughing at Aziraphale’s monologue—was this a proposal or a contract?—or crying at the sudden rush of emotion, but he closed one hand around the ring and the other around Aziraphale’s waist and kissed him. Kissed him under the stars and among the diamonds, hours away from civilization, at the stroke of midnight.

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, you idiot, always yes.” Crowley’s hands cupped his angel’s face, drinking in the love that poured from Aziraphale like a fountain. “You’re right. I’ve always picked you above everything. Everyone. Always. Easy to be ourselves and still do that. It’s natural.”

Natural didn’t always mean easy—especially to Aziraphale, who could be loyal to a fault to all the wrong people. But they were free to be themselves. Free to live however they wanted. Free to choose each other. Crowley put the signet ring on his finger, already mentally sketching out a serpentine ring to match it.

This time it was Aziraphale who kissed him.

#Ineffable Husbands #ineffable husbands fanfic #ineffable partners #spoilers in the tags #marriage proposal #new years eve #good omens #aziraphale #crowley #aziraphale and crowley #crowley and aziraphale #Place Without Plot

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mileheitcity-blog · 5 years ago

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Three Days in Iceland

Pre-Trip

I had planned on hitting Iceland on my way to Europe for some time. It was around 2012 that I first heard of the extended layover on Icelandair, but never really thought to look much into it, at least until I had a reason to. Study abroad finally gave me that reason. Turns out you can stay up to seven days in Iceland on your way to wherever you want to go without incurring extra service fees. Combine that with relatively cheap airfare and it seemed like the easiest way to beat jetlag and see somewhere new. I figured a place like Iceland would be a little expensive, and not wanting to blow my entire wallet before I even hit Amsterdam, I decided on a three day layover. It seemed like enough time to see some of Western Iceland and maybe get a feel for the place. I made sure to pack for some outdoors: raincoat, hiking shoes, swimsuit, sweatshirts. When researching places to stay, I found my hunch about price was correct: Iceland was more than a little expensive. Staying in Reykjavik was out of the question, so instead I found a guesthouse in the village of Akranes, about 45 minutes up the road. After the quarter ended in early June, I flew to Denver to see my parents and tie up some important loose ends before my trip. On June 17, I caught my first flight from Denver International Airport and tried to sleep on the seven hour flight to Keflavik.

Day 1

Our flight was a little late getting out of Denver, so we landed at around 9:30 local time in Iceland. Running on about 3.5 hours of sleep, I got my rental car and headed straight for my 11:00 appointment at the Blue Lagoon. I was running about an hour late, of course, but they didn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, it was one of the best customer service experiences I’ve ever had. If I went down the wrong hallway, they immediately pointed me in the right direction or let me through with my wristband anyway. The sushi I had was nourishing after all that time in the air. The water was nothing short of spectacular: milky white, warm and relaxing. Two steam baths and a sauna were open and accessible in the corner and both were quite necessary. One kiosk on the left hand side sold mud masks, like the Dead Sea, and offered a silica one for free. Two rounds of the silica mask made the skin on my face feel as happy as it had been in years. Another kiosk in the corner sold beer and drinks, so I got the Icelandic national brew: Gull. Drinking and driving in Iceland is strictly forbidden, so I wanted to make sure to limit myself to only two drinks on my trip, this being one of them. I’ll get to the other one later. Gull isn’t too bad, but not too great. Something of a standard macro lager, a few shades better than Rainier. Enjoying my drink slowly allowed me to make friends with some folks around me from the Pacific Northwest, which definitely made the transition to a foreign land a little easier. My only regret from a place like this is that eventually you’ll have to leave. But I’ll be back...

Feeling refreshed, relaxed, and sobered up from my one beer, I hopped in the car and went to Reykjavik. It’s a fairly small city: you can see much of the main areas in a day. The main landmark in the city is Halgrimskirkja: the cathedral of the Church of Iceland. It’s fairly impressive, with a really cool looking pipe organ and a statue of Leif Erikson in front. I had forgotten he was of Iceland, that his father was Erik the Red. Not far from Halgrimskirkja was the Laugevegur, the main restaurant and shopping district. It was along this street that I knew where to find my second and final drink in Iceland. Many of the hot spots along this street carried oddly American names: the Chuck Norris Grill, a pub called Boston that looked like it was taken directly out of Cheers. I finally came upon the one I wanted: Lebowskibar. It was absolutely kitsch, sure, but I’m a sucker for anything to do with The Big Lebowski. I had to have my White Russian, and a “hell of a Caucasian” it was.

About 3000 ISK later, I took a short walk to the Icelandic Punk Museum to sober up a bit, but it was nothing special. The coolest thing there was a little joke at Hitler’s expense, which is never a bad thing. After the Punk Museum it was time to head on up to Akranes. There was no one at the desk, but my key was waiting for me inside, with the sun still shining at around 10pm. I took a walk down to the lighthouse at the end of town to catch the closest thing Iceland has to a summer sunset, and caught the midnight sun as I got back to the guesthouse for the night. A solid day one.

Day 2

Got a late start after sleeping off the jetlag and went right for what I really came for: Hákarl. I knew that fermented shark was pretty gnarly, but I wasn’t gonna miss it. The spot to go find shark is on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula at the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum. The museum is located pretty well out in the middle of nowhere, about two hours up the road from Akranes. I didn’t get on the road until almost noon, so I thought I was out of time. I quickly grabbed a cup of coffee and a full tank of gas (around 250ISK per litre!) found my way. I found out later I had quite a bit of sunlight to work with. The Shark Museum itself is a small house on a windswept headland on the northern side of the peninsula. A spectacular view. Undaunted, I paid my 1000 ISK to see the place. The museum itself is a rather eclectic collection of maritime memorabilia and Icelandic antiques. The collection seemed almost unorganized, but I wasn’t there for the collection, I was there for the shark. The presentation was short, but interesting: a burly Icelander explains how the shark is poisonous when eaten fresh because it doesn’t process urine, so they have to basically let the thing rot in wooden tubs before letting it dry out back for a while, leading to its notorious smell. The smell can best be described as a mix of ammonia and urine, which makes sense, and though it is indeed quite foul it’s not nearly as strong or permeating as I expected it to be. It tasted much better than it smelled: like a slightly buttery fish, nothing too offensive. After a short peek at the collection, the burly Icelander directs you to the drying house out back. That’s where the magic happens, and the food gets its stinky reputation. Where the fish was pretty mild, the drying house is extremely pungent and stings your nose. The visual appearance of the shark as its cured is no more appealing: brown, crusty, and oozing with liquid. Overall though, the shark wasn’t too bad. A man in need could almost make a meal out of the stuff, and definitely could make a side dish.

Next stop was Kirkjufell and the town of Grundarfjörður about 30 minutes further out along the peninsula. Kirkjufell was featured on seasons six and seven of Game of Thrones, which was totally why I wanted to see it and not because it was a symbol of Iceland. But that was a nice perk too. I grabbed a hot dog in Grundarfjörður and found a nice little cafe that was also a small library, a great find along the trail. The mountain itself is impressive, and the nearby stream is fed by a sprawling waterfall across the highway. Very picturesque.

My third and final stop was the Vatnshellir Cave on the far end of the peninsula, about another hour out. I pull in at around 17:50, about ten minutes before they close for the day, and this place is remote. I mean even the WiFi router I brought in the car with me, the one that worked for my entire Iceland trip, couldn’t find anything out there. If there was an “end of the Earth”, this was it. The cave itself is an experience onto itself. They fit you with a helmet and a flashlight, and a friendly guide takes you down a long spiral metal staircase made slick by constant water dripping through the soil. The cave was created by a volcanic explosion, like pretty much everything else on this island, and is layered with eons of nature’s bidding. Afteer some time exploring the worn lava rock, you go down another staircase: this one even longer (about 40 meters) and slicker. At the end of the cave tour, the guide has us all close our eyes and turn out our lights. When we open them, all language barriers between the tour group disappears with a loud “whoa!” in relative unison as we all process the complete lack of light. Pitch black has new meaning there. The darkness is absolute, whole, enveloping. There really isn’t a way to describe just how dark it is with absolutely no sunlight whatsoever. After a few meditative minutes we all climbed back up, glad we had made the trek down. On the way out, I happened upon what looked like the keeper of the lighthouse at the end of the jetty lowering the Icelandic flag for the night. Felt like the perfect symbol to cap off a truly Icelandic day.

Day 3

My final day in Iceland I wanted to pack in anything else I missed before I took off to Amsterdam. I got up and headed straight back too Reykjavik. The Alþingi building is beautiful from the outside, and claims to be the oldest active parliament in the world, however, they had no tours for the day. Undaunted, I stumbled to the Settlement Exhibition up the street, colloquially called 871+- 2, in reference to the probably year Iceland was first settled by Vikings, within a range of a year or two. The Settlement Museum is very interactive, and contains replica models of some of the houses the original settlers built. The Settlement Exhibition is part of a museum network with two others, of which I only went to one: the oldest extant house in Reykjavik. The house held a small photo exhibition of Icelandic life in 1918, and was fairly well curated.

My second stop of the day was...shall we say a little different: the Icelandic Phallocalogical Museum. This guy, for some reason, had a large curated collection of animal penises, and somehow found it within himself to mount and display them in a complete museum dedicated to his collection. There are large penises, like that of a blue whale, and small penises, like that of a hamster. He even has a couple of bronze casts of human penises. The voice on the audio guide never explains why he has such a collection, and why he decided to display it on the wall for everyone to see, but boy does he go into detail about each penis. Far more than I wanted to know, but still worth a chuckle.

The Icelandic Rock and Roll Museum was only 30 more minutes down the road in Reykjanesbær , and contained a well curated mix of materials dating back to the early days and some bands I had never heard of. I mostly just went to geek on bunch of Björk and Sigur Rós and Of Monsters and Men. The collection did not disappoint. The museum was interactive, and even had a karaoke booth (that wasn’t soundproof, as I found out later). I was able to get my fill of guitars and strange costumes and even a band made out of wood. Fans of MoPop in Seattle (formerly known as the Experience Music Project) might be a little underwhelmed, but this was a fun tribute to the fascinating music history of such a tiny place. I may have spent a little too much time and energy in the karaoke room singing some of my favorites; the woman working at the desk barged in about halfway through song six (I think?) to tell me the room wasn’t soundproof. Oops.

My next two stops were a bit far away, and it was already 3pm, so I needed to hit the road. Only about nine more hours of sunlight. Reykjadalur Hot Springs got some rave reviews on YouTube, and was only about 90 minutes up the road. Or so I thought. The parking lot sits down at the bottom of a steep mountain pass near the town of Hveragerði. A little coffee shop greets visitors, but it had shut down for the day. It was pretty chili outside so I grabbed my sweatshirt for what I thought was a short walk to the river. Turns out the springs itself is a three kilometer walk up the hill. And people swim in the river. I immediately regretted forgetting both my hiking shoes and my swimsuit. The hike up to the springs is stunning. Sweeping valleys and steep canyons give way to open fields full of sheep. So many sheep. They graze in the valley, drink some of the colder water downstream, and even walk right up towards the trail for the freshest grass. Off in the distance steam literally billows out of the earth. The only time I’ve ever seen anything like it was at Yellowstone, but this was different. It was....quiet. Peaceful. The smell of sulfur carries with the wind. Near the end of the hike, you walk right through one of those steam vents, which was somehow simultaneously refreshing and blinding. The hot springs themselves are more like a spot in the river. Something in the soil is volcanic, so the ground heats the water to some naturally balmy temperatures. The bathing area is nearly the opposite of the Blue Lagoon. There are no amenities, there is no one bringing you a drink or offering you a mud mask. There are no saunas or steam baths, or any real facilities of any kind for that matter. Not a roof in sight, not even a restroom. Only a few privacy barriers indicated a potential spot to change out. I wasn’t exactly prepared for a full swim, so I took my shoes off and soaked my aching feet a while. The hot mineral water was quite soothing, really softened up the calluses.

The hike up and down created quite an appetite. I saw a sign on the road back to the main highway for a pizza bar and geothermal brewery: Ölverk. Good enough for me. The place was a little fancier than I expected, but the food and service were both really delicious. Got a pizza with dates, bacon, and blue cheese on it, and it’s probably the only pizza with fruit I’d do again. I passed on the beer: around 2700 ISK for a taster flight of four, 4000 ISK for a draft pour. Makes the ballpark seem cheap. Turns out the geothermal thing was just how they generated their power anyway, which is kinda cool I suppose, but that’s how they generate much of their electricity there. That’s like saying a brewery in Seattle is hydroelectric powered. It was getting late in the day at this point, but my friend recommended I hit a spot a little further up the road: Kerið Crater. It’s a sinkhole, but an impressive one. The parking lot backs right up to the crater, and there’s a short hike around and a staircase to the bottom. At the bottom is a pool of clean, cool groundwater. Like everywhere else in that country, it was created by volcanic activity. Some kind of sinkhole type process. I took the staircase to the bottom, took a drink of the water (tasted great!), and had a lovely conversation with some folks from Russia. A chat with some folks from the other side of the world seemed like a good way to transition to the next portion of my trip. I took a windy route back through the southern portion of Þingvellir National Park, but it was around 10:30pm at that point so I knew I needed to drive the couple hours back to Akranes to make my flight. The back roads were wide open and peaceful: for kilometers on end I might have been the only person. There was also some gravel, but some experience living in the Colorado mountains served me well. I cranked up the tunes and thought wistfully of the summer ahead of me. Amsterdam, I’m ready.

Final Thoughts

Iceland is a place unto itself. My only regret is that I didn’t allow myself one more day. More than that though, oof. It gets expensive. Outside of Reykjavik is extremely rural and provincial, and Reykjavik is indeed lovely, but not exactly the most cosmopolitan or bustling city. I would go back, and would recommend it to almost everyone, but unless you plan on doing some hardcore expeditions you can see pretty much everything in three to four days. For me, it served its purpose: I relaxed at the Blue Lagoon, ate Hákarl, slept off the jetlag, and adjusted to some of the differences of European culture. Overall, a lovely experience. Oh, and be aware the tap water smells like sulfur.

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withabackpackandcamera · 3 years ago

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June 26th, 2021

Day 1: A Race To See Geldingadalir and Iceland’s West Side

The flight from Denver to Iceland was long but luckily, it wasn’t nearly as long as advertised on our purchased tickets. After a relatively smooth but sleepless flight that included aisle seats for all three of us (Cynthia, Minh, and me) and a viewing of Harry Potter 2, we made an early landing at Keflavik International Airport, arriving more than an hour ahead of schedule. To get to the exit, we ended up having to wait in multiple lines, from the passport control line to the PCR swab line. In between those lines, we made a quick pit stop at the store in front of baggage claim to pick up some beers as well as our Nova SIM card for the trip.

The line to get our PCR swabs was quite long and it took somewhere between 45 minutes to an hour to get to the point where we presented our vaccination certificates and got our swab kits. After receiving our kits, we walked to a station outside where some techs seemingly swabbed not only our noses but our brains before we were allowed to pass through the airport exit completely.

Our next task was to pick up our rental car from Blue Car Rental, a local Icelandic car rental company that rented out cars at a much better rate than its international competitors. It took a bit for us and some other folks to figure out where to catch the shuttle to get to the rental car area but after a short wait, we spotted the shuttle that would take us to our destination. Once there, we picked up our brand new red 2021 Kia Sportage 4WD and then drove off to grab some groceries for the road from Kronan and Bonus, both located relatively close to the airport in a neighboring town.

While Cynthia and Minh picked up some ingredients to make sandwiches for lunch, I briefly flipped through the car manual to make sure I knew how to use the car’s 4WD mechanism. Luckily, it was mostly automatic! Sweet. Once they were done at Kronan, we all sat in the car and took a little time to rest our eyes before hitting up Bonus for a couple more items for the trip. By the time we were done, our parents had arrived and gotten through the now extremely long PCR swab/exit line and were awaiting our pick-up from the airport. And surprisingly enough, the whole process of connecting with them and picking them up at the airport went as smoothly as it could have gone. Exactly as planned. And with the whole crew finally assembled in one place, we were off to start our family adventure in Iceland!

The first and much anticipated stop of the trip was Geldingadalsgos, the world’s newest volcanic eruption, located about a 30 minutes drive away from the airport. We drove through the town of Grindavik to get to the volcano area. By the time we reached the parking area for the hike, the roadside parking lots were packed. Really packed. But luckily, there was enough space for us to find a parking spot, though it was located almost a kilometer away from the unmarked trailhead for the volcano hike.

Once we were parked, packed, and dressed for the hike, which was around 11:30am or so, we made our way to the trailhead located on the other side of the road. With mom having a bum knee and Cynthia not being a fast hiker, my brother, dad, and I left them to each other’s company as we went on ahead. As we hiked and made our way closer to the lava field in the valley, we finally located hiking Path C as it ran up the side of a mountain ridge to our right. This was the volcano-viewing trail that I was instructed to take by Jeroen, the photographer, when I messaged with him on Instagram. So we did just that. And as we hiked toward the mountain ridge we were about to climb, I noticed just how nice, sunny, and clear the skies were today and how lucky we were to have great hiking conditions for our first day in Iceland.

But those pleasant-weathered thoughts quickly soured as we made our way up the heavily-graveled, unofficially paved footpath up the mountainside. What were just light winds on a sunny day quickly became 50+ mph continuous gusts of wind blowing across the lava field and up the mountain ridge. And this made for a much more difficult and treacherous hike than what was already a difficult hike with the steep, gravel-y path and all.

Due to the wind, dust, gravel, and lack of sleep, it took us a lot longer than anticipated to climb up to the top of the ridge and to the cell tower I was instructed to hike to to get the best views of the volcano. All in all, it took me and my heavy camera bag a little less than 1.5 hours to get to the cell tower. But luckily, even before reaching the tower, I caught my first glimpse of the Geldingadalsgos from afar! And as I hiked closer, I could see and hear the volcano erupting and throwing lava into the air! SO FREAKIN’ COOL! The thing I’d been looking forward to the most since coming up with the idea to fly to Iceland! And I finally got to see it in person! And check it off my life bucket list!

Because I had gone ahead of Minh and my dad, I had extra time to look around the area and scout out the best views of Geldingadalsgos from the eastern ridge. After roaming around on the windy ridge, I finally committed to a viewpoint and stayed there for some photography while waiting for Minh and my dad to catch up. Even though the volcano wasn’t nearly as crazy as I wished it was (especially given how far we were standing and how big the volcano base had grown), it was still pretty spectacular to see in person.

Once all three of us were at the top, we stayed for a little while longer before heading down the ridge on an unpaved, alternative back path. The path down the back side of the ridge was definitely less steep and dangerous than the one we took coming up but it was still a pretty long route. So it took us a while to hike all the way back out to our parked car. And unfortunately, along the way, my heavy tripod opened up one of my camera bag pockets, which led to the spillage of my stuff onto the ground which I didn’t know about. Only after a bit did I notice that the zipper was open and that I was missing my beanie and sunglasses. Fudge. But luckily, after running backwards and retracing my steps, I ran into some hikers who had found my belongings along their path and had placed them on a nearby rock, where I eventually found the beanie and sunglasses. Thank goodness.

By the time we had hiked all the way back to the car to meet up with Cynthia and my mom, who’d gone back first, I was exhausted. From a combination of lack of sleep, lack of a proper meal, and lack of water. But luckily, the rest of the day was just driving (a very long drive) with some short pit stops along the way to the eastern Westfjords, where we would be spending the evening.

Once we were on the road again, it didn’t take long for me to switch out of the driver’s seat to get some rest because I could feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier as we drove on and on. So Minh took over and drove us the rest of the way to and through the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss. Once we had arrived after a very pleasant drive, the family and I checked out the mountain and waterfall and took some photos as the clouds started to roll in. The conditions were pretty harsh for any portfolio-worthy photos but I did the best that I could. This was actually my third time visiting Kirkjufellsfoss and every time I swing by, what I see is always slightly different than what I saw the time before, which is a good thing. Not only do I see a different photo-worthy scene each time, but I see a different landscape surrounding the area as well. For example, the area definitely got an upgrade (with a new parking lot and handicap accessible walkways to the waterfall) since my last visit in the winter of 2017. How tourism can drive change…

With the day slowly winding down and a ton of distance left to make up before we got to our guesthouse, I took over the wheel and drove us to our last pit stop of the day at Gudrunarlaug Hot Spring, located sort of on the way to the Westfjords. The drive there was much rougher than expected since the entire road there was gravel and dirt road, which significantly affected our driving speed. But because we took the gravel road instead of driving back the way we originally came from to get onto the main road leading up to the Westfjords, we still ended up (probably) saving a little bit of time. After a while, we finally reached the hot spring. Unfortunately, given our time constraints and the fact that there were locals already soaking in the hot tub who we didn’t want to intrude upon, we quickly took a peek at the area and left for the Malarhorn Guesthouse in Drangsnes, a little village just north of Holmavik.

The drive was long (thankfully Minh picked up this driving shift) but we eventually made it there around 11:00pm with the skies still relatively bright despite what time of day it was. After quickly preparing some instant ramen for dinner for the crew, I finally washed up and called it a night. What a ridiculous and jam-packed first day back in Iceland!

In store for tomorrow: a huge waterfall located in the middle of nowhere and a super long drive to Akureyri.

5 Things I Learned/Observed Today:

1. The Keflavik airport swabbers are definitely trained to make sure they get the best, highest-yield swab samples from international travelers in order to keep their country’s numbers almost nonexistent. So yeah, get ready to get your brain swabbed. But luckily, the process is (sort of) quick and (sort of) painless. And surprisingly enough, it took only about 6-7 hours for the health department to notify us of our negative PCR results!

2. Geldingadalsgos is definitely the most visited and highest-trafficked tourist site in all of Iceland this summer. Hands down.

3. Given the pandemic, travel numbers to Iceland aren’t nearly as high compared to the numbers pre-COVID. But with the recent downscaling of travel restrictions, more travelers have made their way over to Iceland with the hopes of seeing cool things while being relatively socially distanced from one another. And not surprisingly, because of the rules set in place by the Icelandic government for incoming travelers and because of the availability of vaccines in the U.S., most tourists in Iceland are Americans.

4. If you’re driving east along the northern side of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, don’t expect much paved road a little past Kirkjufellsfoss. The roads here are pretty much all gravel and dirt until you make your way all the way back out to the main highway..

5. When you look at a map, Drangsnes looks pretty close to Holmavik. Don’t be deceived! Once you’re driving through fjordlands, nothing is as close as it seems. The windy roads running along the water and the mountain bases of the fjords makes any trip you drive much longer than anticipated.

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shreyasaha1987 · 4 years ago

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The board says "Jump Into the Pot and Take a Picture". Being a বাধ্য সন্তান (obedient child), I listened to the troll while it started cooking me up 😃 Iceland is famous for its folklore full of elves, trolls, Yule Lads, and more. Here you can see how the Troll welcomed me in the airport. From restaurants, cafes, bars to banks, money exchange services, car rental companies, duty-free shopping areas and more, Keflavik international airport has all such modern amenities. The airport is small but well sign-posted, so we didn't face any difficulty claiming our baggage and exiting. However, @richie.sharma and I spent more than an hour hopping everywhere at the cute airport. . . . #iceland #travel #icelandtravel #nature #photography #landscape #travelphotography #flight #visiticeland #icelandtrip #icelandic #island #naturephotography #exploreiceland #ig #travelgram #icelandscape #roadtrip #wheniniceland #landscapephotography #inspiredbyiceland #wanderlust #keflavik #reykjavik #guidetoiceland #travelloverepeat #icelandroadtrip #travelwithshreya (at Keflavik International Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/CL7PckurRiM/?igshid=v5ozlqpev3fx

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otisscott64 · 4 years ago

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Pros And Cons Of Renting Movies Online

In nowadays it is often a jungle attempting to identify the very best deals out there when searching for car rental specials. It can be down right confusing usually cause you to which deal is the best one order. Have no fear though at all like me here to sort along with fact via the myths and provide you with the best advice on locating the optimal car rental specials.

Get your rental car at Keflavik International Airport: The airport is located approximately a long time from Reykjavik, so in order to get to your city either pick the rental car renting at edinburgh airport or pay $20-$25 each way to get to and because of the airport on their own shuttle autobus.

It's autumn and you'd like to see numerous of takes place in almost beauty and splendor. There's a scenic option to the mountains that you've dreamed of taking for years, but you've always found a few reasons why you do not have the time or you've procrastinate until for you to know it, the leaves have fallen from the trees and winter has arrived. Sell your Gas Car and Drive

If you are wanting to rent using a then you would like to ask an additional for how old they are restriction manner. Some companies have the age criteria for renting a car which is 21 years minimum a few rent their cars in order to above twenty-five years. In addition, you must possess a valid driving license.

Most travelers are even willing to a little higher anxieties to drive a hybrid car. It's still possible cheaper in the long run since they'll cut upon fuel cost. Even if the rent is a higher, it's compensated using the lower fuel cost. If you're in the auto rental business, why an individual offer the other of exactly what the market intends? Your business will because of if must so. Business will find when advise what the costumer wants and we're able to produce them.

While renting a luxury car, keep in mind it is actually usually less expensive for rent an automible for an extended period, say a week, than shorter period. If you can afford to have long vacation or business trip, rent out the car for days.

Renting a vehicle can be very easy if anyone might have researched vehicle rental agencies ahead of one's. You will know what regarding vehicle you want and ideal for afford. It's also possible to get the best bargain available and cut costs right from the beginning.

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fireflyiceland · 2 months ago

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Affordable Car Rentals at Keflavik International Airport – Firefly Car Rental

Arriving at Keflavik International Airport? Firefly Car Rental offers convenient and cheap car rentals to kickstart your Icelandic adventure. Whether you're looking for car rentals at Keflavik Airport or exploring Iceland, our affordable rates and wide vehicle selection ensure a smooth experience. Visit Firefly Car Rental for the best car rental deals at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport!

#Car Rentals Iceland Airport #Car Rental Keflavik International Airport

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cassie-shen-blog · 6 years ago

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Here are six of Iceland's most famous sights:

3. The golden circle

Why it makes the list: the most classic and famous one-day trip to Iceland

Why we have to go: Iceland is said to be a geological wonder, located at the intersection of the continental plate of Europe and the continental plate of America.Come to Iceland, can not but experience the extraordinary experience of two continents!In just one day, you can also see natural erupting geysers, rumbling waterfalls, excellent quality and reasonable price.

Sentiment index: 10

Suitable for seasons: all year round

Location: south of Iceland, northeast of reykjavik

Distance from capital reykjavik: 40 km

Easy to get to: easy

How to get there: a group tour from the capital reykjavik or rent a car and drive

Car rental requirements: second - wheel drive can be

The famous "golden circle" scenic spot consists of three natural scenic spots gathered in southwest Iceland: singevillier national park, geisel geyser geothermal area and gold waterfall.These three scenic spots have different sceneries and histories, but they all occupy a special and important position in the geography and culture of Iceland.They are also close to each other and not far from reykjavik, so the golden circle has gradually become a must-see for every tourist traveling to Iceland.

Golden circle one of three major scenic spots: singh vril National Park (Þ ingvellir National Park)

Two of the three scenic spots in the golden circle: Geysir

Three of the three scenic spots in the golden circle: Gullfoss

4. Blue Lagoon

Why it makes the list: blue wonderland, the absolute representative of the Icelandic fairy tale.Come to Iceland or blue lake

Why you should go: head the list of Iceland's hot springs

Sentiment index: 10

Suitable for seasons: all year round

Location: Iceland between the international foundation of keflavik and the capital reykjavik

Distance from capital reykjavik: 48 km (23 km from Iceland international airport)

Easy to reach: easy

How to get there: by bus, by car or by taxi from keflavik international airport or reykjavik

Car rental requirements: second - wheel drive can be

Located on the Reykjanes peninsula, close to Keflavik international airport, blue lake is also only a 40-minute drive from the capital.The reykjavik peninsula is famous for its rugged, pristine lava fields, which many have compared to the surface of the moon.

The Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's most popular geothermal hot springs, draws tourists with its light Blue waters and mysterious lava formations.The hot springs of blue lake are believed to have a natural healing effect.The water is rich in minerals such as silicon and sulfur, which are good for skin problems such as eczema (psoriasis). There is even a special skin clinic in the blue lake area.It also offers luxurious spa treatments and a lava restaurant near the lake.

Cloudy day, sunny day, winter snow, summer sun, different light different sky blue lake has different blue, its beauty is completely immune to the influence of seasonal weather.Even outside the wind, rain and snow, blue lake's fairy index is still strong.

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fosscarrental · 2 months ago

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Renting a Car at Keflavik Airport: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Visitors

Visiting Iceland for the first time can be an unforgettable experience, with its stunning landscapes, dramatic waterfalls, and active volcanoes. As a first-time visitor, one of the best ways to explore this beautiful country is by renting a car. Whether you’re heading to the iconic Golden Circle or venturing further into the Highlands, having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through how to rent a car at Keflavik Airport, ensuring your trip to Iceland goes smoothly.

Step 1: Pre-book Your Rental Car

To avoid any last-minute hassles, it's highly recommended to rent a car in Keflavik Iceland before you arrive. Pre-booking online is not only convenient, but it also ensures that you get the vehicle of your choice. Keflavik Airport is a popular pick-up spot, and cars can run out quickly during peak travel seasons. By reserving ahead of time, you can compare prices, choose from a range of vehicles, and select additional services such as GPS or child seats.

When searching for options, you can visit Foss Car Rental and choose from their diverse fleet. Whether you’re looking for a compact car for city driving or a 4x4 for off-road adventures, pre-booking ensures that your vehicle is ready upon arrival at Iceland's Keflavik Airport.

Step 2: Picking Up Your Rental Car at Keflavik Airport

Once you arrive at Keflavik Airport, collecting your rental car is a straightforward process. Most major car rental companies, including Foss Car Rental, have their desks located within the arrivals terminal. After clearing customs and collecting your luggage, follow the signs directing you to the car rental counters.

Make sure you have all the necessary documentation ready, including your driver's license (an international driving permit may be required depending on your country of residence), passport, and a valid credit card for the rental deposit. The staff will guide you through the rental agreement, explain insurance options, and provide you with the keys to your vehicle.

If you’ve pre-booked your car, the process will be faster, and all you need to do is pick up the keys, check the vehicle, and head out to begin your Icelandic adventure.

Step 3: Inspect the Vehicle

Before driving away, take a few minutes to inspect the car. Check for any existing damage, such as scratches or dents, and ensure these are documented in the rental agreement. This will prevent any misunderstandings or additional charges when you return the car.

Also, familiarize yourself with the vehicle’s features, especially if you're renting a 4x4 or a larger vehicle. Renting a car at Keflavik Airport often means you'll be driving in varied weather conditions, so make sure you know how to operate the car’s lights, heating system, and other essential functions.

Step 4: Driving in Iceland

Driving in Iceland can be an exciting experience, but it requires some preparation. The roads in and around Reykjavik are well-maintained, but as you venture into the countryside, you'll encounter gravel roads, steep hills, and unpredictable weather conditions. If you’re planning on exploring beyond the capital, it’s advisable to rent a 4x4 for better control on Iceland's rugged terrain.

Before you leave Keflavik Airport in your rental car, make sure you have a clear understanding of the road rules in Iceland. Stick to the speed limits, always drive with headlights on, and be prepared for rapidly changing weather. If you're unsure, the Foss Car Rental team can provide you with tips and information about driving in Iceland.

Step 5: Returning the Car

When your trip comes to an end, returning your rental car is just as easy as picking it up. Most car rental companies, including Foss Car Rental, have drop-off points at Keflavik Airport. Follow the signs to the car rental return area, and make sure to fill up the gas tank before you return the car to avoid additional charges.

Once you’ve returned the keys and completed the final vehicle inspection, you’re free to catch your flight back home, taking with you unforgettable memories of your journey through Iceland.

Conclusion

Renting a car at Keflavik Airport is the most convenient way to explore Iceland's majestic landscapes at your own pace. By pre-booking your vehicle with Foss Car Rental, you'll have a stress-free experience from the moment you arrive at Keflavik Airport. Follow these simple steps, and you'll be ready to enjoy the freedom of the open road in one of the world's most scenic countries.

Make sure to rent a car in Iceland Keflavik Airport for a seamless start to your adventure!

#car rental iceland

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keflavikairportcarrentalblo-blog · 8 years ago

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Why to choose Car rental services in Iceland?

There is nothing better than hiring a car rental service to discover the natural landscapes and hidden beauty of the lonely country called Iceland. It’s an incredible destination which has grabbed tourists’ attention for its natural reserves and mind-blowing attractions like geysers, glaciers, sceneries, waterfall, hot springs, volcanoes, etc.

Benefits of hiring car rental in Iceland

Hiring car rental services is one of the best ways to explore Iceland at your own pace. Here we have listed the benefits of car hire Reykjavik Keflavik airport over choosing tour buses.

•Convenience: - It is a convenient option to rent a car in Iceland rather than relying on public transportation which will waste your lot of time. With tour buses or public transportation you have to follow their time schedule and route maps.

However with car rental services you can save your time and get convenience that you deserve.

•No need to wait for others:- It really feels annoying when you explore destination with other unknown tourists and have to make unnecessary stoppages even when you want to move for the next destination. If you don’t want to deal with such situation then hiring car rental Reykjavik Keflavik is an ideal option where things are in your control and you can stay in any location as per your wish.

•Spend time with your group:- Renting car provides the advantage to discover the beauty of Iceland with your family and friends. With car rental service you can spend time with your loved ones and keep your worries away.

Affordable car hire Reykjavik Keflavik airport services

Now if you are also thinking to hire car rental services to enjoy memorable moments in Iceland with your family then book your choice of car in advance from reliable Keflavik Airport Car Rental service provider. They offer you clean and well-maintained cars to make your Iceland trip comfortable and relaxing. You can easily book Car hire Reykjavik Keflavik airport service at highly affordable price.

#rental cars in iceland airport #Budget Car Rental Iceland Airport #car rental keflavik international airport #Car Rental Iceland Keflavik Airport #budget car rental iceland

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wanderingkathleen · 8 years ago

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5 Days in Iceland Itinerary

Eager to visit Iceland, but don’t have a ton of time to spare? Then this 5-day itinerary is for you! My fiance, Drew, and I have been eyeing a trip to Iceland for awhile, but with other trips already scheduled and wedding obligations we weren’t sure if we would be able to make it to Iceland this year.

Day 1

We landed early on a Tuesday morning and hit the ground running. We used Blue Car Rental for our car rental as they were the least expensive while including all needed coverage and meeting Icelandic insurance requirements. Since we were visiting at the end of March, our car came equipped with studded tires.

Stop 1: Þingvellir National Park

Relatively close to Keflavik International Airport, Þingvellir National Park is the perfect first stop. Located at the site where two continental tectonic plates meet, there’s plenty to see and do here. You can hike to Öxarárfoss and explore deep valleys and cliffs. If you’re feeling super adventurous, you can dive or snorkel in the rifts between the tectonic plates.

Stop 2: Strokkur Geysir

Located in a geothermal area, Strokkur is a geyser that erupts every 5-10 minutes, reaching heights as high as 130 feet. Since the geyser erupts so frequently, this is a fairly quick stop where you can hit the restrooms and grab a bite for the road.

Stop 3: Gullfoss

Complete your journey on the Golden Circle by visiting Gullfoss. Definitely a sight to behold whether it’s frozen in the dead of winter or rushing forcefully during the warmer summer months.

That evening we stayed at the Stracta Hotel Hella where we relaxed in the hot tub and enjoyed a filling breakfast the following morning.

Day 2

Stop 1: Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is easy to find as it’s visible from the road. What makes Seljalandsfoss special is the path that takes you behind the waterfall for a different perspective. Prepare to get wet!

Another special treat at Seljalandsfoss is the hidden waterfall, Gljúfrabúi. Facing Seljalandsfoss, walk 1/3 of a mile to your left and you will have the option to climb the side of a cliff or duck through a gorge. It’s worth it!

Stop 2: Skógafoss

A short drive from Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss is an impressive waterfall. You can view from the bottom, but don’t miss the hike up the stairs on the side of the waterfall. The view from the top will make for great photos.

Stop 3: Sólheimasandur Plane Crash

I hope you wore your walking shoes because you’re in for a 4-5 mile roundtrip hike from the parking lot to the wrecked US Navy DC-3. Dress warmly as the walk is very windy. Despite the blustery weather the day of our visit, the trail to the plane crash site was fairly busy and once we reached the site there were at least half a dozen other tourists milling about.

We spent another night at Stracta Hotel Hella and were thankful for the hot tub to relax in after logging so many miles that day.

Day 3

Stop 1: Dyrhólaey

A great place to stop and view the enormous black arch of lava standing in the sea. Unfortunately, it was pouring the morning we visited with wicked strong winds, so seeing the arch was a bit of a challenge, but we enjoyed standing on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Stop 2: Reynishverfi Rocks

Basalt rock formations sprout out of this black sand beach near Vik. We were in awe of the natural beauty and spent a bit of time dancing around the beach and jumping from the rocks.

Stop 3: Fjaðrárgljúfur

One of the highlights of our trip, Fjaðrárgljúfur is a stunning canyon that is worth visiting all year round. You can hike around the edge of the canyon to take in as much of the spectacular views as possible. At the end of the trails there are are two smaller waterfalls which feed the river that runs through the canyon. The road leading to the parking for Fjaðrárgljúfur advises use of a 4x4 vehicle, which I would definitely recommend during the winter months.

We finished the day by grabbing famous Icelandic hot dogs at a local gas station and caught some zzz’s at Icelandair Hotel Klaustur.

Day 4

Stop 1: Jökulsárlón

We left Klaustur to make the long drive to Jökulsárlón for sunrise. I was super excited to visit the glacier lagoon and it didn’t disappoint. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life--the ice was so blue and it was interesting to watch the large chunks of ice float slowly by.

Stop 2: Svartifoss

We were so glad we got an early start because the hike to Svartifoss took a bit longer than we anticipated. However, the hike is beautiful and totally worth the extra time. The hike involves walking up a bit of an incline where you pass a smaller waterfall, beautiful fields, and overlook interesting geological formations. Svartifoss is surrounded by basalt rock columns which make it unlike any other waterfall we’ve ever seen.

Stop 3: Sólheimajökull Glacier

We finished the day with a glacier hike through Icelandic Mountain Guides. We strapped on crampons and grabbed a pick ax and traipsed around the Sólheimajökull Glacier for several hours and absolutely loved it.

We finished the day in Vik where we grabbed a bite at a local pub and rested our heads at Icelandair Hotel Vik.

Day 5

From Vik, we slowly made our way back to Reykjavik, making stops along the way at scenic view points and befriending Icelandic ponies.

Stop 1: Hallgrímskirkja

To get the best view of Reykjavik, visit Hallgrimskirkja and pay 900 ISK to access the tower. You can see all of Reykjavik from the tower which is centrally located in the city.

Stop 2: Reykjavik

We spent a few hours walking around the city and exploring shops before grabbing a quick bite at a local restaurant. Although Reykjavik is a lovely, albeit small, city, we were glad that we elected to spend more time exploring other parts of the country.

Stop 3: Blue Lagoon

We closed our trip at the Blue Lagoon. Be sure to buy your time slot in advance as they don’t take walk-ins and time slots fill quickly. We had a 5 p.m. reservation and we spent a little over 2 hours relaxing in the hot springs and enjoying the silicon masks. It was a great way to unwind at the end of a very busy trip!

I loved visiting Iceland and we’re eager to return to explore the fjords and other beautiful spots in the western and northern parts of the country. I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we enjoyed ours!

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#iceland #Þingvellir national park #strokkur #gullfoss #seljalandsfoss #skógafoss #sólheimasandur #plane crash #fjaðrárgljúfur #jökulsárlón #svartifoss #sólheimajökull #glacier hike #reykjavik #hallgrímskirkja #blue lagoon

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exploredestinations · 6 years ago

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Explore Southern Iceland for your Holidays

Explore Southern Iceland - Best Way of Exploring Southern Iceland, Explore the exciting Southern Iceland on your Holiday Vacations in Europe.

This self-drive itinerary offers the opportunity to visit some of the island’s best known natural wonders in the scenic south. Sights include waterfalls, the historic Thingvellir parliament site, sprouting geysers, hot springs, mighty glaciers and icecaps to name a few, which are simply stunning no matter what the season. You’ll also have the chance to walk and explore further afield and gain a true sense of what Iceland has to offer. Day 1: The Blue Lagoon Fly into Keflavik International Airport collect your hire car and drive to the capital city, Reykjavik. A trip to Iceland would not be complete without bathing in the famous geothermal Blue Lagoon. The mineral rich seawater in the lagoon is known for its positive effects on the skin. You can actually bathe between two continents as the Euro–Asian and American tectonic plates meet at the Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon entrance fee for adults is €23. Day 2: The Golden Circle Spend the day exploring Thingvellir National Park which houses the remains of the old Icelandic parliament site. Witness the boiling sprouting water of Strokkur Geysir which erupts every 10 mins and marvel at the two-tiered Gullfoss waterfalls. Head south and to Hveragerdi for an overnight stay. Day 3: Myrdalsjokull Glacier & Basalt Columns Drive along the south coast past the impressive waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. The road winds past the Myrdalsjokull icecap and over the moss clad Eldhraun lava field to Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Take a walk to the ‘Sister’s falls’ (Systrafoss and Kirkjugolfid) a national monument of wind and sea eroded basalt columns. Day 4: Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon visit the turf church of Nupsstadur then drive across the outwash plains of Iceland’s largest icecap, Vatnajokull to Skaftafell. Explore further east to the amazing iceberg lagoon at Jokulsarlon, not forgetting to walk across the road to catch sight of icebergs breaking up and heading out to sea or being washed ashore on the black sand beach. Continue to Smyrlabjorg for an overnight stay. Day 5: Skaftafell National Park Spend the day hiking in Iceland’s second largest national park Skaftafell is an area of almost 5000 square kilometres and is an oasis wedged between sand and glacier. Stay overnight in nearby Skaftafell. Day 6: Vik On the drive back along the south coast stop off at the stunning cliffs and beaches of Vik where the wildflowers are pretty in the summer. Continue west to Myrdalsjokull Glacier and take a snowmobile tour on the glacier. Visit the Saga Centre at Hvolsvollur en route to Hveragerdi, the Centre offers guided tours through the exhibition on the Njál´s Saga and the Viking age of Iceland’s history. Day 7: Horse Riding Go hiking in Reykjadalur or perhaps go horse riding through meadows, farms and lava fields before driving back to Reykjavik. The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland and resembles a pony rather than a horse. The Icelanders are keen to keep the Icelandic horse breed pure, so Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country and exported animals are not allowed to return. Spend your last night in Reykjavik. Day 8: Whale Watching Go on a whale watching tour from Reykjavik Harbor before driving through the black lava fields on route back to Keflavik Airport, drop off rental vehicle and catch your flight home. If you want to really enjoy your driving adventure in Iceland, don’t forget to take out your cheap holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. It is important that you remember to check that your cheap holiday insurance policy offers you the level of cover that you need for your break before you buy it. Read the full article

#BestWayofExploringSouthernIceland #ExploreSouthernIceland

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icelandholidaysuk-blog · 6 years ago

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Reliable and personal customer service, flexible agent network, a broad fleet of well maintained vehicles and outstanding team of motivated car rental experts makes Europcar your number one choice when renting a car in Iceland. We offer a wide variety of cars to suit all rental needs Our main goal is, as it always has been, to fulfil the needs and expectations of each and every one of our customers and to provide them with the best service available at any given time. Europcar is the largest car rental operator in Iceland located at all major airports throughout the country. The largest rental station is in Reykjavík and we are an Authorized Terminal Operator at Keflavik International Airport. Our staff is more than ready to be at your service and to help make your visit to Iceland as pleasurable and memorable as possible. Current Models 2011

#iceland holidays 2018 #iceland holidays #reykjavik breaks #iceland fly drive adventure

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rentacar2018-blog · 6 years ago

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Welcome To SADcars Iceland Car Rental

Cheap car rental in Iceland from Saga car rental. Day 1 - pick up a rental car at the airport and visit your suggested Reykjanes peninsula sights and continue on driving to Vik for the first night. Orange Car Rental rates include unlimited mileage and no hidden fees. During our time in Iceland, we did a number of full day trips, including self driving the Golden Circle and traveling to the Westman Islands to see Iceland puffins Throughout these adventures, we came to terms with why one might need to pay for a few extra insurance options (the ones I always pass on) and why one should try to choose from only the best car rental companies in Iceland. Even though we offer cheap car rental we still offer a wide range of quality rental cars. I am really impressed with the company and highly recommend them to anyone looking to hire a car in Iceland.

On top of growing international tourism, increasing global Internet penetration is another key factor explaining the growth of the car rental industry. Throughout Iceland, the scenery is beautiful and we have very unique roads and pathways. No matter why you're traveling to Iceland, you can count on our fleet of new hire cars to get you there in comfort. All of our minivans and people-carriers are equipped with winter najam vozila sa vozacem tires during the colder periods of the year and are thus suitable for a round trip no matter what month you have marked for your Icelandic journey. We also have an office in Reykjavik and, when renting a car for 7 days or more, including free transport to and from a place of accommodation. Book your vehicle online with Europcar today. We compare the offers of car rental companies in Iceland on your behalf.

We offer some of the best prices on our cars to ensure you get the best deal no matter what your travel plans are. For all questions concerning future bookings and current car rentals, please write us an email in the language most convenient for you. We offer a wide selection of rental cars in Iceland for groups both large and small. Northbound is an exceptional Rental company. But it doesn't always give find out more the right picture , the website for the Icelandic Road Administration, is the best website to use if you use it you are unsure then you can call 1777 and ask for the conditions (open 06:30-22:00) or 1778 an automatic telephone service open all day. Renters must present a valid passport or ID card at time of pick up as well. I will be back in September and share my experience with this rental company.

Arctic is a car rental located in Keflavik, Iceland, operating since 1994 as a family owned company. Your state-issued drivers license should be fine for all car rentals in Iceland. Speak to us to discover the best option for you, as you could also book a long term or monthly Iceland car hire. Egilsstadir, on the eastern coast of Iceland, is well connected by road to the rest of the island — so you can click over here easily discover this beautiful country by car. This is the largest marketplace of rental cars in Iceland. It is smart to rent a car when traveling. And my advice is to take the local's advice: ask the rental company. We at City Car Rental provide the best budget car rental in Iceland. No matter why you're traveling to Iceland, you can count on our fleet of new rental cars to get you there in comfort.

I too intend to rent a car in late June and still don't know where to book it (i was thinking about geysir, iceland car rental or atak car rental). He explains it as a result of a policy change within the larger car rentals in Europe in general, where an emphasis has been placed on scrutinizing the car upon return in search of any possible dents. I also encourage you to go through this Tripadvisor thread on Rental Auto Insurance renta car Beograd in Iceland as it provides some valuable information. Being Iceland's most important road, it is well-maintained and open throughout the year, although extreme weather conditions can sometimes lead to temporary and partial closures, especially during the winter months. We have an enormous fleet of cars including small and economical, medium sized, large, jeeps, mini-buses and more for the purpose of Iceland car rental.

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