Recommendations for Iceland

[Bobfrance]

Hi All,

My partner and I have just booked the flights for a four day break in Iceland this May. It is somewhere I have always wanted to visit.

We're yet to book any accommodation or trips, so I'd really appreciate any feedback/recommendations from locals or those who have visited before on places to stay and things to do.

Obviously I'll be taking my camera. Am I correct in imagining that the Icelanders will be pretty laid back about people taking photographs?

Thanks!

Bob.

 

[Krzys]

Watch out for sudden volcanos? As far as I know people up there are pretty reserved. Would love to go there though...may be heading to Denmark next year...fingers crossed.

 

[Sandwick]

I've never had the opportunity to visit Iceland, but I have become rather obsessed by this Icelandic photographer: http://www.rax.is/

 

[Sparrow]

I have a jumper from there (present from in-laws) only worn the once, you can have it if you like.

By their account you need to develop a taste for fish, I have his lecture notes and slides at home but they are way out of date now. His best stuff is from a round the island coach trip, well a coach on steroids, mostly off road, all landscape however few locals

 

[Bobfrance]

Good photos from that Rax guy! Thanks for the link Krxys.
He's certainly set the bar high with his Iceland series.

The volcano tour is a must - though I don't think we can run to a helicopter. I do wonder whether to stay the whole time in Reykjavík and do trips or head out and stay in other parts.

Stewart I had an inkling you'd pop-up and suggest a jumper when I started this thread. 😀

 

[Sparrow]

Oh ye of little faith … it’s the real thing, in the wardrobe now if you want it, but be warned it sheds fibres worse than the cat

 

[Bill58]

From what I just read today on Yahoo headlines, there might not be anybody home when you get there. People are bailing outa' there by the droves due there financial crisis.

 

[Sparrow]

That Rax chap takes some nice snaps, beautiful stuff

PS Bob; I think there is a matching ladies one somewhere as well …

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks for the input chaps, it's appreciated.
Unfortunately I'm still yet to hear from someone who's actually been there! 😛

 

[vorgonyi]

Bill Schwab has been there several times
http://www.northlightworkshops.com/tours/iceland/westfjords/index.html

 

[vorgonyi]

http://www.josefhoflehner.com/

too. Ask them.

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks for the links Vorgonyi, but I'd feel a little cheeky canvassing them directly for travel advice.

 

[user237428934]

Four days is not that long. So I think it's mainly Reykjavik and the southern part of the island (thingvellir, strokkur geyser, blue lagoon, selfoss waterfall, detifoss waterfall).
The distances are not so large there but you need some time because the streets are not so good. Reykjavik is very nice but not spectacular. You have this nice coloured houses with those corrugated iron front. A nice view from Halgrims church.
Have fun.

 

[jan normandale]

I've never had the opportunity to visit Iceland, but I have become rather obsessed by this Icelandic photographer: http://www.rax.is/

quite the photographer

 

[peter_n]

Bob I think Stuart Richardson, who is or was a member here might be able to help. He posted on PN a couple of days ago so he's still using rangefinders, and he's a nice bloke. He may be living in Iceland now, in any case he should be able to help with place(s) to stay/logistics, his contact info is on his website. A lot of the pix in the Country B&W section of his site are from Iceland.

Ragnar Axelsson is a wonderful photog. I have his book Faces of the North but it took months to get it from the publisher. Well worth getting or borrowing from the library.

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks Peter, I'll drop him a line. 🙂

 

[StuartR]

Hi, message received and responded to. Thanks for thinking of me Peter!

Best,
Stuart

P.S. I agree about RAX -- he is fantastic. Unfortunately, I don't think he is doing much with rangefinders or film anymore!

 

[peter_n]

Thanks for responding Stuart, hope you're well!

 

[JohnTF]

Prices were fairly high, you may look at some hotel package you can get with your ticket, assume you are on Iceland Air? I have this shot of some columnar basalt in my gallery here.

Rent a car and drive to Vik for sure, terrific black sand beach, and basalt sea stacks. Good breakfast came with hotel, great salmon of course.

Was cloudy most of the nights I was there (March) so though there was an aurora almost every night, only saw it once.

Everyone takes 10 years of English, and almost everyone has a tow rope to help pull you out if you get stuck. We got stuck and the first car down the road stopped to help.

Forget the crazy Viking dinner thing, but if you get a chance to fly over the erupting volcano, that will be worthwhile. I did not like the tours, they just did not stop long enough at each place. You are much better off with a car and your own tour.

You can set up and wait for the Geysers, named for the original there. Shoes with spikes would have been worthwhile, they said to dress the same as going to NYC in Spring, right, during the ice age. Tripod is helpful.

The Gulf Stream warms the waters up in the summer, to about 4 degrees C. ;-)

Regards, John

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks everybody for your insights. I'll keep this thread updated of how we get on in case any of the information is useful for others looking at visiting Iceland. 🙂