As one of Central Travel’s Delta Vacations top producers I was awarded a wonderful trip to Iceland and it was amazing!
We stayed at The Hilton Nordic located 15 minutes from the city center. They offer free parking, free Wi-Fi, spa and room service. They have a restaurant and a bar on site. Their buffet breakfast had several choices and was good.
We looked at Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Center. It is in a great location in the city, the heart of shopping and the nightlife of Laugavegur Street and the city center. The hotel lobby is very warm and welcoming. We also visited the Reykjavik EDITION. This is currently the only five star hotel in Reykjavik and sits right on the harbor. This was our favorite hotel in Reykjavik due to the location, customer service level, and stylish rooms and common areas. The rooms are modern and spacious with floor to ceiling windows. They have a lobby bar, restaurant, rooftop bar and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, and spa. You know it’s an Edition Hotel from the first moment you walk in due to the signature scent.
Our sightseeing included the Golden Circle Classic Tour. There are 3 areas that we experienced the Geyser Geothermal Park, Gullfoss Waterfalls and lava canyon in pingvellir. We stopped at the Pingvellir National Park and it is an old lava canyon and the continents are being pulled apart and you can see the rift in the fields. The Geyser Hot springs was our next spot and that is an amazing sight. It is the largest Geyser hot springs and Iceland’s most Iconic natural wonders. This stop didn’t disappoint, there were smaller hot springs leading to the large original geyser. You are able to totally walk around the Geyser to get a view from all sides of the Geyser. We then headed on to the Gullfoss Waterfall which is reminded us of Niagara Falls but a smaller scale. Awesome views! We recommend a private tour so you can move at their pace and enjoy the sights along the way.
We participated in the South Coast Classic Tour which was a full day. If you are short on time and a smaller budget, this is a great way to see Iceland’s highlights on the South Coast. The tour drives by Eyjafjallajokull Volcano which is the volcano that shut down European flights in 2010. It was fun to see it from a distance. The South Coast tour visits Solheimajokull Glacier, Reynisfjara Balck Sand Beach, the town of Vik, Skogafoss Waterfall and Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. All of the nature stops were breathtaking. I think the black sand beach and Seljalandsfoss were my two favorite. Both were very peaceful and gorgeous. If the weather had been warmer and I had rain gear on, I would have done the full hike behind Seljalandsfoss.
We also did the Classic Whale Watching tour which is on a good size vessel that has indoor and outdoor viewing areas, plenty of seating inside, overalls you can wear to stay warm, and a cafeteria with drinks and snacks. We saw whales within 10 minutes of being on the water. It lasted about 2.5 hours. You will also see birds and dolphins. Excellent experience!
Recommended Restaurants and Bars:
The Laundromat-for breakfast or lunch
Jorgenson Kitchen & Bar-located in Midgardur by Center Hotels-amazing menu with beef, lamb and seafood. Lunches are two for one Monday through Friday from 11:30am to 5:00pm
Bastard Brew & Food-great bar food and vibe
Lebowski’s-looks like a bowling alley inside, happy hour, great nibbles
Hús máls og menningar- or The Bookstore. This is a bookstore, café, bar and they have live music-The Bookstore Band, and we happened upon open mic comedy night on Thursday. What a hoot! And the band is awesome!
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur-the best place to get an Icelandic hotdog made from beef and lamb. This hot dog stand has been around since 1937 and there is usually a line, but worth the wait. And you can buy the hot dogs, mustard, and remoulade at the airport to take home.
Iceland is a ‘must see’ destination for many people and Delta makes it easy with non-stop flights from Detroit. I would be happy to assist you with your next adventure!
