by Author Name Withheld 150

Created on: February 13, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Odds are you don't know anyone who has been to Iceland. The odds are also pretty good that when you tell your friends that you're thinking about it, they're going to look at you and wonder if you hit your head recently. Yet, for all of the people who might be weary, Iceland offers a true chance to step foot in a place of otherworldly beauty.

But first, some basic facts:

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Getting There:
From the US:
Iceland Air is perhaps one of the best options if you are on the east coast. Sign up for their Lucky Fares on their website (http://www.icelandair.com/home/book-a-flight/lucky- fares/), and it can end being less than $500 r/t to get there.

From Europe:
Iceland Express runs cheap flights from Reykjavik to most major European hubs. (http://www.icelandexpress.com/)

Suggested Time Allocations For A Trip:

Reykjavik: 1-2 days
The "Golden Triangle" + Blue Lagoon: 1 day (Do it all!)
Landmannalauger: 1-2 day
Landmannalauger + Skaftafell: 3 days+
Skaftafell: 2 days+

(For description of these, see below)

Inner-Iceland Travel Info:
Buses: http://www.austurleid.is/austurleid.htm
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And now, for the other basic tourist sights, plus a little more:

Yes, Downtown Reykjavik is not something to miss. The coffee culture during the day is excellent, except for the constant smoking, and you will be hard pressed to out-party any of the locals on any given Friday or Saturday night. The main commercial street (Laugavegur) is full of unique and interesting shops, including sma (Laugavegur 28), whose graffiti sheep are often seen around Reykjavik as well in his shop. Speaking of Graffiti, it's everywhere. Hiding, surprising, and constantly evolving the graffiti culture in Reykjavik is extremely vibrant.

Yes, the "Golden Triangle" of Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir, all easily doable in a single day as part of a tour or with a rented car, is a great and easy excursion. Thingvellir once was the home of the annual assembly of the Icelandic legislature, where representatives would meet to discuss matters of the realm. The Icelandic legislature is so old that the topic of whether to convert to Christianity or remain pagan was actually brought up. Sadly, Geysir is nothing more than a brief pause in your driving between Thingvellir and Gullfoss. The great Geysir, for which all geysers are named, rarely erupts, but leaving Stokkur, a near by geyser that erupts like clockwork, to pull in the tourists (and make them buy stuff at

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