Iceland—If You Go
Getting There:
v Iceland Express (www.icelandexpress.com) offers the best discount flights from Friedrichshafen, Frankfurt Hahn, Berlin, and London.
v Consider booking through another discount airline (such as EasyJet or RyanAir) to one of the above locations and connecting to Iceland Express.
Accommodations:
v Room With A View (www.roomwithaview.is) is an apartment hotel directly in the center of Reykjavik that offers great apartments (some with private Jacuzzis) with 30% off during the winter. The small kitchenette is also helpful for those on a budget.
v There are 26 hostels all over Iceland. Reykjavik City Hostel offers beds for approximately $22 per night. Visit www.hostel.is for more information.
v Look for more accommodation information through the Iceland Tourist Board, www.icelandtouristboard.com/accommodations.html.
Eating:
v The restaurants in Iceland are almost all fantastic (thanks to the natural fresh ingredients), however you will pay the price for high-end food. Splurge at least once at one of the below (or go for lunch for a less-expensive option):
v Make reservations in advance at the Seafood Cellar Restaurant, www.sjavarkjallarinn.is, a fusion seafood restaurant that has won several awards including being recognized as one of the 66 best new restaurants in 2004 by Condé Nast Traveler.
v Laekjarbrekka serves traditional Icelandic food in one of the oldest buildings in Reykjavik (try one of there “feasts”: three course-meals of lobster, puffin, game, lamb, and more). www.laekjarbrekka.is
v For lighter fare try Baejarins Bestu, a stand directly across from the harbor, for their world-famous hot dogs. (There’s a picture of Bill Clinton enjoying one hanging in the stand.) And don’t miss The Sea Baron, also near the harbor, where an old fisherman shuffles around a small shack serving lobster soup and fresh grilled fish and whale kebabs.
Shopping:
v Most stores are open between 1000 and 1800 in Reykjavik. Keep your eye out for the special Tax-Free signs, so you can get a refund on your way out of the country. Popular purchases include Icelandic wool, lava stones, and jewelry.
Tours:
v There are two main tourist agencies in Reykjavik offering slightly different tours at slightly different prices. Be sure to compare the two before making a decision:
o Iceland Excursions: www.icelandexcursions.is
o Reykjavik Excursions: www.re.is (keep an eye out for coupons for this company available in some tourist brochures and 10% off with the city tourist card)
Tourist Information:
v There are several tourist information centers in Reykjavik and be sure to stop by any of them for free maps of the city, information on special events, and other helpful brochures, some of which include discount coupons.
v The official tourist information center is known simply as “The Centre”. Visit their website at www.visitreykjavik.is for more information.
v The Iceland Tourist Board also has a very helpful website at www.icelandtouristboard.com.