With my mother having not too long ago handed, I now have a bit extra time for journey, and in addition really feel like I have to get out and simply benefit from the outdoor and clear my head. So alongside these strains, I’ve simply booked a fast journey for Ford and me to go to Iceland on the finish of the month, and wish to share what I’ve booked, and in addition get some suggestions.
Why we’re touring to Iceland (form of) low season
Again in 2014, I visited Iceland for just a few nights, touring alone within the peak of summer time. I completely cherished it, and I’ve been that means to return ever since. Whereas I used to be near planning a visit a number of instances, life at all times ended up getting in the way in which.
Nicely, that’s now not the case, and reasonably than placing it off, I simply determined to ebook the journey, as the celebrities form of aligned when it comes to our schedules (together with childcare), flight and resort availability, and so on. Let me share some background, what flights I’ve booked, what resorts I’ve booked, after which I’d love some ideas and suggestions.
Often I’m somebody who avoids chilly climate at any time when potential, maybe apart from our as soon as annual ski journeys (Ford skis — for me it’s extra of a as soon as annual apres-ski journey). 😉 Nonetheless, Iceland within the low season has at all times me a bit, for quite a lot of causes.
For one, I nonetheless have by no means correctly seen the Northern Lights, and Iceland is a superb place from which to take action. Moreover, residing in Florida, it’s simply sort of cozy to go to a chilly and darkish local weather each now and again.
I’m lastly flying Icelandair Saga Class once more!
First let’s speak in regards to the flights. I’m undecided if the flights I booked make me the perfect husband (for placing Ford on a greater flight) or the worst husband (for placing Ford on a greater flight after which abandoning him), or if they simply make me blogger (for taking one for the crew)… you resolve. Lengthy story quick, Ford and I are flying separate itineraries.
Ford has a really good journey to get there — he’s flying Delta One from New York (JFK) to Keflavik (KEF), as I redeemed Flying Blue factors for him. So he’ll be having fun with the Delta One Lounge and the business main Delta One product on the Boeing 767-300ER. 😉 Then on the return, he’s taking Icelandair’s model new nonstop flight to Miami (MIA), so whereas it may not be that luxurious, it positive is handy.
My scenario is a little bit completely different. Lengthy story quick, I’ve been that means to evaluate Icelandair for a very long time, as I final flew the airline in 2014, and it has an all-new fleet.
I’ve written in regards to the normal problem of redeeming factors for flights to Iceland, although happily the airline typically has enticing Saga Class ares, together with you probably have a stopover in Iceland when touring between many factors in North America and Europe.
So what I did is ebook New York to Keflavik on the Boeing 737 MAX 8, and after a stopover in Iceland, I’ll be persevering with to London (LHR) on the Airbus A321LR. I discovered an inexpensive paid Saga Class fare (round $1,200 whole), in order that works for me.
What’s my return flight going to seem like? Nicely, I’m really utilizing this journey as a leaping off level for a bigger evaluate journey, which I’ll share the main points of quickly. I feel a few of you’ll be very proud of my decisions.
The 4 resorts we booked for Iceland
In whole, I’ll be on the bottom in Iceland for six nights, and I’ll be staying at a complete of 4 resorts (Ford is on the bottom for 5 nights, and staying at three resorts). So, what’s the plan?
We’ll be staying at the Reykjavik EDITION for a few nights, which might be town’s most luxurious property, and it’s additionally one of many factors resorts that’s most on my radar. In order that’s simple sufficient.
Talking of Reykjavik, does anybody have any eating suggestions, for eating places which are value trying out? I do know town has a terrific eating scene, so I’d respect suggestions for any “can’t miss” meals, both for one or each nights. We’re open to something from high quality eating to informal, so long as it’s good! And if there any actions or different sights y’all advocate there, I’d love to listen to it as properly.
Subsequent, we’re going to do a few nights in a extra secluded space, which maybe maximizes our possibilities of seeing the Northern Lights. Deplar Farm is indubitably essentially the most luxurious journey property in Iceland, although it’s a bit greater than I’d prefer to pay, so we gained’t be staying there (possibly subsequent time?).
We then tried to resolve between the next three choices:
Based mostly on a previous put up the place I requested OMAAT readers which of these properties is greatest to remain at, Torfhus Retreat was essentially the most broadly really useful, in order that’s what I ended up reserving. Does anybody have any recommendations on find out how to greatest spend two days driving across the space from there, taking in as many sights as potential?
Subsequent, I used to be going forwards and backwards about whether or not to remain at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is one among Iceland’s greatest vacationer sights, and arguably it’s a little bit of a vacationer lure. Once I visited the Blue Lagoon in 2014, it was one among my least favourite components of my journey to Iceland.
Nonetheless, I’m intrigued by The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. I may by no means resolve if it seems prefer it’s value it or not, given how costly it’s. So I’m taking one for the crew, and we’re staying there for one night time. I’ll make sure you report again!
Lastly, on a much less glamorous be aware, I’ll be spending an evening at the Courtyard Keflavik Airport, just because I’ve a really early morning flight (and Ford flies out the night earlier than, so I’ll be alone).
Backside line
It has been over a decade since I’ve final visited Iceland, and I’m excited to lastly return. To be trustworthy, I booked this as a fairly final minute journey, as the celebrities form of aligned, when it comes to desirous to get out, discovering respectable worth flight choices, and having the ability to tie it into a much bigger evaluate journey.
I’ve been laying aside this journey for thus lengthy, so am hoping for the perfect. I’d actually respect any suggestions OMAAT readers could have.
How will Icelandair be (I do know it’s extra like premium economic system than enterprise class)? Did we make the suitable decisions with the resorts we booked, and any issues to concentrate on with them? Any eating places we are able to’t miss in Reykjavik? What are our odds seeing the Northern Lights in late October? Will I’ve points driving as a Floridian, or will circumstances nonetheless be high quality? Thanks!!
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