A girl on a misson to see as much as possible.
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3 NIGHTS in ICELAND solo over Easter weekend, in a few pictures (Thereâs a gazillion more where these came from) âI flew out from London Luton airport with Wizz Air, arriving in Reykjavik around 6pm, and flew back on Monday at 6pm. This was a perfect four day break from the city: So much fresh air and different landscapes... It felt like going on a 3 weeks vacation to a different planet, when it really was just 3 days, a 2.5 hour flight from London. Perfect!
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Disclaimer: This is an itinerary for slightly mad travellers like me who donât mind cramming A LOT in one day. Of course, I would had loved to spend more time everywhere, but did my best with time constraints. Guides on both days called me crazy when I told them I was doing these two tours in a row... (Oh well... You don't know me! hehe)
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A lot of people rent cars and just self-drive around Iceland. This is definetly the cheapest way to do it, and a good option if you don't want to rush around and want to spend longer at each stop. However, I didnât want to drive: Donât particularly enjoy driving, especially not by myself, worst sense of directions, like meeting people on tours, wanted a guide. So, I decided to join organised day tours instead.
âI also decided not to do the Golden Circle after reading that it was very touristy, and there were other things I wanted to see more. No regrets!
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âI also decided not to do the Golden Circle after reading that it was very touristy, and there were other things I wanted to see more. No regrets!
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Where to stay in reykjavik
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I stayed at the Radisson Blue Saga Hotel for 3 nights. Scroll down to the bottom of this article for a review of the hotel!
What I learned? It doesnât matter where you sleep if you are following this itinerary. It could be the cheapest deal you find out of the city if you want, as you will just go to your hotel to sleep and be picked up and dropped off.
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What I learned? It doesnât matter where you sleep if you are following this itinerary. It could be the cheapest deal you find out of the city if you want, as you will just go to your hotel to sleep and be picked up and dropped off.
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Friday evening (TRAVELLING DAY)
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I had dinner at Mimir Restaurant. This fine dining Icelandic restaurant is located inside the hotel, and the food was absolutely incredible. Would definetly recommend if you are staying at Radisson Blu Saga, and want to splurge on a delicious dinner one evening!
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Saturday (Full day 1): Diamond BEach Day tour with arctic adventures (South Coast)
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My friend recommended Arctic Adventures tour company and I'm glad she did! So easy to book online, free cancellation up to 24h before, and you could get a discount if you book 3 tours with them! They don't take more than 20 people max, and the mini buses are brand new, with good wifi and USB plugs on board to charge your phone.
This tour was AMAZING.
âThey pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. Itâs a LONG day (pick up at 8 and drop off after 10pm) but you get to see SO MUCH of the South Coast! I almost didnât book this because I had read it was a 5h drive to Diamond Beach, but the landscape is so beautiful, it keeps changing, and the drive really flew by!
âThey pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. Itâs a LONG day (pick up at 8 and drop off after 10pm) but you get to see SO MUCH of the South Coast! I almost didnât book this because I had read it was a 5h drive to Diamond Beach, but the landscape is so beautiful, it keeps changing, and the drive really flew by!
We also stopped off at viewpoints pretty much every 30 mins. We were a small group and the guide was super flexible, changing the itinerary slightly with the weather. Diamond Beach and Jokularson Lagoon were so worth the drive!
Sun day (full day 2): SnaefelLsnes peninsula with arctic adventures (west coast)
âAnother long day, touring the west coast this time! I paid for the optional volcano cave tour on the day and Iâm glad I did! I was worried this would be too similar to the first day but it really was so different. A lot more beaches, coastal paths, cliffs, volcanos... And the drive flew by too!
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MONDAY (travelling day): Blue lagoon
I decided to head to the Blue Lagoon on my way to the airport, after reading that it was so close to Keflavik. After hearing all kind of things, from âNot worth the hypeâ to âAmazingâ I thought Iâd go and decide for myself. Booked through the Blue Lagoon website (Thereâs a transfer option when you check out. I was picked up from my hotel and dropped off at the airport. All buses on time, so easy!) â
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Is the blue lagoon worth it?
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Yes yes yes (in my opinion) if you can splurge! Really unique and beautiful. I was worried it would feel too touristy and crowded, but it didn't. I went from 12am (pick up 10:30am from my hotel) until 3pm (Pick up 3:10pm to airport) which was fine since I was travelling solo, but I would recommend spending 4 hours if you are travelling with a partner and would like to enjoy a meal at the cafe or restaurant as well.
âI was very impressed with the service (everything was so well organised, there are lockers to store luggages, they give you a wrislet you can use to pay so you don't have to carry your bag/wallet around, the changing rooms were very clean and luxurious.) I was expecting a similar experience to the Szechenyi Baths in Budapest, but it was much more luxurious, and I would say the price (87⬠entry fee) is justified. â
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Getting your hair wet is not recommended (oops...) As the water contains a lot of sulphates which will ruin your hair. There is hair conditioner in the showers, but if you do get your hair wet, learn from my mistake and bring your own shampoo (There is only shower gel).
Do it for the gram? There are plenty of hair dryers in the changing rooms. As well as dry towels, body lotion and make up remover pads. You can even rent out a bathing suit, robe and flip flops, if you didn't bring one with you! â |
There is a gorgeous lagoon outside the Blue Lagoon Spa building which you can walk around and take beautiful pictures! (Which I didn't know about until I got there) So allow some time for a full on photoshoot, either before or after your visit to the spa lagoon.
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review âof RADISSON BLU SAGA HOTEL, reykjavik
âHow to get to Radisson Blu Saga Hotel from Reykjavik airport: I booked a FlyBus transfer via the Arctic Adventures website which was about £20. Super easy to find when you come out of the airport, they run very often and on time! You can select an option to be dropped off at your hotel which is £5 more. I got off at the Bus Terminal which is a 5-10 min walk from the hotel. Super easy!
The Radisson Blu Saga Hotel is a large complex. The staff was super helpful throughout the stay and my room was absolutely massive! There are ThisWorks amenities in the room (Working in beauty I always appreciate some good in-room products!) The breakfast was a beautiful buffet with a very wide selection.
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Review of mimir restaurant, fine dining at radisson blu saga, reykjavik
âThe food was a tasty as it was pretty!
âI went for a typical Icelandic menu, with roasted lamb, and it was incredible!
All in all, this trip was short but sweet. I did not feel frustrated going home... You know that feeling, when you feel there is so much more you could had done and seen, but just not enough time? I would love to be back one day, possibly in a different season, as I imagine the sceneries must change completely from summer to winter. I would also love to explore the Northern part of Iceland - Which everyone I spoke with seemed to have loved! Of course - The Northern lights are still on my bucket list, but you would have to really luck out with the weather (need very clear skies!)