Iceland

[magbrin]

Just returned from 3 weeks in Iceland. We hired a 4x4 van. To get there from Scotland the only way is to cross to Europe (closest - Newcastle to Amsterdam), drive to/through Denmark and get a ferry via the Faroe Islands to Iceland.
No wildcamping but campsites are very reasonably priced with basic facilities, You do not need to book and many may as well have been "wild". The main ring road round the island is very busy with vans of all shapes and sizes, car campers and visitors driving round in just a few days staying in B&Bs/hotels. We stayed off this road as far as possible and covered over 3000km. Main roads are tarmac but a lot of roads are gravel, and some need 4 wheel drive.
Scenery, geology, and bird life amazing - minimal land based mammals, but seals, whales and dolphins off shore. Swimming pools in every town/village with hot tubs and showers. very reasonably priced and if you are over 67 half price or free. Expensive geothermal Spas like the Blue Lagoon and small geothermal pools (some free) are also available.

 

[kernewek]

Looks amazing Margaret - what an adventure!

 

[magbrin]

Looks amazing Margaret - what an adventure!

It was quite a trip! The hired van, however, was not a patch on our own VW Crafter conversion. It was very cramped, with a fixed bed at the back, and the kitchen going across part of the sliding door, and seats that we were told didn't swivel (on return, we were told that they did - we should have tried harder to find a way!). The best thing was that we didn't have to drive our van on all the gravel roads.

 

[Aussie sprinter]

Looks fantastic!! Thanks for the info

 

[Boris7]

Soo jealous, Can I ask where you hired the 4x4 MH from please.

 

[Stanski]

Soo jealous, Can I ask where you hired the 4x4 MH from please.

Also interested.
Lovely pics
An intriguing island.
Had heard the island is very popular now.
Did you have any unexpected incidents, or awkward travel?
Thanks

 

[MikeSafer]

Thanks for sharing all the details, helpful! The info about the campsites being basic but feeling almost like wild camping is good to know, especially with Iceland’s restrictions.

 

[magbrin]

Soo jealous, Can I ask where you hired the 4x4 MH from please.

Sorry for the delay! It was a company called Touring Cars, near Keflavik airport, but there are masses of car/van hire companies and I am sure most of them have 4x4s. It was a panel van, and not the best layout, but it did the job!

 

[magbrin]

Also interested.
Lovely pics
An intriguing island.
Had heard the island is very popular now.
Did you have any unexpected incidents, or awkward travel?
Thanks

Thanks. It is popular. and we kept away from the main tourist areas as far as possible. No incidents or awkward travel, but long stretches of not a lot in some areas, and a lot of gravel/dirt roads, so if you did break down it could be a bit of a problem.

 

[Polar Bear]

Just returned from 3 weeks in Iceland. We hired a 4x4 van. To get there from Scotland the only way is to cross to Europe (closest - Newcastle to Amsterdam), drive to/through Denmark and get a ferry via the Faroe Islands to Iceland.
No wildcamping but campsites are very reasonably priced with basic facilities, You do not need to book and many may as well have been "wild". The main ring road round the island is very busy with vans of all shapes and sizes, car campers and visitors driving round in just a few days staying in B&Bs/hotels. We stayed off this road as far as possible and covered over 3000km. Main roads are tarmac but a lot of roads are gravel, and some need 4 wheel drive.
Scenery, geology, and bird life amazing - minimal land based mammals, but seals, whales and dolphins off shore. Swimming pools in every town/village with hot tubs and showers. very reasonably priced and if you are over 67 half price or free. Expensive geothermal Spas like the Blue Lagoon and small geothermal pools (some free) are also available.

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When I did Iceland I took the ferry from Aberdeen via Faroes to Iceland. On the return I had a three day stop over on Faroe'.

 

[myvanwy]

Never wanted to go but SWMBO arranged a hol there. Very pricey. Did all the usual touristy stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
The lasting memory though, the water stinks even in the hotels.

 

[Boris7]

So I'm going, don't have any details sorted, but that next weeks project.

 

[Robmac]

When I did Iceland I took the ferry from Aberdeen via Faroes to Iceland. On the return I had a three day stop over on Faroe'.

Good to hear from you Wilhelm.

How did the van conversion go?

 

[Polar Bear]

Good to hear from you Wilhelm.

How did the van conversion go?

It's been a rough year (Health wise) but will be re-starting soon. Thanks for asking.

 

[Robmac]

It's been a rough year (Health wise) but will be re-starting soon. Thanks for asking.

Sorry to hear that Wilhelm.

Hope the recovery continues well and swiftly.

 

[magbrin]

When I did Iceland I took the ferry from Aberdeen via Faroes to Iceland. On the return I had a three day stop over on Faroe'.

That must have been a while ago. Our son went in the early 2000s from Lerwick via the Faroes, but the route has been long since discontinued. Like ferries from Scotland to Scandinavia. I hear rumours, though, that DFDS are starting a ferry from Rosyth to northern France. It won't help Scandinavia or Iceland but it might be worth considering for France/Germany/Southern Europe.