Tag: icelandair

Reykjavik, Iceland Winter 2024

by ginnyinshanghai

That’s right……………we headed back to Iceland!

Eric found direct flights to Iceland from Orlando and after conferring with Adrienne, we found a week to head north.

So excited to be on another journey to one of my (current) top places to visit. In my excitement, forgot a few steps after landing……………….deplaning outside before catching a bus to the terminal. Had to dig out the scarves, gloves and headwear from the backpack!

Yep, a great way to get used to the chilly temps for us Floridans.

Going in November we got to see the beginning of Christmas displays.

We all were able to utilize carry-on luggage and a backpack (each) so no waiting at the luggage carousel.

Short walk to the BLUE rental car company and we were quickly on our 45-minute drive to Reykjavik. We rented an apartment and got really good directions, even though we went around the block a few times. OOps. There was a parking garage underneath the building and after a few trial & errors……. we got inside and parked.

The place was next door to Hotel Borg and the key box was in the opposite alley. Eric went upstairs where another key box happened to be located, and we procured both sets of keys!

Our place was the middle balcony overlooking a square.

We made the decision to pay for the prior night of our arrival thus ensuring we had immediate access upon arrival. Flights from the U.S. arrive very early Icelandic time. Five hours was the time difference from home. My body thought it was 3am.

Two bedrooms, a living area and a small kitchen was perfect for our needs.

First order of business was breakfast after dropping off luggage and no better place than right next door at Hotel Borg at their buffet. They had a variety of offerings but truly, I wanted the basics then some sleep. Two cups of coffee had absolutely no effect on my sleeping at that point.

Four hours of sleep truly made a difference for the afternoon plans……Sky Lagoon. Originally, it seemed a bit at odds to jump into water in Iceland but LOVE their thermal baths and lagoons.

This visit (yes, there is another one) was part of a package, but more on that in another post. Here are a few highlights:

Steaming water viewed after showering and putting on swimsuits.
Three delighted participants.
Eric leading the way into the main body of water.
Liquid refreshment.

Hour+ later we met at their bar for other nourishment.

An initial tasting of lamb stew – Icelandic lamb was the only reason I now enjoy lamb.

Even in this climate, I found flowers. The center flowers are related to cabbage and tolerate colder temps and looked great.

They were surrounded by a pink heather.

Even in their winter, we found plenty of activities and as long as you’re dressed in layers, you can brave almost anything here. Hang tight, more posts to come.

Ginny

Iceland 2024

by ginnyinshanghai

We came back!!!!!

We hit another anniversary milestone and I couldn’t believe that Eric offered this option to celebrate the years. I’ve always known I would be going back but had no plans formulated. But even before we left the states, we had some ‘angst’. Really?

We booked our flights on Icelandair, but we had a layover in Boston, with the first leg being served by JetBlue. Okay, no problem, until we couldn’t check-in online and get our boarding passes for the first leg. Okay. We got to Terminal C and the service desk for JetBlue could check us in – but no boarding passes yet. Aarrgghh. Okay, she assured us we had seats, but still had to go to the gate for our seats. Okay. I’m not liking the sound of this but there’s nothing we can do at this point.

Being in Terminal C gave us the chance to try out their new lounge. The bar was on the 4th floor and overlooked the other arriving passengers.

Very nice and obviously very new.

There were a few differences between the one we normally visit in Terminal B. All the drinks and food was complimentary in Terminal B. Here there were comp options and other things had small surcharges. I couldn’t resist ordering these fried cheese sticks – very 1980s – good, hot and tasty.

Okay, got to the gate, got our seats……..the absolute, v.e.r.y last row in the plane. We’re smiling only because we’re on the plane.

Plenty of time for our layover and the next flight was again, v.e.r.y different, luckily in the opposite way. We were some of the first to board and were given an option of prosecco while the remainder were boarding. I’m liking this! Eric stuck with the Icelandic water since he would be driving after landing.

Our flight and temps when we land.

This flight was such a difference. Almost made up for the earlier flight – almost. Eric slept 3+ hours of the 4.5 hour flight. He felt somewhat refreshed, I did not.

Not too often do we walk off the plane onto the tarmac.

Since our bags were carry-on size, no waiting at the baggage claim. We walked outside towards the Blue Car Rental Service area and got our wheels for the next 9 days.

Next up? Storm Hotel in Reykjavik.

Adrienne and I stayed there in 2019 and were quite happy with the location, the accommodations AND the included (help yourself breakfast) before crashing. Similar to the past, we paid for the room the night prior and could instantly get into it.

That extra expense is sooooooo worth it. I would advise anyone coming from the states to do it. All of our American flights get in super early. Our flight was on-time at 5:30am, their time. We got a few bites of breakfast then I got almost 4 hours of sleep before our next adventure. Which I know will be one of the highlights of the trip for me.

Ginny

I’m apologizing in advance………I was so very tired when writing this, I kept going over and over and over everything I wrote. Undoubtedly there are some wrong words used, but I needed to posted.