We did Iceland as a weekend getaway and it's very doable

I can admit when I have an unhealthy obsession, and currently, that obsession is Iceland. I visited for the first time solo this past December, fell in love, then went back again last month with one of my besties because... well I have a problem.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss waterfall in the winter.

Gullfoss waterfall in the summer.

It's just, ugh, where do I even begin? I'm not a religious person but the closest thing I have is nature, and the understanding energy is always recycled, never created or destroyed. To me, that's the higher power that connects us all. (Oh yes, I'm super hippy dippy so get used to hearing crazy shit like that).

Kleifarvatn Lake

I mean come on, Joan Osborne, if God had a face, it would look like Kleifarvatn Lake and yes I would want to see.

Iceland is full of untouched nature so she's basically a holy land and it FEEDS MY SOUL. Fun fact: it's illegal to drive off-road in Iceland because of the damage it causes to the land. And it is strictly enforced so don't be a dummy and drive off the marked roads when you're cruising in your rental car seeing all the majesty. #1 it's rude AF and #2 you'll get fined. Also yes renting a car is the way to go. It's the cheapest way to get everywhere you want, the most flexible because you don't have to stick to a tour schedule and it's pretty simple to navigate the roads. Just make sure your google maps doesn't have 'avoid highways' checked because then it becomes incredibly difficult to navigate the roads. Your travel buddy might turn on you, and you will get the shadiest side eye you ever saw.

Gullfoss Selfie

Luckily we made it through without killing each other and got to take this super cute pic in front of a waterfall. Aren't we adorable?

Rental places have manual transmission options which I prefer, they are at a lower rate and get better gas mileage. So you can save some dollars if you're cool driving a stick. In December I used Geysir. They were great, the car ran well, and even their lowest cost option had hookups to play music from your phone which was amazing when you're driving an epic road trip. Their office was one of the stops on the airport shuttle which made it very convenient to pick up and drop off. They also take debit cards if you don't have a credit card to put down, as I did not.

This summer I tried to get an even better bargain, and we went with Cheap Car Rental Iceland. I know, the name should have been enough but I vetted the reviews and it seemed a safe bet. It was alright, gave us the bare basics we needed to move from point A to point B. It was just much less convenient than I would have liked. The trunk was hard to open, the engine rattled like a dementor sucking out a soul, there was no way to play music and the guy who ran it was pretty mansplainy and used the phrase, 'I'm not racist' right before saying the first of many racist comments. And they weren't one of the stops on the airport shuttle, so you had to wait for their person to pick you up. It's an option if you really need to pinch that penny. I don't think I'll use them again. The music is a deal breaker for me.

Rental Car

I was so happy to say boy bye to this jalopy. We thought She would leave us for dead in the middle of nowhere.

Some more helpful pointers:

• If you are in the NYC area, you can snag a round-trip ticket to Keflavík for $300-$400. Icelandair and WOW both offer fares in that range regularly. Prices are higher the farther from the Atlantic you are. Sorry west coast, the east coast's got you there.
• Waterproof and wind resistant items are best, including shoes - it's incredibly wet and windy, and you don't want to be miserable. On our excursions I wore stay dry leggings from Old Navy, a tee or sweater, some Ahnu hiking boots and the only waterproof jacket I could find in July from dun dun dun... Costco! (Did you know they deliver? It's life changing, check your zip code). The jacket was great, the only issue was the largest size barely fit, but I made it work. Just no sitting when zipped up.
• Eating and drinking out is expensive - grab groceries for breakfast and snacks (we loved Bonus and got tons of candy to bring home).
• Spend money on lunches - always order the catch of the day - it will be delicious and half the price it would be for dinner.

Catch of the Day

ostabúðin had the most incredible fish dish I've ever eaten. They offer a lunch menu from 11:30 to 14:30. It had a cozy vibe with an attached shop you could walk around while waiting for a table.

• Might as well pick up a bottle of booze duty-free at the airport so you can make some 'getting ready' drinks - make sure you go through customs first and buy at the store they literally make you walk through to exit the airport. Don't waste your time being turned away from the two you'll pass on your way to customs like my dumb ass did.
• If you have a Costco card, you can use it to save money on gas (I love Costco as much as Oprah loves bread).
• Drive the golden circle - an easy day trip when staying in Reykjavik.
• Get a late night hot dog - I love Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur.
• Go to a geothermal spa or hot spring - Blue Lagoon is iconic but pricey, and there are many other cool places for less $$.
• Visit on the weekend Kolaportid flea market for affordable and unique souvenirs.

Lava Rock Jewelry

I finally got myself a piece of lava rock jewelry at the flea market - handmade by Sigal - Israeli Icelandic design. We also got handmade licorice and volcanic ash soaps and some more candy of course.

For real I could go on for pages and pages. I'll share more Iceland stuff later. If you are going on a trip soon, and have any questions, message me! I'd be happy to talk about my favorite place in the world to anyone willing to listen. Stay tuned for more about the land of fire and ice because I'M OBSESSED.