I have just booked for Christmas in Iceland this year. First thought about this last week and booked it today. Life's too short.. This is my first JY holiday and I'm looking forward to meeting fellow travellers here before we go.:thumbup:

Clare

You are right, life is just too short. I am sure you will have a great time in Iceland. I am hoping to visit Iceland one of these days. Have a fantastic Christmas in Iceland.

Jaya

I went to Iceland for New Year last year and had a marvellous time. A few tips: it will be VERY cold (-15 one day) but if you wrap up with plenty of layers you will be OK. Take some ice gripper boots, I bought some from House of Bath which gripped really well and were very warm, but delivery was slow so order in plenty of time. Iceland is expensive so you may need a little more money than usual.

Food everywhere was very good and the people most friendly and all speak English.

Have a great time.

I did the Iceland trip in March (if you have a look around the community threads, you'll find reviews by SallyC, Bob Gray and me). We all had an amazing time. I agree it can be very cold (and exceptionally windy) but you will be in and out of the bus all of the time so layers are definitely the way to go. The Hotel is also very warm and comfortable.

With regard to footwear, to give you more flexibility, if you don't already have walking boots, I suggest buying the grippers that you can take on and off your trainers/shoes. This way, you won't have to take extra shoes for inside restaurants and the hotel etc. I bought some 'YakTrax' online which were very effective and easy to pop on and off.

Happy to answer any other questions that you may have,

Have a super time

Mandy

I already have ice grippers - saw them in Lidl and thought they would come in useful! - so will definitely be taking those. Generally I don't have a problem with cold, though I guess -15 deg is a bit extreme!

Thanks for taking the time to post as tips from people who have been there before are very helpful and reassuring. I will certainly hunt out the other posts you mentioned.

This trip is pretty expensive to start with, I thought, and I know Iceland isn't cheap. Any tips to keep the costs down?

Early days yet, but I'm looking forward to meeting others here before we go.

Clare

It's true that it's expensive but I wouldn't say that it's any more so than, say Italy. The great thing about this trip is that your have a lot of your meals included in the price (usually you only get breakfasts) and that really saves you a lot. The food - by the way - is amazing.

Another tip is that the hotel does a 'Happy hour' (actually two hours) every evening and, while I'm tee total so it didn't really help me, most of my fellow JYs were able to 'stock up' on beers etc in the evenings.

The best tip however, is to make sure that you have all your till receipts validated and keep them safe, because at the airport you can claim back all of the VAT you have been charged. It's a really simple process and you can either take cash (if you have time to wait while it is calculated) or they can put the money back on your credit card which takes about ten days.

Other than optional entry fees, for example the clock tower at the cathedral is a must even if you don't like heights, there's really only souvenirs, snacks and tips for your guide to think about.

Have a wonderful time - I'd love to go back one day

All the best

Mandy

Hello

I have just booked for Christmas in Iceland this year. First thought about this last week and booked it today. Life's too short.. This is my first JY holiday and I'm looking forward to meeting fellow travellers here before we go.:thumbup:

Clare

Hi Clare

I have just booked for Christmas in Iceland as well so look forward to meeting you. Have been on JY holidays before and have enjoyed all of them so far.

Elaine

Ann

Hello

I have just booked for Christmas in Iceland this year. First thought about this last week and booked it today. Life's too short.. This is my first JY holiday and I'm looking forward to meeting fellow travellers here before we go.:thumbup:

Clare

Hi Clare

I have just booked for Christmas in Iceland as well so look forward to meeting you. Have been on JY holidays before and have enjoyed all of them so far.

Elaine

Hi Clare and Elaine, I booked yesterday and am really looking forward to a very different Christmas this year in Iceland. My first JY holiday. Looking forward to meeting you both soon.

Gill

Looking forward to meeting you in December. I'm finding my Google searches in idle moments these days seem to be all things Icelandic (but mainly what to wear!) If I find anything exciting or useful I'll share it here.

Clare

Another tip - M&S do an excellent range of thermal T- shirts and leggings. Just the thing for standing on a golf course outside Reykjavik at midnight in sub zero temperatures Northern Lights spotting (as we did!). They are really handy to wear under jeans etc and pack easily. I'll certainly be re-using mine on the JY trip to Alaska next May!

At the other end of the spectrum - don't forget to take your swimming costumes for a dip in the Blue Lagoon (towels and lockers are provided). The local guide will also probably try to persuade you to visit one of the multitude of open air swimming pools- most Icelanders swim daily - they are all naturally heated and supposedly a fantastic experience, but I must admit that I didn't dabble....

Have fun

Mandy

Hi Gill and Elaine

Looking forward to meeting you in December. I'm finding my Google searches in idle moments these days seem to be all things Icelandic (but mainly what to wear!) If I find anything exciting or useful I'll share it here.

Clare

Hi Claire Gill, Elaine

New to JY and the Northern Lights are on my Bucket List! After reading you posts it gives me the push to book this, wanted to go away for Christmas for a few years and I've never got round to it or too late to book anything! Do you know if the only airport is London?

Marianne 😉

No idea about other airports but I'm sure JY can help.

I went away for the first time at Christmas last year and its the way to go! I am having Christmas with my boys on 13 December as I decided it doesn't matter when it happens and this way, I'm in charge!

Just bought some 'super cosy fleece lined footless tights' from Primark today which I shall be road testing!

Clare

Welcome to Just You!! I'm glad to hear that you're thinking of joining us on a festive break. We do only fly from London Heathrow for Christmas in Iceland, but if you speak to one our friendly holiday advisors they may be able to give you some regional connecting flights details.

Kindest Regards,

Monty

I agree with DavidG in that New Year fireworks in Iceland is spectacular. I spent this Christmas with another company walking in eastern Algarve, Portugal, and even recommended JY Iceland for New Year to my fellow travellers!

Regards

Sylvia

Hi Ladies

Another tip - M&S do an excellent range of thermal T- shirts and leggings. Just the thing for standing on a golf course outside Reykjavik at midnight in sub zero temperatures Northern Lights spotting (as we did!). They are really handy to wear under jeans etc and pack easily. I'll certainly be re-using mine on the JY trip to Alaska next May!

At the other end of the spectrum - don't forget to take your swimming costumes for a dip in the Blue Lagoon (towels and lockers are provided). The local guide will also probably try to persuade you to visit one of the multitude of open air swimming pools- most Icelanders swim daily - they are all naturally heated and supposedly a fantastic experience, but I must admit that I didn't dabble....

Have fun

Mandy

Hi Mandy,

I'm booked on the Alaska trip in may also. Lovely to hear from someone else going. I look forward to meeting you!

Bridget