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Amsterdam & Iceland or Loire

Currently there are some really great fares from Boston so I am just starting to plan my first solo trip to Amsterdam in late October and would like to add in one other stop. Due to PTO constraints I will only have 8 – 10 nights available (not including the overnight flight). I am trying to decide whether to do an Iceland stopover for 3 nights with 5 nights in Amsterdam or the 5 nights Amsterdam with 3 nights in the Loire Valley & 2 in Paris (I have been to Paris twice, but can’t be that close and not make at least a short visit:).

Both the Loire and Iceland are on my list of “places to see before I die” and I could easily fill up the 3 days in either. I am looking for input on 2 fronts – first which may be more “solo travel friendly” for my first foray into the solo travel front and second which may offer the best experience for late October travel. I also have some concerns about just how expensive Iceland is. Unless I am inputting the numbers incorrectly into the currency converter, it looks like a lot of the various tours/activities run $150 - $300 pp for say the snowmobiling or Golden Triangle bus tours! There was even one that had a single person supplement of of about $60 - I've never heard that before!

Thank you in advance - Joann

Posted by
7052 posts

I can only speak for Iceland. It has always been expensive (relative to other European countries, except Nordic/Scandinavian ones), so if it's on your "must" list, then I suppose it doesn't matter when you go (although when they had their financial crash, I'm sure prices went down - I don't know what it's like now). I did all my day tours with Reykjavik Excursions and they were around $100-$125 a pop (no single supplement because they had enough people to make it economically feasible for them to run the tour) back in 2004. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed it there - so much so, I went back for another trip. It's extremely easy to travel there - the tourist infrastructure is top notch and it's easy to communicate with everyone. No problems at all for a solo traveler. Late October is probably not the ideal time to go, however, given the very short and dark days. If you're going to visit, you may as well go during their glorious sun-never-goes-down days which are in the summertime. Reykjavik always has things to do in the evenings, dark or not - it's quite a cosmopolitan place with a small city feel. You can easily spend 3 days there without going on any tours (although getting out of Reykjavik showcases some of Iceland's many wonders).

I believe Iceland Air is having a flash sale right now (I just deleted one of their e-mails) with round trips for $399 - I noticed that the timing of travel began in October. A really inexpensive flight may offset some of the tour fees and other expenses.

Posted by
6113 posts

Iceland is certainly the more unusual scenery of your two choices, but it is eye wateringly expensive. If you are going to go there, you need to get out of Reykjavik for the best scenery. I spent 10 days there in May a few years ago and the only time I went to Reykjavik was the flight in and out. I hired a car, as driving is easy there, as there is little traffic. Look into hiring a car, even if it's just for one day, compared to the price of organised tours.

By the end of October, there will be c 8 hours of daylight in Iceland and there is a risk of rain and snow. There will be an increased risk of rain in October in the Loire too, but snow is unlikely. September would be a better month to visit here, but October is possible. If your holidays always have to be late October, then go for Iceland, but if you can go in future years in June-September, then opt for the Loire this time.

Posted by
396 posts

Thank you both so much for your input. After reading your posts, I think I'm going to go with the Loire this time around. While I knew Iceland would be cold I really didn't think about the possibility of snow and that alone is enough to change my mind! I do not always have to travel in October, so I will save it for the summer months.

This was a quick decision based on the airfares I am seeing now. I have already taken a week long trip for college visits earlier this year and have 2 shorter local getaways planned for July & September so "eye wateringly expensive" is a pretty good deterrent for this year as well!

Thanks again for taking the time!
Joann

Posted by
8075 posts

We have been to both the Loire Valley and Iceland. Although we were only in Iceland for one day (did the Golden Circle) on a cruise.

Icelandic Air usually has a free stopover in Iceland for a transatlantic trip.

Frankly, I would do the Loire Valley in conjunction with a visit to Paris or Normandy.

Posted by
6713 posts

I'll just chime in to agree with your decision. Iceland is wonderful but late October is questionable because of cold and less daylight. The Loire is also a great destination and in three days you can see enough to decide whether you want to return for a longer visit, or not.

Take the TGV to Tours, rent a car, and go either east or west depending on your sightseeing choices. Lots of advice on the France board here if you want or need it.

Posted by
396 posts

Thank you all for your replies. I have decided to go with the Loire Valley and save Iceland for another time when I can go during the summer months, or at least early Fall.

Thanks again!
joann