We will be there Sep 26-30, 2016
I'm always interested in getting to know people in different countries and how they live.
Are there neighborhoods that in the areas that are more Icelandic where there are not so many tourists?
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Go around Iceland by bus and stay on the way in airbnb.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7052 posts
There are residential areas all over Reykjavik (most of Reykjavik in fact). If you take a stroll around off the main commercial drag(s), you'll easily see them. I'm sure you can find a nice home stay or b&b on www.booking.com that will allow for some interaction with Icelanders. Also, there are many coffee shops where you can chat. It's also worthwhile to get out of Reykjavik to see how people live in small villages scattered throughout the country. I took a guided tour and was (by chance) the only participant, so I talked to my Icelandic guide throughout the whole day - it was great!
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9142 posts
I would go out and ride the Icelandic horses, then you get to meet the people on the farms.
Posted by
Denver
53 posts
Icelandair was offering a Stopover Buddy service, which apparently was successful. It looks like they might be coming back in fall 2016. They match travelers with Icelanders (Icelandair employees) for various activities.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8297 posts
I heard on television the other day that the Icelanders drink more coffee than anywhere on earth.
My young cousin was a Marine U.S. Embassy guard stationed in Iceland. When they'd want to go to town for a night out, they'd hitchhike. Very often, a car load of beautiful blonde women would pick them up and carry them to town. Then the ladies would ask them what time they wanted to go back to their base.
Iceland should be #1 on any Marine's wish list of places to get stationed.