We are on the east coast and can fly direct from Boston. I’m contemplating a long weekend in Iceland for my 45th birthday in October. Could do 3, maybe 4, nights max. I know October will be colder- and I have no plans to drive a rental car myself. Would a 2 day tours be too much for a short trip? One to the south coast and one golden circle? It would be just my husband and I. We are mid 40s and reasonably well traveled.
I forgot to mention that we have no interest in lagoons or spas
Definitely do 4 nights. Day tours are good or you could do 2 day/1 night tour. The south coast and Snæfellsnes are great places for a short trip. The Golden Circle is fine, but I would give that up in lieu of these two.
October may be cold, or not. That is my favorite time there as weather is typically not horrible and it’s a good chance to see the northern lights.
Happy birthday, sounds like a good long weekend from Boston. (Wouldn't work for me.) It will probably be cold. And I understand that October is a good month to see the northern lights.
We did a Golden Circle van tour from Reykjavik with Nice Travel. On the way back, the driver dropped off a couple in a town south of Reykavik, where they were going to spend the night in a hotel and then be taken to the south coast -- i.e. a two-day tour covering both areas. You might consider that instead of two separate day tours from Reykjavik. I expect other companies have similar combinations.
Dick--Nice Travel is good as you know. There are many other tour companies that do the same tours. Troll is one that we have used many times, but have also done day trips with Bus Travel Iceland and well as Nice Travel. Arctic Adventures is another that has a good reputation, although our snowmobiling trip with them was cancelled due to extreme weather. This was in early March though, so solidly winter where October is not.
Two day tours in three or four nights doesn’t seem much to me especially since you are not driving. The Golden Circle is the one and doesn’t take up the whole day while the South Coast is a longer day but has some really nice scenery, waterfalls and the black sand beach.
With a trip those two tours would actually give you a good taste of Iceland without having to spend the whole time moving around. Then keep the rest of the time for Reykjavik. Don’t try to squeeze in too many extra things. Since you are not interested, in lagoons or spas that makes the planning a bit easier too.
