Episode 29: Tips for Exploring Iceland Golden Circle

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It’s no secret that Iceland is one of my favorite travel destinations. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Iceland three times and as I wrap up writing my first book, an Iceland travel guide for adventure seekers, I figured I would share some quick tips for visiting Iceland on the podcast.

In this episode, my best friend and I share our thoughts on visiting Iceland for the first time (Sosa) and third time (me). We also recap touring Iceland’s Golden Circle. The Golden Circle is one of the most popular routes in Southern Iceland. Don’t miss the must-see attractions like Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park – where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates are shifting apart and the roaring Gullfoss waterfall.

Ready to plan your epic trip to the Land of Fire & Ice? Grab a copy of my Iceland travel guide – Iceland: Nature, Nurture & Adventure available on Amazon now!

In this episode we cover:

Iceland’s unpredictable weather
Things to do in Iceland
- Seltún Geothermal Area
- Blue Lagoon (and other less expensive Blue Lagoon alternatives)
- Golden Circle Tour
Benefits of going on bus tours in Iceland
Things to see on the Golden Circle
- Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Efstidalur 2 (farm) for homemade Icelandic ice cream
- Feed Icelandic horses
- Geysir
- Gullfoss

Why go on bus tours instead of renting a car in Iceland?

I know a lot of people recommend renting a car in Iceland but honestly, I don’t feel like you have to if you don’t want to.

During my three trips to Iceland, I never rented a car. I’ve only done bus tours.

Each bus tour is dynamic – you learn about the Icelandic culture, the people and the unique things about the region you’re visiting.

On bus tours you also don’t have worry about navigating the roads. The roads in Iceland are really narrow, so narrow that if a tour bus is coming at you, you have to go off the road to let the bus pass. Driving in Iceland could be quite dangerous so take the necessary precautions.

Lastly, bus tours are economical. We got so much value out of our group tours. For the Golden Circle Tour, we boarded the bus at 11:30 a.m. and didn’t get back until 7:30 p.m.

We had a full day of sightseeing!

*Natural Icelandic ice cream with a view.*

Where to book your Golden Circle Tour?

We booked our guided Golden Circle Tour with Reykjavik Sightseeing.

Our classic tour cost 6,990 ISK or $60 USD per person.

You can also book a Golden Circle Tour with Guide to Iceland or any reputable guided tour company in Iceland.

A special thank you to our sponsor!

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Danielle Desir Corbett

Danielle Desir Corbett paid off $63,000 of student loan debt in 4 years, bought a house at 27, and has traveled to 27 countries, including her favorites, Iceland, China, and Bermuda. Go here to learn Danielle’s incredible story, from struggling financially and in debt to finding creative ways to earn more and live on her terms. Listen to The Thought Card Podcast, where Danielle shares how you can creatively travel more and build wealth regardless of your current financial situation. Reach out to Danielle by contacting: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.