OUR TOUR OF ICELAND

We took the Golden Circle South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik.  Cost:  $135/person.

Seeing Iceland’s south coast in a single day can feel rushed or impersonal on large coach tours, but this small-group experience offers a more comfortable and flexible way to explore. Travel from Reykjavik in a luxury minibus through volcanic landscapes, stopping at highlights such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara, and the Solheimajökull glacier.

• Check off multiple attractions of Iceland's coast in just one trip
• Pickup and drop-off included from central Reykjavik for ease
• With a capped group size, enjoy better access to viewpoints.
• Onboard Wi-Fi keeps you connected throughout the day.

South Coast Itinerary Map & Route

The South Coast route runs east-southeast along Route 1 (Ring Road) toward Vík:

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: Walk entirely behind the cascading sheet of water.
Skógafoss Waterfall: Climb the high staircase for panoramic coastal views.
Sólheimajökull Glacier (Optional): Catch views of the retreating glacial tongue.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: See the dramatic basalt columns and roaring Atlantic waves. [1]

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

High-end transport is a key perk of this tour; travel by luxury Mercedes minibus.

Read more about - Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

I provide all the above information because the reality was something else.  Here is what really happened:

• From 7:30AM when we were picked up at the Hilton until we were dropped off at around 3PM, it rained.  Sometimes very hard,.  Never stopped at all, although there were moments of mere drizzle

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  Our tour was mostly riding around.

• The first hour was just getting to our initial visit site.
• Nothing much to see outside as the scenery was ground covered with some growth, in the rain and fog.  A few horses, sheep and cattle.  No towns or villages.  Just volcanic desolation, and subsequent growth of moss.
• Being from Hawaii, we are familiar with the volcanic-related stops, so nothing was new.
• The temperature was in the low 50's.  Not bad, actually, for this is August.  But the relative cold plus rain made it difficult for me to do much outside the mini-bus.
• Initial words from Gunnar, our driver and tour guide:

• Lunch of fish soup and beer at our long Geysirs stop.   Cost around $35!!!

• Video of our short walk at the Geysirs.  They spell it differently.

Our final attraction was Kerid Crater.

• 
  There was no stop in Reykjavik except to our hotel.  We thus are thinking about paying $47/person later today for the Hop On / Hop Off bus that stops right next to our hotel.   There are 16 stops.  We would take a first 90 minute ride for the entire cycle, then stop a couple of places.  If we do, I'll report about this adventure tomorrow. 

Stop 1: Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

Stop 2: The Old Harbour

Stop 3: Reykjavik Maritime Museum

Stop 4: Whales of Iceland

Stop 5: National Museum of Iceland

Stop 6: Lækjargata (Central downtown)

Stop 7: Laugavegur Shopping Street

Stop 8: Reykjavik Art Museum – Kjarvalsstaðir

Stop 9: Hallgrímskirkja Church

Stop 10: BSÍ Bus Terminal

Stop 11: Perlan Museum

Stop 12: Kringlan Shopping Centre

Stop 13: Hilton Reykjavík Nordica

Stop 14: Laugardalur Valley (Family Park and Zoo)

Stop 15: Skarfabakki Cruise Ship Terminal (Summer only)

Stop 16: Höfði House [1]

Well, that was not much.  For those who need to know more, here is a video of the 12 BEST things to do in Rekjavik Iceland.  Just in case we never take the Hop On / Hop Off bust tour.  

Or, this is a video of what our tour could have been with sunshine, eruptions (right), geysers, icy conditions and the like,  None of this appeared on our 6.5 hours mostly in the mini-bus experience.  Maybe we're spoiled, but episode 53 of Kilauea on the Big Island is expected to occur around now.  Here is a photo below from episode 52.

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