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Ice ice baby
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Only done the South but can thoroughly recommend it as a destination. Not sure you can really plan to see the Aurora, just hope that a good show coincides with a clear sky! Car hire was expensive (£800 for 10 days inc fuel), accommodation was reasonable (pricewise, comfort and warmth was excellent everywhere we stayed), food was edible (harder for veggies but not impossible) but a bit pricey, drink was not cheap (buy at duty free on entry). Highlights for me included (but weren't restricted to) the cliffs and beaches at Vik, the ice lagoon and beach, assorted waterfalls and the horses + reindeer.
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If you look back at this year's trip thread in the meetings (IIRC) area, you'll find where we stayed and a rough itinerary. Distances between towns are huge, so be prepared with sarnies and flasks of coffee/tea just in case. Photos of the aurora can only capture a hint of their beauty so don't forget to use the Mk 1 eyeballs as well as cameras. Listen for them as well. Reindeer seem to ignore cars but will run away as soon as you get out, so just wind a window down to get any shot. The horses (look like ponies here) are more friendly and will come up to investigate.
Good luck with the aurora - we were very lucky that there was a massive storm (electromagnetic not atmospheric!) on the one really clear night we had - even the locals were impressed.
Good luck with the aurora - we were very lucky that there was a massive storm (electromagnetic not atmospheric!) on the one really clear night we had - even the locals were impressed.
StewartR
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Fair enough. It's just that when I went to Iceland, we didn't have a single night when there were both clear skies and auroral displays. We had both during our trip (allegedly - of course I can't confirm the latter from my direct experience) but not at the same time.
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On the plus side a geomagnetic storm with a kp index of 3, according to - http://www.aurora-service.eu/ - should be visible from all of Iceland, and kp3 is not that uncommon, (even though at present the index is just over 2).
On the minus side, as mentioned above, the weather in Iceland in not always the best for viewing the aurora. There is even a semi permanent low pressure area called the Icelandic Low.
I can imagine a full moon could reduce the effect of the aurora so that might be best avoided but strong storms are likely to be impressive even with a moon.
From what I have seen of Iceland there is a lot to see without the aurora but I can understand the lights being very desirable.
Dave
On the minus side, as mentioned above, the weather in Iceland in not always the best for viewing the aurora. There is even a semi permanent low pressure area called the Icelandic Low.
I can imagine a full moon could reduce the effect of the aurora so that might be best avoided but strong storms are likely to be impressive even with a moon.
From what I have seen of Iceland there is a lot to see without the aurora but I can understand the lights being very desirable.
Dave
madmackem
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Don't use groupon or similar schemes, do it yourself, more freedom to go where you want. We booked up ourselves, EasyJet flights from Edinburgh less than £70 return, stopping at a hotel on the outskirts of Reykjavík - Hotel Kriunes - (didn't want to be in the city) 4 wheel drive car booked through car-del-mar. The holiday wasn't that expensive but eating and drinking out can be! Good blog here
http://www.alexcornell.com/iceland-travel-guide/
http://www.alexcornell.com/iceland-travel-guide/