(I’ve not been there, but I wanted to subscribe to the followup comments to see what people have to say.)

I’ve been to Iceland a couple of times and now, whenever I fly from New York to London, I try to fly Icelandair and include a stopover if the price is right. Reykjavik is awesome with a lot of character, it’s fun just walking around the streets and waterfront, and the museum’s are good. I think it’s particularly that the atmosphere is a million miles from either New York or London.

I would trust an independent guide over a tourist board.

As for Iceland it has never been a destination that has appealed to me.

http://www.selectworld.travel/destination-essentials/2007/8/3/iceland-land-of-fire-and-ice-with-explore-family-adventures.html

Here you go Darren, went with Explore last July, Malvern Was flooded and in Iceland they were complaining about drought conditions and it was actually very Hot for the whole week.
Very Expensive, it’s best to stock up with Duty free before you go. One restaurant, cheapest bottle of House wine was £45.00 !!!

Was in Iceland for the first time earlier this year. My knowledge of the country extended to a smattering of biographical information about Bjork, the understanding that everything is very expensive, snow is cold and geysers are hot, and the rather odd pub-quiz factoid that 60% of Icelanders believe in elves. Came back knowing even more about Bjork, assured that everything is even more expensive than you think, that it’s bone-crackingly cold 90% of the time, that puffin meat is as iffy as it sounds, and that Rejkyavik is a totally unique city, every bit as cool as London or Copenhagen, but a lot better looking. Would go back in a second.

I didn’t see any elves, I’m sorry to say

I’d be more likely to believe the independent travel writer.

I figure that a tourist board that’s clever enough to get me interested in a country I’ve never really thought of travelling to must be doing something right, but I agree, I’m more inclined to trust the independent travel writers - or indeed independent travel-rants comment writers who’ve mostly continued to make Iceland sound enticing!

We went to Iceland a couple of years ago at a time when they’d banned whale hunting. We’d recommend everybody tries it at least once because it has some unique geography and tourism assets. It was on our list of places we wanted to visit and although we came back saying “Their marketing machine have done a good job”, we would go back. What we liked was the friendly and well educated people and their resourcefulness to harness geothermal power and the well organised DIY tours to see Iceland by http://www.farmholidays.is/

We did the “RIng Road” tour; all accommodation and wholesome meals left us wanting more. We covered lots of miles through some uninspiring and treeless scenery but the WOW factor was refreshed by many gob-smacking features.
Biggest disappointment was lack of whales on a whale watching trip around a bay; the boat broke down and we were told, as we were being towed back in to port, that the whales have gone further out to sea to follow the plankton ! And since returning from Iceland I understand the Government have allowed the resumption pf whale hunting which makes a difficult decision to return soon.

We could be cynical about their tourism marketing but felt that the whole tourism industry were in step with each other and succeeding to get inbound tourists… I wish we’d got their machine supporting us here !

I’d say that I trust an independent traveler more, but I often check up all sources before going.

We went to Iceland in June 2004 and had fabulous weather, walking nearby the glacier in short sleeves. The travel agency said to bring clothes to stand against wind and wet weather though….

We had a fabulous time there going on a lot of exciting and breathtaking excursions and we’d go there again without doubt!

Reykjavik as a city is no favorite for us, but the surroundings are so fantastic, it feels like coming to another planet with all the lava fields and volcano’s.

Be sure to not miss to take a bath in the wells - heavenly!!!!

If we ever go to the US again, we’ll make a stopover at Iceland just to take a bath.

I spent a week in Reykjavik with my mother almost 25 years ago now - and I’d absolutely love to go back. Because she wasn’t particularly fit, I didn’t get the chance to see the north of Iceland. What I saw of the south really impressed me - and I’d go again in a heartbeat. It was about this time of year, the weather was mixed - still snow on the ground - but at least there were no midges!

We stayed in a lovely little hotel which was fairly central. I remember being impressed by how we had to turn off the central heating because the room was so well insulated. We were cooked!

At that time it was expensive to visit - but we loved the extraordinary landscape and found the people to be extremely friendly and helpful.

Have a lovely time, When You Decide To Go

Best
Margaret

Thanks for all the good-news stories about great things to see in Iceland - so now I’m even more enticed Another must-see for my long, long list!

@Darren, it sounds like Iceland’s tourist board should be paying me commission! (I’d settle for a free trip )