Narrowing down vacation ideas

[~Jessie~]

Has anyone been to Iceland?

It's pretty much at the top of our list for our vacation this May. Iceland Air flies directly from Orlando to Iceland which is awesome- no layovers! We may also fly from Iceland to London for a couple of days, and then fly from London to Orlando (all through Iceland Air).

We'd rent a car (of course) and stay in a few places around the country. There's one main highway which connects in a circle around Iceland.

There are itineraries listed in guide books and online, but I'd like to hear any details from people on here who have been.

The other places that we're considering are Bolivia, Peru, and Alaska. The high elevation in Peru and Bolivia is my big concern- I have asthma and I don't want to have issues breathing the whole time. I spoke with my doctor about it last year and she said it shouldn't be a problem, but it still worries me.

So... experiences with visiting any of these?

 

[JessLough]

My sister visited Alaska. She really enjoyed herself... however that's all I really have to add to this.

 

[Jules]

I haven't been there, but Anthony Bourdain did an episode there (No Reservations), and it was AWESOME! Maybe you could find it online somewhere? It's on my bucket list, too!

 

[PWCorgi]

I would totally do Iceland!!! And take lots of pictures for me.

ETA: If you go, then you totally have to ride Icelandic horses because they have the coolest gates EVER! And take pictures of that too.

 

[Zoom]

Iceland is on my list of places to go. It looks SO unbelievably gorgeous.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Flying from FL to AK is extremely expensive usually. My boyfriends parents live in AK (he was born and raised there) and own a condo in FL but they don't go often because the flight alone is pretty costly. Sometimes international air is even less expensive, the last couple times they went back home to Ireland(mom was born there) it was cheaper.

That said, Alaska, the small part I have been to is beautiful! I'd go again in a heart beat.

 

[iwantmypup]

I'm from Alaska and its pretty amazing, but go to Iceland. Peru is supposed to be awesome too, my brother loved it.
If you guys really can't decide, you can send me somewhere and I'll tell you how it is.

 

[Psyfalcon]

Go to Iceland. Trust me. Bring money, small island countries can be expensive.

 

[milos_mommy]

I've never been to any of those places, but Zach went to Iceland and loved it, and so did a few of my other friends. Zach did a puffin boat tour, swam in some hot springs, and rode horses...not sure what else he did there. The pictures are beautiful.

I would love to go to Peru, though!

 

[SailenAero]

I've never been out of the country so any sound great to me!

 

[CaliTerp07]

What kind of a vacation do you want? Alaska's awesome if you want to see scenery or do outdoorsy things (kayaking, hiking glaciers, etc). I don't know what Iceland is known for.

I will say that it's a little late to be booking Alaska. If you want to do any guided tours or anything (which you have to, for a lot of stuff--like helicopter rides or whale watching trips), the cruises are ridiculously popular and when ships are in port those things sell out with the top vendors a year ahead of time. If you're planning on staying inland or have no interested in a tour guide, then ignore that.

We looked into doing Alaska this summer, and I was shocked how expensive it is. We did 2 weeks in the Mediterranean for cheaper than 2 weeks in Alaska was going to cost. Airfare alone from DC was nearly $1000 each--Italy was only $800. And there were no deals to be had on lodging or tours either.

You may have a different experience from Florida in May compared to DC in August, but we're looking at going to northern Europe (Norway/Russia/Estonia) instead of Alaska because it will be cheaper.

 

[Zoom]

I took out a couple on a trail ride this summer who were "practicing" for a 5 day guided horseback trip in Iceland. I asked if they would pack me in their luggage--I don't take up much space! LOL!

 

[~Jessie~]

Last year, flights to Alaska were only about $100 or so more than flights to Scotland.

For Alaska, the plan was to fly to Fairbanks and stay pretty much inland. May is kind of an "off" time of year for people to travel so I'm not too worried about having to book super far in advance.

 

[katielou]

Expensive

Food is terrible

But it was the best vacation ever!!!!

If you like outdoors stuff and history it is the place to go.