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The Smarter Way to Travel™

Tag Archive: Iceland

  1. Stopover Destinations

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    Sometimes they are planned, but sometimes they just happen to be unavoidable; long layovers. Iceland is one of the countries that has actually made a segment of its tourism industry depend on it. Icelandair and Wow both offer travellers the opportunity to include a stopover in the country at no additional cost in airfare. Of course, you will have to arrange your own accommodation and transfers; but these are often included in package deals, or you can find some great discounts during the booking process.
    An airline that takes it even further is Emirates. For its passengers who are forced to have a long connection because of the airline’s schedule, Emirates will provide accommodation and transfers to help you pass the time and freshen up during your stay. If you’re flying Business or First Class, this service is made available to you during layovers that last more than 6 hours; for economy passengers, you’ll have to have at least an 8-hour layover. The airline calls this service “Dubai Connect”.
    In both cases as described above, be sure to check that you meet all the visa requirements for these countries; because you will be leaving the airport. Of course, even if the airline doesn’t put you up in a hotel, or you didn’t get a stopover deal as part of your booking, there are times when you just happen to have a long layover. There are definitely airports in the world where this isn’t a hardship at all. Singapore’s Changi airport’s strategy is to be the world’s favourite airport; perhaps unofficially so, but from our experience it is a pleasure to fly to and through. Whether you want to take a dip in the pool, or catch a movie; there’s plenty to keep you occupied. You don’t even have to walk down stairs if you take the slide!

  2. 5 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Car in Iceland

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    Road Trip

    There really are  5 Reasons why you should hire a car in Iceland as it has become such a popular travel destination over the past decade or so. Nicknamed ‘The Land of Ice and Fire’, Iceland is one of the few places left on the planet where nature still dominates the land, unhindered by human behaviour. Many who visit this island nation are utterly awestruck by the natural beauty that flourishes around every corner.

    From Reykjavik, the most common routes are the Golden Circle and the Ring Road. The Golden Circle can be done in under a week, while the whole Ring Road takes a lot longer as it runs along the perimeter of the entire country. It is possible to take public transport along these routes, but having your own vehicle is incomparable. In this article we will look at why hiring a car in Iceland will be the best idea you’ve ever had.

    It Will Save You Valuable Time

    Unless you are a digital nomad or endless traveller, you probably have some kind of time constraint for your vacation. With this in mind, the last thing you want to do is waste your precious time working out public transport maps and trying to schedule your timetable to allow for lengthy bus journeys and potentially long waits for transport. With your own car you are free to set off and come back as and when you want. There really are 5 reasons why you should hire a car in Iceland.

    It Will Save You Money

    Public transport will not take you everywhere you want to go. For some sites you either need your own vehicle or you need to book yourself onto a tour. Needless to say, tours can be really expensive and while they offer the opportunities to see the country with a professional guide and meet new people, your budget might not allow for it. With your own car, you have access to the whole country and you don’t need to waste money on tour groups.

    You Can Take Detours

    The beauty of Iceland is… well… its beauty! Away from the tourist hotspots that everyone visits are dozens of smaller spots that most people have never heard of. The only way to find some of these places is to accidentally stumble across them as you’re driving between destinations. When you have your own car you have complete freedom to follow a curious road or change course to get a better look at a waterfall you spotted in the distance. The freedom is utterly liberating.

    You Can Enjoy a Holiday Playlist at Full Volume

    Songs have the powerful ability of allowing us to conjure up vivid memories. Just a few opening chords are sometimes all it takes to transport you to a very specific time and place and help you relive a cherished moment. Yes, if you’re on a tour you can put your headphones in a listen to your Spotify playlist, but it is not the same as blasting your tunes in your own car and sharing the experience with your fellow passengers.

    It is the Ultimate Adventure

    Things will go wrong while you are driving. You might run out of gas or take a wrong turn, but these mishaps are sometimes just as exciting as the bits that go according to plan. They certainly make good anecdotes at any rate. Striking off on your own is an exhilarating adventure where you get to call the shots. Explore Iceland in your very own car and create a unique experience that you will never forget.