Do's And Don'ts In Iceland You Need To Know

Iceland is where the world goes to experience many of mother nature’s marvels. From geysers, glaciers and erupting volcanoes to beaches of black lava--you’ll find it all in Iceland. You’ll also see beautiful Icelandic horses, which are a pony-sized wild horse breed native to the island.

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It’s one of the best places on earth to view the northern lights, and the land is kept pristine and protected, making it a majestic hotspot for breathtaking views. As such, traveling and sightseeing in Iceland requires one to respect local customs and the environment, but also taking responsibility for your own safety on the terrain.

Do: Bring the right clothes & gear

Packing for your trip to Iceland is all about being safe and using common sense. If you plan to go hiking, don’t just check the forecast, but consult a proper hiking gear packing list for the time of year you’re visiting in. Even if you’re not planning to hike, you’d want to be able to keep warm outdoors if you had no access to a car or building, for safety reasons. Having the right gear opens you up to more opportunities to explore the natural environment of Iceland, such as its nature reserves where you can go camping and hiking and even see wildlife up close.


Do: Spend time in Reykjavik

Don’t leave Iceland without exploring its capital city, Reykjavik. The city has several museums and tourist destinations, such as Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, the Harpa Concert Hall and the National Museum of Iceland. You’ll also want to explore the quaint streets of Reykjavik, known for colorful rooftops, nightlife, boutique shops and good restaurants. Speaking of restaurants, you should definitely visit the world’s most famous hot dog stand in Iceland. Yes, there’s a famous hot dog stand in Iceland called BaejarinsBeztuPylsur, and in fact, it’s the country’s most frequented restaurant. People queue up for the taste of these hot dogs, so be sure to buy two.

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Don’t: Drive off-road

Renting a car for your stay in Iceland is a great idea, but when you’re sightseeing in nature, be sure to avoid driving off-road. Off-road driving is illegal, unsafe and it hurts the natural environment Icelanders wish to preserve. No matter what type of vehicle you have, it’s critical you stay on marked roads at all times.

DON’T be surprised if the weather affects your plans. 

No matter the location, Iceland’s weather is volatile, even in popular tourist spots. Always check the forecast, but also keep in mind that the sunniest of days can turn into blizzards. Despite forecasts, you can’t plan for the fog that rolls in on the day your tour is scheduled or rain that shows up when you had planned to go hiking. With that in mind, plan to be flexible and have backup ideas in case the weather cancels your original plans.

What You Might Need When Staying in an Isolated Log Cabin

When you’re looking for a different kind of vacation adventure, then staying in a log cabin of a friend or relative is a great way to mix things up. It’s important to bear in mind that they won’t necessarily visit this cabin very often and so it might not be well stocked with essential items or necessary tools. In some cases, they have just always done without, and in other cases, they bring the items with them when they occasionally travel to the cabin, so you won’t have access to those items.

Here are some ideas about what you might need when staying in a log cabin that’s a distance away from civilization or a local convenience store.

Chopping Wood

Having an axe to chop wooden branches or logs that you find on the ground nearby is an excellent idea. Check with the cabin owner first, but once it’s been established there’s no axe stored away, it’s time to consider getting one. The good folks at bestsplittingaxe.net have reviewed the best axes for wood chopping tasks and have recommended a few. Be sure to pick the one that is a suitable length for your height and that matches your arm strength well because wielding an axe that’s clearly too heavy for you makes chopping wood much harder.

Electricity

A portable generator is useful for cabins that are remote enough not to have any electricity supply to the property. You may already own a suitable model for emergencies at home, but if you don’t, then it’s a great tool to have at hand.

Portable models are fitted with a set of wheels for rolling and a bar at the front to pull them along and wheel them into position. These types of electricity generators aren’t quiet and will require filling up with fuel, so be sure to stock up before you arrive.

Warmth

Other than an open fire or wood-burning stove, you may want to consider bringing along some warm blankets if you’re planning to go to the cabin during a cold month. Check the weather services for where the cabin is situated as the seasonal weather may differ from back home. Confirm with the owner what linens or comforters there are for the sleeping arrangements and bring what you need with you. Don’t forget a pillow and pillowcase for resting your head; it’s always the most obvious things we forget to bring with us!

We have lots of these #blankets to keep us warm. Winter ain’t over yet, snow ❄️ just keep on coming. #winterBlues

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Mar 13, 2018 at 3:22am PDT

First Aid

You can either buy a first aid kit or put one together yourself Don’t rely on a kit being there as you don’t know what medical supplied have already been used and perhaps never replaced, or what items are out of date. Putting a first aid kit together yourself is certainly going to be better than relying on what’s inside a commercially-sold first aid kit, but make sure you have a reliable list of essential items, so you don’t forget anything important. Also, do not forget to bring any necessary medication for the people traveling together and refill any prescriptions before you go.

The #firstAidKit that will be in our #car always. We love to #travel but we always have just a few things but now we have a complete set. #travelerPreparedness #inCaseOfEmergency

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Mar 13, 2018 at 3:28am PDT

Preparing to spend any amount of time in a log cabin that’s isolated in the woods or off the beaten path, you should assume the worst in terms of supplies. Bring enough food and water to last more than the planned length of stay to ensure you do not run out. And don’t forget the snacks!