We’re talking today, before your first trip to Iceland, often things that you have to know.
I receive from my readers a lot of questions every day through e-mail, direct messaging, Facebook messages, Group messages on Facebook. I thought it was really easy to make a video and to just help make your trip easy because I’m doing it here – to make planning your trip very easy for you.
#1
The number one thing you need to know is that English can be used very easily. So, of course, the locals speak Icelandic, but the school system teaches English, and therefore everyone knows it. I say that in an overestimation, but at least I could say that the places you plan to go to will have no difficulty talking to you in English.
I got a few readers who told me they want to learn some Icelandic and more power for you on their visit. But did you know Icelandic is one of the five hardest languages to learn in the whole world? I tried, and it’s very difficult. I mean, just as I said you’d have more power, but don’t just leave you. Go ahead.
#2
Learn how to say the fundamental words when you talk. I told you now not to learn Icelandic, but there are some very common words which are wrong and I want to clarify them very quickly and really. Vik number. Number. Vik is the city where the Black Sand Beach is in South Iceland. Right here.-Right here. There are many people who travel to Vík, but Vik says it. This isn’t Vic, therefore, this is Vik. Usually, when I have a dash over it, this rule applies. This means you must make the sound of I and E.
Snaefellsnes is another person who often gets people. The peninsula of Snaefellsnes is in western Iceland. I heard all the things about this peninsula, Snuffleupagus, snaffle, including. I heard all the things. You have a photo. I know this is a tough word, but you know it now. Snaefellsnes. Snaefellsnes.
The Seljalandsfoss is next up. Seljalandsfoss is one of Southern Iceland’s big renowned waterfalls and you’ll probably see this. Many people want Seljalandsfoss to say. That’s near. I mean, I mean, but J is softer than that. So with ayah, you say it. Seldom Foss. Seldom. Seldom. Seldom. So simple. Simple.
Gullfoss is another well-known cascade, but not so easy to pronounce. How are you explaining this? Gullfoss is first of all the waterfall in Iceland’s Golden Circle. Just around here. Right around. The confusing part is that Gullfoss’ Double L is pronounced as if your mouth is spitting out. You say Gullfoss instead of Gullfoss, then. You got it there.
I think I’ll do a whole video about how to speak Icelandic words. I’ll do what I do next. That appears to be normal. All right, I’ll do it next. Return for that one another time. Obviously, I’m not the individual who takes Icelandic …
#3
If you come to Iceland for the first time, Iceland is expensive, the third thing you’re going to want to know. Like some kind of costly, I don’t mean, I mean like really costly. This may be a bit of familiarity but Reykjavik was named the world’s largest city actually last year. I don’t know how the statistics are done, but I think so because they are so expensive.
I think many people know it’s costly, but how much it isn’t. All that stuff is real and will really add up fast, things like food, alcohol, souvenirs. So just know that it’s super costly.
#4
The Icelandic Krona is the currency in Iceland. 1.000 Icelandic Krona is about ten US dollars from this recording. When you first go to the supermarket, prices will look really high. There are lots of money converting apps, so you can just download it before you go and make your conversion really easy, if you have any doubts.
#5
By using a credit card it is so easy to get through Iceland. That’s the debate all the time, but I’m serious. I’ve been to many countries and Iceland is by far the most friendly company I ever had. I mean credit card or debit card when I’m saying credit card. Don’t cash, basically. It really makes your life easier if you have a credit card number with a chip because all you have to do is to stay in it and use your PIN. No signature, no requirement of percentage. In particular, at gas stations, this is useful. Naturally, a credit card is fine if you’re at a restaurant or anywhere else.
I know many people want cash on them, I know. I recommend the airport exchange. But at least it will be really, really simple, and you don’t have to run around town to try to search for a bank that is opened. It’s the most expensive change. During camping, washing, and then to finally advise your tour guides, things which are absolutely needed cash for include showers.
#6
One thing about Iceland is really nice is that no tips are given. Yeah, yes. Yeah. Woo, woo. Woo, woo. Bars, restaurants, cafés, you call it. This includes I know some people find their guide very helpful and enjoyable so they can tip their guide, but it is never expected, it is appreciated, of course, by the guides.
#7
Explore the country and go out. Iceland is very beautiful, and a lot of people come and just spend time in Reykjavik, or do the Golden Circle, and that’s not enough. Well, I can, of course, appreciate it if you just stop quickly or just want to taste Iceland.
But if you really have the time, I recommend driving around the Ring Road at least, traveling to the Highlands or any other way you can get to Iceland a little more. Iceland is unbelievable because of nature. So I think you should rent a car and do a road trip to get the best experience.
#8
Drink your water. Drink your water. I’m talking about how Icelandic water is the world’s best. It’s so delightful, Oh my Gosh. I just love it. I love it. I mean, it includes even when you are hiking, from the tap in your hotel. Yeah, that is the most delicious water you’ll have ever, those rivers coming down from the glacier. It is cold, obvious, clean, so cool. it’s so cool. So take a reusable bottle of water and fill yourself as often as you can, since you will not get the good water again. Drink your water. Drink your water. I’m talking about how Icelandic water is the world’s best. It’s so delightful, Oh my Gosh. I just love it. I love it. I mean, it includes even when you are hiking, from the tap in your hotel. Yeah, that is the most delicious water you’ll have ever, those rivers coming down from the glacier. It is cold, obvious, clean, so cool. it’s so cool. So take a reusable bottle of water and fill yourself as often as you can, since you will not get the good water again.
#9
Plan for the future. Now, Jeannie, I know what you think, of course, you would say that to an Iceland travel scheduler. No, it is not. I say that because Iceland is unpredictable, really. With regard to the weather, the roads, and everything else. So you don’t really want to risk things like that, hitchhiking or anything like this. So I know that many of you are adventurers and I love you all, but Iceland really needs planning.
#10
My final tip is to make very important friends. Be sure. Be sure. In my heart, I say this to all of you with so much love. The dangerous land in Iceland. This is dangerous because the opposing forces of nature are so many. There’s glaciers, huge watercourses, volcanoes, gigantic wavey beaches, and many places that are not even the best place to get things clogged up or to see signs around. The country works on that, but it is sometimes best to make use of its own judgment.
In Icelandic news with injuries, even deaths, tourists are becoming increasingly visible. It breaks my heart to know that there is a bad experience for some people who travel to Iceland. So it’s for your own protection when I say that it is safe. I want you to have the best voyage ever, so I want you to be safe, respectful of nature, clever, and fun.
These are my 10 tips for Iceland’s first-time tourists. Please leave them in the comments below if you have questions on something I did not discuss. I would be happy, and perhaps make another video, if we needed, to answer your questions. Please also subscribe to my channel because you have many more helpful tips. Next week, I will see you and a happy schedule as always.
