Got some spare change rattling around your pocket? Well, perhaps a quick trip to the Icelandic capital can rectify that. I can only imagine how expensive Reykjavik was before the "economic crisis". Although prices haven't changed much, exchange rates have. And thank goodness, as it's easy to blow a bundle in the city.
considering that there are no real "skyscrappers" in the city, Reykjavik really spreads out. But
luckily, for the average traveller, most points of interest are quite concentrated in the "downtown" core. However, none of the attractions are particularly overwhelming. A few politically oriented locations, like where Reagan and Gorbachev met or the Alþingishúsið (Parliament) are highlights that probably won't knock your sock off. Strolling around the Pond, though, is quite pleasant. Although watch your step as they forgot to install a duck port-o-potty. There are a couple of museums (with horrible winter hours) but I didn't get around to them.
No, instead of being a destination of attractions, Reykjavik is a destination
of lifestyle. It's a very Scandinavian type, laid-back, healthy lifestyle with a generous serving of mass consumerism. Laugavegur, the city's main shopping street to observe this. Local women go power-walking with their supped-up 4X4esque baby-stollers while wearing $300 local high-end brand outdoor fleece and jogging pants. Tres Hippie meets Urban. It reminded me a lot of Vancouver. The streets are never really crowded, or at least until hour hour at the bar. Reykjavik-ians LOVE to drink. The people are generally friendly and the level of English is second to none. Many spoke better English than me!!
The main touristy things to do when in Iceland, are all within a day
trip of Reykjavik. A trip around the Golden Circle is always a crowd pleaser. Who doesn't like waterfalls and geysers and powerstations and stuff? And the Blue Lagoon to either wash away the troubles when you arrive or get a last bit of Iceland on the way back to the airport. But Reykjavik is pretty in it's own right. Especially in the winter when the Northern Lights decide to put on a performance. It may not be the best place in Iceland to see them, but it is the most convenient. And the whole city is surrounded by water with mountains in the background. Very Vancouver-ish!
I kinda liked Reykjavik, although my wallet definitely DID NOT. I can't imagine how tourists could afford Iceland before the economic crisis. While it's still a pricey place to visit, it could be worse. And with tourism definitely on the rise, Iceland is a place that needs to be visited NOW!!! Before it's too overrun.
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