Profile photo for Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
12616 messages
active 8 hours ago

Guðmundur Óli Pálmason

Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, and from a young age I was already travelling all over Iceland with my parents.
After a short stint as a driver guide on modified SUVs in 2004, I came back to it full time in 2015 and have been working as one since then.
In 2020, I co-founded Location Scouting Iceland, a company that specializes in finding locations and providing location services for all kinds of productions.
I have been working as a travel planner and a travel specialist since January 2022.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"For the last decade or so I have made it a point to explore locations off the beaten path. This includes but is not limited to the north-west and the east of Iceland (the so-called Westfjörds and Eastfjörds) as well as the central highlands. "

How did you get involved in travel?

""I started travelling with my parents around Iceland at an early age and I guess that's where I picked up the travelling bug. In my early 20s I started travelling around Iceland on my own and with friends. My biggest interest was always finding out what was at the end of the unmarked gravel road. What unexplored treasures would I find that weren't on the map?
In 2004 I worked for one summer as a driver guide on a modified Land Rover Defender for the first time. That's when I started to gain experience in off-road driving on glaciers and mountains. I came back to that job in early 2015 and have been working as a driver guide full time ever since. ""

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

""Travelling around the vast Icelandic highlands, the biggest untouched wilderness in Europe, under the midnight sun is something I'd list as my absolutely favorite pastime, with clients or alone.""

Guðmundur Óli is part of the following groups: Iceland Travel Agents, Iceland Family Travel Agents, Iceland Luxury Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries
Honeymoon itineraries

Favorite experiences

Jeep Tour of Askja Northern Highlands

Deep in Iceland's Northern Highlands is the Askja area, where Mount Herðubreið, a majestic table mountain of a truly peculiar shape, acts as the gateway to the wild region. The peak's dark silhouette is unmistakable, even from very far away. Still, the area's most precious gem is Askja itself,...

Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike

Combine two of the most popular excursions in Iceland: glacier hiking and exploring the electric-blue ice caves. Skaftafell Nature Reserve sits within Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe's largest glacier. So, lace up your hiking boots and get ready to experience an incredible journey along...

South Highlands Helicopter Tour

See Iceland from a completely different perspective by flying above the county's serene, diverse, and breathtaking landscape. This half-day journey brings you the ultimate sample of Iceland's natural and cultural highlights. From stunning glaciers, volcanoes, and waterfalls to marvels of human...

Hiking the Thórsmörk Valley

The Thórsmörk Valley, named after Thor, the Nordic God of Thunder, was carved by glacial river floods from volcanic eruptions under the area's glaciers. It sits just west of Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier, and about 45 minutes from the town of Vík on Iceland's South Coast. As you hike...

Recent trip reviews for Guðmundur Óli

A memorable family trip!
Iceland | Apr 13 - Apr 18, 2026

Adam
Adam K.
Hartford, CT, USA | Reviewed on Apr 19, 2026
We worked with Gummi to create an amazing itinerary, tailored for our family, and we had the BEST week in Iceland!! It is hard to choose a favorite spot because we saw so many beautiful things! It checked all of our boxes for what we wanted to see and do, from exploring waterfalls to seeing puffins to climbing a glacier and experiencing an ice cave and a lava tunnel. We feel like we have a true sense of what Iceland is like, from its land to its people...and we loved it! Gummi was very... Read more

We worked with Gummi to create an amazing itinerary, tailored for our family, and we had the BEST week in Iceland!! It is hard to choose a favorite spot because we saw so many beautiful things! It checked all of our boxes for what we wanted to see and do, from exploring waterfalls to seeing puffins to climbing a glacier and experiencing an ice cave and a lava tunnel. We feel like we have a true sense of what Iceland is like, from its land to its people...and we loved it! Gummi was very responsive in answering our questions and he chose activities and hotels that worked really well for our family of 4. This was our first time using Kimkim and we have already recommended it others!

Hotel Reviews
Vík Apartments
Vik I Myrdal

This apartment is managed by the nearby hotel and was a great layout for our family with two bedrooms and even an in-unit (2-in-1) washer/dryer machine and dishwasher. Location couldn't be better for Vik, with a grocery store and several restaurants across the street. We enjoyed having the extra space to spread out a bit after some smaller rooms earlier in our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Not much interaction with staff beyond the check-in reception desk, but they were very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Old Charm Reykjavík Apartments
Reykjavík

This "hotel" is a collection of different apartments across a few different streets in the area. The unit we had was a 3 bedroom upstairs apartment. in a really great location except that it was a very busy street in the shopping district. We had the windows open to keep the apartment cool and it was very loud. We could also hear the downstairs neighbors/tenants (and smell their cooking). While the apartment had been renovated and had a lot of charm, the age of the building also showed through in several places (very squeaky floors, low ceilings, finicky hot water), and the outside seemed run down. It was very nice to have off-street parking included behind the building, as it would have been hard to find other parking in this area. Walking distance to MANY restaurants and shops.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to shopping and restaurants, parking included, not far from the waterfront.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Could have been cleaner, appliances were old and well-used, wished for extra pillows, hot water was finicky.
Reykjavík Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
Reykjavík

This was a very nice boutique hotel, located right next to the marina. Really cute decor and friendly staff. Well-located for whale watching and close to several restaurants. Our room had king-sized bunk beds, which our teenagers really enjoyed and thought were awesome. Everything was clean and well-thought out. Included breakfast buffet was excellent. My wife has celiac and was comfortable with the choices as long as we got to the breakfast early before anything was cross-contaminated with gluten. We would definitely return!

Authenticity & Character
Cool decor and little sitting rooms.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stracta Hotel
Hella

We had one of the 2-bedroom "houses" at this location (there are several different types of rooms available), complete with it's own hot tub. This layout worked great with our two teenage kids as they had their own room. The kitchenette was nice but not necessary for the one night we stayed there, as the on-site hotel bistro/restaurant had lots of good options too. The included breakfast was very good and had something for everyone. My wife with celiac was comfortable eating here and did not get sick.

Authenticity & Character
Location
This was a convenient location to stay after our "Golden Circle" day before we continued on to Vik.
Staff
We forgot something in the room after we checked out and the front desk staff happily walked with us back to get it.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable beds, nice amenities included, able to park right outside the "house".
Activity Reviews
Laugarás Lagoon - Ösp
Laugarás Lagoon - Ösp
Iceland

This place is beautiful and very relaxing and not touristy (like Blue Lagoon is). We really enjoyed the lagoon itself, which feels very natural and part of the landscape. If we were to do this again, we would skip the package that includes the meal, because the timing constraints of the restaurant interrupted our flow at the spa (the food was delicious though, and on the fancier side - our children struggled finding something). The locker room was very clean and nice. The staff was not particularly friendly but it didn't bother us. Overall a very nice experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Iceland

Our guide Kamil was very knowledgeable about the glacier, the caves and the surrounding areas. We spent an amazing afternoon with a small group of people traversing the lava fields in an offroad van, hiking up the glacier, and exploring the ice cave.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was very personable and shared a lot of information about Iceland and geology in general.
Transport
The offroading experience across the lava fields could have been it's own adventure! Very fun!
Lava Tunnel Activity
Lava Tunnel Activity
Iceland

This was a great experience from start to finish. The guide was very laid back but full of information and humor. The lava tunnel itself was very impressive and well-lit, and held a few surprises that none of us expected (I won't spoil it here!). We learned a lot about how the lava tunnels are formed (and found) and it changed the way we looked at the Icelandic landscape for the rest of our trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
After the "tour" the guide let us stay and explore, answered lots of questions, and offered to take photos of us in different parts of the tunnel.
Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion
Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion
Reykjavík

We had a great experience on the Elding Whale Tour. The weather ended up being perfect, and although they can't guarantee that you will see whales at all, we ended up seeing LOTS of humpback and minke whales surfacing and breaching! The guide and the captain were both clearly experienced and knowledgeable and knew exactly where to go. At one point we had so many whales alongside the boat that we had to stop and wait for them to leave before we could head back to the docks. We saw a number of seabirds as well, including Atlantic puffins which was a highlight for our kids.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Apr 19, 2026

Thank you for the kind review Andrew. I am happy to read that everything went well and that you were happy with the trip :)
I do hope we'll see you back in Iceland soon again
All the best
Gummi

Gummi the Great
Iceland | Apr 9 - Apr 17, 2026

S
stefanie c.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Apr 18, 2026
Gummi put together a fantastic trip for us. The stops were well thought out. The hotels were wonderful and the restaurant recommendations were varied and delicious. He was available to quicky answer any questions we had. I would recommend this trip and Gummi to any of my friends. Read more

Gummi put together a fantastic trip for us. The stops were well thought out. The hotels were wonderful and the restaurant recommendations were varied and delicious.

He was available to quicky answer any questions we had. I would recommend this trip and Gummi to any of my friends.

Hotel Reviews
Hótel Grímsborgir by Keahotels
Ásborgir

Large, comfortable rooms. Hot tub, restaurant on sight with a very nice breakfast included.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hótel Búðir
Búðir

Boutique like hotel in a gorgeous but remote location. Staff was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Quiet, peaceful, beautiful
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Black Beach Suites
Vik I Myrdal

Scenic location by a black sand beach. Close enough to town to go to restaurants. Large comfy room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Alda Hotel Reykjavík
Reykjavík

Great location, nice staff, very nice breakfast included. Room is a bit noisy.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Easy to hear doors slamming g
Activity Reviews
Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion
Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion
Reykjavík
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience
Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We drove ourselves
Silfra Snorkeling Adventure
Silfra Snorkeling Adventure
Golden Circle
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horse Riding on Black Sand Beach
Horse Riding on Black Sand Beach
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Apr 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the kind review! I'm so glad to read that everything went so well and that you were happy with the trip!
I do hope we'll see you all in Iceland soon again! :)
All the best
Gummi

Amazing Iceland!
Iceland | Mar 28 - Apr 5, 2026

Nive
Nive D.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 13, 2026
Iceland was my bucket list destination and I was super excited from the moment I booked this trip and it turned out to be just what I expected, absolutely amazing! It wouldn't have been such a great trip, if not for Gummi! He made sure to include every single experience/attraction that I had asked for, in our itinerary. His meticulous and detailed planning was one of the reasons we were able to cover at least 90% of what we wanted to do! And he was extremely responsive via chats/calls,... Read more

Iceland was my bucket list destination and I was super excited from the moment I booked this trip and it turned out to be just what I expected, absolutely amazing! It wouldn't have been such a great trip, if not for Gummi! He made sure to include every single experience/attraction that I had asked for, in our itinerary. His meticulous and detailed planning was one of the reasons we were able to cover at least 90% of what we wanted to do! And he was extremely responsive via chats/calls, despite the time of the day! One specific thing I wanted to specifically thank him is for the Aurora sighting alerts he sent me! I was able to experience them 3 out of the 8 days I was there! This was a bucket list dream for me and thanks to Gummi, I was able to realize it! Considering the fact that it was not even super peak Aurora viewing season and that it rained/snowed/hailed almost every single day I was there, the fact that I was able to experience it was an added bonus! Special shoutout to Gummi for that!

There is a recommendation/suggestion that I want to make. Please note that, this is a generic suggestion and not targeted to Gummi....he was awesome and he gets five stars!

Recommendation/suggestion:

For people like us, who don't live anywhere near the Artic circle, Spring begins after March 15th! Which means we start seeing warmer weather! I expected the same in Iceland, which was one of the primary reasons I booked this trip after March 15th...Unfortunately it was a totally different scenario! The temparatures were still freezing and some of the parking lots that were listed in our itinerary were closed because of the snow! Same with a couple of the attractions/experiences...we had to skip them completely because of the severe weather. Also we experienced very heavy snow, hail,and very strong winds throughout our trip...and twice or thrice, we had very poor visibility during certain portions of the drive and we thought we were going to be in trouble!

So if you could tell your prospective clients that Mid March/Early April is still winter in Iceland, and that they should expect extreme weather...that would be great!

I know that it is on us to check/ be aware of the weather, but if you could advise too, when planning the trip, that will be great! I was expecting greenery everywhere and it definitely was not the case!

But overall, we had a fantastic time and looking forward to coming back and exploring the rest of iceland!

Hotel Review
Fosshotel Baron
Reykjavík
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Right in the heart of the city!
Activity Reviews
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Iceland

Our guide was super awesome and we had a great experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience
Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Apr 13, 2026
Thank you for the kind review Nive.
I am so happy that your trip was such a success, despite the weather, as you mentioned.
True, spring in Iceland doesn't really arrive until late April, and it's a good point that you raise that we should be clearer on that to our travellers. I have on quite a few occasions pointed this out to would-be travellers, but I have to admit it does sometimes slip my mind. I guess I'm just so used to the unpredictable arctic weather here haha.
I'm so happy you...
Read more

Thank you for the kind review Nive.
I am so happy that your trip was such a success, despite the weather, as you mentioned.
True, spring in Iceland doesn't really arrive until late April, and it's a good point that you raise that we should be clearer on that to our travellers. I have on quite a few occasions pointed this out to would-be travellers, but I have to admit it does sometimes slip my mind. I guess I'm just so used to the unpredictable arctic weather here haha.
I'm so happy you got to experience the northern lights! Nature is the best artist!
I hope we'll see you in Iceland soon again - there's no snowstorms in summer - hint hint haha!
All the best
Gummi

My guide felt with my changes of plans and in...
Iceland | Mar 30 - Apr 6, 2026

Laurel
Laurel W.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 13, 2026

My guide felt with my changes of plans and internet surfing. He was amazing and made my trip better than imagined.

Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Apr 13, 2026

You're too sweet Laurel! :)
I'm so glad that you were happy with the whole trip!
We're waiting for you to come back!
Gummi

Driving the Ring Road in Winter
Iceland | Mar 8 - Mar 17, 2026

Peter
Peter K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 12, 2026
Driving the Ring Road in winter was a wild and wonderful adventure, and my KimKim local travel specialist (Gummi) was great, from planning my itinerary to helping me throughout my journey. Gummi was always available to answer questions and to address any issues that came up. I highly recommend working with Gummi if you’re planning an Icelandic adventure in any season. Read more

Driving the Ring Road in winter was a wild and wonderful adventure, and my KimKim local travel specialist (Gummi) was great, from planning my itinerary to helping me throughout my journey. Gummi was always available to answer questions and to address any issues that came up. I highly recommend working with Gummi if you’re planning an Icelandic adventure in any season.

Hotel Reviews
Buubble Hotel Hrosshagi
Bláskógabyggd

Had the skies been clear and the aurora visible this would’ve been a great stay. 😉 The bubble is comfortable but bare bones. The bed is comfortable and the heated blanket was nice (until it stopped working during the night). Bathroom facilities require a walk and sometimes a wait. So just be aware if this is a potential concern.

Authenticity & Character
It’s a unique concept to sleep inside an air inflated bubble!
Location
Even though the setting is in a small forest there is light pollution to the north, I take it, from the town?
Staff
No on-site staff. Not really a big issue but something to be aware of.
Cleanliness & Comfort
It’s hard to heat a bubble in winter. 😉
Black Beach Suites
Vik I Myrdal

Beautiful setting and very nice room with a view.

Authenticity & Character
Modern facilities. So not a lot of character but very nicely appointed room.
Location
The hotel is located on the west side of the mountains that sit above Vik but is close enough that driving into Vik for dinner was easy.
Staff
Staff was polite and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable bed and nice shower. Quite a bit of room, too. With a nice deck.
Hrafnavellir Guest House
Hornafjörður (Hofn)

The individual cabins are very nice and comfortable. Great views! They have staff onsite and the small lounge area is open and serves drinks until 10 PM or so.

Authenticity & Character
The cabins are newer and very comfortable. Great views back toward the Batman Mountain, too.
Location
About 20 kilometers beyond Hofn. So either eat dinner before you arrive or be mindful that it’s about a 40 minute drive back to town. During the summer they do serve dinner at the guest house. So that would be a convenient option.
Staff
Such a wonderful hostess greeted me and prepared a delicious breakfast for me the following morning.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Holt—The Art Hotel
Reykjavík

The hotel’s bountiful leather seating in their common areas is the highlight. The art is eclectic and bountiful, too. The hotel is a bit dated but overall comfortable for a short stay. And they have free parking for guests, which was a nice benefit.

Authenticity & Character
The artwork is indeed everywhere and the wood paneled common areas and their plentiful leather seating are great.
Location
It’s set in a residential area just outside of the downtown area. Convenient to get to all the sites with a short walk.
Staff
Gabriella who checked me in also helped me find a place for dinner the first night, which was much appreciated.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The walls are thin apparently and so sound from one’s neighbors is an issue. A white noise app on your phone should mask it though. Some of the carpeting on stairwells is worn through. Nit picking perhaps but the hotel does show its age.
Dís Cottages
Grundarfjordur

Make sure you specify that you want to stay in one of the cottages. They apparently have a studio apartment above a garage that isn’t clearly noted when you make a reservation.

Authenticity & Character
The views are what makes this worth considering for a stay.
Location
Beautiful view across the fjord and out toward the open ocean. Nothing nearby though. So be sure to bring food and water.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
ATV to Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck
ATV to Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck
Iceland

Getting to see the black sand beach and the waves up close via an ATV is a wild and fun experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sindri was a wonderful and entertaining guide! He made sure everyone was safe and had a good time.
Snowshoe Trek
Snowshoe Trek
Lake Mývatn

I ended up being the only participant. So i appreciated that we went ahead with the trek! My guide was fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Hiking up the mountain to find steaming pools amidst all the snow was very cool.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
My guide was born in Zimbabwe and married an Icelandic woman. So we had a great conversation on geopolitics, history, and the geologic wonders of Iceland.
Transport
Pick up and drop off from the hotel was great.
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Iceland

How many groups can you fit on a glacier at one time? A lot! There were at least two dozen vehicles and a hundred plus tourists tromping around the ice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was friendly and informative
Transport
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Apr 12, 2026

Thank you for the kind review Peter
Yes, Icelandic winter can surely be challenging, but that's why you have us, teamwork is dreamwork 🙂
I hope you'll return soon, no blizzards in summer.. hint hint... Haha

All the best
Gummi

We had a fantastic trip to Iceland in April!
Iceland | Apr 3 - Apr 10, 2026

P
Pamela M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 11, 2026
We had a fantastic trip to Iceland in April. The weather put a few snags in our plans, but it's part of the adventure of Iceland. The country is absolutely beautiful. We loved the Snæfellsnes Penninsula, the Hotel Budir, the Sky Lagoon and seeing the Northern Lights the best! We also enjoyed self-driving. It gave us the flexibility to stop whenever we wanted and pull over to see something we found interesting. Driving was easy, except for a couple of snow-related issues! Our travel... Read more

We had a fantastic trip to Iceland in April. The weather put a few snags in our plans, but it's part of the adventure of Iceland. The country is absolutely beautiful. We loved the Snæfellsnes Penninsula, the Hotel Budir, the Sky Lagoon and seeing the Northern Lights the best! We also enjoyed self-driving. It gave us the flexibility to stop whenever we wanted and pull over to see something we found interesting. Driving was easy, except for a couple of snow-related issues! Our travel specialist, Guðmundur Óli, did an excellent job. He assisted with the trip planning, making recommendations and adjusting the schedule to include things we wanted to see. He was responsive and helped us navigate some weather issues while in-country. The daily driving maps were amazing and made navigating very easy. All of the arrangements were perfect - no snags whatsoever. Would highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Reykjavík Saga
Reykjavík

Hotel was great. Breakfast was lovely and it's in a great location to explore the city.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hótel Búðir
Búðir

This was my favorite hotel of the 5 we stayed in. It was beautifully decorated and in an absolutely stunning location. The room was perfect and we had a perfect view of the black church from our window. There's a lovely lounge with fantastic views for having a drink or playing cards at night. The restaurant was fine but we were there for 2 nights and the menu was the same both nights. The chocolates at the front desk are a nice touch!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hótel Grímsborgir by Keahotels
Ásborgir

I really liked this hotel. The rooms are in clusters of buildings and you can either walk or drive to the main building for the restaurant. We had 2 hot tubs for our building. They were empty upon arrival, but they quickly filled them after a call to the front desk. The breakfast was excellent. Room was one of the largest we stayed in and we appreciated the lounge area with kitchen so we didn't have to sit in the room all evening.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Magma Hotel
Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Hotel was nice. The room was great and we enjoyed the lake view. It was very windy and rainy during our stay so we didn't get to enjoy the outside. The breakfast was good. There is no hot tub and no lounge to sit in outside of the room. We didn't spend much time in it, so it was fine. Everything was clean and orderly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Berg
Keflavík

Hotel was in a perfect location. Our flight wasn't until 5pm and the hotel allowed a late checkout until 2pm for a small fee. This allowed us to do an activity during the day and go back to shower before leaving for the airport. It is 7 minutes from the airport and its in a little town with restaurants close by. The room had everything we needed and the lounge area is nice. The restaurant was fine. It was too rainy and cold to use the roof top hot tub, but it was a nice amenity.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience
Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience
Iceland

The tour was interesting and the guide was very knowledgeable and gave a great tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Laugarás Lagoon - Lerki
Laugarás Lagoon - Lerki
Iceland

We really enjoyed the lagoon. We went to 3 different ones during our trip and this one was unique in that it's in a forest-like setting. The locker area was clean and the process was very organized. Unfortunately, lightening cut our visit short. They offered us a return visit the next day, but we were getting back on the road and could not take them up on it.

Quality of Experience
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Iceland

The weather was very rainy and our van got stuck in the snow/slush 3 times on the way to the glacier. Other vehicles had to tow us out. The driver worked very hard and ended up shoveling tires out several times, but didn't provide us with much in the way of updates on what was going on. This turned the trip out to the ice cave into 2 1/2 hours. There was no bathroom available and the entire trip took 5 hours. By the time we got back to the parking area, it was 9pm and all of the restaurants were closed and we still had an hour drive to our hotel. Thankfully, the lovely people at Kronen (the grocery store), allowed us to dash in and quickly buy something right as they were closing. The ice cave was also very small. The guide said that it was usually longer, but the recent snow had closed part of it off. I honestly don't think it was worth it under the conditions, but the hike on the glacier and being inside the ice cave was cool and a unique experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion
Faxaflói Bay Whale Watching Excursion
Reykjavík

We only saw one whale and we pretty much followed him around for 2 hours. The weather was very cold, windy and rainy, so the dry suits helped us stay warm and dry. Rough seas were expected due to the weather and the tour operator helpfully offered sea sickness pills for free. The tour did a good job - we just didn't see much and returned to the marina an hour early.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Apr 12, 2026
Thank you for the kind review, Pamela
I am happy to hear you enjoyed the trip.
Conditions can definately be tough around the glaciers, and it seems you sure got the whole Arctic experience. I hope that in retrospect, you come to value that experience, tough as it was a the time, as a once in a lifetime adventure out in the Arctic wilderness, battling through the snow in a super jeep.
I'm happy to hear everything else went well, and the photos you sent me of the northern lights you saw were...
Read more

Thank you for the kind review, Pamela
I am happy to hear you enjoyed the trip.
Conditions can definately be tough around the glaciers, and it seems you sure got the whole Arctic experience. I hope that in retrospect, you come to value that experience, tough as it was a the time, as a once in a lifetime adventure out in the Arctic wilderness, battling through the snow in a super jeep.
I'm happy to hear everything else went well, and the photos you sent me of the northern lights you saw were absolutely beautiful.
Take care my friends and please come back soon! You still need to experience Iceland in summer - no snowstorms and slush - I promise! :D

Gummi

The Perfect Balance of Freedom and Support in Iceland
Iceland | Mar 21 - Mar 27, 2026

Mikel
Mikel W.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Apr 10, 2026
Title: The Perfect Balance of Freedom and Support in Iceland We had an incredible experience working with Gummi for our week-long self-guided driving tour in Iceland. From the very beginning, the planning process was seamless and genuinely enjoyable. Gummi took the time to listen to what we wanted and crafted a flexible itinerary that perfectly matched our travel style. The materials he provided - detailed itinerary, driving directions, and helpful notes - gave us the confidence to... Read more

Title: The Perfect Balance of Freedom and Support in Iceland

We had an incredible experience working with Gummi for our week-long self-guided driving tour in Iceland. From the very beginning, the planning process was seamless and genuinely enjoyable. Gummi took the time to listen to what we wanted and crafted a flexible itinerary that perfectly matched our travel style.

The materials he provided - detailed itinerary, driving directions, and helpful notes - gave us the confidence to explore independently while still feeling supported in an unfamiliar country. It was exactly the balance we were hoping for.

During the trip, Gummi was always available to answer questions and help us adjust plans when needed - especially when extreme weather forced a couple of changes. His responsiveness and expertise made all the difference.

Our most memorable activity (though it is hard to choose!) was the Ice Cave tour with Siggi.

This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and we are so grateful for Gummi’s guidance and care. We would absolutely work with him again and recommend him without hesitation.

Activity Reviews
Myrdalsjökull  Glacier Snowmobiling
Myrdalsjökull Glacier Snowmobiling
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Iceland

By far our best activity. We had never experienced anything like the ice caves. And the quality of the tour with Siggi was so special. Would highly recommend adding this to your trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Siggi was an amazing guide - so knowledgeable and kind. He created a special day for us!
Transport
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Apr 10, 2026

Thank you so much for the kind review
Siggi really is a gem. A one of a kind!
I do hope we'll see you in Iceland again, perhaps in summer, with some better weather, as you've already had the full arctic experience haha. :D
All the best
Gummi

Guðmundur Óli (Gummi) was incredibly helpful ...
Iceland | Apr 2 - Apr 9, 2026

N
Natalie S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 10, 2026
Guðmundur Óli (Gummi) was incredibly helpful for all my trip planning, all my questions and creating an amazing itinerary that left us breathless! He helped us see the northern light on the first night! He was easy to get in touch with and helped us miss a snow storm. Thank you Gummi and KimKim. Will definitely recommend! Read more

Guðmundur Óli (Gummi) was incredibly helpful for all my trip planning, all my questions and creating an amazing itinerary that left us breathless! He helped us see the northern light on the first night! He was easy to get in touch with and helped us miss a snow storm. Thank you Gummi and KimKim. Will definitely recommend!

Hotel Reviews
Fosshótel Reykholt
Reykholt

Great hotel and lived the jacuzzi. We missed our second morning of breakfast so we were bummed as I knew we paid. We were promised a bagged breakfast with sandwich, fruit, pastry and juice. Just make sure you check your bag. All we got was a sandwich and juice. But the hotel is beautiful!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fosshotel Baron
Reykjavík

Wonderful place in the city. Close to everything. Staff was excellent!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stracta Hotel Hella
Hella

Loved the bartender Melina from Poland!! She was so nice and we had a great chat!! I wish her the best of luck getting her farm with chickens to make her Polish cake. I hope she sees this (from Natalie!!)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vík Apartments
Vik I Myrdal

Great location! Right across from a grocery store. Go to Skool Beans!! You won’t be disappointed

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience
Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience
Iceland

Great experience. I was nervous to go but it was well worth it and not as hard as I thought. Garreth was an amazing guide!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Glacier Ice Cave Experience
Iceland

Truck got stuck multiple times. They didn’t let us stay long in the cave. Wish it would have been cancelled and refunded for the time and experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Apr 10, 2026

Thank you so much for the kind review Natalie
I do hope we'll see you in Iceland again, perhaps in summer, with some better weather, as you've already had the full arctic experience haha. :D
All the best
Gummi

Guðmundur Óli : Master Iceland Trip Planner
Iceland | Mar 22 - Mar 30, 2026

Lore
Lore v.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2026
Kim Kim's Lava Tour guide Guðmundur Óli (Gummi as he is known) was extremely attentive with planning, our trip, always available and prompt to reply to questions on chat at all hours. When the weather got rough while in Iceland, Gummi was quick to rearrange our itinerary so that none of our sightseeing stops were missed, even moving reservations for dinning and scheduled tours/spas. Gummi was there for spur of the moment phone calls as well, alerting us to the ever changing weather and road... Read more

Kim Kim's Lava Tour guide Guðmundur Óli (Gummi as he is known) was extremely attentive with planning, our trip, always available and prompt to reply to questions on chat at all hours. When the weather got rough while in Iceland, Gummi was quick to rearrange our itinerary so that none of our sightseeing stops were missed, even moving reservations for dinning and scheduled tours/spas. Gummi was there for spur of the moment phone calls as well, alerting us to the ever changing weather and road conditions. Although some of the stops along the way felt a little rushed, we managed to fit everything including the all important thermal bath and spa stops. Our only regret is that we never met him in person to thank him for all his hard work.
Highly recommended for those who like independence when tripping but also want the insight of a native planner to make sure they hit all the high spots and help with unexpected events.

Hotel Reviews
Fosshotel Baron
Reykjavík

Great location, clean and spacious room with breakfast included. no hotel parking....limited paid parking within the vicinity.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arnarstapi Hotel
Snæfellsbær

This Hotel was in a small remote village...beautiful scenery, hiking. 3 restaurants and a general store rounded out the stay. Room was clean and spacious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Black Beach Suites
Vik I Myrdal

beautiful setting clean spacious room . lighting was very low within the room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
near enough to Vik
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hótel Grímsborgir by Keahotels
Ásborgir

clean attentive with a good breakfast, but turned a king size room into a triple leaving little floor space. **front desk did offer an aurora phone call to the room upon consent**

Authenticity & Character
Location
near Selfoss
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
room too small for a king and twin
Activity Reviews
Horse Riding on Black Sand Beach
Horse Riding on Black Sand Beach
Iceland

Great guides, short trail ride but the scenery and the horses were beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
horses were well versed in the trail, cooperative, somewhat independent
Lava Tunnel Activity
Lava Tunnel Activity
Iceland

Wonderful look inside a lava tunnel. Our guide was fun and informative, safety first!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
a walk to the cave
Geothermal Bakery Experience
Geothermal Bakery Experience
Golden Circle

A great Foodie experience...for the tourist.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Iceland

Our driver/guide Siggy was amazing...making sure ever part of this tour was informative fun and safe.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon
The Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon
Iceland

A must for those seeking a little R&R

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Húsafell Canyon Baths Experience
Húsafell Canyon Baths Experience
Iceland

a hike into a snow covered canyon with minimal bath time and limited rustic facilities.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Apr 02, 2026

Thank you for the kind review Lore. What a week of unpredictable weather you got haha. The full Icelandic experience!
I do hope we'll see you all back in Iceland again, maybe in summer with more steble weather haha
All the best
Gummi

A gorgeous gem of a destination
Iceland | Mar 21 - Mar 28, 2026

R
Rob W.
Solon, OH | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026
Iceland in the winter can be a challenge but a wonderful challenge if your guide prepares you!. Gummi was a great guide through KimKim! In a short but action packed week we were able to see the Snaefellsnes peninsula, reykjavik, the golden circle, a lava cave, a glacier, ice caves, northern lights, number of waterfalls, Vik, and a whale watching tour. Make sure your rental has studded tires and use the weather and safe roads apps to check on things everyday. I really can't say enough about... Read more

Iceland in the winter can be a challenge but a wonderful challenge if your guide prepares you!. Gummi was a great guide through KimKim! In a short but action packed week we were able to see the Snaefellsnes peninsula, reykjavik, the golden circle, a lava cave, a glacier, ice caves, northern lights, number of waterfalls, Vik, and a whale watching tour. Make sure your rental has studded tires and use the weather and safe roads apps to check on things everyday. I really can't say enough about our service. We had to make many adaptations but missed on nothing. We got some great personal recommendations and also hit the big attractions. Iceland is a wonderful gem. Next time we will see it in summer!

Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Mar 31, 2026

Thank you for the kind review Rob!
You certainly got ALL THE WEATHER 😅 haha! What a week! But I'm so happy you still got to experience everything and we made it all work.
Teamwork is dreamwork!

I'm looking forward to having you back in summer. I'm sure there will be less need for daily modifications then 😊

Take care and all the best,
Gummi