Iceland Offbeat

We have many lovely memories from our trip to Iceland. While our local specialist had many good suggestions for sites to see and things to do that I may not have discovered on my own, the planning process was sometimes frustrating. Response times for questions were often too long, sometimes a week at a time. Most importantly, when I asked if two weeks was time enough to see and do all the things I had on the list, I was told it was. Unfortunately, this was not the case and we had already booked our flights when I figured that out. On the positive side, the accommodations our specialist booked were for the most part quite nice. Her suggestion to take a zodiac tour of the Jokulsarlon Lagoon rather than the amphibious boat was great . It was one of the highlights of our trip. She also recommended a wonderful shop, Handradinn in Hofn, for hand knit Icelandic sweaters. Lastly she had a good knowledge of hiking trails and which roads would be accessible in early June.

It was a wonderful trip with family, a number of hidden gems. The maps were great as well as the suggestions.

The planning process with Eric was exceptional. Very attentive, timely and informative. Answered all my questions and provide provided valuable insight regarding the planning of our trip
Our guide/driver for the week, Siggi, was great.
We learned a lot about the history of Iceland, saw some amazing sites and had a lot of laughs along the way. We even invited him to play golf with us at Brautarholt !!! Eric and Kim Kim fried amazing experience for myself and eight of my high school friends. It was a memorable experience.

Activity Reviews

Sky Lagoon

Iceland

Great time And experience.

Quality of Experience

Great experience with opportunities to be exposed to cold plunge, sauna, steaming, salt, scrub, missing shower, and the overall sky Lagoon spa

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver was terrific all week, the staff at sky Lagoon were friendly and accommodating.

Transport

Siggi is great

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

Replaced to unwind, especially after a long flight from the United States. Very calming and refreshing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Langjokull Glacier Snowmobiling

Iceland

Snowmobiling was fun. Although we believe that the winter months would be better suited for this activity. Lack of snow on the nearby landscape restricted or travel area.

Quality of Experience

On time riding on top of the glacier… Would’ve been better if there was more snow nearby for a longer tour

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides were fun and accommodating

Transport

Long ride to the Bass camp on rough terrain

ATV Tour

Iceland

Awesome time traversing through the volcanic area, mountains, and beachfront.

Quality of Experience

Fun time great experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guides were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and provided a great experience for our group

Transport

Siggi was awesome

Reykjavik Premium Whale Watching

Reykjavík

Fun time on the rigid hole inflatable boats. Weather wasn’t great, but we had a fun time. Able to see whales, dolphins and puffins. The all female bow crew was fantastic and entertaining.

Quality of Experience

Efficient operation with knowledgeable staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They all female bow crew were terrific.

I cannot recommend kimkim and our local specialist Eric enough! Going to another country trusting that all will go smoothly is a leap of faith but there was nothing to worry about. All our stays were fabulous with kind and gracious hosts, checkins were easy and seamless. Any minor snags we did hit, the team responded immediately and got us taken care of. Having WiFi on hand at all times was super helpful!
The tours were amazing and the guides were friendly, knowledgeable and made the tours a fun experience. Iceland is a unique and amazing country to visit, Èric made sure we got to see all the highlights as well as some off grid treats. He was professional, knowledgeable and very communicative. We told him our interests and he nailed it!
If you are trying to decide whether to plan it yourself or spend the little extra to have them do it for you, let them do it for you, it is totally worth it for a worry free trip!

Activity Reviews

Katla Ice Cave Superjeep tour

Iceland

We had Nat as our guide, she was fun, professional and knowledgeable! This is a must do!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glacier Hike & Glacial Lagoon Kayaking

Iceland

This was an amazing adventure, highly recommend!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was so great to work with Alicia. She was so helpful and very responsive! I recommend doing a lot of your own research too so you can feel confident adjusting your plan if needed. I also recommend training ahead of time if you plan on hiking a lot. The elevation is a bear! 10 days was a great amount of time for our trip but would have loved maybe 2 more days. We rented a 4x4 and explored the golden circle and down to the south.
This was the greatest trip of my 50 years!

Due to our hectic schedules in our native country, we often felt panicked during the planning process, but our guide Rinolda remained professional and calm alleviating our stress. In the end she created an excellent itinerary of suggested excursions.

Personally, I was unaware that the KimKim model included booking hotels, tours, and other reservations for us. That was extremely helpful. I thought we would have to do that ourselves. The only thing I wish we had made clear to Rinolda was that we were willing to pay a premium for lodging.

While Hotel Holt in Reykjavik (our first hotel) was charming, the room was uncomfortably small. Perhaps the fact that we departed from Toronto, Canada at 7:00 pm Saturday evening and arrived in Iceland 5 hours later, what would have been midnight EST in our brains, it being 6:00 am Iceland time might have contributed to our stress as we were unable to negotiate an early check-in. I would advise anyone traveling from the west to Iceland to book a room available one day earlier than their arrival. KimKim might suggest to clients the same.

Regardless of this hiccup, the breakfast at Hotel Holt was exceptional. As an aside regarding all breakfasts in Iceland, I now include tomatoes and cucumbers with my own back home.

While we were on our own for breakfast in Reykjavik, we did stumble upon a wonderful little breakfast joint called Grái Kötturinn (Gray Cat). We didn’t realize until later after checking our notes that Rinolda recommended it. Well done.

My only mistake—because I worked as a server in my youth—I tipped $20 US currency. Apparently tipping is atypical in Iceland. Whatever, I enjoy tipping.

Our entire trip was fabulous. Iceland is like another planet. I’ve never experienced such diverse landscapes. The glaciers, icebergs, puffins, waterfalls, black sand beaches, geo-thermal pools (ah), the tomato restaurant, skyr, cod, the bread, the churches, the lupine, the hikes—my wife lost 5 pounds trekking the wonders of this wonderful land.

Our second hotel in Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Magma Hotel was perfect. From the outside it looks like a small, nondescript cabin, but the interior is a designer’s dream. Everything about it was style and comfort. And the view, to die for.

I feel like I’m writing a book, so I’m going to end it here.

Takeaways: Iceland is glorious. Rinolda is an excellent guide. Kim Kim Travel is a great solution for travelers. I’ll be back.

Our trip to Iceland was one of the best we have taken as a family. It all started with a message from Éric at Iceland Offbeat, who quickly put together a great and manageable itinerary for the Western peninsula and the southern coast, ending back in Reykjavik.

We spent eight days exploring glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic craters, and also the amazing countryside and food that this place had to offer.

Éric was so easy to chat with and made sure we were happy with our itinerary and excursions over the last few months. Definitely recommend using Kim Kim to anyone looking to relieve the stress of planning a memorable trip.

Activity Review

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike

Iceland

This hike was memorable due to being able to walk on a glacier that may not be here in the next 20 years. The guide, Dennis, was very knowledgeable and made sure that we found the coolest spots while staying safe. Very easy hike and anyone who can walk for about an hour or so can do this.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Thor Thorsteinsson was our guide and was truly perfect….fun, knowledgeable, calm, genuine. His tempo for the days was fit everyone’s capabilities and interests.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Nordurland

Akureyri

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hótel Drangshlíð

Skógar

The rooms were fine . I don’t remember exactly but was not impressed with the meal… I can’t remember details, sorry

Authenticity & Character

Location

Loved the remoteness

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

ODDSSON Hotel

Reykjavik

Keyless entry was helpful since our arrival was so early. Free Breakfast were good and soup was available for dinner time. Nice sitting area for games and dining. Our last day departure was 7am; breakfast opened then so we were not able to eat. Food for that day would have been appreciated. ODDSSON is a beautiful hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

For the tour experience I would have liked staying in the center of town.

Staff

Friendly, accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

We loved the bedding

Activity Reviews

6 Day Summer Ring Road Group Tour - Day 5

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Inside the Volcano tour

Iceland

Again, this was an “over the top “ experience.

Quality of Experience

We loved our hike to the base camp and the soup afterwards was a lovely treat

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guides serenaded us on our way up to the top with an Icelandic song! That was an unexpected bonus in such a setting.

Transport

Whale Watching Tour

Iceland

We were so lucky to see a humpback whale for most of our trip to the fjord.

Quality of Experience

The Geothermal Vok Baths

Iceland

This was so different from the Blue Lagoon and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Quality of Experience

Less crowded made it extra special

Skaftafell Glacier Hike

Iceland

Again, a once in a lifetime opportunity. It really was thrilling.

Quality of Experience

Uniqueness of it!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

6 Day Summer Ring Road Group Tour - Day 3

Iceland

Quality of Experience

We loved all of our many waterfall stops!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Katla Ice Cave Tour

Iceland

We had no idea what to expect and were in awe of this experience. Beautiful and just a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable

Transport

6 Day Summer Ring Road Group Tour - Day 2

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Thor really was a perfect guide….so knowledgeable, he had side sites that he shared and was just fun!

Transport

The van was very comfortable

Horse Riding

Iceland

Our 2 grandsons were allowed to ride faster at the end of our ride which they loved. We asked for this and the owner accommodated them. They would have enjoyed even more time and the faster pace.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very helpful

Transport

The KimKim experience waw pretty outstanding. I had to converse multiple times with Eric in setting up the trip. Eric was always adaptive and prompt in making the changes that I requested. He set up a daily series of places to visit each day with the most important places to visit being listed first and optional side excursions given time available. His suggestions were great. This is the second time I have visited Iceland and was able to see and experience places I had not been to before. My wife and I really enjoyed the Ice cave exploration at Katla and the glacier hike on the Vatnajokul at Vik. The hotels we stayed at were 3 and 4 star places. I think they all were exceptional especially if you are used to European hotels. We really liked the Vogasfjos Hotel which had exceptional meals which were were all farm raised. 1001 Nott in Egilsstadir and the Hofsstadir Country Hotel were exceptional. My wife stated that this was one of the coolest trips she has ever taken. My hats off to KimKim and Eric. Be aware though that things are expensive in Iceland.