8 day Iceland Vacation
Iceland | Aug 1 - Aug 8, 2022

R
Ruth R.
Port Washington, NY | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2022

My family and I returned from an 8 day Iceland vacation a little over a week ago. This was our “big” vacation that was long overdue. With so much information available on Iceland, as well as talking to friends that had previously visited, the task of planning seemed a bit daunting. How was I going to plan an engaging, memorable experience for 2 teenage boys and my husband? When I finally decided to use KimKim, my specialist Emanuel communicated with me and we began a lovely rapport immediately. I know it’s hard to get to know someone via email and I don’t know how Emanuela did it, but she figured out our travel preferences and created an itinerary that delivered. We began our trip with Wake Up Reykjavik walking food tour (we’re foodies) and it was a great introduction to Iceland, the culture, history and meet other travelers (highly suggest this as an introduction to Iceland) Alma, our food/tour guide was knowledgeable, engaging and funny. By the end of the tour she had a bunch of strangers talking as though we were all friends traveling together. What a way to start our vacation! Our itinerary was full as we wanted to see and do so much in 8 days and Emanuela made sure we weren’t overwhelmed from the get go as she started us off with the most beautiful areas of Iceland, the Snaefellness Peninsula which was a hit for my boys. Our trip culminated with a breathtaking (figuratively speaking) Glacier Hike with Arctic Adventure with Barbara, our guide. This tour was the family favorite, the hike was not difficult and it took a few minutes to adjust to walking with crampons, however once you start the hike, see the beauty of the glaciers and the clear flowing water you’ll be glad you did it. There were many wonderful highlights we enjoyed and I could write an essay about each. The only thing we wish we would have done was spend more time at Thingvellir National Park, we could have been here all day walking appreciating its beauty. Our last day in Iceland ended at the Sky Lagoon…the view from that cliff is spectacular especially if you get lucky on a clear day as we did. It was the perfect ending of our time in Iceland.

Emanuela definitely got it right when it came to accommodations with The Black Pearl Apartments and Hotel Husafell as our favorites, if you wish to splurge on accommodations, which is something we wanted. Hotel Husafell provides you with breathtaking views of mountains and a vibe that is relaxing and grounding with exceptional service. The Black Pearl Apartments are in the heart of Reykjavik, spacious, clean, modern apartment with excellent service.
Although we never met Emanuela, she took the time to communicate with us in Iceland and it felt like we were traveling with a friend who wanted us to feel at home and enjoy our time. Thank you Emanuela for creating a memorable experience that my family and I will remember for years to come.

Activity Reviews
Food Walking tour, Blue Lagoon and departure
Food Walking tour, Blue Lagoon and departure
Reykjavík

Alma our guide was not only knowledgeable and funny but she managed to get a bunch of strangers together talking like friends by the end of the tour.

Quality of Experience
The quality and diversity of the food choices
Food
Mouthwatering, savory and excellent presentation of each plate served.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Alma was engaging, friendly and funny.
Transport
The ease of walking to each place
Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon
Reykjavík

The spectacular view from the cliff is breathtaking and humbling especially on a clear day (how lucky were we to have excellent weather). It’s definitely a pampering moment to be appreciated.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Staff is very professional and helpful
Inside a volcano and back to Reykjavik
Inside a volcano and back to Reykjavik
Vík

With an actual mini volcanic eruption occurring in another part of the country, as we were about to made the inside the volcano tour all the more special and you appreciate the wonders of nature. It is mind blowing to know how deep inside you are and words will not be enough to describe the colors you see inside this volcano.

Quality of Experience
I
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour
Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour
Snæfellsnes Peninsula

When the guides share the history of how this cave was found and you see the untouched rocks that have fallen it blows your mind that you are inside a lava cave.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Extremely knowledgeable and engaging which made the tour all the more interesting
Transport
Nice hike to the lava cave
Local specialist: Emanuela Grieco
Emanuela
Emanuela Grieco
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Aug 17, 2022
My dear Ruth,
your words filled my heart with joy.
Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback and review, for the time you took to write it, and for the enthusiasm you and your family showed me once again.
It was a pleasure to get to virtually know and connect with you. I enjoyed so much our weekly updates and shared sense of humour and you already know I miss it so much.
I am very happy to know you and your boys had a lovely trip and enjoyed Iceland the best. There is still so much... Read more

My dear Ruth,
your words filled my heart with joy.
Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback and review, for the time you took to write it, and for the enthusiasm you and your family showed me once again.
It was a pleasure to get to virtually know and connect with you. I enjoyed so much our weekly updates and shared sense of humour and you already know I miss it so much.

I am very happy to know you and your boys had a lovely trip and enjoyed Iceland the best. There is still so much more to see and explore, so let's keep the extra day on the Golden Circle for your next visit.

Until then, I send you my best regards.
It was truly a pleasure,
Emanuela