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What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
The snow that had fallen prior to The Golden Circle tour
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
Very knowledgeable
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Be very aware that this is hardly a 4 day tour. Late arrival on the first day, and 04:45 departure on the last day, basically gives you approx. 2.5 days. Given that day 3, is either extra, or a free day, then look closely at the value for money this trip offers
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
The Super Jeep tour was simply wonderful. The guide, Siggi, was knowledgeable and friendly and very relaxed. Visiting Eyjafjallakull and walking on newly created land was memorable, as was touching such ancient ice in the glacier. Another memorable moment was when the sky lit up with the Northern Lights above us as we walked back along the promenade to our guesthouse at about 11pm. Magical and completely unexpected.
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
The tour/expedition leader and the driver were friendly, knowledgeable, professional and simply very good. We were out late on the Northern Lights tour, so Dorothea arranged for us to leave one hour later the next day, which was very welcome. The tours were relaxed with plenty of time to see the landmarks. We were given good information about where to eat and what to see in Reykjavik. All in all, I would rate Dorothea and our driver as one of the best tour guides I have had in a long while.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
If booking over a public holiday (I went over the Easter holiday) be prepared to pay for optional tours in cash as the credit card machines are apparently out of reach during public holidays. The restaurants I went to in Reykjavik were very good, but pricey. Be prepared to spend at least £40 per head for a two course meal. Wine/beer will up the price considerably. I went to Laekjarbrekka, an Icelandic fish restaurant and to the Tappas Barn. There are many, many other restaurants but a quick glance at the menus indicated similar prices. You can, of course, eat more cheaply if you eat at Subways etc. but it would be a shame to miss out on some very fine cuisine.
Do you have anything else to add?
3 nights is enough to give you a taste of this wonderful country, but 5 nights would be better because it would give you time to do the tours and to have a day or so in Reykjavik itself. I had to choose between a day in the city and the Jeep tour. In the end I chose the Jeep tour, which was great, but I would have liked to spend a day in the city as well.
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
How about having showers in water that comes straight out of a volcano and still smells of sulphur, and having radiators heated by geothermally. Iceland is amazing and lived up to its name at this time of the year. Such a contrast between the icy surroundings and boiling hot springs at Geysir and volcanoes and lava everywhere. An energising country which is getting bigger day by day. Bjork made much more sense after this visit!
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
Our group leader was a good reflection of Iceland. He knew the country really well and packed extra experiences into our trip. He also explained things to us as if he was telling a saga on a dark winter night! Stories within stories, that sort of thing. He also knew where to find the best hot chocolate ever at midnight after a freezing hunt for the aurora borealis.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Only four days so masses to pack in. I spent the second day in Reykjavik rather than pay for an additional tour and was glad I did, because it was a chance to experience another aspect of Iceland. A visit to the new concert hall is a must - go inside and take your camera, also try to see it lit up at night when it imitates the northern lights. Go in winter. Walk on the frozen lake in the middle of the town. Visit the Settlement Exhibition. Try fermented shark at Cafe Loki near the cathedral (they also do less smelly Icelandic treats!) Look for amazing Icelandic jumpers knitted with no seams, but pricey. Iceland was the most expensive place I've been, but well worth going.
Do you have anything else to add?
Everyone should visit Iceland at least once in their life in winter - it's so different and changes every day. Not for a rest cure though!
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
Watching a tour guide driving one handed across a 'dangerous' lava field in a 'Super Jeep' (basically a minibus with large tyres) while he was on a mobile phone for over 5 monutes...and this happened twice. We were led to believe that its an action packed day, and its not, far from it. I know the weather did not help, but neither did his being almost an hour late for pick up with no explanation until we asked for it. As a group we paid almost £2500 for this 'experience' and it was by far the worst value for money I have ever had on a similar style holiday.
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
He was a lovely man, but he did not get the group to bond together at all. We had time when we first arrived at the Blue lagoon to get a coffee and get chatting, but we were all directed to just go and got on with the lagoon, and then we had time when we first arrived in Rekjavik to have tour around the city (its not that big), but no, they took us straight to the hotel. The table for the first night was booked at a canteen style thing next door, but with 2 vegetarians in the group that the 'restaurant' couldn't cater for, we splintered off straight away. It was a short trip but we were not encouraged to 'bond' and as 6 out of 16 were single travellers, its an essential part of the guide's role.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Go as a couple when you can guarentee the Northern Lights, and don't follow the crowd and do the ridiculously expensive 'Super Jeep' tour.
Do you have anything else to add?
I had high hopes for this trip, and yes the wet weather and the general warmer conditions at the moment played a part in making it less than I imagined, but I did not feel that we were being 'boosted' by either leader, and with a map and a hire car, we could have seen and done all that we had included with no less information. The Explore guide was derogatory about his home city, but keen to point out all the golf courses....never did he ask if anyone actually played golf!
I could add more, but 800 characters is not much!"
It's a sham.
Our response
Thank you for your feedback. We were sorry to read that you didn’t feel the Super Jeep trip was good value. It usually gets great feedback, not least from the many Explore members of staff who’ve done it, but if the weather isn’t great, that can reduce the experience. We were especially concerned to hear that the guide was an hour late, and using his mobile phone whilst driving – he has worked for Explore for 13 years, so we were very concerned – and disappointed – to read this. We can assure you that this has been addressed as a matter of urgency with our local agent.
As explained on the Tour Notes, this holiday does not have an Explore tour leader, but is looked after by a local rep, as the main services to be provided are driving and guiding, and the local guides we use are all very competent at both. This does mean that group meals are not organised, but the table at the Cabin Hotel is booked (but as indicated, entirely optional) for those who would like something available and close by for the first evening. As the population of Reykjavik is small, its restaurants also tend to be small, and there are few which can cater for groups of 16, so group meals could only be booked at the bigger hotels, which few of our customers would want.
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
Wallowing in the Blue Lagoon
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
Disorganised and didn't communicate important information well. Arrived late to pick up the group from the airport.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Make sure you dress in very warm clothes for the Northern Lights trip - a lot of time spent on a beach with icy wind whipping around you. For the rest of the time, I would suggest thin layers that you can take off and put on according to conditions - its warm inside buldings.
Do you have anything else to add?
"Disappointing for the amount of money paid. Compared similar trips with Icelandair and found these cheaper with the same itinerary. Thought that the accommodation would be of a better standard, but this wasn't the case. The hotel was perfectly acceptable, but was more like a hostel and too far from the city centre - £36 taxi ride or 30+ mins walk. The rooms at the hotel used were more expensive than the rooms at hotels of better quality which were closer to the city centre. Not really impressed with the quality of this tour.
To put this into perspective, I have been on 2 other tours with Explore and found them very well organised, good value for money and could not fault them. "
Our response
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry the rep was late arriving at the airport – our Icelandic agent is following this up.
We use the Borgartun guesthouse because it is owned by our agent and we think offers good value, as well as having all necessary expertise on site. But we will look into your suggestion that city centre hotels may offer better value. The walk into the centre is not 30 minutes unless you select a scenic route – along the seafront, maybe. Walking straight up into the centre should not take more than 15 minutes. A taxi is not the only alternative; there is a bus stop almost immediately outside and the cost is modest. The details of the service, and what ticket to ask the driver for, are in the rooms at the guesthouse.
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
Missing a photo of the Strokkur geyser and realising it would go up again in a few minutes. After several tries, I got the perfect shot.
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
Excellent. Very interesting about all things Icelandic.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Go and eat at the old harbour. Excellent fish at a reasonable price.
Do you have anything else to add?
Think carefully about the super jeep tour to Thorsmork. It's really expensive for a view of a minor glacier and you sit in the jeep most of the day.
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
Wallowing in the Blue Lagoon
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
Disorganised and didn't communicate important information well. Arrived late to pick up the group from the airport.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Make sure you dress in very warm clothes for the Northern Lights trip - a lot of time spent on a beach with icy wind whipping around you. For the rest of the time, I would suggest thin layers that you can take off and put on according to conditions - its warm inside buldings.
Do you have anything else to add?
"Disappointing for the amount of money paid. Compared similar trips with Icelandair and found these cheaper with the same itinerary. Thought that the accommodation would be of a better standard, but this wasn't the case. The hotel was perfectly acceptable, but was more like a hostel and too far from the city centre - £36 taxi ride or 30+ mins walk. The rooms at the hotel used were more expensive than the rooms at hotels of better quality which were closer to the city centre. Not really impressed with the quality of this tour.
To put this into perspective, I have been on 2 other tours with Explore and found them very well organised, good value for money and could not fault them. "
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
Iceland is a stunning country, my favourite part was relaxing in the Blue Lagoon.
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
He was a wealth of knowledge on Iceland and also the Northern Lights which everyone was keen to learn more about.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Make sure you take lots of layers to wrap up warm!
Do you have anything else to add?
This tour is only short but you get so much done in a long weekend.
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
Something that no tour operator, no matter how good they are, could organise. An explosion on the sun, generating green lights in the sky here on Earth. The aurora borealis came out to play with us on the very last night of the tour.
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How was your Explore Tour Leader?
Valur was fantastic, witty, helpful and informative. Just what I've come to expect from Explore tour leaders since I started travelling with you in 2002.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
I'd say pack layers, and even in the winter bring sunglasses, the wind chill is hard on the eyes. Also, Iceland is expensive, so budget carefully.
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
The Blue Lagoon was great, so too was the Golden Circle.
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
Our tour leader (Hussey) was excellent, really informative with lots of little stories along the bus journey. He also took us to other sites of interest not on the itinerary which was lovely. He ,made a great effort to make sure we were all happy and enjoying the trip.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Decide how you are going to spend your free day before leaving or at least have a good idea of what you want to do as we had to decide after breakfast the first day and there wasn't that much time. Also have your swimming costume to hand for Blue Lagoon on way from airport..
Do you have anything else to add?
Great trip, excellent country, so interesting. If you get the chance at all go to the Folk Museum at Skogar, you will learn all about how the Icelandic people lived years ago, fascinating stuff and I generally don't like museums! The whale watching wasn't great:(
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?
"Gulfoss.I really wanted to see it in frozen splendour , and it didn't disappoint .
The super jeep trip was great ! We saw the sunrise, a frozen beach and dunes, waterfalls,rivers,ice ,snow and glacier."
How was your Explore Tour Leader?
Really good. Very knowledgeable and being Icelandic, told us some fascinating facts about life in Iceland , it's history and legends.
What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Take a flask ,fill it at breakfast. A hot cuppa whilst you are out and about can't be beaten!
Do you have anything else to add?
Iceland is very expensive , but an amazing place to visit. I may return , would love to see how different it is in the summer.
| This was my first explore trip and it was a fantastic holiday. Being in the blue lagoon during a hailstorm will certainly not be forgotten. We failed to see the northern lights which was a shame, but the scenery more than made up for that. The fireworks on new years eve was out of this world. The trip could be improved for the new year departures - I didn't go on the optional excursion as instead wanted to see more of Rejkyavik and although some places were open on new years day not everything was. Hence, I think it would be better if the second and third days of the trip were swapped around in order to allow tose on the trip to have more flexibility. |
