Europe

14D13N winter holiday in Iceland + Scotland + Ireland

I'm going to Iceland in Feb/March 2018. 

 Yes, AGAIN. Many asked me, why Iceland again? If you have been following my blog, you would probably know that I visited Iceland 2 years ago (October 2015 itinerary). I spent 4 nights there and supposed to visit Reykjavik city, Golden Circle, National Park, geyser and etc but due to bad weather and we lost our way on the 2nd day, we missed out the entire Golden Circle route, we did not manage to walk around Reykjavik too. Also, we were there in October, it was not possible to visit ice cave. 

 So this time, I want to go back to Iceland to see the majestic ice cave, hike on the glacier, pet the Icelandic horse, drive on Golden Circle route and not to forget, chase the northern lights again. 

I'm just so in love with Iceland. 

Since it's my 2nd visit to Iceland, I should have travel the entire Iceland, make it a round trip on Ring Road, but I do not have enough time to cover the whole Iceland (which needs minimum 7 days) and I'm greedy, I want to collect a few more different countries' immigration chop on my passport, 
Ireland and Scotland also included in this coming trip.  

 I wanted to use London as my base and explore UK at the same time, but Finnair offers the cheapest fare and it gives the best travel time (only 2 hours transit and arrive Iceland in the morning) to Iceland. It's also not as convenient to transfer in between different airports in London. I gave up London in the end. Finnair is still the best (and most convenient) choice to travel if you want to go Iceland from Singapore.

 Singapore – Iceland (transit via Helsinki) – Scotland Edinburgh – Ireland – UK Northern Ireland

Highlights
  • Hike on beautiful glacier in Iceland 
  • Visit to amazing ice cave in Iceland
  • Viewing of northern lights in Iceland
  • Horse riding in Iceland
  • A night stay in charming private castle in Ireland  
  • Visit to Game of Thrones filming locations in Ireland
Accommodation
  • 3 nights airbnb private home stay in Iceland
  • 2 nights glacier hotel stay in Iceland
  • 2 nights airbnb private home in Scotland
  • 5 nights airbnb private home stay in Ireland
Day 0
Midnight flight from Singapore to Iceland Reykjavik (2 hours transit via Helsinki) at midnight 

Day 1
Upon arrival Reykjavik in the morning 9:30, collect rental car, buy SIM card, grocery shopping and head straight to Vik. Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall / Skógafoss waterfall / Musée de Skógar / Dyrholaey
Stay overnight at airbnb private home stay at Reynisfjara beach (Vik)

Day 2
Drive to Jokulsarlon Lagoon. Visit Svartifoss waterfall / Skaftafell / Vatnajökull National Park (Entrance)
Stay overnight at Fosshotel

Day 3
Private ice cave day tour 
Stay overnight at Fosshotel

Day 4
Drive to Golden Circle route. Visit Thingvellir National Park / Strokkur Geyser / Gullfoss waterfall / Kerið Crater / Skálholt Cathedral / Faxi waterfall
Stay overnight at airbnb private home stay

 Day 5
Drive to Reykjavik. Visit Þingvellir national park / Blue Lagoon. In Reykjavik, visit church Hallgrímskirkja (9am – 5pm adult kr. 700) / visit church Domkirkjan (weekday 10am – 430pm) / Shopping Laugavegur shopping street and Skólavörðustígur street / Sun Voyager sculpture
Stay overnight at airbnb private home stay  

Day 6
Depart from Reykjavik to Edinburgh. Visit Edinburgh
Stay overnight at airbnb private home stay

Day 7
Collect rental car, day trip out from Edinburgh
Stay overnight at airbnb private home stay

Day 8
Depart from Edinburgh to Dublin. Drive to UK (Northern Ireland Portrush), visit Belfast / The Dark Hedges / Giant's Causeway / Dunluce Castle
Stay overnight at airbnb private home stay

 Day 9
Drive to Galway. Visit Cliff of Moher 
Stay overnight at private castle

 Day 10
Drive to Killarney. Visit Killarney town.
Stay overnight at airbnb private home stay

Day 11
Day trip from Killarney to Dingle Penisula
Stay overnight at airbnb private home stay

 Day 12
Drive to Dublin. Visit Hore Abbey / Rock of Cashel / Dublin town
Stay overnight at airbnb private home stay

 Day 13
Depart from Dublin to Singapore (9 hours transit in Helsinki)
Take airport bus to Helsinki town. Visit Temppeliaukio Church, market in Helsinki

 Day 14
Arrive SG
Budget/pax (in SGD)
Air ticket 1300
Accommodation 1265
Car rental 1000
Petrol 300
Meals 500
Ice cave tour 550
Blue Lagoon 130
Shopping 300
Total SGD5345 


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    3 comments

    1. julianAugust 18, 2017 at 9:52 AM

      hi Eva,

      your blog, especially the pic you posted, give me inspiration and the places you visited are really interesting. In fact, i will also be staying at the Koyasan Onsen Fukuchiin after stumbling across your sharing.

      Btw, how you manage to get the ticket to Iceland at such a price? mind sharing? Thanks

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. IvaAugust 18, 2017 at 9:46 PM

        Hi Julian, thank you for your kind words. Actually $1300 includes both international ticket (SG-Reykjavik via Helsinki, Dublin-SG via Helsinki)and domestic flight from Iceland-Scotland & to Dublin. I bought the air ticket in July and it was only $980. Finnair had promotion early August, the ticket was only $780 but limited seats (like 10?).

        Btw, I've not been to Wakayama before.

        Delete
      2. JCSilentMomentsAugust 29, 2017 at 3:04 PM

        Thanks Iva, and sorry for mistaken identity...going thru so many blogs and got confused...Cheers

        Delete

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