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Frommer's Iceland
Experience Iceland’s amazing diversity and many attractions the way the locals do. Frommer’s Iceland is a complete guide to everything Iceland has to offer, from cosmopolitan city Reykjavik to outdoor activities like taking a dip in natural thermal pools. No matter what your budget or interests, this guide will show you exactly how you can enjoy Iceland.
Plan your trip with detailed maps, enjoy off the beaten path experiences explore undiscovered gems.
Plan your trip with detailed maps, enjoy off the beaten path experiences explore undiscovered gems.
- GenresTravel
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 1, 2021
It's hard to rate this without having been to Iceland to figure out if the descriptions are apt. So, if I ever get there, this rating might go up or down accordingly.
The one thing that was disappointing is that there are no pictures, which I think would've helped someone decide whether or not to go to a particular venue. That's partly why we paired this book with Chris McNab's "Iceland," a book with stunning photography but very little text.
Most of this "Frommer's Iceland" was dry reading, but there were a few gems. Very informative, but whether or not the information's accurate, I can't say.
Glumber museum was listed as the most unforgettable museum if you could only do one, but was not listed in a different section under best museums, which made me wonder. I suppose it could have a little of everything, but not do anything spectacularly. No offense to Glumber's. That's the only rationale I could envision, but there are probably more.
I appreciated knowing which museums didn't have English translations.
As for the funny or noteworthy comments:
"An old Islandic proverb states, 'It's better to be barefoot than without books.'"
Apparently, there's a blue-green pond that people can swim in, but it smells like eggs.
I appreciated the warning about hakari, uncooked shark putrified, that has the "look and texture of mozzarella cheese." That would make me wary of the cheese.
"Top [bed] sheets are generally not even an option in Iceland."
I'm not sure that I want to take the paths that "require caution, good balance, and agility." Are they wanting mountain goats?
"Minerals in the lagoon will temporarily coarsen and harden your hair."
"Tread carefully, and stick to the trails - one false step could melt the rubber right off your soles."
At Krysuvik Church, "Leave a note in the guestbook; he likes to read it aloud to the congregation."
Apparently, there are separate words to indicate old lava and new lava, "nyjaraun" and "eldhraun".
"Warning: Once you've climbed the final stretch of rock, it can be very difficult to get back down."
Wind "above 20 [m/s] is very severe, and flying sand could tear the paint right off of your car."
"Three stars mean all rooms have private bathrooms."
"The only thing Icelandic nature does lack is trees. You won't get lost in a forest. (The advice in Iceland if you do manage this unlikely feat is: 'Stand up!)"
The one thing that was disappointing is that there are no pictures, which I think would've helped someone decide whether or not to go to a particular venue. That's partly why we paired this book with Chris McNab's "Iceland," a book with stunning photography but very little text.
Most of this "Frommer's Iceland" was dry reading, but there were a few gems. Very informative, but whether or not the information's accurate, I can't say.
Glumber museum was listed as the most unforgettable museum if you could only do one, but was not listed in a different section under best museums, which made me wonder. I suppose it could have a little of everything, but not do anything spectacularly. No offense to Glumber's. That's the only rationale I could envision, but there are probably more.
I appreciated knowing which museums didn't have English translations.
As for the funny or noteworthy comments:
"An old Islandic proverb states, 'It's better to be barefoot than without books.'"
Apparently, there's a blue-green pond that people can swim in, but it smells like eggs.
I appreciated the warning about hakari, uncooked shark putrified, that has the "look and texture of mozzarella cheese." That would make me wary of the cheese.
"Top [bed] sheets are generally not even an option in Iceland."
I'm not sure that I want to take the paths that "require caution, good balance, and agility." Are they wanting mountain goats?
"Minerals in the lagoon will temporarily coarsen and harden your hair."
"Tread carefully, and stick to the trails - one false step could melt the rubber right off your soles."
At Krysuvik Church, "Leave a note in the guestbook; he likes to read it aloud to the congregation."
Apparently, there are separate words to indicate old lava and new lava, "nyjaraun" and "eldhraun".
"Warning: Once you've climbed the final stretch of rock, it can be very difficult to get back down."
Wind "above 20 [m/s] is very severe, and flying sand could tear the paint right off of your car."
"Three stars mean all rooms have private bathrooms."
"The only thing Icelandic nature does lack is trees. You won't get lost in a forest. (The advice in Iceland if you do manage this unlikely feat is: 'Stand up!)"
August 24, 2017
Full of relevant detail about all of Iceland. In the meantime somewhat dated, mostly in terms of prices, but everything that is described in this book is still there.
April 1, 2021
This has a lot of good information and even calls out attractions that should be bypassed for other options.
October 13, 2011
Not very inspiring. Trip postponed and waiting for Lonely Planet's Iceland.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews