{"id":10955,"date":"2017-10-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/camperstories\/puffin-tours-iceland-vw-campervan\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T11:29:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T11:29:17","slug":"puffin-tours-iceland-vw-campervan","status":"publish","type":"camperstories","link":"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/da\/camperstories\/puffin-tours-iceland-vw-campervan\/","title":{"rendered":"Puffin Tours Iceland in VW Campervan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This blog records the experiences of Laurie Beth Clark and Michael Peterson who traveled in Iceland between 20 and 29 July in a 2017 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/4x4-campers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Volkswagen California Camper van<\/a> which we nicknamed Beethoven (in honor of the band)\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Volkswagen-California-Camper-van.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2662\" title=\"Volkswagen California Camper van\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Volkswagen-California-Camper-van-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Volkswagen California Camper van\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026together with our mascot puffin, Vanessa.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Vanessa-the-Puffin.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2663\" title=\"Vanessa the Puffin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Vanessa-the-Puffin-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Vanessa the Puffin\" width=\"875\" height=\"657\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/campsites-in-iceland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Renting a camper van<\/a> allowed us to come to Iceland without a planned itinerary. In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/campsites-in-iceland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">campgrounds in Iceland<\/a> don\u2019t take reservations. We could not begin to imagine how this would work until the first night of our trip when we discovered that there are no demarcated spots, just parking areas and open fields where everyone fits in as best they can.<br \/>\nSometimes you have a lot of space\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Camping-freedom.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2666\" title=\"Camping freedom\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Camping-freedom-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Camping freedom\" width=\"874\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026and sometimes it is very close quarters.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Popular-campsites-in-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2667\" title=\"Popular campsites in Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Popular-campsites-in-Iceland-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Popular campsites in Iceland\" width=\"874\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On our first day, we learned all about the features of our camper from Sanda.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Sanda-our-rental-agent.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2668\" title=\"Sanda our rental agent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Sanda-our-rental-agent-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sanda our rental agent\" width=\"874\" height=\"655\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The van even had its own free WiFi!<br \/>\nOur favorite part was the popup roof that allows for enough headroom to stand up inside the van\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Relaxing-in-the-Camper-Van.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2670\" title=\"Relaxing in the Camper Van\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Relaxing-in-the-Camper-Van-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Relaxing in the Camper Van\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026as well as a place to sleep up top.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-bed-in-the-VW-California-camper.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2671\" title=\"The bed in the VW California camper\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-bed-in-the-VW-California-camper-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"The bed in the VW California camper\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After a stop to collect our luggage at the Reykjavik Lights hotel (we stored all our camping gear in Reykjavik while we traveled in Europe) and another at a supermarket to stock our pantry and refrigerator, we headed west to check off some of the obligatory <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/the-golden-circle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Golden Circle<\/a> sites such as \u00deingvellir (site of the first democratic parliament in 930 AD) where the European and North American tectonic plates are moving away from one another at an alarming 18 millimeters per year\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Oxarafoss-in-THingvellir.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2672\" title=\"\u00d6xar\u00e1foss in \u00deingvellir\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Oxarafoss-in-THingvellir-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\u00d6xar\u00e1foss in \u00deingvellir\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026the geothermal field at Geysir (for which all geysers are named)\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-Geyser-Geysir.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2673\" title=\"The Geyser Geysir\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-Geyser-Geysir-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"The Geyser Geysir\" width=\"875\" height=\"1166\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026and our first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/waterfalls-in-iceland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">waterfall at Gullfoss<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Gullfoss-waterfall-in-the-Golden-Circle.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2674\" title=\"Gullfoss waterfall in the Golden Circle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Gullfoss-waterfall-in-the-Golden-Circle-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Gullfoss waterfall in the Golden Circle\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Though we spent our first night at Laugarvatn, our real destination was Gamla Laugin (Secret Lagoon) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/hot-springs-in-iceland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">natural hot springs<\/a> at Fl\u00fa\u00f0ir.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Gamla-Laugin-Secret-Lagoon.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2675\" title=\"Gamla Laugin - Secret Lagoon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Gamla-Laugin-Secret-Lagoon-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Gamla Laugin - Secret Lagoon\" width=\"874\" height=\"655\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>From here, our trip joins and departs from a classic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/the-ringroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ring road tour<\/a>. The picture below is the standard tour marked clockwise.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-Ring-road-clocikwise.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2676\" title=\"The Ring road clocikwise\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-Ring-road-clocikwise-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"The Ring road clocikwise\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ours is counter-clockwise and looks more like this.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/2\/edit?authuser=2&amp;mid=1cvkaUsIOSn_KfYDLYY0IBmLhU4I&amp;ll=64.54483376882135%2C-18.46965499999999&amp;z=7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2679\" title=\"The Ring road counter-clockwise\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-Ring-road-counter-clockwise-300x202.jpg\" alt=\"The Ring road counter-clockwise\" width=\"875\" height=\"589\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On our second day, we took short hikes to several more waterfalls (Seljalandsfoss and Glj\u00fafrab\u00fai) including one we think might be featured in an art work by our colleague Stephen Hilyard.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Around-Seljalandsfoss.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2678\" title=\"Around Seljalandsfoss\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Around-Seljalandsfoss-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Around Seljalandsfoss\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/58020273?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0\" width=\"337\" height=\"600\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Seljalands-waterfall.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2683\" title=\"Seljalands waterfall\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Seljalands-waterfall-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Seljalands waterfall\" width=\"809\" height=\"1079\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">This was before we realized that there are so many spectacular waterfalls in Iceland that we would never be able to complete the tour if we stopped for all of them. Often from the car it was possible to see dozens at a time.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Our-Camper-van-by-a-fall.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2684\" title=\"Our Camper van by a fall\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Our-Camper-van-by-a-fall-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Our Camper van by a fall\" width=\"874\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After stocking up in V\u00edk (which we liked less than we expected based on tour book and tourist accounts), we opted to spend our second night in the small town of Kirkjub\u00e6jarklaustur, stopping enroute for our first puffin encounter at Dyrh\u00f3laey, (also the first of several locations at which we failed to see seals).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Puffins-by-Dyrholaey.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2686\" title=\"Puffins by D\u00fdrh\u00f3laey\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Puffins-by-Dyrholaey-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Puffins by D\u00fdrh\u00f3laey\" width=\"874\" height=\"655\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the morning, we made a bee line for Skaftafell in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/national-parks-in-iceland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park<\/a> with hiking as our priority. The glacier views during our hike there counts of one of the top experiences of the trip.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Skaftafell-in-Vatnajokull-National-Park.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2687\" title=\"Skaftafell in Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Skaftafell-in-Vatnajokull-National-Park-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Skaftafell in Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Almost as high on our list was the boat ride on the glacial lagoon of Fjalls\u00e1rl\u00f3n.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/the-glacial-lagoon-of-Fjallsarlon.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2690\" title=\"the glacial lagoon of Fjalls\u00e1rl\u00f3n\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/the-glacial-lagoon-of-Fjallsarlon-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"the glacial lagoon of Fjalls\u00e1rl\u00f3n\" width=\"875\" height=\"657\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Laurie Beth used the lake shore of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/jokulsarlon-the-glacier-lake\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n<\/a> as the setting for her Iceland mask walk. (Look for a tiny figure in the lower right below).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Shores-of-Jokulsarlon.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2691\" title=\"Shores of J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Shores-of-Jokulsarlon-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Shores of J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then we had a long afternoon in the town of H\u00f6fn, where we ate their famous <em>humar<\/em> (Icelandic lobster or langostine) at Humarh\u00f6fnin\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Humarhofnin.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2702\" title=\"Humarh\u00f6fnin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Humarhofnin-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Humarh\u00f6fnin\" width=\"875\" height=\"1167\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026within view of the boat that catches them\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Humarhofnin-restaurant.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2703\" title=\"Humarh\u00f6fnin restaurant\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Humarhofnin-restaurant-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Humarh\u00f6fnin restaurant\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lazy-days-in-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2797\" title=\"Lazy days in Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lazy-days-in-Iceland-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Lazy days in Iceland\" width=\"185\" height=\"247\" \/><\/a>\u2026and then bathed in the city swimming pool Sundlaug Hafnar.<br \/>\nLaurie Beth left behind her prescription goggles and swim radio at this community center and did not realized until our next hot spring experience. With the help of our Madison-based Icelandic friend Salv\u00f6r J\u00f3nsd\u00f3ttir we were able to reclaim them and they are now en route to the US.<\/p>\n<p>Coming to Iceland, what Laurie Beth was most looking forward to was the chance to spend a lot of time in hot water. This can be done at spas (mostly located at the sites of natural hot springs) and in public swimming pools (every community has one). Though this post contains three photos of \u201cnatural\u201d pools, we did not take our camera into any of the community pools visited. In lieu, we offer this photo of a roadside hot water shower near M\u00fdvatn. We think it\u2019s an art work but we\u2019re not really sure.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/roadside-hot-water-shower.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2704\" title=\"roadside hot water shower\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/roadside-hot-water-shower-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"roadside hot water shower\" width=\"874\" height=\"1166\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We camped that night near Stokksnes at the Viking Caf\u00e9 where we made our second (of three) failed attempts to see seals. A two-hour hike took us through some spectacular scenery but the seals were apparently out to sea.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Camping-near-Stokksnes.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2706\" title=\"Camping near Stokksnes\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Camping-near-Stokksnes-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Camping near Stokksnes\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The wind here was so strong that we slept in the lower part of camper van and did not raise the roof. Instead, the next morning we drove through the tunnel\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tunnel-in-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2707\" title=\"Tunnel in Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tunnel-in-Iceland-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Tunnel in Iceland\" width=\"874\" height=\"655\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026and into a different weather system (our first sunny day!) before making breakfast.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roadside-lunch.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2708\" title=\"Roadside lunch\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roadside-lunch-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Roadside lunch\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roadside-luncheon.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2710\" title=\"Roadside luncheon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roadside-luncheon-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Roadside luncheon\" width=\"875\" height=\"583\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It was important to us to visit Sey\u00f0isfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Driving-to-Seydisfjordur.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2711\" title=\"Driving to Sey\u00f0isfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Driving-to-Seydisfjordur-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Driving to Sey\u00f0isfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026where we\u2019ve twice applied for (and been rejected by) the Arts residency program at Skaftfell Center for Visual Art.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Downtown-Seydisfjordur.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2712\" title=\"Downtown Sey\u00f0isfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Downtown-Seydisfjordur-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Sey\u00f0isfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While in this community, we visited the charming Technical Museum of East Iceland\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Technical-Museum-of-East-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2713\" title=\"Technical Museum of East Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Technical-Museum-of-East-Iceland-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Technical Museum of East Iceland\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026and ate sashimi from local fishes (salmon, raw and smoked arctic char, deep sea snapper, plaice, mackerel, sweet shrimp, eel) at Nor\u00f0 Austur \u2013 Sushi &amp; Bar.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Nord-Austur-\u2013-Sushi-Bar.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2714\" title=\"Nor\u00f0 Austur \u2013 Sushi &amp; Bar\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Nord-Austur-\u2013-Sushi-Bar-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Nor\u00f0 Austur \u2013 Sushi &amp; Bar\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We returned to our campground to find that tents had closed in all around us, so early the next morning we opted again for breakfast on the road, which actually allowed us to climb out of the fog and into the sunshine again.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Sunny-day-in-East-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2715\" title=\"Sunny day in East Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Sunny-day-in-East-Iceland-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sunny day in East Iceland\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then we drove directly to Borgarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Eystri to see lots more puffins!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Puffin-in-Borgarfjordur-Eystri.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2716\" title=\"Puffin in Borgarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Eystri\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Puffin-in-Borgarfjordur-Eystri.jpg\" alt=\"Puffin in Borgarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Eystri\" width=\"288\" height=\"216\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Puffins-in-East-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2717\" title=\"Puffins in East Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Puffins-in-East-Iceland-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Puffins in East Iceland\" width=\"288\" height=\"216\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Puffins-in-Borgarfjordur-Eystri.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2718\" title=\"Puffins in Borgarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Eystri\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Puffins-in-Borgarfjordur-Eystri-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Puffins in Borgarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Eystri\" width=\"288\" height=\"216\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Stopping only for the waterfalls at Dettifoss and Selfoss (which we nicknamed Dentalfloss and Selfiefloss)\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dettifoss-waterfall-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2720\" title=\"Dettifoss waterfall\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dettifoss-waterfall-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Dettifoss waterfall\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dettifoss-fall.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2721\" title=\"Dettifoss fall\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dettifoss-fall-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Dettifoss fall\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026we took dirt roads to the \u201cprimitive\u201d campground at Verstudalur (within the northern unit of Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park), which was by far our favorite of the trip.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/campground-at-Verstudalur.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2723\" title=\"campground at Verstudalur\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/campground-at-Verstudalur-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"campground at Verstudalur\" width=\"875\" height=\"1167\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Our hike there, among these unusual lava formations, was excellent\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lava-formations.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2724\" title=\"Lava formations\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lava-formations-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Lava formations\" width=\"874\" height=\"655\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026as was the the one we took the following morning in \u00c1sbyrgi.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Morning-in-Asbyrgi.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2725\" title=\"Morning in \u00c1sbyrgi\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Morning-in-Asbyrgi-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Morning in \u00c1sbyrgi\" width=\"874\" height=\"655\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Enroute to H\u00fasav\u00edk, where we\u2019d booked a whale watching tour, we stopped to give Michael a chance to swim in the Arctic Ocean (which means he has now swum in every ocean except the Southern Ocean which surrounds Antarctica).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Swimming-in-the-North-Atlantic.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2726\" title=\"Swimming in the North Atlantic\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Swimming-in-the-North-Atlantic-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Swimming in the North Atlantic\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Whale watching (we took a boat with North Sailing) was outstanding. Sunny clear weather (with very rough seas which luckily does not bother either of us) and more than fifty (humpback) whales in the three hours we were out. Whales are challenging to photograph but here\u2019s a \u201cgoodbye tail\u201d for you.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Whales-of-Husavik.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2728\" title=\"Whales of H\u00fasav\u00edk\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Whales-of-Husavik-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Whales of H\u00fasav\u00edk\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>That night, we were able to reach another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/campsites-in-iceland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stunning campground<\/a>, this one on the lake in M\u00fdvatn. The reason one comes to this area is for the geothermal activity and we were not disappointed by the landscape\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hverir-area-North-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2766\" title=\"Hverir area North Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hverir-area-North-Iceland-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Hverir area North Iceland\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026or by the Nature Baths.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Nature-baths-north-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2767\" title=\"Nature baths north Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Nature-baths-north-Iceland.jpg\" alt=\"Nature baths north Iceland\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Myvatn-baths.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2768\" title=\"M\u00fdvatn baths\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Myvatn-baths-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"M\u00fdvatn baths\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A final waterfall at Go\u00f0afoss\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Godafoss-waterfall-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2769\" title=\"Godafoss waterfall\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Godafoss-waterfall-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Godafoss waterfall\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026before going on to spend the night in Akureyri, Iceland\u2019s second largest city (18,000), where oddly our campground proved to be one of the most private of our trip.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/VW-Camper-Van.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2770\" title=\"VW Camper Van\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/VW-Camper-Van-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"VW Camper Van\" width=\"874\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In Akureyri, we visited the Botanical Gardens\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Akureyri-Botanical-Gardens.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2772\" title=\"Akureyri Botanical Gardens\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Akureyri-Botanical-Gardens-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Akureyri Botanical Gardens\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026and the Art Museum where we saw a show of contemporary art from the region of North Iceland.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Akureyri-Art-Museum.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2773\" title=\"Akureyri Art Museum\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Akureyri-Art-Museum-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Akureyri Art Museum\" width=\"873\" height=\"655\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The most memorable and provocative work in the show was Hatikvah by Snorri \u00c1smundsson. If you have a chance to click on the title link and watch the embedded video, we\u2019d be very curious to hear your thoughts.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hatikvah-by-Snorri-Asmundsson.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2774\" title=\"Hatikvah by Snorri \u00c1smundsson\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Hatikvah-by-Snorri-Asmundsson-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Hatikvah by Snorri \u00c1smundsson\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Leaving Akureyri, we experienced a series of small disappointments in our detours off Route 1. First, we arrived at the Iceland Seal Center in Hvammstangi (for our third and final attempt to see seals). There we learned that the seal beaches were many miles further on (time we could no longer afford) and that, in any case, the seas were too rough that day to make sightings likely.<br \/>\nThen we went on to Deildartunguhver (\u201cEurope\u2019s most powerful hot spring\u201d) where we found the Krauma spa not yet open for business. Poor fact checking on the part of Lonely Planet which, even in its online listing, describes the facility as already open!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Deildartunguhver-welcome-house.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2775\" title=\"Deildartunguhver welcome house\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Deildartunguhver-welcome-house-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Deildartunguhver welcome house\" width=\"874\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The upshot was that we decided to drive another two hours to camp at Grindav\u00edk which would allow us to end our trip with a morning visit to the Blue Lagoon (which had not been in our original plan). I really cannot think of anything better to do before getting onto (or for that matter off of) a transatlantic flight then to spend three hours soaking in hot water.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-Blue-Lagoon-hot-baths.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2776\" title=\"The Blue Lagoon hot baths\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-Blue-Lagoon-hot-baths-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"The Blue Lagoon hot baths\" width=\"875\" height=\"583\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When she travels, Laurie Beth likes to read contemporary fiction by local authors so, while in Iceland she read several Icelandic novels. The one she most recommends is The Greenhouse by Au\u00f0ur Ava \u00d3lafsd\u00f3ttir (an Icelandic story at it\u2019s core even though much of it takes place abroad), but she also read Lovestar by Andri Snaer Magnason, The Hitman\u2019s Guide to Housecleaning by Hallgrimur Helgason, Reyjavik Nights by Arnaldur Indridason and Angels of the Universe by Einar M\u00e1r Gu\u00f0mundsson.<br \/>\nWe haven\u2019t said much yet about our meals on the trip.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Vanessa-enjoying-blueberries.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2777\" title=\"Vanessa enjoying blueberries\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Vanessa-enjoying-blueberries-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Vanessa enjoying blueberries\" width=\"875\" height=\"1166\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We cooked out using two camping burners.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Camper-kitchen.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2778\" title=\"Camper kitchen\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Camper-kitchen-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Camper kitchen\" width=\"519\" height=\"390\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Camper-BBQ.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2779\" title=\"Camper BBQ\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Camper-BBQ-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Camper BBQ\" width=\"292\" height=\"390\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After a month of rich Italian food, we were in the mood for healthy, low fat foods. Though limited in our facilities, appetites, and ingredients, we still cooked delicious meals that included a curried yellow pea soup with smoked lamb, fried rice with lamb bacon, a Spanish-style tortilla\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tortilla-in-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2780\" title=\"Tortilla in Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tortilla-in-Iceland-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Tortilla in Iceland\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026and this excellent smoked salmon sandwich made with all Icelandic ingredients. The cucumbers are grown in greenhouses using geothermal heat!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roadside-food.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2781\" title=\"Roadside food\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roadside-food-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Roadside food\" width=\"874\" height=\"655\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>During all our time in rural Iceland, we could not figure out where to buy fresh fish. There was plenty available in restaurants but none in the supermarket and no (visible to us) fish stores. When we asked, people told us you get fish directly from people who catch fish. It was not until our last day as we passed through Bl\u00f6ndu\u00f3s (which Lonely Planet describes as an \u201cunderwhelming service town\u201d) that we drove by this sign\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fishmonger-in-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2782\" title=\"Fishmonger in Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fishmonger-in-Iceland-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Fishmonger in Iceland\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026screeched to a halt and found this unlikely looking door\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fish-store-in-Blondos.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2783\" title=\"Fish store in Bl\u00f6nd\u00f3s\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fish-store-in-Blondos-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Fish store in Bl\u00f6nd\u00f3s\" width=\"873\" height=\"655\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026inside which there was actually a well-stocked fish counter where we bought cod for our final meal.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Icelandic-Cod-e1502790378740.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2784\" title=\"Icelandic Cod\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Icelandic-Cod-e1502790378740-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Icelandic Cod\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve not raved enough about the spectacular and unending beauty of Iceland (which we are now revisiting on Netflix through the television series Trapped) but we hope that we\u2019ve communicated it sufficiently through some of our pictures.<br \/>\nPart of what\u2019s amazing about Iceland is the way that so much spectacular landscape is visible from the road. One does not even need to leave the highway to see many spectacular sights\u2014glaciers, waterfalls, geysers\u2014though of course it gets better if one does.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Road-adventure-on-the-Ring-road.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2785\" title=\"Road adventure on the Ring road\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Road-adventure-on-the-Ring-road-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Road adventure on the Ring road\" width=\"874\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In all, a near perfect trip where the only things that went wrong were lost goggles, a closed hot spring, and a failure to find seals. Our biggest regret is that we did not have the nerve to attempt one of the famed four-wheel drive roads.<br \/>\nVanessa has no regrets!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Vanessa-the-traveling-Puffin.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2786\" title=\"Vanessa the traveling Puffin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Vanessa-the-traveling-Puffin-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Vanessa the traveling Puffin\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-Amazing-glacial-lake.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2787\" title=\"The Amazing glacial lake\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-Amazing-glacial-lake-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"The Amazing glacial lake\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Icebergs-in-the-lagoon.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2788\" title=\"Icebergs in the lagoon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Icebergs-in-the-lagoon-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Icebergs in the lagoon\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-colors-of-the-icebergs.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2789\" title=\"The colors of the icebergs\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/The-colors-of-the-icebergs-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"The colors of the icebergs\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Puffins-of-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2790\" title=\"Puffins of Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Puffins-of-Iceland-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Puffins of Iceland\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/A-camping-dream.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2791\" title=\"A camping dream\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/A-camping-dream-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"A camping dream\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dimmuborgir-by-Lake-Myvatn.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2792\" title=\"Dimmuborgir by Lake M\u00fdvatn\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dimmuborgir-by-Lake-Myvatn-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Dimmuborgir by Lake M\u00fdvatn\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/RR-in-the-Camper-van.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2793\" title=\"R&amp;R in the Camper van\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/RR-in-the-Camper-van-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"R&amp;R in the Camper van\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Our-lovely-VW-Camper.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2794\" title=\"Our lovely VW Camper\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Our-lovely-VW-Camper-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Our lovely VW Camper\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Campsite-in-Iceland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2795\" title=\"Campsite in Iceland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Campsite-in-Iceland-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Campsite in Iceland\" width=\"440\" height=\"294\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/On-the-Ring-road.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2796\" title=\"On the Ring road\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/On-the-Ring-road-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"On the Ring road\" width=\"392\" height=\"294\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/camperstories\/troll-iceland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Troll in Iceland<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Happy Camping! \u00a0<strong>#CamperStories<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003366;\">ICELAND TRAVEL GUIDES<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/the-ringroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3189\" title=\"The Ring Road Travel Guide\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/The-Ring-Road-Travel-Guide.jpg\" alt=\"The Ring Road Travel Guide\" width=\"434\" height=\"146\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/blog\/northern-lights-in-iceland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3191\" title=\"Northern Lights Travel Guide\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Northern-Lights-Travel-Guide.jpg\" alt=\"Northern Lights Travel Guide\" width=\"434\" height=\"146\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kqvA0ksE84U?list=PLY0x6RBrQZQehsisiKRbhesix8GiFcG2l\" width=\"875\" height=\"492\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0If you like what you see, please\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/CamperVanRentalsIceland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">subscribe to our\u00a0<strong>YouTube<\/strong>\u00a0channel<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A CamperStories of Laurie &#038; Michael of their travel around Iceland in a 4&#215;4 Camper van. They drove the whole Ring road &#038; saw Puffins &#038; whales but no seals!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":11027,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","categories":[184],"tags":[],"camperstories-tag":[444,488,647],"class_list":["post-10955","camperstories","type-camperstories","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camperstories","camperstories-tag-camperstories","camperstories-tag-driving-the-ringroad","camperstories-tag-traveling-in-iceland"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Puffin Tours Iceland in VW Campervan | Rent.is<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-video-preview:-1, noimageindex, noarchive, nosnippet\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/da\/camperstories\/puffin-tours-iceland-vw-campervan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"da_DK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Puffin Tours Iceland in VW Campervan | Rent.is\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A CamperStories of Laurie &amp; Michael of their travel around Iceland in a 4x4 Camper van. They drove the whole Ring road &amp; saw Puffins &amp; whales but no seals!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/da\/camperstories\/puffin-tours-iceland-vw-campervan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Rent.is\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/campervansIceland\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-19T11:29:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Camper-Van-adventure-Iceland.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"809\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@CampersIceland\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimeret l\u00e6setid\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"27 minutter\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Puffin Tours Iceland in VW Campervan | Rent.is","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1","imageindex":"noimageindex","archive":"noarchive","snippet":"nosnippet"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/da\/camperstories\/puffin-tours-iceland-vw-campervan\/","og_locale":"da_DK","og_type":"article","og_title":"Puffin Tours Iceland in VW Campervan | Rent.is","og_description":"A CamperStories of Laurie & Michael of their travel around Iceland in a 4x4 Camper van. 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