United Kingdom Ultimate Travel Guide

Iceland is absolutely up and coming as one of the most highly sought after destinations to visit in the world. With flawless vistas and adventuring like no other, Iceland is absolutely epic in every sense of the word. At its closest point, Iceland is only 300 kilometers (186 miles) to Greenland, so just take note you will probably be reaching the Northernmost point in your life. Iceland is probably the country where I felt the safest visiting, and its diversity and rather a liberal population make it safe for people of all ethnicities and the LGBTQ+ populous.

Best Time to Visit

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish on your visit to Iceland, there are several “best” times to visit. We went in early October and it was just perfect. We found extremely cheap flights from Washington, DC ($300 round-trip–thanks Scott’s Cheap Flights). We also were able to do all the ‘summer’ hikes we wanted to and we even saw the Northern Lights one night from our hot tub in Vik. September or October are ideal for both outdoor activities and a chance to see the oh-so-special Aurora Borealis. If your main goal is to see as much of Iceland as possible, you will want to go in the summer as that is the safest time to complete the entire ‘Ring Road’ before the weather gets too crazy. The sun will be out so you can adventure late into the night, but just don’t expect to see the Northern Lights which is one thing that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

What to Expect

Language: The official language in the UK is English
Currency: The United Kingdom uses the Euro.
Food: You can expect to have amazing food anywhere you go in Greece. Greek cuisine is similar to that of Italy’s but has special dishes like gyros and souvlaki that set it apart. Islands like Mykonos and Santorini will definitely be pricier than Athens and some of the smaller, less visited islands. Greece is very vegetarian friendly and I was able to find a delicious veg option wherever we went.
Credit Cards and ATMs:You can use credit or debit cards almost anywhere in the UK, and if not you will surely find an ATM within minutes. Keep around 100 Euro cash on you for smaller purchases. Be mindful of foreign transaction fees if your card has any. American Express is not widely accepted but can be used at chains like H&M, Starbucks, etc.
Plugs: The plugs in the UK are Type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. Forget your curling iron and Dyson, these do not work in Europe and will damage your tools. Stick to blowouts using the hotel hair dryer.
Safety: I felt completely safe in the UK during our travels, but there are political and economic struggles of the country that you should educate yourself on before traveling to the country. Petty theft such as pickpocketing is something to be mindful of in London surrounding the main tourist destinations.

TRAVEL GUIDES

  • What to Wear in Iceland: A Packing Guide for the Ring Road

    Depending on the season you are traveling to this mystical country, you may need to order a few things depending on your plans. Read on to find out what to wear/pack for a trip to Iceland.

    READ MORE

  • 5 Days in Iceland | Itinerary for Adventure & Fun

    In this guide, you will read about how to spend five epic days in the land of fire and ice. This post will share tips and tricks for navigating the southern part of Iceland’s Ring Road as well as some secret spots along the way!

    READ MORE

  • 3 Days in Vik, Iceland | Perfect Itinerary in Iceland’s Southern Coast

    Vík í Mýrdal is a remote seafront village in south Iceland. Read how to spend three magical days on Iceland’s less visited but most beautiful southern coast.

    READ MORE

BUCKET LIST EXPERIENCES

  • The phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis is only visible in complete darkness in the northernmost parts of the world. If you are visiting in the lucky months that the sunsets, you may just be so fortunate to see the lights.

    See the Northern Lights

    The phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis is only visible in complete darkness in the northernmost parts of the world. If you are visiting in the lucky months that the sunsets, you may just be so fortunate to see the lights.

  • Visit Reykjavik

    The capital of Iceland and the most important city in the country, Reykjavik cannot be missed on your first trip to Iceland. Home to a rich history and fantastic restaurants, Reykjavik makes it worth it in our book to be more than just a stopover.

  • Visit the Black Sand Beach

    Reynisfjara is a world-famous black-sand beach found on the South Coast of Iceland, just beside the small fishing village of Vik í Myrdal. Home to many famous movie sets such as Star Wars, this is one of the coolest places to visit in Iceland.

  • Visit a glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach

    Diamond Beach is a great place to see Icelandic seals and is one of the best places in Iceland to spot orca whales. Across the street, you must also visit the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

  • Drive the Golden Circle

    Carve out the better part of a day to make the trek around Iceland’s Golden Circle. Famous stops include Thingvellir National Park, the famous “Geysir”, and various epic waterfalls…oh and a really stinking good tomato themed restaurant.

  • Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon

    The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of the 25 wonders of the world. It is a man-made lagoon rich with mineral waters located on a lava field. What makes it so magical? The water is actually heated by the lava fields creating a mystical fog that saturates the air as soon as it reaches the open icy sky. Talk about dreamy!

  • Go Chasing Waterfalls

    You don’t need to go far from the city to explore and enjoy dynamic and epic waterfalls. Iceland is known for its natural attractions, but none more so than its magnificent waterfalls. The waterfalls are as diverse as they are plentiful, so narrowing them down to a list of the best ones to visit is not an easy task.