getting there can be a bit of a challenge
I’d looked at maps to try to figure out where, exactly, Iceland is. Really, I’d never paid that much attention. Why would I? So I was surprised that, in total flight time, I could get to Iceland in about the same time is takes me to get to Seattle (air distance to Seattle is shorter, but in terms of total time, not much difference).
Getting to Iceland is a bit complicated. The cheaper tickets ($1,500 and less) require two stops --- the first two on domestic carries. For example, one itinerary went from Cincinnati to Charlotte to Washington on US Air, and then from D.C. to Reykjavik on Iceland Air. It would have required almost 13 hours on the outbound and more than 19 on the return trip. The thought alone exhausted me.
So I pieced together my trip. I took Delta from Cincinnati to JFK (a flight of about an hour and a half); took the four and a half hour layover at JFK; and took the 8 p.m. on Icelandair that arrived in Iceland at 6:45 a.m. local time. On the way back, I’d have an overnight in NYC.
A couple of things to note: I didn’t mind the JFK layover because I didn’t know how long it would take me to get through the international terminal and customs. As it turns out, I didn't need that long. Yeah, you have to exit the domestic terminal and re-check in through international. Still, the whole process took two hours. Coming back from Iceland generally requires an overnight in NYC (unless you want to leave real early in the morning and make a European connection. Think Iceland-Paris-JFK, and then you’re home city.)
Even by piecing it together, flights in the coach cabin were just over $1,300 --- a great price for the trip.
Next, I wanted to study up on Iceland and its culture, so I got the Lonely Planet’s Iceland, a fantastic guide that tells you everything you need to know. Where to eat, where to stay, budget tours, culture, history, you name it. I bought a used copy on Amazon for $18 including shipping. More than worth it.
What else did I take with me? My passport (duh), long underwear (came in handy), an iPad (great for reading, pictures and video), electric adapters (a must anytime going over the pond). Everything else was fairly standard. And I got it all in a carry-on for a two-week trip.
I didn’t have to worry about a place to stay because the university was kind enough to put me up for the two weeks. Nice place, spacious, everything I needed, including a washing machine. That's why I could cram everything in a carry on.
As far as the trip itself, it was the best travel experience I've ever had --- and I fly tons. I have to say, the Europeans have air travel right. When I go to the Delta Sky Club, I have to pay for decent booze, and the food consists of packaged processed cheese, some fruit, and a couple of variations of trail mix.
The British Airway's Galleries Lounge --- they have a partnership with Iceland Air --- is on a blow-you-away level. Let's see. Smoked cheeses. Smoked salmon on dark rye with cream fraiche. Roasted chicken with fresh mozzarella on brioche. Ham and cheese. Plus other assorted cookies, fruits and chips. Fresh-brewed espresso, not some lame-o drip coffee that's been siting in the pot for hours and tastes like pine tar. And the booze? SELF SERVE. Jack Daniels, Jamison, Johnny Walker, Jose Cuervo, Glenlivet .... And that's just a few. I had the 2010 La Grange Cline Bordeaux, and no one looked at me cross-eyed when I went for my fourth glass. The domestic airlines need to take a lesson from our euro cousins and get it right.
Even the duty free was awesome. I could have gotten a bottle of Termes for $23 (try $30-plus in the states) but I would have wrecked that in single, 90-minute sitting. So I "settled" for Wild Turkey Rare Bread, which I adore, but often don't buy because it's $40 or so statewide. I paid $30, and I will nurse that like a momma cat does her newborn kittens. As you'll see later, getting that bottle was a real good idea. Saved me tons.
Time to stop for a bit. The food and booze have made me full and sleepy.
Getting to Iceland is a bit complicated. The cheaper tickets ($1,500 and less) require two stops --- the first two on domestic carries. For example, one itinerary went from Cincinnati to Charlotte to Washington on US Air, and then from D.C. to Reykjavik on Iceland Air. It would have required almost 13 hours on the outbound and more than 19 on the return trip. The thought alone exhausted me.
So I pieced together my trip. I took Delta from Cincinnati to JFK (a flight of about an hour and a half); took the four and a half hour layover at JFK; and took the 8 p.m. on Icelandair that arrived in Iceland at 6:45 a.m. local time. On the way back, I’d have an overnight in NYC.
A couple of things to note: I didn’t mind the JFK layover because I didn’t know how long it would take me to get through the international terminal and customs. As it turns out, I didn't need that long. Yeah, you have to exit the domestic terminal and re-check in through international. Still, the whole process took two hours. Coming back from Iceland generally requires an overnight in NYC (unless you want to leave real early in the morning and make a European connection. Think Iceland-Paris-JFK, and then you’re home city.)
Even by piecing it together, flights in the coach cabin were just over $1,300 --- a great price for the trip.
Next, I wanted to study up on Iceland and its culture, so I got the Lonely Planet’s Iceland, a fantastic guide that tells you everything you need to know. Where to eat, where to stay, budget tours, culture, history, you name it. I bought a used copy on Amazon for $18 including shipping. More than worth it.
What else did I take with me? My passport (duh), long underwear (came in handy), an iPad (great for reading, pictures and video), electric adapters (a must anytime going over the pond). Everything else was fairly standard. And I got it all in a carry-on for a two-week trip.
I didn’t have to worry about a place to stay because the university was kind enough to put me up for the two weeks. Nice place, spacious, everything I needed, including a washing machine. That's why I could cram everything in a carry on.
As far as the trip itself, it was the best travel experience I've ever had --- and I fly tons. I have to say, the Europeans have air travel right. When I go to the Delta Sky Club, I have to pay for decent booze, and the food consists of packaged processed cheese, some fruit, and a couple of variations of trail mix.
The British Airway's Galleries Lounge --- they have a partnership with Iceland Air --- is on a blow-you-away level. Let's see. Smoked cheeses. Smoked salmon on dark rye with cream fraiche. Roasted chicken with fresh mozzarella on brioche. Ham and cheese. Plus other assorted cookies, fruits and chips. Fresh-brewed espresso, not some lame-o drip coffee that's been siting in the pot for hours and tastes like pine tar. And the booze? SELF SERVE. Jack Daniels, Jamison, Johnny Walker, Jose Cuervo, Glenlivet .... And that's just a few. I had the 2010 La Grange Cline Bordeaux, and no one looked at me cross-eyed when I went for my fourth glass. The domestic airlines need to take a lesson from our euro cousins and get it right.
Even the duty free was awesome. I could have gotten a bottle of Termes for $23 (try $30-plus in the states) but I would have wrecked that in single, 90-minute sitting. So I "settled" for Wild Turkey Rare Bread, which I adore, but often don't buy because it's $40 or so statewide. I paid $30, and I will nurse that like a momma cat does her newborn kittens. As you'll see later, getting that bottle was a real good idea. Saved me tons.
Time to stop for a bit. The food and booze have made me full and sleepy.
Ray Marcano is the an avid traveler and long-time journalist.
He's about to retire after 30-years with Cox Media Group, to
embark on an education career as Digital Journalist in Residence
at Wright State University. He's also President and CEO of
Canis Digital, a digital and evolving media consultancy company.
He lectured for two weeks at the University of Iceland as part of
a Fulbright fellowship.
He's about to retire after 30-years with Cox Media Group, to
embark on an education career as Digital Journalist in Residence
at Wright State University. He's also President and CEO of
Canis Digital, a digital and evolving media consultancy company.
He lectured for two weeks at the University of Iceland as part of
a Fulbright fellowship.