Icelandic Basics

Dressing for Icelandic Winter

Iceland is the second windiest country on the planet. The wind is what really bites into your skin and makes you shiver. Our solution was layers and having a total defense system of no skin exposed on the windiest days. Honestly, as long as you’re covered in layers, it’s impossible to feel the cold. We maybe used two of the dozen handwarmer packets we’d brought anticipating the biting cold.

Here’s Alex modeling our Iceland Uniform: hat, ski goggles, balaclava, jacket, gloves, pants, long underwear, 1-2 pairs of socks, thick boots. So handsome!

Snowmobile gear, three layers of pants always, hat and balaclava a must

Driving in Iceland

Renting a car is easy with an American License. Otherwise you may need an International Driver’s License, which I’ve learned is also very easy to obtain. They drive on the right side of the road and, honestly, the most stressful part is driving in bad weather and single-lane bridges.

I had one stressful icy/slushy drive where the slush of passing cars coated my windshield so thoroughly I couldn’t see out for about 5 stressful seconds before my wipers could get things visible again. Everything else is pretty common sense. There is ash in the summertime to consider, though, and it’s so windy sometimes you have to be very careful opening your car doors!

Eating in Reykjavik

Cinnamon Rolls

We had some delightful times eating in Reykjavik. But, definite top of the list was Braud & Co. Every day, this wonderful bakery makes the most amazing, fresh cinnamon rolls. I loved the first one I had so much, we returned the next day and found they even made amazing vegan cinnamon rolls for my lactard husband!

Pylsas

Next on the required list of eating is the hot dog stand Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. Just get a hot dog with everything, it’ll come with onions (under the dog), some sort of mayo, and an Icelandic mustard made with potato flour (Pylsusinnep)! Hot dogs are called “Pylsur” in Icelandic.

Plokkfiskur

Literally meaning “plucked from the sea,” this traditional Icelandic stew is made from fist, potatoes, onions, and béchamel sauce. I would consider it alright, but I was glad I ate it. It was also served with traditional Icelandic dark rye bread.

Hopefully this is helpful for navigating the frozen, magnificent wonderland of Iceland warm and full!