iceland vs ireland for vacation?

Question

I'm going on vacation with one of my girl friends in November and we can really only afford to choose one place (as multi city flights are expensive and icelandair doesn't offer stop overs in ireland) so! iceland vs ireland? pros/cons of each and where is the better food?!

Answer 1

I've been to both Iceland and Ireland. Objectively, you'd think Ireland would have everything going for it, especially since my ancestors are from there. But I fell so in love with Iceland that I literally *moved* there.



Ireland is nice, and if you've never seen Iceland you might be impressed by it. But otherwise... sorry, but Iceland is just like nowhere else on the world. Just massive raw energy of ice, fire, wind, waves, earth, and human creativity. Just go to google images and punch in "Iceland nature" or "Iceland sky" or "reykjavík". And the country *really does* look like that. I mean, hearing someone say "go fishing in Ireland"... do they realize that Iceland is one of the leading exporters of fish in the world? Mountains in Ireland... sorry, but they don't look anything like, say, these:



http://tinyurl.com/74xtdkh



As for food, the food is great (excepting the fruits and vegetables, which are imho not as good). My favorite is súrmjólk með hnettu og karamellu -- picture a cross between, say, a buttermilk, sour cream, and yogurt, with nut and caramel flavor. Sooooo good ;) The breads are whole grain and super hearty, dairy is cheap and awesome, the candy and desserts are great, the meat is famously good (although I'm a vegetarian and can't comment), etc. There's also some weird stuff, like rotted shark and skate, but most people don't eat that except at special festivals.



@Update: I moved from the US (Iowa, more specifically). As fo what's for fun for two 20-something girls, that depends on a lot of factors about the sort of stuff you like. Are you shopping nuts? (there's tons of little craft shops, bookstores, places selling super-warm hand-knit wool goods, etc) Like bars and clubs? (Reykjavík is famous for this) Concerts? (Iceland has an *incredible* music scene; I have no idea how a country with only 320,000 people can produce so many awesome bands of all genres) Relaxing in spas all day? (probably the best place in the world for that; hot volcanic water is ridiculously abundant) Backpacking, mountain climbing, caving, camping, etc? (Iceland has 1/7th the population density of Iowa -- tons of *really* amazing nature) Seeing nature but without leaving modern comforts? (tons of tour groups) Horseback riding? Diving? Whale watching? And on and on. There's a wide range of possibilities that I can elaborate on if I get a better sense of who you are. It might help if you emailed since I'm running out of space in this comment -- [e-mail] (remove Qs)



Back to food again... here's the sort of meals the chefs at my workplace (we've got a couple dozen employees and they've got two chefs on staff) fix every day:



http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj169/KarenRei/?action=view¤t=IMAG0094.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj169/KarenRei/IMAG0095.jpg

Answer 2

Vacationing In Iceland

Answer 3

Iceland does no longer have an military, however do not get me mistaken, they might have quality probabilities. Their position might be excellent. Far away, different nations might need to use their army and air drive, which might restrict their use of army. Then, the military of Iceland is composed of USA troops. The US has a base of their, which serves additionally because the Reykjavik airport. Meaning, USA might come immediately to aid Iceland, which might aid their probabilities of survival. Then once more USA would no longer cross towards the UK.

Answer 4

Residing in a broad bay, Dublin lies between Howth in the north and the headland of Dalkey to the south and the River Liffey separate the town in two making from this city a fascinating city you will have the opportunity with hotelbye to see it. Dublin has given the world such distinguished literary like: Yeats, Beckett, Joyce, Shaw, and Wilde. Dublin was a UNESCO City of Literature this season therefore is surely an exciting town to visit particularly when you intend to visit Bewley's Oriental Café ;.Many might claim that Bewley's Oriental Café is the jewel in the crown. Bewley's Oriental Café is an establishment that has been built-in 1927.

Answer 5

I flew from Boston to Iceland to London in September 2010, and stopped over for a few days in Iceland. Then I took a cruise that left from Harwich; one of its stops was in Ireland (Cobh), so I spent part of a day in that country. Two more of the cruise stops were back in Iceland.

Iceland does not use the Euro, they have their own currency. The economy is unstable enough that you probably won't be able to get kronur in advance at your bank, you have to wait till you get there.

To me, the amazing thing about Iceland was the land itself. Coming into the airport, looking out the window of the plane, it was like landing on another planet. The area was volcanic rock, very bumpy. On the bus ride from the airport to the city of Reykjavik, I was tired but didn't want to sleep because the scenery was changing so much. The next day, I took a "Golden Circle" tour that took us out to a lot of really cool places in the countryside, including some spectacular waterfalls and geysers. On my way back to the airport, I took a bus that included a long stop at the Blue Lagoon, which is a thermal spa. Ahhhhh!

Answer 6

Ireland!! Been there twice last year (April 2011 and Sept.- Nov. 2011.. cooler than) and planning on going back there again next month in May for (all summer) 3 months (90 day limit) to visit my boyfriend. I love the beauty and old culture of everything. The castles, stone walls down the street is what I also loved about it and you don't see any of that in the US. You'll see how small the streets are too and how fast everyone goes in their car. The LUAS light rail train is something you should take around Dublin and to other counties (towns). The taxi's are a lot more expensive, especially if they know you're not from Ireland. I'll be heading down the Shannon river the next trip I take there.



Been all over Ireland and Northern Ireland (UK). If you become friends with the people from there, I think you'll be able to get around better and know what's good, or not. Just don't go out to the bar too much, they can be spendy too. Bray, Ireland would be our favorite little spot to get away to their game/casino place and walking down the rocky beach. Skerries, Ireland is a good place to go sailing and fishing. There is too much to say about it. They even have American restaurants there (Mcdonald's, Burger King, Dominos, etc) that you'll be familiar with. Dundrum Town Centre is a place we shop at in Dublin.



(Co) Wicklow would be a good start into the countryside. You'll see the National Park and the mountains! It takes you further out after that, so have a map with you, always!! lol Dublin Mountains is a nice view of the whole city of Dublin. I'm glad I have my boyfriend and his brother who are from Dublin!



I suggest you read up on Ireland and Iceland and chose which one to go to. I've never been to Iceland, but seen the land from above in the plane flying back to the states. Icey and white! lol So, for me I would visit Iceland since I've never been there either! Yet, I still love Ireland! Have fun with whatever you choose. If you've been to Iceland already, you might be more comfortable there, but if you plan on going to Ireland, don't try to stress too much, just try to take it all in and go with the flow. The city is a bit overwhelming at first until you get use to it. I know I still feel lost even after going there twice! lol



Ireland

http://discoverireland.ie/

http://www.youtube.com/user/discoverireland?ob=0&feature=results_main



Iceland

http://www.iceland.is/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-xdQ1or3dw

Answer 7

Well I don't know about Iceland but Ireland is amazing! I should know, I live there/here.