Iceland with Cameron Hewitt | Rick Steves Travel Talks

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Recorded on March 17, 2018 • Rick Steves' Europe Travel Center

Written, Presented, and Produced by Cameron Hewitt
Filmed and Edited by Zen Wolfang • Second Camera by Ariana David
Graphics by Heather Locke and Rhonda Pelikan
Photography by Cameron Hewitt, Ian Watson, Dave Hoerlein, Trish Feaster, and others

© 2018 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc.
#rickstevestraveltalks #traveltalks #icelandtravel

[trondeiksund]

I have worked almost 20 years as a guide in Iceland and from what I have seen, this is the best "informational" video about, Iceland I have seen. My utmost respect is deserved. Thank you! Pronunciations do not matter, if any lack of information is found, I would say it was about the highlands, Roughly 80% of Iceland's land-cap.

[originalsuki]

IF YOU PLAN ON GOING TO ICELAND, DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO ONCE... watch it at least twice. This single video was by far the most informative. We had 2 wonderful weeks there. Almost everything Cameron discussed, we checked off one by one. I could watch this again to re-live it all.

[SuzanneTatham-sojj]

Well done. Very true to Rick’s priorities.

[gregorymclean]

Thank you so much Cameron this video on Iceland was profoundly detailed and impressive. Truly fantastic all around. I will have to see more of your videos now. Take care.

[CharlesProoth]

What a splendid presentation! Full of great tips and useful information

[iddet]

As an Icelander, I think this is a very informative video. Very well done. I think one spectacular place should have been mentioned near the end of the clockwise circle. This place is Skaftafell.

[shamapriyanarasimhan]

Thank for this amazing detailed well researched information

[youbetuist]

A great talk! As an Icelander, I notice a few minor factual errors, but also some more major - which matter especially for such a burgeoning destination as ours. As a tourism worker, however, I'd like to point out that it is now a myth that "you don't tip" in Iceland. The reason for this myth is that you don't have to go farther back than about 10 years - the beginning of the tourist boom - to a time when you couldn't walk down the street, as a foreigner, without being yanked into someones home for complementary coffee and pancakes. Back then, not only wasn't tip expected, nor accepted, you almost weren't allowed to pay for anything as a VISITOR.
Like most other tourist destinations, this has since changed. Not only have tourists become commonplace, but it is currently our single largest source of foreign earnings; in other words an ´industry´ and a driver of the economy.
One result of this is that you, as a tourist, are now not only allowed to pay for things, but even tip!
It's important to stress that it is not required or necessarily expected - but it is certainly appreciated!
Therefore, it is an unfortunate misunderstanding, perpetuated in this - otherwise great talk on Iceland - that tipping is not the custom in Iceland. More accurately, it now is.

[ericerickson]

Great talk I have been to Iceland twice and my wife and I are going back again this summer.

[elisaatsignet]

Excellent, very informative presentation. Thanks!

[lohphat]

Eth (Ð, ð) and thorn (Þ, þ) were once used in Old/Middle English too. We dropped them in the 14th Century.

[annbush]

"Kristen Lavransdottor"by Sigrid Undsett was a popular book in my mother's generation. This is a fascinating tour--as it covers the culture to an astounding degree.

[youbetuist]

....further, as an Icelander and a resident of Reykjavík, I can not condone this promotion of Air BnB usage! The "Air BnB effect" has resulted in the displacement of many of the locals from the city center, much like what's happened in cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, etc., turning them into something more akin to a theme park than a thriving city center, where tourists end up seeing only other tourists and souvenir shops, in stead of locals and local culture. Just keep that in mind!
AND, no camping outside designated camp sites!! That has now been banned as is severely frowned upon by the locals!

[skateycat]

i am glad you finally decided there IS something in iceland worthwhile. i remember a video of yours a few years ago where you said it was just not worth visiting as there was really nothing there to see. was right before i made my first trip there. now planning my second trip in a few months.

[gothaggis]

Great commentary, however there was some incorrect information about being able to camp anywhere in a campervan. From what I've been reading, it is now required that campervans camp at campsites. You could be fined for camping in parking lots.

[veronicarussell]

I'm so excited for the new guidebook! I can't wait it to go! :)

[DiscoveringDestinations]

Beautiful country! Looks forward to visit it soon! Thanks for all great information :-)

[lkknapp]

One correction - You mentioned you don't need four wheel drive for the roads. That is not in fact true - You need to have 4 wheel drive on any of the F roads. You will invalidate your rental car insurance if you use a 2WD on an F Road.

[AlonsoRules]

The Blue Lagoon is the biggest tourist trap in Iceland. There are better places to spend your money. The public pool in Reykyavik called Laugardalslaug is $9 US for an adult. The blue lagoon is 8 times that.

[michaelcasino]

How is the Drone regulations in iceland? Thank you