Our holiday included 4 nights at the hotel with breakfast, air fares, transfers and 2 excursions. All travel went smoothly. The hotel, an older building, was clean and comfortable. All staff were helpful and friendly. We had a problem with the TV, which couldn't be fixed, so they gave us a different room with a view of the Eyjafjord. The breakfast was substantial and catered for all preferences. We were picked up on time for our first evening excursion, and our knowledgeable guide was excellent. We were fortunate to see an amazing display of the Northern Lights. Akureyri, N.E Iceland is a relatively small town, and you can walk to the town centre with its tourist shops, cafes and most places of interest. Also, the buses are free.
Being winter, there were no tourist information shops open, but you can get a map and brochures from the Whale Watching Booking office near the Hof Cultural Centre. The Classic Whale Watching tour leaves from there at 1 pm, all year. The crew gave a running commentary of where to look, and we were fortunate to see 3 humpbacks diving and feeding about 1.5 hours from Akureyri. This tour was not part of our holiday package. The tour we had vouchers for was the Forest Lagoon thermal pools, but we weren't particularly keen and chose not to go. The pickup place in town wasn't clear, as our voucher mentioned 2 different places and times for the free shuttle.
Overall, this winter trip would suit people who are prepared to find their own way around and like to seek out new experiences. Be prepared for cloudy days and a cold wind, with temperatures about minus 4 to minus 10. We were lucky that most days had some sun and clear evening skies. Customer service in all places was excellent, friendly and helpful. We had an amazing time and would certainly go again.
