Reykjivik City Walking Tour (Also seen at SinglesTravelCompany.tumblr.com)
When I travel to different destinations one of the first items on my checklist of things to do is to take a city walking tour. City walking tours come in all shapes and sizes, but the common factor that they all share is that they help to make for a much more enjoyable stay. Think of the activity as a cram session before an exam, a crash course in everything you need to know regarding the surrounding culture. If you are traveling with a prearranged group like, for example, those that are organized through Singles Travel Company, the walking tours are usually included as part of your package within the first 24 hours of your arrival. If traveling alone, however, do not fear! Cost effective options are just an internet search away.
The most common format for these types of tours is a tip reliant format. It doesn’t cost anything up front so the idea is to pay your guide the amount that you think the tour was worth after it ends. Keep in mind that there are some conglomerates out there who have trained guides in multiple countries, but in Reykjavik, all of the free walking tours are independently owned and managed by true locals. We decided to book through CityWalk for our journey and had an extremely positive experience.
Typically history-based, walking tour guides tend to be very engaged and enthusiastic speakers so that they can explain some of the more dull or complex details in a fun and light-hearted fashion. The tours not only help to map out the lay of the land, but it also gives travelers an opportunity to ask cultural questions before striking out on their own for the remainder of the trip – Is tipping appropriate in this country? If so, how much? Is small talk reciprocated? How is crime in this area? Where is the best nightlife? What restaurants are best for traditional cuisine? The list of potential inquiries is never-ending! No matter how much research you’ve conducted on the subject, it’s always a smart idea to gain some local perspective.
One of the most notable finds that we discovered through our own tour, for example, was a little hotdog stand called Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur that is modestly located in the parking lot of a neighboring establishment near the harbor. I’ll try to put it into perspective as to how divine these hotdogs are, and yes, I just described a hotdog as divine. My travel partner (boyfriend) is un-American and hates hotdogs. Obviously I was not aware of this at the time we started to date. Anytime I approach the idea of grilling hotdogs I immediately receive backlash about how unhealthy they are as if this is brand new information that would somehow deter my craving. Throughout the planning process for our trip to Iceland there would be several losing battles held about trying one while abroad – they’re an Icelandic staple, after all! Even approaching the stand I assumed that it was a battle not worth fighting. But a shift in events took place as my boyfriend found himself swept up in the novelty of his surroundings, and before I knew it, we were practically ordering them by the case. Needless to say, we found ourselves eating at Bæjarins an embarrassingly high number of times that I do not wish to disclose (five). Granted, Bæjarins is a fairly well known eatery so the odds are that we would have probably found it eventually through word of mouth if not through the tour. But what if we hadn’t learned about it until the end of our stay? What if we only had the opportunity to eat there one measly time? I shudder just thinking about it. Once again, I reiterate - Walking tours are necessary - especially at the beginning of your trip!
A huge asset that CityWalk provided us that I had yet to experience on previous walking tours was an automated email after the walk that gave a comprehensive breakdown of activities to do in and around Reykjavik. The email was so in-depth that we would have needed at least three weeks to successfully complete everything listed. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic resource to have on hand for reference as we made our way - it even included recommendations on Icelandic music to purchase - such refreshing recommendations in comparison to standard museum lineups. If you have some spare time, check these guys out on TripAdvisor and see what other travelers are saying about them!
