I'm going to be headed to Iceland at the end of the month. My parents are taking a cruise that ends there and have offered miles so I can fly out and join them for a few days. They are traveling with older friends with mobility issues so most of what we do on the back half of the trip will be limited.They are planning on staying at the Radisson in Reykjavik and doing day trips from there.

I'm looking at adding a few days before they arrive so I can do some things that they will be unable to. I've started reading up on what to do, but there are so many options I'm not sure where to start. I would arrive on Sunday or Monday morning (it is more miles to get there Sun., but it may be worth the splurge to have an additional day). They get in Wed. morning and we fly out Sat at noon.

I will most likely be solo for the first few days (I doubt I'll be able to find someone to go with such short notice). I'm a mid-40s female. My understanding is Iceland is safe, but am wondering if it is best to stick with tours. I'd love to rent a car and drive around, but I'm not the best driver so I am not sure about doing that alone. I'm also not in the best shape and a bit of a clutz, so don't know how wise it is to go hiking/exploring waterfalls alone (I may need someone to call 911 ).

If anyone has recommendations for the solo part of the trip as well as tours, etc. for when I meet up with the parents I'd appreciate it. I'm so excited, this has been on my bucket list for awhile but I am getting overwhelmed with all the options. I'd love to see the Northern Lights, but know it is on the edge the best times to see them. I read there may better chance to see them in the Westfjords and North Iceland, but don't know how far that is and if worth the trip or if there are better places to visit assuming they won't be visible.

Based on what you've described, I'd look in to the Golden Circle. It can be done in one day or over several days as an organized tour or on your own. Below are some links for more information. I wish I had more specific recommendations.

https://gretastravels.com/iceland-golden-circle/

https://guidetoiceland.is/you-guide/how-to-drive-the-golden-circle

https://www.lotuscarrental.is/blog/everything-you-need-to-travel-icelands-golden-circle?gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2-bhraDEgAMVLzHUAR2Ptwj3EAAYBCAAEgIYQvD_BwE

I would also look up Iceland on TripAdvisor and read through the offerings. We have had very good luck with TA for planning the few days before or after the many tours we have taken.

Rent a car and do the Golden Circle.

We did this and stayed in one of the mini house vrbos near Vik for 1 night.

I was scheduled to leave for Iceland tomorrow but had to cancel due to a medical issue. Big bummer for me. I was doing a Backroads hiking and walking tour that gets you off the beaten path but with guides while staying in nice hotels. It was 6 days so that wouldn't work for you.

Golden Circle tour is a good idea for one or two days. One source to check out is Reykjavik Excursions.

The recent eruption appears to be ongoing though at a much lower rate. I had booked a helicopter tour with Atlantsflug Flightseeing to see it from the air. There are guided hikes to the area as well, but check out the degree of difficulty before signing on.

A unique outing would be Inside the Volcano where you descend into an extinct volcano in an elevator to check out the old empty magma chamber.

Thanks. I'm sorry you are missing your trip, that really stinks. I hope you are able to reschedule.

I'm still waiting to touch base with the rest of the travel party to see what they are wanting to do. I assume we'll do the Golden Circle one day, and I'm hoping they'll want to do one of the South Iceland tours the other. If they don't I'll do that on my own. If they do, I have my on a Westfjords tour. However, that would require me changing my flight (luckily it is booked with miles) to a less desirable flight, but it would get me there a night earlier.