13 Santa Clauses! Really?

Send us a textHello, Friends – and welcome back!We’re so glad to have you here with us again. In this episode, we’re exploring some of the more unique – and sometimes downright quirky – customs in Icelandic culture.You might already know the classic fun fact: Iceland is green, and Greenland is ice. But did you know that naming your child in Iceland is an entirely different process compared to most places?We’ll dive into that fascinating tradition, along with a few other cultural gems that might surprise you.At Iceland’s Best Tours, we believe that understanding the heart of a culture is part of what makes travel truly meaningful. We're excited to share these insights with you – not just as your guides, but as locals who genuinely care about making your Icelandic experience unforgettable.If you’re thinking about visiting Iceland and want to make the absolute most of your trip, we’d love to help you craft an unforgettable experience. Whether you already have something in mind or are starting from scratch, we’ll work with you to design a personalized itinerary that fits your interests, pace, and style.At Iceland’s Best Tours, we specialize in creating unique, private experiences for individuals, couples, families, and small groups. Have a larger group? No problem – we’re fully equipped to accommodate that as well.With over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I bring a deep understanding of what it means to make guests feel truly welcome and well taken care of. That passion is at the heart of everything we do.As a licensed and insured day tour provider, I offer luxury SUV tours to some of Iceland’s most iconic destinations – including the Golden Circle, the South Coast, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and more. We focus on comfort, safety, and authentic experiences that allow you to connect with Iceland in a meaningful way.Let us take care of the details, so you can focus on the wonder.ICELAND CHECKLISTHiking boots 3⁄4 or moreThick socks (for comfort and warmth)Base layer (top and bottom) Merino wool is best. Sweaters/hoodiesHat, knit cap styleGlovesWaterproof shell jacketWaterproof hiking pantsFlip flops/shower shoesSwim trunks/suitSunglassesGood camera. 13 pro max, 15 pro max (I use both) 15 pro max is def better. Memory cards if using point and shoot or DSLR Passport /Driver LicenseThank you for listening, and don't forget to subscribe, follow, share, leave a comment or a question. Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbesttiktok.com/@icelands_bestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!

Send us a textHello Friends!   In this episode, I talk about being aware of your surroundings. Especially in crowded tourist areas. When my wife and I travel we try hard not to look like tourists. Sometimes you just can't help it.  You are what you are. There's no need to be afraid. Just be aware. That's your best line of defense against unscrupulous petit thieves. I'll also be talking about summer, when to visit and what to bring. I made a list of what to bring basics.ICELAND CHECKLISTHiking boots 3⁄4 or moreThick socks (for comfort and warmth)Base layer (top and bottom) Merino wool is best. Sweaters/hoodiesHat, knit cap styleGlovesWaterproof shell jacketWaterproof hiking pantsFlip flops/shower shoesSwim trunks/suitSunglassesGood camera. 13 pro max, 15 pro max (I use both) 15 pro max is def better. Memory cards if using point and shoot or DSLR Passport /Driver LicenseThank you for listening, and don't forget to subscribe, follow, share, leave a comment or a question. Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbesttiktok.com/@icelands_bestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!

Send us a textHello Friends! I'm back to talk to you about spring's arrival here. The days are getting longer, the birds are starting to make their yearly trek back. The weather is getting warmer. I'm so excited! January marks the end of Christmas and the start of the winter celebrations that are happening in January, February and March. I'll be talking about those events.I have great news. I am officially a licensed  and insured Day tour provider and I can offer day tour packages to The South Coast, The Golden Circle, The Snaefellsness Peninsula, Northern Lights hunting tours and The Reykjanes Peninsula. These will be private Luxury SUV tours. I'm working on the website that will be launched soon. Until then all my info is below. If you need information or just have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. That's it for now. Enjoy the episode! I hope to see you in Iceland soon.Frank Lárus  Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbesttiktok.com/@icelands_bestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!

Send us a textHello Friends!  I'm talking about where we are in the tour season, northern lights in September. I'm also touching on Rettir this is the gathering of sheep and horses after they've been roaming free in the countryside since May. Rettir is also the name of the corral used to sort the sheep/horses to their respective owners. If you want participate, the best way is to plan it way in advance, maybe the year prior. It is very popular for people to come and want to participate. From what I understand you shouldn't just show up, you will wind up in the way. You want to try to reach out to someone (ME) that can introduce you to a farmer. That way you'll know you're absolutely welcome. It's great that a lot of people want to help, but experienced people are what the farmers can use. sometimes too many inexperienced people can become a liability. I'm also giving some pointers on how to plan your trip around the country, what to bring and other general info. Have a listen, reach out and let's plan your next trip to Iceland.Thank you for listening. Thank you for your support.  Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbesttiktok.com/@icelands_bestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!

Send us a textHello Friends! Christmas in Iceland is really special. From the food, people, decorations and folklore. If you're coming to Iceland in December, you'll be delighted to know that Iceland is the best place in world to be. Christmas here brings me to a special place in my mind when I was a kid and this time of year was truly magical. Enjoy the episode and I´ll explain why Iceland has not one but thirteen Santa Clauses Or Jólasveinarnir as it is in Icelandic. New Year's Eve and I´ll also talk about some food and what to bring in winter.Thank you for listening. Thank you for your support.  Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbesttiktok.com/@icelands_bestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!

Send us a textIn this Episode, I'm chopping up some facts about Iceland I hope you'll find fun like eating ice cream behind the wheel of an automobile, dating your own family, the confusion with Icelandic last names, Elves, Icelandic animals and more. Thanks for listening and hope to see you all in Iceland!The Icelandic Search and Rescue teams and the Red Cross will never turn down your help. If you want to help go to one or both of the links below.  Thank you for listeningThank you for your supportraudkrossin.isicesar.com   (you will be asked where specifically you want the donation to go. Click that drop down screen and select (björgunarsveit Þorbjörn) This is the Grindavik area Search and Rescue Team.Stay tuned!Please rate/reviewI hope to see you in Iceland  Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!

Send us a textHello Friends!    Happy Summer! Summer is here. Officially. We will see the real summer weather in the next couple of months, but now  the low temps are well above freezing and the highs are 10-12C/ 50-55F Which to me is great weather. Humidity is low so these temps feel warmer. Everything hasn't turned completely green yet, but it is soon to be here. Let's talk about northern lights and how it the rest of Europe and North America just got a taste of what we experience every year in Iceland. My first tour of May was one with my Mom. We visited the Golden Circle and met some interesting people on the way. Enjoy the episode! Hope to see you soon!Frank LárusThe Icelandic Search and Rescue teams and the Red Cross will never turn down your help. If you want to help go to one or both of the links below.  Thank you for listeningThank you for your supportraudkrossin.isicesar.com   (you will be asked where specifically you want the donation to go. Click that drop down screen and select (björgunarsveit Þorbjörn) This is the Grindavik area Search and Rescue Team.Stay tuned!Please rate/reviewI hope to see you in Iceland  Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!

Send us a textHello Friends! In this episode I talk about being safe when coming to Iceland. There is so much to see and so many places to go. It's easy to be distracted by the intoxicating beauty of this wonderful country. I'll be speaking to common sense and being focused on being safe.  New Yorkers know that not walking through Central Park at night is common sense. Here, getting your vehicle or yourself out of the road before taking a photo is/should be common sense. Heeding waring signs and speed limit signs should also be common sense. I'll be talking about all these things and more. Look below to see links for road conditions, road closings and other useful safety information. The emergency number in Iceland is 112  (Iceland's version of 911)https://safe.is/driving-conditions (Here you can search typical road conditions by month and by region)https://www.road.is/ (Here you will find up to date road info such as closings.)https://safetravel.is/ (Here can upload your travel plan. If something happens, Search And Rescue will know where to look)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_Iceland (Here you will find a complete list of Icelandic road signs)The Icelandic Search and Rescue teams and the Red Cross will never turn down your help. If you want to help go to one or both of the links below.  Thank you for listeningThank you for your supportraudkrossin.isicesar.com   (you will be asked where specifically you want the donation to go. Click that drop down screen and select (björgunarsveit Þorbjörn) This is the Grindavik area Search and Rescue Team.Stay tuned!Please rate/reviewI hope to see you in Iceland  Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!

Send us a text  The Icelandic Rock ´n´Roll Museum opened in 2014. Of the thousands of famous and world famous Icelandic musicians, many are exhibited here.  Shout out to the musicians that are not featured yet! When you come to Iceland make sure to put this museum at the top of your list. All musical genre are represented here. Whatever kind of music you like, there's an Icelandic band or musician that plays it. In this episode, I go over the highlights of my visit and my hope is that you get a chance to come and enjoy this special museum at some point. I had a great time and I´m definitely going back! The museum is located less than 10 minutes from the Keflavik international airport. Enjoy the episode! The Icelandic Search and Rescue teams and the Red Cross will never turn down your help. If you want to help go to one or both of the links below.  Thank you for listeningThank you for your supportraudkrossin.isicesar.com   (you will be asked where specifically you want the donation to go. Click that drop down screen and select (björgunarsveit Þorbjörn) This is the Grindavik area Search and Rescue Team.Stay tuned!Please rate/reviewI hope to see you in Iceland  Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!

Send us a textHello Friends!   It's time for an update as to what's going on with the volcano and what to expect going forward. Since the prior podcast we've had an eruption, the winter solstice, 25 days of Christmas (I think I said 26 on the pod)  12 leading up to and 12 going out until the 6th of January ( Plus Christmas Day itself) and New Year's Eve celebration. I'll be talking about all of that and a little more.  The Icelandic Search and Rescue teams and the Red Cross will never turn down your help. If you want to help go to one or both of the links below.  Thank you for listeningThank you for your supportraudkrossin.isicesar.com   (you will be asked where specifically you want the donation to go. Click that drop down screen and select (björgunarsveit Þorbjörn) This is the Grindavik area Search and Rescue Team.Stay tuned!Please rate/reviewI hope to see you in Iceland  Check out Icelandsbest on these other platforms.Contact me: [email protected]/@icelandsbestYouTube.com/@icelandsbestSupport the showTell a friend that you have a friend in Iceland!