The Great Round Tour

This was my first visit to this beautiful country and this tour offered the perfect introduction. We visited all 4 courners of the island, including the less-visited Western Fijords. Jens was an excellent guide! He has considerable knowledge and enthusiasm, along with a wry sense of humor. In addition to all the major highlights, he took us to some of the more obscure attractions, and we were frequently the only ones there. The places we stayed were often smaller, family-run guest houses, without the usual crowds, but the rooms were always clean and comfortable. The included meals were excellent--I didn't have a bad meal the entire trip. Jens was also accomodating--he made unscheduled stops as best he could, in spite of the tight schedule. Even though the schedule was full, we were always allowed ample time at all of the stops, with plenty of free time alloted. This tour had the perfect amount of hiking for me--some days more than others, but Jens always let you know in advance, and if you weren't up for it that day, you could always stay with the van. I've already encouraged family and friends to sign up--I cannot recommend this tour more highly.

I had a fabulous time! I chose this tour because the itinerary was so inclusive, and the company had great reviews. The small group size is a real perk. I think I would not have had the same authentic experience with a larger company and/or non-native guide. Jens inside knowledge and experience was invaluable and much appreciated. He gave us understandable guidelines for how much time we should portion for each site, but was flexible and I rarely felt rushed. He very smartly tweaked the itinerary for the last two days so we could return to Reykjavik in time to get our COVID test for our return flight. Iceland is a stunningly beautiful, scenic country and I'm happy I got to see so much of it. I completely enjoyed our lodgings; attractive and comfortable, and everything working (I'm used to 3rd-world countries where the electricity is going out and there's no hot water). Almost all our lodgings had in-room tea/coffee which was nice. Lamb is my favorite and I enjoyed it for dinner many times. Do bring warm gloves, hat and scarf as recommended - I used them often and was thankful to have them. The clothing I brought was too lightweight.... do not underestimate the wind, rain and changeable weather. You don't need much variety of clothing because you will be bundled in a coat and hat pretty much all day. I did not wear either pair of shorts I brought once. Other than that, you are in good hands with Jens, who is patient and accepting of all, and quite easy to get smiling. By the way I think he is a fabulous driver and never felt unsafe in the van for a minute. Unless you want to waste your day on the road instead of seeing the sights, you cannot be complacent to be stuck behind slow drivers for miles (i.e. tourists in rental cars). I would not have missed this experience! Highly recommend the itinerary and Jens!

This tour exceeded my expectations, which were high! Jens put together a well-planned itinerary of great sights and experiences – including an amphibious vehicle trip on a glacier lagoon, a walk around the rim of a volcano, visits to geothermal regions and beautiful waterfalls, and plenty of photo stops. We saw a lot, mostly without feeling too rushed, and on the longer or more strenuous walks there were options for people to do less if they wanted. The accommodation was comfortable and in interesting locations (mostly farms), the included meals were excellent, and Jens was a very knowledgeable guide. I really felt that I got a good insight into Iceland and Icelandic culture. I highly recommend this tour!

My husband and I enjoyed The Great Round Tour: Around Iceland in 13 Days. It was a trip of a lifetime. Jens, our tour guide and owner of Fun Travel Tours, did an amazing job showing us all the highlights of the Ring Road around Iceland. His knowledge and love of his homeland was evident during the entire tour. Everyday we made 10-15 stops exploring waterfalls, lava fields, beaches, fishing villages and countless other places. Our lodging arrangements were excellent and very unique. The provided breakfasts and dinners were delicious and a highlight of our visit. The 13 passenger van was comfortable and an easy way to get around. Jens did an excellent job meeting the needs of all the guests. He took time daily to share stories and folktales of his homeland and that time of day became a highlight of our days for our group. Jens did a great job before the tour answering all of our questions and helping us make arrangements that met our needs. We would recommend taking this tour if you want to see all Iceland has to offer.

We recently completed the 13-day Fun Travel tour of Iceland. With so many short tours available, you might ask what is there to see for almost two weeks. The answer is: many gorgeous sights, historical landmarks, geologically interesting fissures and hot springs, glaciers, (including a boat ride) and especially the natural beauty of the western fjords with its red sands. We stopped at multiple sites every day including many breathtaking waterfalls and, of course, the geyser at Bláskógabyggð. Jens stopped often so that we could photograph numerous beautiful vistas. Each night our accommodations were mostly in very rural areas, where the owners decided to put up nicely designed rooms with comfort similar to a city hotel room. Most of the meals were either lamb or fish, but that doesn’t adequately describe the quality and creativity of the food preparation, which, in many cases, we would consider gourmet. There is considerable walking and climbing, but mostly easily done by our group that averaged low to mid ‘70s. Walking stick(s) are highly recommended, as are waterproof hiking boots. For the few sites that were challenging, Jens, made it clear that climbing the full distance was not required. Jens spiced up the trip reading ghost stories (e.g., about the invisible people). Also, when we left an iPad at a place in the western fjords, Jens arranged to have it taken to the hotel we would stay at on the last day. In summary, if you want to experience much of the beauty and landmarks in Iceland, you should look closely at this trip.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our action-packed journey with Jens and Fun Travels. We had a hectic pace with a different hotel each night. The accommodations were good and often in small family-owned farm houses. The included breakfasts and dinners were excellent. Our lunches were always at a restaurant with good food at our expense. Foods and drinks are expensive so be aware. Jens was very knowledgeable about the areas we travelled through. In addition to the popular tourist destinations, he always seemed to find many smaller out of the way stops that we likely would never have found on our own. I do not think he could have packed anything else into the itinerary. He entertained us with some folk stories to give us a flavor of the Icelandic culture. We were always on the go seeing spectacular scenery and so many waterfalls. Iceland has some very rugged volcanic areas but also several agricultural areas with luscious green hay fields and plenty of sheep. I suggest guests arrive a day or 2 early or stay an extra day or two to see more of Reykjavík. We covered so much ground driving the circumference of the island. Be prepared for lots of walking - walking sticks were helpful in some areas. Definitely a highlight of our world travels.

This was the best way to see all of Iceland. There was so much natural beauty, I was overwhelmed with one spectacular waterfall after another. I was pleasantly surprised with the farm stays. They were modern, clean with great views and very welcoming hosts. We saw everything from icebergs to geysers, and the puffins are very cute Our tour leader, Jens, knew so much about the history, culture, and beliefs surrounding Iceland. This is a tour to remember

If you can tour with Jens, do it. Jens Olafsson is the sole owner and guide of Fun Travels Iceland. Jens tours with his comfortable 12-passenger van. This was a Great Way to see the biggest sights of Iceland. We considered self-driving but decided that we both wanted to see the sights rather than just the road. That was a good decision. We chose Jens and his company because we wanted a small group and his reviews were excellent. Jens selected an excellent itinerary traveling the ring road in a counter clockwise direction. We found that most of our stops were not crowded due in part to Jens' timing. At almost every stop, we were encouraged to hike alongside waterfalls, traverse lava fields, and explore historic areas on our own. The photographers in our group had plenty of time to capture the natural spectacles. Jens kept us on time but not hurried. He gave us all the information we needed and he answered those with more specific questions. He knew that I was particularly interested in seeing puffins and he made several stops to accommodate me. Although the tour information did not mention hiking, we were able to enjoy a lot of Iceland on foot. We stayed at comfortable small lodgings in the countryside--sometimes at small farms that had built tourist accommodations. Usually the lodging provided not only breakfast but also dinner. We were not given menu choices. Rather the host brought plates full of food to each tour member. Every night we got either lamb or fish (cod, salmon, or artic char.) These are our favorites and we felt that every meal was excellent. Our tour had one vegetarian and one that did not eat red meat and both of these people were accommodated. Don’t go to Iceland expecting a lot of fruits and vegetables. Jens just briefly toured Reykjavik on the first day, so after the tour we stayed at an Airbnb in Reykjavik for three days. We enjoyed an open air museum, an art museum, the Settlement Exhibit, the arboretum, and the Blue Lagoon. Public transportation is excellent, so it is easy to navigate the city. We felt that Covid precautions were comprehensive and so we were not concerned about the disease. Everything is open in Iceland. We hope to return to Iceland in the winter and tour again with Fun Travels Iceland.

When my travel buddies asked if we wanted to take this tour of Iceland, I thought we were booking the usual stop-jump out, photo op that would race around the island and offer junk food every night. What a surprise! We spent thirteen days of hiking to falls, cliffs, glaciers, volcanoes and fjords. One day, we covered around 10 miles, so being in some kind of shape is a requisite for this tour unless you wish to sit in the van, waiting. The stops were often to less-visited start points for the walks. Jens never rushed us and the the small group (we were only 10, 12 is max) facilitates more scenic visits since it doesn't take 5 minutes to unload and load as it would with a 50 person bus. we always had ample time to explore and take photos. Note that some hikes were strenuous with changes is elevation and/or difficult footing - bring hiking poles if not steady. Also note that Jens doesn't stop for weather; rain and high winds are part of the experience. A tip: when Jens exchanges his sandals for his hiking boots, expect some huffing and puffing. Each destination was beautiful - but it would be hard to find a spot on this island that isn't. Accommodations are European, small, efficient and clean. Usually, the hotels were privately owned and the owners and their families were often the staff and servers. The locations were often remote, no throngs of tourists milling about; difficult anyway when there are no streets. Enjoy dinner and get to bed because the next day begins early. The dinners were all quality restaurant fare, always delicious, always Icelandic lamb or local, fresh caught fish. The breakfasts were usually standard continental with some pleasant exceptions (yes, my wife grabbed most of the semi-soft boiled goose eggs before the other travelers arrived). We will visit again, using Fun Travel Tours of Iceland, when we expect to need crampons to visit the falls!

My wife and I greatly enjoyed our Iceland tour with Fun Travel. Each day we made from 4 to 10 stops seeing many waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers, glacial lakes, lava fields, fishing villages, mountains, fjords, churches, historical sites, lighthouses, black and red sand beaches, and many species of birds including arctic terns and puffins. Jens Olafsson is careful to tailor the trip taking into account the physical abilities of his passengers. He used his knowledge of other tours to help us avoid crowds. He added a taste of cultural background by reading us stories of Icelandic lore. Jens gives background for each site on the trip and is good about answering questions. The excursion into the West Fjords was spectacular and missing from many other tours. We felt that this tour made the best possible use of our limited time in Iceland.