Trip planning is overwhelming, right?!
“What if I miss some big attraction to see?! How do I pick one hotel out of the thousands? Where should we go for the local fare?” Anyone else have these thoughts?
For example, I couldn’t wait to surprise him with his 30th birthday gift – a trip to Switzerland! So what did I do? Did I plan everything in advance and surprise him a plane ticket the night before. No, I handed him the plane ticket a month in advance and told him to get planning! (am I terrible? I’m terrible.)
However, I AM the kind person that loves to have things organized. So as soon as he had that itinerary planned, I got right to creating an organized list of where we needed to be when, hotel details, etc. Our honeymoon trip to Iceland? It’s in a perfectly organized binder with tabs separating our itinerary, maps, hotel info, rental car, etc. everything highlighted and planned down to the hour!
In summary: planning is hard, organization is fun!
Enter TripCreator. This website just literally solved my worst nightmare of trip planning and made it literally as easy as humanly possible.
TripCreator is an interactive travel planner that allows users to create a fully customized trip. YOU choose the hotels, car rental, and activities, and then book it all with one checkout.
This website is absolutely perfect for you if:
- you like to plan their own trips and travel independently, not via a packaged tour.
- you don’t want to spend a lot of time planning but you don’t want miss out on anything important.
- you have a decent budget to spend and care about comfort.
Answer a few questions about your travel style, budget, interests, and travel dates, and TripCreator will generate a sample plan for your review.
From there, you can customize every aspect of the trip, including the car rental, hotel, and activities, by adding, removing, modifying, and re-ordering each item.
One thing that I really like is that it takes into account driving distances, making it easy for you to plan out your day.
*See my TripCreator itinerary here.
Once the trip is perfect for you, book it all at once, or save some items for later. The bookings can all be made with one checkout, and are processed via their partners.
Another awesome thing is that TripCreator has locations throughout Europe, with new destinations added regularly. Check them out!
I decided to try out TripCreator when I traveled the South Coast this past March. My friend Kristy was visiting Iceland and I wanted to show her the best sights along Iceland’s South Coast.
Here are the best six places in South Iceland – with a FREE downloadable guidebook!
1. Seljalandsfoss
As you’re cruising down the Ring Road, you will be able to see Seljalandsfoss for miiiiles away. It sits at the end of a big cliff, and if you’re not used to seeing waterfalls, this will be an exciting sight from afar. Seljalandsfoss drops 60m down from a cliff. The best part about this waterfall is that you can walk behind it for a unique perspective! *NOTE: If you to do this during winter, it’s best to use crampons on your shoes – the spray from the waterfall makes the path extremely slippery.
2. Skogafoss
After Seljalandsfoss you will be in waterfall heaven, but keep heading down the road towards the town of Skogar. Skogafoss is simply breathtaking. There’s a legend that says the first Viking settler at Skógar stashed a chest of gold coins in a cave behind the waterfall. Don’t forget to hike up the wooden pathway for great views of the coast and the waterfall.
3. Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is truly a unique sight. An arch like promontory jutting out into the ocean…this spot is definitely a must see! Bonus: this is a very popular spot to see puffins!
4. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
I would say one of the things people want to see most in Iceland is the waterfalls and the black sand beach. Reynisfjara is where you do that. The famous basalt stacks stick out of the ocean and the Hálsanefshellir is such a famous sight, it is truly not to be missed.
5. Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell is a beautiful part of Iceland, but the real gem that people come here for Svartifoss waterfall. Although it’s a hike (2 hours round trip) to get back to the falls, it’s worth it if you have time to spare. The path is easily walkable. Skaftafell is a very popular place to camp.
6. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I absolutely think you should drive all the way to Jokulsarlon. The icebergs floating in the lagoon is simply breathtaking. This is one of my favorite places in Iceland, no matter what the season! You can also take a boat tour which brings you closer to the glacier.
Don’t forget: Diamond/Crystal Beach
A short walk across the street brings you to a beach where some icebergs wash up on the black sand! This is another amazing sight, especially in the colder months when more of the ice chunks stay on shore.
And now…your South Iceland Guidebook!
What’s in this Guidbook you ask?
- Directions and travel time for each stop
- Where to go for the best photos
- Insider tips and practical info for traveling
- Interactive map
With this download you get access to the FREE resource library FILLED with printables, checklists, and guides to help you plan the best Iceland trip ever!
Trip planning is hard enough as it is! That’s why I created this resource library, to make your life easier.
ALSO, when you sign up, you get instant access to the Iceland Travel Team Facebook group! A community of people to connect and interact with, ask questions, and share your awesome Iceland travel experiences!
Not a member yet? No worries, just enter your name and email address, and I send you the password to unlock the library!
**Already a member of the team? Click here to instantly download your South Iceland Guidebook!
P.S. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don’t automatically get an email response.
Happy planning, Team!
South Iceland Interactive Map
To make the map bigger click the bracket in the top right corner of the map.
Question: Do you enjoy trip planning or do you look to other options to help you?
P.S. “Hidden gems along the South coast” post coming up next!
Pin it for later!
*This post is sponsored in partnership with TripCreator. Collaborations like these are carefully selected to benefit my awesome readers, and opinions are always my own!
8 Comments
Leanna DeFrancesco
August 15, 2016 at 10:35 pmThis is so great!! I have been dreaming about going to Iceland for over a year now and there are SO MANY things I want to see. Fortunately for me, I love the planning part. Can’t wait to look more at all of this!
Jeannie
August 19, 2016 at 8:18 amYay, glad this was helpful for you! The only hard thing about planning a trip to Iceland is choosing what to do when everything is so amazing 😀
Emily
August 15, 2016 at 11:02 pmBeautiful photos! I actually love planning travel so I would love for my husband to just hand me plane tickets and let me start! This site does sound helpful though, just to guide you thorough what shouldn’t be missed.
Jeannie
August 19, 2016 at 8:24 amThanks Emily! I know a lot of people enjoy the planning part, we need those people in the world! TripCreator is great though, I will definitely use them for our upcoming travels abroad.
Rachel
September 4, 2016 at 10:38 pmThis sounds like such a great tool! Thanks for pulling this list together too – definitely saving it for when a trip to Iceland happens!
Jeannie
September 8, 2016 at 1:16 pmTrip Creator is so great, very helpful! Yes definitely hold onto this one, happy to help!
Danielle
January 20, 2017 at 3:46 pmI thought the walk to Svartifoss was a little more challenging than suggested on the guide map. 1.7km is dead easy and I have a decent fitness level, but the fact that it’s uneven and uphill will lots of natural and man made steps I think makes it a lot tougher, I was quite surprised, I headed off with a sandwich in my hand for an ‘easy walk’ but found it pretty tough. In comparison I’d read of people finding the walk to the plane wreck & ‘inside the volcano’ to be challenging, but I had no issues there. I think they need a ‘knee disclaimer’ 🙂 as I’d expect ‘easy’ to be suitable for everyone but my retirement age mum would never have made it! I mean you need any hiking gear or anything but I think it was deceptively challenging! (but I seem to be the only one in all I’ve read lol)
Danielle
January 20, 2017 at 3:47 pm*don’t need hiking gear