We went back to Europe for the second time in 2025, this time in the Nordics. We visited Iceland and Norway for 6 days ech and just 1 day in Helsinki (mainly for our positioning flight back to USA).
There will be quite a few reviews on this trip.
- Airline Review: Virgin Atlantic Busines Class from Los Angeles to London
- Hotel Review: Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavik Airport
- Trip Report: 6 Days in Iceland – Day 1 (Whale Watching & Reykjavik)
- Hotel Review: Center Hotels Klöpp, Reykjavik
- Trip Report: 6 Days in Iceland – Day 2 (Golden Circle)
- Hotel Review: Hótel Laugarvatn, Iceland
- Trip Report: 6 Days in Iceland – Day 3 (Seljalandsfoss & Gljufrabui waterfalls, Reynisfjara & Vikurfjara Black sand beaches)
- Hotel Review: Hótel Katla by Keahotels
- Trip Report: 6 Days in Iceland – Day 4 (Eldhraun, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon and Stokksnes)
- Hotel Review: Guesthouse Dyngja, Hofn, Iceland
- Trip Report: 6 Days in Iceland – Day 5 (Fjallsarlon Glacial Lagoon, Svartifoss waterfalls, Fjadrargljufur canyon)
- Hotel Review: Hotel Skógafoss by EJ Hotels
- Hotel Review: Courtyard Keflavik Airport
- Trip Report: 6 Days in Iceland Trip Report – Day 6 (Skogafoss, Kvernufoss and Irarfoss waterfalls)
- Trip Report: 4 Days in Bergen Trip Report – Day 1 & 2 (Bergen city sightseeing & Mostraumen Fjord Cruise)
- Hotel Review: Hotel Oleana Ascend Hotel Collection, Bergen
- Trip Report: 4 Days in Bergen Trip Report – Day 3 (Norway in a nutshell day trip from Bergen)
- Trip Report: 4 Days in Bergen Trip Report – Day 4 (Hardangerfjord Fjord cruise day trip)
- Trip Report: Oslo, Norway
- Hotel Review: Amerikalinjen, Ascend Hotel Collection, Oslo
- Hotel Review: Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport
- Trip Report: 24 hours in Helsinki
- Hotel Review: Hotel Fabian, Ascend Hotel Collection, Helsinki
- Airline Review: Finnair Business Class from Helsinki to Los Angeles
- Airline Review: American Airlines Business Class from London to Los Angeles
Total Cost (2 travelers):
Airfare:
- $560 for 2 travelers in one-way economy from London to Keflavik/Reykjavik
- $570 for 2 travelers for one-way economy from Keflavik to Bergen
- $ 110 for 1 traveler for one-way economy from Oslo to Helsinki
Hotel:
- $288 for 1 night (1 room) at Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavik Airport
- $240 for 1 night (1 room) at Center Hotels Klöpp, Reykjavik
- $180 for 1 night (1 room) at Hótel Laugarvatn, Iceland
- $395 for 1 night (1 room) at Hótel Katla by Keahotels
- $285 for 1 night (1 room) at Guesthouse Dyngja, Hofn, Iceland
- $435 for 1 night (1 room) at Hotel Skógafoss by EJ Hotels
Rail:
- $71 for 2 travelers from Bergen to Oslo
- $178 for 2 travelers from Bergen – Myrdal – Flam (part of self constructed Norway-in-a-nutshell itinerary)
- $66 for 2 travelers from Voss – Bergen (part of self constructed Norway-in-a-nutshell itinerary)
- $25 for 2 travelers from Oslo Central – Oslo Airport
Car Rental:
- $767 for 6 day rental + 0 Deductible Rental Car Insurance at Ace rental car at Keflavik Airport
Sightseeing:
- $190 for 2 tickets on Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik
- $227 for 2 tickets on Hardangerfjord cruise day trip (Bus + Cruise trip Bergen-Bergen)
- $165 for 2 tickets on Mostraumen Fjord Cruise, Bergen
- $126 for 2 tickets on Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord (Flam – Gudvangen) as part of self constructed Norway-in-a-nutshell itinerary (Bergen – Bergen)
Miles/Points Redeemed:
- 94,000 Virgin Atlantic miles for 2 one-way Business class tickets between USA and Europe (Los Angeles – London)
- 115,000 American Airlines miles for 2 one-way Business class tickets between USA and Europe (Helsinki – Los Angeles)
- 50,000 Marriott points for 1 night (1 room) at Courtyard Reykjavik Keflavik Airport
- 60,000 Choice Hotels points for 4 nights (1 room) at Hotel Oleana Ascend Hotel Collection, Bergen
- 40,000 Choice Hotels points for 2 nights (1 room) at Amerikalinjen, Ascend Hotel Collection, Oslo
- 15,000 Choice Hotels points for 1 night (1 room) at Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport
- 15,000 Choice Hotels points for 1 night (1 room) at Hotel Fabian, Ascend Hotel Collection, Helsinki