Iceland on the Road

Fly to Iceland. Arrive at Keflavík International airport and collect your car. On the drive to the capital, Reykjavík, stop by the Blue Lagoon (optional) and enjoy a dip in the geothermal waters of this famous attraction. Overnight in Reykjavík. (80Km)

Visit Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site remarkable for its geology and history - it was here that the Vikings established their parliament in 930AD. Continue to the famous Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot spring area, where the smaller geyser called Strokkur erupts every 10-15 minutes. End the day in the farmlands of south Iceland. (B) (195Km)

Continue along the south coast towards the area of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. Perhaps visit the Lava Centre - an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. Spend time at Skógar Folk Museum and stop at both Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Travel to Dyrhólaey cape to search for birds and discover the rock formation Reynisdrangar. End the day in the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Skaftafell National Park and stay here for one night. (B) (175Km)

Explore Skaftafell National Park. Perhaps choose to hike to Svartifoss waterfall with its black column basalt walls. For those who wish to continue walking, why not head all the way up the glacier tongue Svínafellsjökull or to search for birds including the puffin. End the day in Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon area. (B) (125Km)

Morning visit to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where large chunks of ice crumble down the steep mountainside into the glacial waters. Take an optional boat tour among them before travelling onwards to Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier. Pass through the small fishing town Höfn and into the east fjords for an overnight stay. (B) (105Km)

Perhaps begin the day with a boat tour to Papey Island. Continue along the east fjords discovering fishing towns and in Stöðvarfjörður visit Petra's stone collection - a large collection of local stones all collected by one lady. Journey onwards across the Möðrudalsöræfi mountain pass. Here enjoy homemade waffles at the mountain cafe Fjalladyrd. On a clear day enjoy the spectacular view into the deep highlands, all the way to Vatnajokull glacier. In the afternoon, stop at Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Iceland. Stay in the area of Lake Mývatn for two nights. (B) (395Km)

Spend a full day exploring around Lake Mývatn, an area known for its spectacular geology, geothermal heat and the large number of ducks which nest by the lake. Take a leisurely hike among the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and at the rock formation - Dimmuborgir. Be sure to visit Hverarönd geothermal area and for those keen to continue hiking, continue for two hours to Leirhnjukur crater. Unwind and relax at the end of the day at the Mývatn  Nature Baths (optional). (B) (0Km)

Visit the fishing town Húsavík - known as the capital of whale watching. Located so close to the Arctic Circle, there are usually hundreds of whales in the fjord during summer. Perhaps visit the whale museum located at the harbour. In the afternoon drive to Goðafoss waterfall and onwards to Akureyri , often referred to as the Capital of the North. Ending the day in farmlands of Skagafjörður for an overnight stay. (B) (235Km)

Spend time in the Skagafjörður area of Iceland. The farmers of Skagafjörður take great pride in owning more horses than they can count. The area is also deeply connected to Iceland’s Viking history, be sure to find the special map which shows important locations from this period in history. Before leaving the area, visit the swimming pool in Hofsos and then continue back to  Reykjavík for an overnight stay. (B) (375Km)

Return the car to Keflavík International airport and fly back to the UK. (B) (50Km)