Around Iceland Highlights

Arrival in Iceland and pick up a rental car at Keflavik airport. Drive to Reykjavík for the first night or stay in the area of Keflavik. (50 Km)

“The Golden Circle”: Þingvellir national park which is a great lava arena in a rift valley and the site of the oldest parliament, “the Althing” * Lake Þingvallavatn * views of surrounding mountains * Lake Laugarvatn * the Geysir geothermal area – have your camera ready for one of the geysers, Strokkur as it spouts a column of hot water * Gullfoss waterfall (the Golden Waterfall). (200 Km)

The south coast * views of Mt. Hekla * Seljalandsfoss waterfall * Skógafoss waterfall * Skógar museum * views of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier with the infamous volcano of the same name resting beneath it * Dyrhólaey promontory, a bird paradise and southernmost point of Iceland * the village of Vík with long black sand beach * the sands of glacial rivers and and lava fields * Skaftafell National Park with possibilities for shorter and longer hikes * Svartifoss waterfall (290 Km)

Views of Öræfajökull with the highest peak Hvannadalshnjúkur * Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon * chance for a boat tour amongst the icebergs calving off the glacier * drive at the foot of the largest European glacier – Vatnajökull * the East fjords with small fishing towns * Egilsstaðir. (300Km)

Jökuldalur valley with numerous waterfalls dropping down from the hilltops above the road * the desert plateau of Möðrudalsöræfi * Mörðudalur – the most isolated farm at the edge of the highlands * Lake Mývatn with thousands of nesting birds * various volcanic phenomena: lava fields, volcanic craters and mountains, pseudo craters, lava rock formations, solfatara field with boiling mud pits and roaring steam vents * the Nature Baths geothermal lagoon with a possibility for a relaxing bath in pleasantly warm water and great views over the area. (150 Km)

Goðafoss waterfall (the Waterfall of Gods) * Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland * the town of Akureyri often referred to as the capital of the north – the cultural, educational and administration centre. It is worth taking the time to explore this charming town with its old wooden houses, northernmost botanical garden, beautiful church and a number of interesting museums. (200 km)

Skagafjörður, area rich in history * Vatndalshólar * Borgarfjörður * Grábrók crater with possibility for a short hike to the top which rises above moss covered lava field and offers fantastic view in all directions * Deildartunguhver hot spring * the historic place of Reykholt, home of the 13th century historian and writer Snorri Sturluson * Hraunfossar waterfall * Borgarnes * Reykjavík. (350 Km)

Drive to Keflavík airport, return the rental car and check-in for the flight back home. If your departure is in the afternoon then you have the possibility for a drive to the Blue Lagoon and a chance for another relaxing bath in the geothermal water before leaving Iceland.