Self-Drive WINTER TOUR - SOUTH AND WEST COAST

Fly to Iceland and collect your rental car on arrival at Keflavik International Airport. First stop on the Golden Circle route is Thingvellir, where the world’s oldest parliament was established around 930 AD. Thingvellir is on the World Heritage List, first published by UNESCO in 1972. Continuing on to Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot springs area, you will have the chance to visit one of the most remarkable tourist attractions in Iceland. You will stay in Geysir area for the night. During the evening, you can hunt for the northern lights.

Today you can have the chance to explore Borgarfjördur area and Reykholt, one of the most important historical places in the country and visit the Snorri-Museum. The beautiful waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. You continue the travel to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The main attraction of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is the Snæfellsjökul glacier. Even today, it is said to have magic powers. In Jules Verne’s novel, “Travels to the Center of the Earth” the glacier is the gate to a subterranean path. Overnight in the Snæfellsnes area for 2 nights

In Búðir on the southern coast of the peninsula lies Iceland’s ‘Copacabana’. A beautiful church surrounded by a small cemetery hovers above the golden sand dunes and the background of the snow covered Snæfellsjökul glacier. The fishing village Arnarstapi is known for its basalt coast and a picturesque harbor. A 2.5 km long street leads you relatively quickly to the “Baðstofa” (bathhouse) cave of Hellnar, also set on an interesting basalt coast. Next, the bird cliffs of Lóndrangar: these peculiar rock formations can be seen from the main road but you can also drive down to Malarrif and take a short hike from there to the rock formations and back. On the west side of the peninsula, a 2.5 km street veers off to Dritvík. Here a footpath leads to the sea. From there a 1 km long hike takes you to he no longer populated village Dritvík, where only the foundations of the houses remain. There is also a beautiful cave called Vatnshellir where you can go on guided tours. You will find Kirkjufell Mountain by the town of Grundarfjörður, which is one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. Snæfellsnes is popular destination for the northern light hunters.

Today you will head back to Reykjavik. Take a stroll in the old city of Reykjavik in the afternoon, with the small colorful houses, shops, galleries and cafes. Visit the beautiful concert house Harpa by the harbor. Reykjavik has many outdoor swimming pools, open from early morning to late evening and a good way to ease the body after a long drive. Laugavegur shopping-street is worth visiting, and you will find the big shopping center Kringlan near by the city center. Enjoy your last evening in the city.