There are many different ways to enjoy this compact little island. You can follow Rt 1 - the Ring Road, around the country, you can explore one of the regions in depth, or even fly to one region and drive back. They can take you through remotest Iceland, or keep you calmly on the big roads. Some of our driving tours are outlined here - there’s more, and we can adjust, and shape most tours to fit your interests and your travel schedule.

Our Driving Adventures allow you to be flexible, creative but secure - you decide how you’ll spend your day, but also know where you’ll lay your head each night. We work with you to pick the right tour, with the level of accommodations you chose, a car that will work for you and your stuff, and any day tours or activities that you want to add. Tours can start any day of the week, and you’ll need to leave the US the day before the tour starts in Iceland.

For 2012, our driving tours come with a choice of accommodations. Your driving adventure can includes nights, and breakfast, in hotels, cottages, farm and guesthouses in 3 different categories - standard, comfort or superior. All rooms include private bath, and a Scandinavian style breakfast buffet, and adhere to typical Icelandic qualities of being clean and warm. Here’s how they differ.

Standard accommodations are in simple hotels, farm houses and guesthouses
Comfort level rooms tend to be larger, more ammenities, in best Tourist class (3+stars) hotels
Superior rooms are at the best available hotels or the best available rooms

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The 8 days around Iceland Tour -- here’s how your time could be spent.
See the 11 Day and the15 Day tours below for more ideas.
Day 1: Upon arrival at Keflavik Airport, which will be early if you’re comign form North America, you can pick up your car at the airport and head out on the mostly new road to Reykjavik for your first day and night. Check in at your hotel is early afternoon, so you could do a bit of exploring on the way. A few miles from the airport is the Blue Lagoon , which opens at 9 AM in the summer and is a great place to get over any jet lag. There are some interesting land and sea-scapes here on the Reykjanes peninsula, with birid cliffs, hot springs and lighthouses (or you could do this on your last day). We’ll provide lots of ideas for ways to enjoy Reykjavik with it’s museums, waterfront, culture and great restaurant scene.

Days 2-7: You go west and north from here on the nicely paved Route 1--until you come back to Reykjavik from the other direction at the end of day 7. Plenty of side roads that will take you deeper into the not very populated countryside.You’ll spend one night in each of 5 different locations along Iceland’s Rt 1.

West Iceland - You’ll go throgh the Saga lands of the west, with the historical sight at Reykholt, some great lava waterfalls, extinct volcanoes and glaciers to climb. You’ll see Snaefellsnes off to the west.

North Iceland - You’ll probably want to stop at Glumbaer, the turf manor house, as you drive towards Iceland’s Second City Akureyri (population 17000). Akureyri has an unusual botanical garden, great hiking,a pleasant pedestrian town center with good restaurants, and cafes. Crossing Eyjafjordur going east, you’ll explore a mighty waterfall that figured in Iceland’s Christianization. You should spend some time near the rich sub Arctic Lake Myvatn, stop to see some active geothermal features, or check out Iceland’s whale watching capital, Husavik.

East Iceland - As you head across the highlands you’ll go past Lake Lagarfljot at Egilstadir and to the in and-out-fjords of East Iceland. You’ll soon be in sight of the huge glacier - Vatnajokull and it will stay with you for a while. The glacial lagoon, Jokulsarlon, may be your best chance in life to touch a genuine iceberg. Then a visit to the park at Skaftafell will give you a chance to hike up to a tongue of that glacier.

South Iceland - This coast offers more waterfalls than one should be able to see, some interesting historical sights, some galciers, and of course the odd volcano or two. You can take in Iceland’s Golden Circle Big 3, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot springs and Þingvellir National Park,each worth seeing for one or more unique aspects. Then it’s back to Reykjavik, with a chance for some exceptional food and (perhaps) a sample of the legendary night-life of the world’s northernmost capital.

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The 11 Day tour Around Iceland
The 11 day tour gives you time to explore a few areas of Iceland in depth, which makes it perfect for those who want to hike, watch birds, or enjoy outdoor stuff around Iceland. You can travel at a rather leisurely pace, and if you schedule them, take in some day tours. You’ll get to know a lot of the country - an ideal tour for vacation-starved Americans!

The 11 Day Around Iceland tour is shaped like the 8 day tour, but you’ll stay extra nights in a few areas.

Day 1: Upon arrival at Keflavik Airport, pick up your car at the airport and head out on the mostly new road to Reykjavik. You can check in at your hotel early afternoon, so you could do a bit of exploring on the way. There are some interesting land and sea-scapes on the Reykjanes peninsula, with bird cliffs, hot springs and lighthouses as well as the Blue Lagoon. ( Or you could take this in on your last day, as you head back to the airport.) We’ll provide lots of ideas, enjoy Reykjavik with it’s museums, waterfront, culture and great restaurant scene. Typically you’ll spend your first and last night here - perfect for a last night out, some shopping, or a chance to party till it gets dark.

Days 2-9: You’ll go west and north from here on the nicely paved Route 1- and then come back to Reykjavik from the other direction at the end of day 9. Plenty of side roads from here which will take you deeper into the not very populated countryside.

In addition to what is listed on the eight day itinerary you may have time for:
Snæfellsnes Peninsula with it’s maritime villages, bird cliffs, glaciers on volcanos, whales and sharks.
Riding ( or rafting) in Skagafjordur in the north.
Asbyrgi National Park in North East Iceland, a bit off the beaten track, and home to Europes’ highest waterfall, Dettifoss
Spend a day hiking, exploring Vatnajokull glacier
Then, of course, back to Reykjavik for a last night-- and the city will seem absolutely metropolitan after all the time in the countryside.

The 15 Day tour Around Iceland
This is the tour we all want to do! You’ll experience a lot of this fascinating country, as you make a broad circle along Ring Road (Route 1) and spend a night or two in each area of the country - Snaefellsnes in the west, Skagafjordur and Akureyri in the north, the East Fjords and Vatnajokull, and the south, before coasting back into Reykjavik. You can get out of the car a lot and add on day-tours for some of the action that makes Iceland so much fun. In addition to Reykjavik for the first and last nights, you’ll spend 2 nights in West Iceland, 2 nights in Northwest Iceland, 2 near Husavik, Myvatn, 2 nights in East Icleand, one night near Skaftafell, 2 nights in South Iceland.

Day 1: Upon arrival at Keflavik Airport, pick up your car at the airport and head out on the mostly new road to Reykjavik . You can check in at your hotel early afternoon, so you could do a bit of exploring on the way. There are some interesting land and sea-scapes on the Reykjanes peninsula, with bird cliffs, hot springs and lighthouses as well as the Blue Lagoon. ( Or you could take this in on your last day, as you head back to the airport.) We’ll provide lots of ideas for you to enjoy Reykjavik with it’s museums, waterfront, culture and great restaurant scene. Typically you’ll spend your first and last night here - perfect for a last night out, some shopping, or a chance to party till it gets dark.

Days 2-13: You’ll go west and north from here on the nicely paved Route 1- and then come back to Reykjavik from the other direction at the end of day 14 . Plenty of side roads that will take you deeper into the not very populated countryside.

In addition to what is listed on the 11 day itinerary you may have tme for:
Historical sights, hot springs, even historic hot springs in West Iceland.
Horses, hiking, and the boat to Drangey Island off Saudakrokur.
The historic site at Hólar, home to Icleand’s Equine University, visit the northern outpost of Siglufjordur.
Venture into the Eastern highlands, if you have 4WD, perhaps take a day tour to Askja.
Tjörnes Peninsula with its interesting birds.
Take a boat trip on Laugafljot, expore the forests at Hallormsstaður.
Take in the old farm homestead Stong in south Iceland, climb Mt Hekla.
Have lobster by the sea!

Then, of course, back to Reykjavik for a last night-- and the city will seem absolutely metropolitan after all the time in the countryside.

PDFs of the Driving Tour Outlines to download and print (the easiest way to see and choose between all the possibilities)

B Car	F Car	I Car
Toyota Auris fine for 2 people, 2WD, good for Rt 1	Toyota RAV4 small 4WD, fine for 2	Toyota Land Cruiser for 5, can get you most anywhere!
These are representations of the size car in each class. You may not get this exact make and model.

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