Day 1: Arrival in Iceland:
Highlights: Hveragerdi Hveragerdi Hot Spring Area
 
Geothermal Lagoon – Flower village – Geothermal Greenhouses

Your family holiday starts with arrival and the pick-up of your rental car & Iceland Travel Companion app at Keflavik International Airport. Once you are settled in your car you’ll drive through the southern coast of the lava-covered Reykjanes Peninsula towards Hveragerdi. After settling in at your hotel we recommend that you take the time to wash off the ´travel dust’ and relax at the hotel’s geothermal pool.

Overnight in the Hveragerdi area.

The approximate distance you’ll be traveling today: 100 km / 62 miles.

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Day 2: Gullfoss – Geysir – Thingvellir – Borgarfjordur:
Highlights: Gullfoss Geysir Thingvellir National Park Borgarnes Settlement Center of Iceland Hvalfjordur Fjord
 
Exploding Geysers – National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) – Massive Waterfall

Breakfast at your hotel.  The celebrated natural wonders along the ‘Golden Circle’ route are an absolute “must“ for nature and history lovers alike. Start the day by driving to the small geothermal village of Reykholt, where you’ll pick up a small birch plant.

By Laugarás is the friendly petting zoo Slakki where the whole family can visit and interact with Icelandic farm animals.  The spacious outdoor area has a lovely playground for the kids and a minigolf course (admission included).

Visit Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot spring area before taking a moment to plant your tree in the Iceland Travel grove located in Haukadalur, only a minute´s drive from Geysir. Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO) provides a visually stunning lesson in plate tectonics and is a historical treasure as the site of the world’s oldest continuous parliament. A drive along scenic Hvalfjordur (Whale) Fjord reveals Bjarteyjarsandur, a working horse and sheep farm, where you may choose to stop for a friendly visit or even participate in fun farm activities.  Driving further into West Iceland brings you to Borgarnes, known for Iceland’s beloved Sagas.  Go on a voyage of discovery at the Settlement Centre, which explores the history of Iceland’s early settlement by Nordic Vikings. Be sure to check out the popular playground “Bjossarolo” built-in 1979 by Bjorn H. Gudmundsson, a carpenter who lives in Borgarnes.  The playground is built out by recycling salvaged materials and is really worth a visit.

Overnight in West Iceland for the next two nights.

The approximate distance you will be traveling today: 290 km / 180 miles.

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Day 3: Borgarfjordur – Reykholt – Haafell Goat Farm - Saelingsdalur:
Highlights: Deildartunguhver Barnafoss Hraunfossar Snorrastofa – Reykholt Haafell Farm
 
Picturesque Waterfalls – Europe’s Most Powerful Hot Spring – Icelandic Goats – Viking Heritage – Birthplace of Leif Eiriksson

Breakfast at your hotel.  A drive through Borgarfjordur reveals a region proud of its legacy.  It was the setting for most of the Icelandic Sagas.  While in Reykholt, you will be walking in the footsteps of Snorri Sturluson, famed Saga poet and author. Drive to Hraunfoss (Lava Falls),  where the water seems to magically appear from the moss-covered lava rocks and shiver down into the rushing turquoise blue waters below; its neighbor Barnafoss (Children’s Falls) resembles a pale blue milkshake of short, fierce rapids that cut through a narrow canyon.

Nearby is Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildatunguhver, where visitors can buy organic tomatoes grown using geothermal heat in the nearby greenhouses. There is an option to relax in the new Krauma Geothermal Baths (not included) before heading onwards.  On your westward route, you might take a short detour to the Haafell goat farm. Here your family will be able to learn about the Icelandic goat and also pet and spend time with these social and cuddly animals.   Another fun visit is the Troll park at Fossatún.  There you can have a short walk amongst troll statues and play troll games such as Troll Golf, Troll Kick and Troll Grip, which can be enjoyed by people of all ages and sizes.

We also recommend a stop at Erpsstadir dairy farm, where you can get an introduction to Icelandic farm life, pet the bunnies and taste the freshly-made ice cream.

The approximate distance you will be traveling today: 290 km / 180 miles.

 

Day 4: 'The Valleys' - Stykkisholmur:
Highlights: Eiriksstadir Viking Home Stykkisholmur
 
Coastal Route – Viking Heritage 

Breakfast at your hotel.  Drive the coastal route to the town of Stykkisholmur.  Make a detour to Eiriksstadir, where you will see the Viking Age home and turf-covered replica longhouse of Erik the Red and his son Leif Eiriksson, two of the most celebrated Vikings in the world. As you reach Stykkisholmur, we recommend you explore the beautifully preserved town center or join a boat tour on Breidafjordur Bay (approximately 2 hours) to admire the rich birdlife and marine life of the area. During the boat tour, a shellfish plow is lowered into the ocean, and a wonderful selection of shellfish and sea life is caught for viewing and tasting: scallops, sea urchins, crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers and much more.

Overnight in the Stykkisholmur area.

 

Day 5: Snaefellsnes Peninsula – Reykjavik:
Highlights: Grundarfjordur Snaefellsjokull National Park Arnarstapi Hellnar Kirkjufell

Sea Cliffs with Birdlife – Rock Formations – Quaint Fishing Villages

Breakfast at your hotel. Start your day early and head out to explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. A very interesting and worthwhile stop is the Shark Museum at Bjarnarhofn. A courageous taste of ‘rotten’ shark meat, a local delicacy, and a fascinating lesson on shark fishing are sure to leave a lasting impression. Explore the countless natural phenomena of Snaefellsnes National Park from pebbled beaches to wonderful hiking at Arnarstapi sea cliffs with incredible birdlife. The beach near the farm of Ytri Tunga is famous for colonies of curious seals who climb up and lounge on the rocks, and it is well worth a visit. The route then takes you back to the Reykjavik area.

The approximate distance you will be traveling today: 230 km / 140 miles.

Overnight in Reykjavík.

 

 

Day 6: Departure:
Highlights: Reykjavik City Museum Laugardalur National Museum

Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and even stop at Blue Lagoon as it is on your way to the airport if you did not have time to do it on your arrival day.  If your flight leaves in the late afternoon, then take advantage of your extra time to explore the city of Reykjavík before heading to the airport. *