Iceland
A full clockwise loop of Route 1 with realistic driving days: the south coast waterfalls, glacier lagoon, the East Fjords, Mývatn and Snæfellsnes.
Day 1 · Reykjavík
Pick up the car, stop at a lagoon on the way in and have an early night.
Getting there Keflavík to Reykjavík, 45 minutes.
Day 2 · Reykjavík
The classic loop of rift valley, geyser and waterfall.
Day 3 · Vík
Walk behind one waterfall, climb beside another and end at black-sand beaches.
Getting there About 3 hours of driving plus stops.
Day 4 · Vík
A slower day around Vík with a canyon walk and puffins in summer.
Day 5 · Höfn
Skaftafell hike, then icebergs at Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach.
Getting there Vík to Höfn about 4 hours of driving.
Day 6 · Höfn
A guided walk on an outlet glacier with crampons, then langoustine in Höfn.
Day 7 · Egilsstaðir
The quietest stretch of the Ring Road, winding in and out of fjords.
Getting there About 4 hours; fill up fuel when you see a station.
Day 8 · Mývatn
Cross the highland desert to Europe’s most powerful waterfall.
Getting there Egilsstaðir to Mývatn about 2 hours via Route 1.
Day 9 · Mývatn
Craters, lava formations and a soak in the nature baths.
Day 10 · Akureyri
Goðafoss on the way to the north’s small capital.
Getting there 1 hour of driving.
Day 11 · Akureyri
Whale watching from Húsavík or Akureyri, then a relaxed evening.
Day 12 · Snæfellsnes
The longest drive of the trip, broken up by turf houses and a crater.
Getting there About 5 hours of driving.
Day 13 · Snæfellsnes
Iceland in miniature: a famous mountain, sea stacks and lava beaches.
Day 14 · Reykjavík
Return the car and fly home.
Getting there Snæfellsnes to Keflavík about 3 hours.
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