west iceland hraunfossar view rth

Iceland Connoisseur

from £1093 excluding flights

  • 7 nights
  • Year round
Home Destinations Nordic Europe Iceland Iceland Connoisseur
Customers rate Discover the World
4.8
Average score 4.8/5 Based on 1212 reviews. Powered by Feefo

Highlights

hotel ranga fine dining

Enjoy fine dining inspired by fresh, local ingredients

iceland south west strokkur geysir rth

Explore the natural treasures of Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle route

iceland south west skogafoss aerial rth

Walk behind Seljalandsfoss and enjoy the view from the top of Skogafoss

iceland snaefellsnes arnarstapi rock stacks rth

Explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stunning volcanic coastline

iceland south west blue lagoon winter water view bl

Take a dip in the naturally-heated waters of the Blue Lagoon

west iceland snowmobiling on langjokull rth

Enjoy optional excursions such as glacier trips and whale watching

Why this trip...

norway malangen deluxe cabin view from deck stay in great locations white

Stay in great locations

This holiday features accommodation in incredible locations

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park tailor made white

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

norway north cape globe midnight sun istk nordic heritage white

Nordic Heritage

With over 38 years of experience in creating trips to Nordics we know this region inside out

Overview

This highly original self drive itinerary focuses on four charming and inviting countryside hotels, ideally located in the south and west, with easy access to outstanding scenery and places of interest. If you have a penchant for fine dining and even finer views, this is the trip for you.

On this holiday, appreciate Iceland’s acclaimed natural wonders of the south and west, as well as the hospitality of some characterful and very welcoming hoteliers. Their properties are particularly comfortable, and with their own restaurants, you’ll have the opportunity to sample delicious, locally inspired dishes from home cooked fare to gourmet cuisine.

Walk behind the spectacular waterfall Seljalandsfoss, take an optional snowmobile ride on Myrdalsjokull icecap and take a look at Snorri’s pool, a preserved hot tub dating from the Middle Ages – a small taste of what’s instore. With all the wonderful places to visit and things to do, you’ll certainly work up an appetite on a daily basis.

At the end of the holiday, spend a night in Reykjavik with its wealth of dining options, a favourite of ours being Laekjarbrekka – a fitting end to a lovely holiday.

Itinerary

Arrive in Keflavik, collect your rental vehicle and drive to the Northern Light Inn close to the Blue Lagoon and perhaps take an evening dip in its therapeutic waters (entrance fee at extra cost – prepayable).

Northern Light Inn

northern light inn aurora overhead feb19 bw
northern light inn aurora overhead feb19 bw

A delightful, well-appointed hotel in a great location.

Read more

Travel north towards Husafell via Hvalafjordur (‘Whale Fjord’), see the sights of Borgarfjordur, perhaps visit the fascinating Settlement Centre at Borganes, before driving inland towards Husafell, where you will stay for 2 nights.

Hotel Husafell

west hotel husafell exterior summer pathway
west hotel husafell dining area restaurant

A stunning property full of contemporary flair, Hotel Husafell nestles in the magnificent landscape of Borgarfjordur, about 90 minutes’ drive northeast of Reykjavik.

Read more

A day at leisure to drive around Snaefellsnes Peninsula at the foot of the volcano and see the glacier. Take a walk by the coastal rock formations and bird cliffs of Arnarstapi. Travel along the north shore of Snaefellsnes to Stykkisholmur and perhaps take an optional bird watching cruise on Breidafjordur Bay (May to Aug only).

iceland snaefellsnes kirkjufell beautiful sunset istk
iceland snaefellsnes stykkisholmur harbour istk
iceland snaefellsnes arnarstapi person admiring view rth

Head south to the ancient assembly site at Thingvellir National Park, and visit Geysir, home of spectacular spouting geysers and other hot springs. Gullfoss, Iceland’s two-tiered waterfall is nearby. Spend the next three nights at the superb Hotel Ranga. The hotel’s restaurant offers the very best mouthwatering gourmet fare, thanks to a creative and exquisitely produced menu, accompanied by an extensive wine list. With views out across the river, a dining experience here is sure to be one of the absolute highlights of your holiday.

Hotel Ranga, near Hella

hotel ranga restaurant exterior rowellphotography
hotel ranga bedroom with hot tub access rth

Around an hour's drive from Reykjavik, this cosy riverside lodge offers four-star comfort and fine dining in the volcanic heart of rural Iceland.

Read more

Spend two days exploring the area, see Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most well known waterfalls and continue to the Myrdalsjokull icecap where you may choose to do an optional snowmobile trip (at additional cost). Visit the fascinating museum and 60 metre high waterfall, Skogafoss. Explore the Reynisfjara pebble beach with caves and basalt formations. Take a look at the majestic bird cliffs at Dyrholaey and walk along the famous black sand beach (closed until 25th June so as not to disturb nesting birds).

south coast iceland reynisdrangar rock stacks evening sun rth
south iceland vik church istk
iceland south west seljalandsfoss winter sun istk

Drive back to Reykjavik past the charming villages of Stokkseyri (the lobster feast at Restaurant Fjorubordid is very much recommended for lunch) and Eyrarbakki (try Rauda Husid or Blaa Hafid for dinner – two very good restaurants). Check in for an overnight stay at the stylish Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina in the city’s harbour district.

Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina

hotel reykjavik marina exterior

A fresh and funky hotel with a lively vibe in a great downtown location.

Read more

Head to Keflavik and drop off the rental vehicle at the airport, before taking your flight home.

Prices and Departures

Price from £1093 excluding flights

Airfares vary widely and are quoted separately to the holiday price, starting from around £250pp return with Icelandair and British Airways, though may be lower with Play or EasyJet. We'll provide the best fare available at the time of enquiry, which tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

UK Airports with flights direct to Iceland are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We can also arrange flights from non-UK destinations. Discover more »

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private facilities
  • Daily breakfast
  • Car rental throughout with unlimited mileage
  • No charge for additional driver
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

From prices per person

Based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom, including car hire. Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.

Departure Duration Car Category* Twin Price
May 7 nights B - VW Golf £1,093
Jun - Aug 7 nights B - VW Golf £1,579
Sep 7 nights B - VW Golf £1,400
Oct - Apr 7 nights D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) £1,147

* Choice of Vehicles

We can offer a wide range of rental vehicles for this holiday – our team will be happy to talk you through the options and provide a quote for the most suitable category based on your individual requirements.

  • 4WD

    We would always recommend a 4WD for winter travel, but many clients also prefer the greater security and comfort that a larger vehicle provides year round – upgrade your vehicle from as little as £10 per person, per day.

  • Go electric

    With a selection of electric cars now available including the Kia Niro and Volkswagen ID.3, you can choose to upgrade from as little as £12 per person, per day. We recommend this option for summer only, due to the colder temperatures in winter affecting battery range.

tailor made 1

Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

pillars

Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.