iceland north vatnsnes hvitserkur sunset beach istk

Iceland in Style

from £2500 excluding flights

  • 9 nights
  • May-Sep

Highlights

iceland south west gullfoss summer view istk

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

iceland lake myvatn hofdi summer istk

Discover pseudo-craters and mud pools at Lake Myvatn

iceland arnarstapi snaefellsnes istk

Explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stunning coast and volcanoes

iceland wildlife humpback whale breaching rth

Search for whales and dolphins off the coast of north Iceland

iceland lobster dish istk

Enjoy fine dining inspired by fresh, local ingredients

west hotel husafell scenic surrounds into the glacier langjokull

Delve inside Langjokull icecap on an Into the Glacier tour

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

Cabot Trail explore at leisure white

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

Overview

With the freedom of a hire car, it’s tempting to keep moving every day or so – but sometimes less is more. This go-slow fly-drive links just three special locations in Iceland, allowing you to unpack, relax and enjoy the stylish comfort and superb cuisine of a trio of exceptional countryside hotels – each one in a prime spot for exploring some of Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes. To finish it all off, spend a night in one of the most trendy hotels in the capital, the Canopy hotel by Hilton.

A room with a view

Sitting pretty on the green plains of Southwest Iceland, Hotel Ranga is your first three-night base. Most rooms at this friendly rural retreat have views across a sparkling river or towards Mt Hekla. Next is Husafell, a sleek eco-hotel slipped into the forested hinterland of Borgarfjordur, with the Langjokull icecap looming nearby. Your final base in the countryside is the classic-styled Hotel Siglo, right on the waterfront in North Iceland’s Siglufjordur, with dreamy window-seat views across a fishing marina to the mountains beyond. Before you return home, spend a night in a prime spot in the capital at the chic hotel Canopy by Hilton Reykavik City Centre.

Explore South, West & North Iceland

Of course you’ll want to linger over the delicious meals at each of the hotels on this trip, and enjoy their hot tubs, saunas and idyllic settings. But each property also lies at the heart of fantastic touring country. As well as iconic sights like Geysir and Skogafoss, your personalised iDiscover digital travel guide will guide you to less-visited spots like the enchanting Gljufrafoss waterfall and the seabird cliffs of Dyrholaey.

" allowfullscreen>

Itinerary

Arrive at Keflavik Airport, collect your rental vehicle and set off across the spectacular Reykjanes Peninsula. Just a 15-minute drive from the airport, the Blue Lagoon provides a perfect opportunity to ‘dust off’ and become acquainted with the Icelandic tradition of relaxing in natural geothermal water. Please note that due to its popularity, entry to Blue Lagoon must be pre-booked. Continue along the rugged south coast of the peninsula, stopping to admire hot springs, volcanic craters, black-sand beaches and sea cliffs. Arrive at Hotel Ranga for a 3-night stay, enjoying the property

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 a leisurely day exploring three of Iceland’s iconic natural wonders: Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir geothermal area and Thingvellir National Park. For an unforgettable experience, take an optional snorkelling trip in the startlingly clear waters of the Silfra Fissure between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates – all equipment, including drysuits is provided. At Fludir, meanwhile, you can soak in the gently steaming Secret Lagoon.

iceland south west strokkur geysir blue sky istk
iceland south west thingvellir national park summer istock
iceland south west secret lagoon summer rth

Visit the breathtaking waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss – and discover nearby Gljufrafoss, a hidden gem cascading into a mossy cavern concealed behind cliffs. It is also possible to plan a visit to Thorsmork – a remote and beautiful glacial valley in the southern Highlands – ask us about arranging a superjeep trip (we strongly advise you not to attempt driving there yourself due to the difficult river crossings). Other highlights near the South Coast include a guided glacier hike on Solheimajokull, the vast black-sand beach at Reynisfjara and the seabird cliffs at Dyrholaey. If you’re prepared for a long drive, you can also head to Skaftafell and the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

iceland south west seljalandsfoss waterall rth
south west iceland dyrholaey rock arch istk
iceland south east jokulsarlon icebergs istk

Drive towards Reykjavik, before heading north to Hvalfjordur and Reykholt. Visit Europe’s most powerful hot springs at the geothermal area at Deildartunguhver and marvel at the curious Hraunfossar waterfall which flows from under an ancient lava flow. Nearby at Snorrastofa, you can delve into Iceland’s medieval history and culture. Continue to Hotel Husafell for your next three-night stay. If you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, you can drive via Thingvellir and the highland track of Kaldidalur to reach the hotel and check in for your 3 night stay. After checking in, head to the bar for your complimentary welcome drink.

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

Take an optional ‘Into the Glacier’ tour, travelling by 8WD truck across the Langjokull icecap before walking through an extraordinary man-made tunnel deep in the blue-ice heart of the glacier. Back at Husafell, spend time relaxing in the outdoor geothermal pools (currently closed for renovation).

Drive north to the dramatic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, following the coastline to Arnarstapi. From here, a short but spectacular hike leads to Hellnar and back, with sea arches, caves, and blowholes on one side and snow-capped Snaefellsjokull looming on the other. Return to Husafell for your final night at Hotel Husafell, enjoying the property’s excellent cuisine and stylish interior.

iceland snaefellsnes glacier beach view rth
Iceland Snaefellsnes Budir Church
iceland snaefellsnes arnarstapi basalt columns rth

Heading north from Husafell, make a detour to the Vatnsnes Peninsula. Highlights include a seal colony and the dragon-shaped sea stack of Hvitserkur. Continuing on the ring road, arrive in Siglufjordur for a two-night stay.

Siglo Hotel, Siglufjordur

iceland north hotel siglo view gt
iceland siglo hotel classic double room

Located on a sleepy waterfront in Siglufjordur, this hotel offers a chic and stylish base for exploring Iceland's north.

Read more

Take a boat trip on the fjord, visit the herring museum and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this picturesque village. Hotel Siglo has an outdoor hot tub and a wonderful restaurant overlooking the marina. There are also some excellent cafés in the Siglufjordur’s historic and colourful harbourside buildings.

north iceland eyjafjordur aerial view rth
iceland north siglufjordur houses rth
iceland north akureyri view autumn rth

Enjoy a leisurely drive along the shores of Eyjafjordur before spending some time exploring Akureyri. The ‘capital’ of North Iceland, this interesting town has a good range of shops and restaurants, as well as botanical gardens and a busy fishing port. You can join a whale watching boat trip from here, before driving to the airport, dropping off your rental vehicle and flying back to Reykjavik. On arrival in Reykjavik, take a taxi (payable locally) to your hotel.

Canopy Hotel Reykjavik City Centre

canopy hotel reykjavik lobby
canopy hotel reykjavik lounge

Set across six connected houses, Canopy Hotel Reykjavik City Centre is perfectly located in the urban heart of downtown Reykjavik.

Read more

After breakfast, transfer to Keflavik Airport for your return flight home.

Extend your stay

Explore more of the north

Consider adding a few extra nights to explore more of what North Iceland has to offer including Iceland’s second city Akureyri and striking Lake Myvatn.

north iceland dimmuborgir istk

Lake Myvatn

One of the country’s most fascinating areas, Myvatn has a wealth of volcanic and geothermal features as well as being renowned as a summer breeding ground for wildfowl. Highlights include the twisted basalt spires at Dimmuborgir, the gnarled lava fields of Krafla and the bubbling mud pits and hissing fumaroles of Namafjall. Also choose to relax in the warm geothermal waters of the Nature Baths with their stunning views across the lake.

 

north iceland footpath to dettifoss rth

Dettifoss & Husavik

Drive to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, and explore Asbyrgi where walking trails thread through woodland in a horseshoe-shaped canyon. You could combine this with one of the evening whale watching tours from Husavik, sailing into Skjalfandi Bay under the glow of the midnight sun to search for humpback and minke whales.

Prices and Departures

Price from £2500 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 »

Iceland Volcano Disruption Protection
We are proud of our excellent reputation for looking after our clients, without question. Should the unexpected occur our team of dedicated Travel Specialists are on call 24/7 to make any necessary alternative plans at no cost to you.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • 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

This itinerary starts from around £2,500 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle.

Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the level of accommodation, size of vehicle, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.

* 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.

As Standard, Complete Piece of Mind

We’re listening. We always care what our fellow travellers think and love building strong customer relationships so we continuously focus on improving future experiences based on feedback. How incredible for the last three years we have received the Feefo Platinum Award.

students-iceland-sq

The World's Great. Pass it On

To mark our 40th anniversary, we've launched our Education Bursary Fund to help disadvantaged school children experience the wonders of travel. A percentage of revenue from every holiday booked will go into the bursary fund to pay for at least 40 students to join one of our school trips abroad.