Kort byferie i Reykjavik | Fire dages biltur om sommeren rundt om Islands hovedstad

On the second day of your journey, you will get to experience the magnificent, diverse sites of the Golden Circle, Iceland's premier sightseeing route. Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss waterfall are the main attractions on your itinerary. However, you can add to your day by including a thrilling excursion and seeking out hidden gems.

Thingvellir National Park is a geological marvel. It is framed by two sheer cliff faces marking the edges of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, meaning the entire location is nestled between the continents. Filled with birch woodland and lava fields, surrounded by volcanoes and a great lake, and littered with ravines and springs, it is a breathtaking place to explore.

The appeal of the Geysir Geothermal Area should be instantly apparent. Not only is it home to geysers, but it is home to geysers so dramatic that all similar phenomena around the world appropriated their Icelandic name. The most impressive of these exploding hot springs is Strokkur, which erupts at least every ten minutes, often reaching over 66 ft (20 m).

Gullfoss, meanwhile, is a classic Icelandic waterfall: powerful, mesmerizing, and unforgettable. Formed by a glacier river pouring from the nearby ice cap of Langjokull, it surges down two steps into a dramatic, beautiful valley, throwing blooms of spray into the air as it does. In the sun, this spray is renowned for the waterfalls that arch from it.

As you travel between these sites, you have the choice of three tours to break up your sightseeing with. At Thingvellir, you can embark on a snorkeling excursion into the ravine of Silfra. The visibility in this magnificent place often exceeds 328 ft (100 m). The vividness of the underwater blues is astounding, making this consistently ranked as one of the best snorkeling sites in the world.

From Gullfoss, you could alternatively board a super jeep to be whisked up Langjokull glacier for a snowmobiling tour. Few activities are more thrilling than rushing across gleaming plains of pristine snow and few ways to attain such rewarding views of the south, west, and Highlands.

Thirdly, you could embark on a horse-riding tour through the beautiful countryside surrounding the Golden Circle sites. Icelandic horses are famously friendly, and witnessing the landscapes from their backs is a great way to experience the country like an early settler. Whether you have experience riding or not, this tour will be tailored to you.

Though you are welcome to simply see the major attractions and add on an adventure, you can also make the most of having a vehicle and detour to one of the dozens of hidden gems within easy driving distance. The crater lake of Kerið and serene Secret Lagoon are but two enticing examples of what's on offer.

At the end of your day, you will return to your hotel in the capital.

On the third day of your four-day summer holiday to Iceland, you will set out to explore the magnificent sites of the South Coast. Today will truly show you how much freedom you have on a self-drive holiday such as this one, as you can tailor what you see and do entirely to your group's desires.

Setting out from Reykjavik, however, all guests will likely want to spend some time at the first three attractions of the region, all of which are waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss is one of the country's most iconic, clearly visible from the Ring Road and famous for the enormous cavern that opens behind it, allowing it to be fully encircled.

Its neighbor Gljufrabui is lesser-known. Even though it is within easy walking distance, it is hidden in a magical grotto that requires a little wading through a stream to reach.

Skogafoss, meanwhile, is as unmissable as Seljalandsfoss. 197 ft (60 m) tall, at least 33 ft (10 m) wide, and mesmerizingly powerful, this waterfall is a fantastic example of the power of Iceland's nature.

After making the most of these sites, you can leave the Ring Road to get a close-up view of two of the South Coast's most incredible glaciers. Myrdalsjokull is the third-largest in the country and conceals the notorious volcano of Katla. Eyjafjallajokull is smaller but much more famous after its 2010 eruption.

If you elect to do so when booking, you can take one of the three tours offered today onto a tongue of Myrdalsjokull, Solheimajokull. Glacier hiking is a fantastic way to marvel over beautiful ice formations and experience breathtaking views of the south.

The two other tours on offer today leave from the village of Vik, your next destination. The first of these is an ice-caving tour that occurs closer to the summit of Myrdalsjokull. Rather than hiking across the glacier's surface, you will descend into its hidden crevasses to explore it from within.

The second is entirely different: a super jeep tour to Landmannalaugar. Landmannalaugar is a spectacular Highland reserve, best known for its abundant natural hot springs you can bathe in. This area also has dramatic rhyolite mountains in unexpectedly vibrant yellow, green and pink shades and plentiful hiking trails. Many of these lead to magnificent crater lakes, and all provide stunning panoramas of Iceland's interior.

Regardless of which tour you take, you will want to spend some time at the beach beside Vik. Named Reynisfjara, it is defined by its endless stretches of haunting black sands and the giant offshore rock monuments of Reynisdrangar, said to have once been a pair of trolls who were petrified to stone by sunlight.

Very close to this beach is the incredible rock arch of Dyrholaey that all animal lovers should make an effort to reach, as this is one of the best places to marvel over nesting Atlantic Puffins in summer.

After immersing yourself in the stunning South Coast of Iceland, you'll head back to the capital for the evening.

On the final day of your four-day immersive summer getaway to Iceland, you'll need to take your car back to the airport in good time for your departure. If you are not in a great rush, you may want to take your time on this journey and check out the incredible volcanic and geothermal sites of the Reykjanes Peninsula.

For those who have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you will finish off your stay unwinding before you head to the airport. This is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters as you look back on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice. If your flight is later, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik.

If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey. We hope you come back to visit soon!