Én-uges kør-selv-ferie om sommeren til Islands vest- og sydkyst med vandfald og gletsjere

Today you'll head towards Snæfellsnes peninsula, also known as 'Iceland in miniature' due to its diverse natural attractions.

Expect a scenic drive along the west coast, taking in views of mountains, waterfalls, lava fields, fjords, and charming villages on your way to Snæfellsjökull glacier and volcano, and its surrounding National Park.

Today you can opt for a tour where you'll visit Vatnshellir cave, located in the lava field surrounding the volcano. There, you'll descend into the lava cave to learn about the cave and the trolls that are said to live there.

If you'd rather be spending your time exploring the coastline and the wildlife, then you can join a whale watching tour from the town of Ólafsvík for a chance to see the playful whales and puffins that reside in Breiðafjörður Bay.

On the peninsula, you'll find plenty of attractions to fill your days, such as the black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur and the white sand beach at Ytri-Tunga, the hexagonal cliffs at Gerðuberg and the black church at Búðir.

You can go hiking from the rock arch at Arnarstapi to nearby Hellnar village, where you can enjoy the views with a cup of coffee from their cute beach-side café.

Spend your night at Snæfellsnes peninsula.

From Snæfellsnes peninsula, head south towards the Golden Circle, where you'll find your accommodations for the next two nights. On the way, you can visit the stunning Hraunfossar waterfalls, the historic Reykholt village, and the bubbling Deildartunguhver hot spring.

You can spice up your journey today with a variety of tours, such as an excursion to the largest cave in Iceland, Víðgelmir lava tube, or explore the man-made ice cave tunnels inside Iceland's second-largest glacier, Langjökull. 

If you would rather take it easy and relax, a trip to Krauma Spa is highly recommended. There, hot water from Deildartunguhver hot spring is mixed with cold water from the glacier Ok to create the perfect bathing temperature.

Continue towards Þingvellir National Park, your first stop on the Golden Circle and the birthplace of Iceland's parliament, Alþingi. The park is located between two tectonic plates that are drifting apart, creating a stunning landscape of canyons and fissures.

Stroll around the park to see the consequences of this tectonic shift before retiring at your accommodations in the area.

Today, you'll explore the rest of the Golden Circle and visit some off-the-beaten-path locations.

Start with a visit to Geysir geothermal area to watch the geyser Strokkur erupt high in the air. Dotted around are numerous colorful mud pools and steaming fumaroles. 

A short drive away is the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, which is fed by the glacier Langjökull. If you opted to during the booking process, you would board a modified Super Jeep at Gullfoss, head into the highlands, and up to Langjökull, where you can drive a snowmobile across the white glacier plains.

You can also visit Þingvellir National Park again to snorkel in Silfra, a crystal clear dive site located in Þingvallavatn Lake. The water here has been filtered through the lava coming from Langjökull and has visibility for more than 328 ft (100 m)! It's also very cold, but you're provided with a dry suit to keep you warm.

Those who'd rather spend the day relaxing can visit the small town of Flúðir for a soak in the geothermal waters of the Secret Lagoon. You can also learn about Iceland's history at the Skálholt Cathedral before grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many greenhouse farms in the area.

Return to your accommodation from the previous night for another good night's sleep after a busy day.

There is oh-so-much to see on the South Coast of Iceland, so it's a good thing you've got two days here. 

Start the day driving towards the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. If you wish to get better acquainted with these ice caps, you can choose to go glacier hiking or explore a black, natural ice cave, the only one accessible all year round.

Underneath these ice caps are some of the country's most spectacular waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss is a unique cascade that falls over a concaved cliff, allowing visitors to encircle the falling springwater. Gljúfrabúi waterfall is a little-known gem hidden behind large rocks. And the mighty cascade Skógafoss plunges down from a height of 197 ft (60 m).

Further east lies the cliffs of Dyrhólaey, where you might spot a puffin or two. You can also visit the abandoned place wreck on Sólheimasandur sands and the black sand beach Reynisfjara where you can admire the massive Reynisdrangar rock stacks that rise out of the ocean.

Head to the village of Vik, where you'll find your accommodations for the next two nights. Don't worry if you don't have time to explore all these beautiful sights. You'll get another chance when you head back to Reykjavík in a couple of days.

From Vik, head east for today's exploration. You're making your way towards your third National Park, the one that surrounds Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull. 

Make a stop in Skaftafell Nature Reserve, located at the roots of Vatnajökull, and see the beautiful but contrasting scenery of black sand, lush flora, and white glacier. The area is renowned for its many hiking trails and tracks, leading to stunning locations such as the 'black waterfall' Svartifoss. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even take a glacier hiking tour from here.

After enjoying the outdoors at Skaftafell, head further east towards Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, which many consider the crown jewel of Iceland's nature. 

Towering icebergs break off the glacier and float in the water before drifting off to sea, and you can sometimes spot seals lazing about on the ice. You can take a highly recommended boat ride on the lagoon to get a better appreciation of its beauty. You can choose between going on a slower Amphibian boat ride or a Zodiac speedboat.

Make sure you don't miss out on the Diamond Beach, located a stone's throw away. There, smaller icebergs wash up on shore and glisten in the sunlight, resembling diamonds on satin fabric. 

After all of this, it is time to head to your accommodation in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. If you have any spare time, you could make your way further east, to the town of Höfn, where you can enjoy some of the best lobster in Iceland for your dinner and admire the stunning mountains of the Eastfjords, such as Vestrahorn mountain. 

On your way back, you can have the chance to see Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon again, this time under the midnight sun.