You will have already experienced the lively and vibrant city of Reykjavík, but today you will head out into the stunning Icelandic countryside, and the most famous day tour: The Golden Circle. Starting in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir National Park, where you will learn about the geological and political significance of this incredible area.

From here, you will continue on to visit Haukadalur geothermal valley and its busiest resident, Strokkur. Geysir is the name of this area’s former most active geyser, but Strokkur has long since assumed entertainment duties. Erupting every 5-10 minutes and expelling boiling water up to 40 meters into the air, you are guaranteed to witness this marvel of nature.

After your visit to Strokkur, it is only a short drive to visit one of Iceland’s most prominent and powerful waterfalls, Gullfoss. Glacial water thunders and tumbles over two platforms into the canyon below. Finally, it is time to unwind at a cozy country hotel and take a dip in the hot tub.

After a hearty buffet breakfast, it is time to hop on board for another action-packed day. We begin by taking you to visit the waterfalls, and jewels of the South Coast, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Seljalandsfoss features a cave that allows you to venture behind the waterfall itself, whilst Skógafoss is situated in a beautiful canyon where the birds circle and soar above you.

Then it is time for a journey across the black sand beach of Sólheimasandur to visit one of Iceland’s most Instagrammed locations: the downed Douglas DC-3 plane wreck. This is only a short bus ride over the sand. If you want to, you can upgrade this experience to an ATV ride to the plane wreck, or do something entirely different and ascend the mighty Sólheimajökull glacier.

You can also see the glacier of Sólheimajökull in the distance as you journey towards another black sand beach: Reynisfjara. This dramatic coastline, with its impressive sea stacks, shows the real power of the Atlantic Ocean as the swells pound and crash upon the beach. Finally, we head towards your hotel, where you can relax and do as you please before heading to bed, as one last day of adventure awaits.

After breakfast, we head farther east towards Skaftafell nature reserve, part of Vatnajökull National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest national park in Europe. This is where you will find the glacier lagoon of Jökulsárlón.

This stunning lagoon has been featured in movies and TV shows, because of its obvious beauty. Icebergs that have broken off the Vatnajökull glacier slowly travel out to sea via this lagoon, and so it always looks different, as no two icebergs look the same. Some even serve as a bed for the local seals who seem to enjoy this area. Once the icebergs reach the ocean, the current breaks them down into far smaller pieces that lie scattered across the beach. Glistening and sparkling in the sun, it is no surprise that this place is referred to as “Diamond Beach”. In the summer, you can opt for a boat tour on Jökulsárlón, whereas in the winter, you will discover a natural ice cave.

Then, it is time to head on back to Reykjavík, where you can use the evening to take a last stroll through the streets or simply enjoy the big atmosphere in this little town.