Iceland

Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart, and you can see the geology at work almost everywhere. Lava fields, geysers, hot springs and waterfalls are all within reach of the capital. Reykjavík itself is small and friendly, with the tall concrete spire of Hallgrímskirkja church, the glass Harpa concert hall on the harbour and a cluster of colourful streets full of cafés and design shops.

The classic day trip is the Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, where Iceland’s parliament first met in 930 AD, the Geysir geothermal area and the Gullfoss waterfall. Further along the south coast lie the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the black beach at Reynisfjara and glacier lagoons. Near the airport at Keflavík and Reykjanesbær, the Blue Lagoon is an easy stop on arrival or departure. Our programme includes Reykjavík city breaks, a private guided walk and a ten-day Iceland private van tour that goes well beyond the capital.

Food and drink

Icelandic food is better than its reputation. Lamb raised on open hillsides, very fresh fish, langoustine soup and skyr, a thick cultured dairy product, are everyday staples. Reykjavík’s hot dog stands are a local institution. Be prepared for prices, as Iceland is one of the more expensive countries in Europe.

How to travel

Roads outside Reykjavík can be demanding, especially in winter, when weather changes quickly and daylight is short. A private van tour with an experienced driver is the comfortable way to cover the south coast and beyond. Shorter trips work well as a city break with guided day excursions.