Day 4
Golden Circle
After another delicious breakfast, head towards the Golden Circle, considered by many the must-see locations of Iceland, passing by famous volcanic mountains such as the glacial volcano Eyjafjallajökull that erupted in 2010, and Hekla, Iceland's most active volcano. First stop: the Secret Lagoon, a hot-spring fed lake created by the residents of Flúðir in 1891, using the natural landscape and materials, making this the oldest man made geothermal swimming pool in Iceland. These waters are full of soothing natural minerals, which will help you to relax after the adventures of the previous days. From the lagoon you can see little mud pools, bubbling away, and a small geyser that erupts regularly. Then you will take the classic Golden Circle route, stopping first at Gullfoss, a magnificent double waterfall, that cascades 34m, or 112ft, into the glacial river Hvítá. Next, Geysir, the hot spring area, where Strokkur, the 'younger brother' of Geysir, erupts every 5-10 minutes, shooting powerful columns of hot water into the air. Þingvellir, the last of the three pearls of the Golden Circle, is the location of the ancient parliament of Iceland, the oldest in the world. Here, you will not only learn some of the history of our people, but also admire the geological formations of the North Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates move apart gradually. Your guide will invite you for a last farewell meal: a taste of Brennivín, an Icelandic schnapps, and fermented shark, both traditional parts of Viking culture. Afterwards you will drive to Reykjavík, where you can spend your last evening exploring Iceland's capital. (Please note for Brennivín: minimum drinking age in Iceland is 20)
Driving distance: variable
