Iceland with Kids - self-drive holiday

Arrive in Reykjavik and pick up your rental car. Drive into town and settle into your hotel.

Explore the city's attractions: Tjörnin Lake, Hallgrímskirkja church tower, the old harbour and Harpa Concert & Conference Centre. Or head to one of the many pools in town or even the artificial beach, Nauthólsvík which has hot tubs next to the water - be brave and jump from one to the other. Reykjavík Art Museum offers free admission for children under 18 and has a lovely café.

Today, explore the pearls of West Iceland, starting with Borgarfjörður, whose every single corner is tied to a surfeit of sagas and stories, adding depth and mystery to the region. Depending on how much you want to drive, you can visit Reykholt, one of Iceland's most notable historical sites, housing a cultural centre dedicated to medieval studies, along with a nice quaint church and an ancient geothermally-heated pool. Let your mind wander to the magnificent contrasts of the blue waters of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls and surrounding snow-covered lava cliffs.

Join the Vatnshellir cave tour, an hour long exploration of this 8000 year old lava tube created during a volcanic eruption in a crater in the Purkhólar crater family. The cave is right next to the volcanic crater, which is just 500 meters away.

If time allows, you can visit the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum before arriving at your hotel in Stykkishólmur.

View the majestic Hvítserkur Cliff off Vatnsnes peninsula that legend claims is a petrified troll. Seals can be seen basking on the shore but the area is one of the largest seal colonies in Iceland. Tour Skagafjörður, an area known for its horse breeding so keep an eye out for the Icelandic horse, visit the old farmhouse museum at Glaumbær and the old turf Víðimýrarkirkja Church. End the day at Akureyri, a charming town that has beautiful landmarks and great restaurants.

Head to the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park, which includes some of the most spectacular and diverse sights in Iceland such as Ásbyrgi Canyon, Hljóðaklettar Cliffs and the stunning landscapes before driving onwards through the mystical barren landscape of Möðrudalsöræfi on your way to Egilsstaðir town.

Today you will also join a Húsavík Silent Whale Watching tour. Discover the magnificent nature of Skjalfandi bay observing whales, dolphins and sea birds in their natural habitat. Enjoy the smooth, safe sailing of a traditional Icelandic oak boat and treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa and traditional Icelandic scones.

Slow down for the day and spend time relaxing together at the Mývatn Nature Baths, admission included. Drawing on a centuries-old tradition, Mývatn Nature Baths offer bathers a completely natural experience that begins with a relaxing dip amidst clouds of steam rising up from a fissure deep in the Earth's surface, and ends with a luxurious swim in a pool of geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2.500 meters.

The drive along the Eastfjords is truly beautiful and breathtaking with dramatic mountains, narrow fjords and quaint fishing villages. Visit Djúpivogur from where you can view Papey Island a nature reserve of seabirds and eider ducks, Seyðisfjörður, surrounded by sheer mountains, or Fáskrúðsfjörður, which has a great view of a hollow cliff island, Skrúður. Continue southward to Höfn town set in stunning scenery and famous for its delicious lobster.

This morning, continue your drive towards the southern town of Vik. On the way stop by the Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the biggest glacial lagoon of its kind with its towering icebergs on the lagoon. Stop at the less crowded Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon for an exciting zodiac boat tour, before continuing to Skaftafell National Park, Iceland’s most popular wilderness area. This is the ideal destination to enjoy outdoor activities as there are both short and easy trails that lead to Svartifoss Waterfall and Skaftafellsjökull Glacier.

Relish in the marvellous views of the south coast and one of the country’s most beautiful attractions including Vík village and Dyrhólaey Peninsula.

Discover the inland by driving through the fertile farmlands and settings of famous sagas. Spend the day exploring the Golden Circle area which comprises of the beautiful Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir hot spring area and Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time to visit Skálholt one of the most important places in Iceland throughout the Middle Ages and Kerið, a volcanic crater lake.

This morning, return to the airport and deliver your hire car.