ICELANDTRAVEL DIRECTORY 12Why choose Discover the World - see page 4 For our office opening hours please visit our website To help you get to know Iceland a little better we've divided the country into eight regions. See what makes each so special and why travellers return time and time again to this diverse and simply enchanting island. ICELAND TRAVEL DIRECTORY Many of our holidays cover several regions and the small maps on the tour pages display each route they follow. A more detailed map unfolds from the back cover of this brochure; this is specially designed to be used in conjunction with our self- drive pages. We also include a handy distance chart as Iceland might be bigger than you think! If you'd like to know how to get to Iceland, on page 116 you'll fi nd a map showing the various routes we offer from a number of airports within the UK. East Fjords Reykjavik Kefl avik Akureyri  = Highlands South West South East Snaefellsness West Iceland West Fjords North North East East 

tel. 01737 218 800 | discover- the- world. co. uk TRAVEL DIRECTORYICELAND 13 Most fi rst- timers to Iceland choose to explore this region partly because it is where the international airport at Kefl avik is located, and partly because there is so much stunning scenery to explore, including the sights on the famed Golden Circle route. SOUTH WEST ICELAND REYKJANES PENINSULA explore fantastic lavascapes and have a dip in the world- famous Blue Lagoon. Visit the hot springs at Krisuvik or walk the ' Bridge between Continents' where tectonic plates are separating. Watch the surf, sunset and thousands of birds, even whales, at Gardar, whose two lighthouses are among eleven that grace this rocky coastline. THINGVELLIR this national park is excellent for birds and wildfl owers. An area of exceptional geological and historical interest; visit the ' lawrock' where the ancient parliament or ' Althing' met to make laws and settle disputes. GEYSIR an important and active area of geothermal activity - see Strokkur erupt to around 30m. Walking trails are marked out among scalding hot pools and trickling streams. GULLFOSS forming the fi nal piece of the Golden Circle trio of natural wonders along with Geysir and Thingvellir, these double falls drop around 33m then plunge into a mile long gorge. An awesome sight at any time of year. SELJALANDSFOSS arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland. The water cascades over a former sea- cliff, allowing visitors to walk behind it - a remarkable experience for the sure- footed. HVERAGERDI due to the amount of geothermal activity in the area, this is known as the ' greenhouse' village. Since a small earthquake in 2008, the hot springs in nearby Reykjadalur have livened up - worth the two hour round- trip ( on foot). THORSMORK ' Thor's Wood' is almost completely surrounded by mountains and three glaciers, one creating a glacial lagoon. The valley fl oor is criss- crossed with streams which at certain times of the year become raging rivers. An area hugely popular with walkers, hike to the lookout and enjoy panoramic views. Due to the rough terrain, travellers can either explore by superjeep excursion or hire their own high- clearance 4WD vehicle. SKOGAFOSS walk up to the wide, thundering curtain of water, 60m high and soak up the sight and sound. Perhaps climb the path to the top of the falls for a different perspective. Nearby is the Skogar Museum. MOUNT HEKLA this active volcano sits brooding behind fi elds of lava from past eruptions. Hekla is a ridge rather than a single cone and at 1488m high, it attracts many a hiker. Nearby Thjorsa Valley includes Haifoss ( Iceland's second highest waterfall) and Hjalparfoss. Take a stroll through the Gjain gorge and see the Viking farm Stong. WESTMAN ISLANDS a group of 15 volcanic islands, famous for their puffi n population. Heimaey, the largest island, has a thriving fi shing town, partly destroyed during the 1973 eruption. Get there by air taxi from Bakki and from July 2010 by the new 30- minute ferry service. DYRHOLAEY pounding waves have eroded a natural rock arch here through the headland ( best viewed from the black sand beach below) and the bumpy drive to the top is worth the effort for some stunning views. It is also a great place to observe a variety of birds except for 6 weeks during May/ June when the area is closed for the nesting season. VIK stroll along the black sand beach of this tiny coastal town - the view across to the headland and its distinctive sea stacks, Reynisdrangur, is one you'll see on many a postcard. MYRDALSJOKULL snowmobiling trips are available on the glacier. Skogafoss ReykjanesThingvellir GeysirDyrholaey