ICELANDSELF- DRIVE 50Why choose Discover the World - see page 4 For our office opening hours please visit our website By fl ying from Reykjavik City Airport to Akureyri on Day 2, you'll have more time to spend in the most scenic places on the itinerary although you may prefer to extend your trip a little and drive between the capital and Akureyri. Incidentally, we've set out the itinerary below in a clockwise direction but if you prefer to travel anti-clockwise and fl y back to Reykjavik at the end of your trip then that's possible too. Whichever option you take, the diversity of the landscape cannot fail to impress. And don't forget that you can also add an extra night anywhere along the route, for a surprisingly reasonable cost - please ask for details. OUTLINE ITINERARY 1390 km ( approx) Day 1 fl y from the UK to Kefl avik, transfer to the city and overnight at Hotel Cabin. Day 2 transfer by taxi ( payable locally) to Reykjavik City Airport for the midday fl ight to Akureyri and collect rental vehicle. Explore the quaint northern town located almost at the head of Eyjafjordur then drive to Myvatn, making a detour at picturesque Godafoss for a photo stop. Spend two nights at Hotel Reykjahlid, overlooking Lake Myvatn. Day 3 experience the geothermal and volcanic wonders of Myvatn and its surrounds: mud pools, craters, surreal lava formations, the lake with its prolifi c bird life and the Nature Baths - the north's answer to the Blue Lagoon. Day 4 visit the Jokulsa Canyon National Park and explore its gorges and waterfalls. Venture into Dettifoss ( a new paved, more accessible road is due to open for the summer of 2010 - check with us for an update). Then cross a moody desert landscape and head east to Egilsstadir. Check in at Hotel Herad for an overnight stay. Day 5 perhaps head off to Mjoifjordur, considered by many to be the most beautiful of the stunning East Fjords, before continuing south through yet more striking scenery to overnight at Hotel Stadarborg. Day 6 one eye- catching view follows another on the journey south through the fjords to Hofn, a fi shing port at the foot of Europe's largest icecap, Vatnajokull. Travel around the base of the icecap, in sight of its many breathtaking glaciers. One has receded, forming a huge lagoon, where icebergs lie adrift - this is Jokulsarlon. Take a boat trip amongst the icebergs and head over to the black sand beach across the road and walk amongst others washed ashore. Continue to On the beach at Vik Jokulsa CanyonHofnSvartifoss SELF- DRIVE From £ 853 ( tour) + £ 204 ( UK flights)* B& B 9 nights May - Sep NATIONAL PARKS & NATURAL WONDERS Discover magnifi cent scenery across three of Iceland's national parks, among them Vatnajokull, the largest in Europe. See moon- like volcanoes and brooding grey deserts contrast with shimmering icecaps, vibrant green valleys, peaceful fjords, sleepy fi shing villages and naturally, countless waterfalls in all shapes and sizes. Who for? Our most popular itinerary for those who wish to see the best the island has to offer Akureyri Husavik Myvatn Dettifoss Egilsstadir Breiddalsvik Hofn Skaftafell Hveragerdi Gullfoss Geysir Keflavik Seydisfjordur Reykjavik Skogar Kirkjubaejarklaustur = Overnight stay  * Per person, based on 2 sharing a category A vehicle in May or September and lowest UK- Iceland return airfare

discover- the- world. co. uk SELF- DRIVEICELAND 51 " I would like to say how much we enjoyed our trip to Iceland. What a fantastic country! We were amazed by the diverse scenery and birdlife." A WRAGG Eiders at Jokulsarlon Godafoss Scenic driving around Lake Myvatn's pseudocraters Hotel Skaftafell for an overnight stay. Day 7 go hiking in Skaftafell for stunning views over the south coast and of glacier tongues. Also discover Svartifoss, a striking waterfall backed by basalt columns, hidden away from view until you are almost upon it. Drive past the turf church at Nupsstadir before reaching the little village Kirkjubaejarklaustur - overnight at Hotel Klaustur. Day 8 journey along the south coast taking in the town of Vik, the craggy coastline and black sand beaches, the roack arch at Dyrholaey, Skogafoss and the nearby museum - to name but a few of the sights to see! Don't miss the walk behind Seljalandsfoss to look out through its curtain of cascading water. Spend two nights at Hotel Ork in Hveragerdi. Day 9 enjoy the three great attractions of the Golden Circle route: the geothermal area at Geysir, the spectacular waterfall at Gullfoss and historic Thingvellir, Iceland's third national park. Day 10 drive back to Kefl avik, drop off rental vehicle at the airport and catch the fl ight back to the UK. Please note if travelling in September it is recommended that you opt for a 4WD vehicle. A FULLY FLEXIBLE ITINERARY In additional to the various itinerary options already mentioned, direct fl ights between London Gatwick and Akureyri will operate on Mondays with Iceland Express starting summer 2010, see page 40 for details. Should you wish to fl y direct to Akureyri ( therefore avoiding the overnight on Day 1 in Reykjavik along with the domestic fl ight to Akureyri), then please contact us for a tailor-made quotation. As with all of our self- drive holidays, they may be amended to suit your personal requirements, subject to availability. " We enjoyed the whole Iceland experience and intend to complete the island circuit via the west coast maybe next year." K & M NORMAN, JUNE 2009 Enjoying the East Fjords