ICELANDSELF- DRIVE 60Why choose Discover the World - see page 4 For our office opening hours please visit our website This itinerary combines the traditional circle route around Iceland with the stunning North West Fjords region. Time and again, we receive positive feedback from our clients about how welcoming and friendly the Icelandic people are - that's why we are confi dent our Iceland Odyssey trip will leave you with the same lasting impression. The properties are distinctive by their architecture, location and even by their owners' personality. At family- run Guesthouse Malarhorn in the West Fjords, you can be assured of a very warm welcome with three generations taking care of their guests. Stay in one of 10 ranch- style single storey rooms which sleep two and overlook the sea. The food in the waterside restaurant is hearty and delicious and, weather permitting you can sit outside on the large deck and admire the views. In the breathtaking East Fjords region, overnight at Hotel Aldan, which dates back to the 19th Century and whose reception, restaurant and café are located in what used to one of Iceland's oldest general stores - the accommodation is in the separate ' old bank'. This is a lovely place for a stroll and weather permitting, some great photography. Spend time too at Lake Myvatn in the north and further west on Snaefellsnes - see our Travel Directory on pages 12- 21 for details of these scenic areas. Hotel Hellnar on Snaefellsnes is where host Gudrun Bergmann takes extra special care of her guests. Stroll around the hotel's grounds, the glacier creating an impressive backdrop and soak in the great views along the coastline. Be sure to look out for seals and orcas playing just off shore. Drive to Thingvellir National Park and visit the site of the ancient assembly, the Althing and observe for yourself the rift between the European and North American tectonic plates. For the fi nal night, stay at the Northern Light Inn situated next to the Blue Lagoon where you can take a relaxing dip in the warm, milky- blue waters whilst refl ecting on your time in an extraordinary country - or you may fi nd yourself planning your next trip! OUTLINE ITINERARY 2750 km ( approx) Day 1 fl y from the UK to Kefl avik, collect rental vehicle and head to Hveragerdi. Check in at Hotel Ork for a 2- night stay. Day 2 explore the natural wonders on the famed Golden Circle route: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss and Geysir. Day 3 continue around the south coast, stopping no doubt many times to admire the views, including Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland's best- known waterfalls and the Myrdalsjokull icecap, where an optional snowmobile trip is possible ( pre- bookable through us). You may also choose to visit the museum at Skogar and the nearby waterfall with an impressive 60m drop. Explore the Reynisfjara pebble beach with caves and basalt formations. See the bird cliffs at Dyrholaey and walk along its black sand beach ( closed until 25th June so as not to disturb nesting birds). Continue east past Vik for a 2- night stay at Hotel Skaftafell. Day 4 you will be spoilt for choice today as there is much to see and do in area: walk in Skaftafell; discover the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon; take an optional snowmobile trip on Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull - to name a few alternatives! Day 5 further east, located in the delightful fi shing village of Djupivogur is Hotel Framtid, built in the style of a large log cabin - check in for an overnight stay. Day 6 spend the day enjoying the fjords of the east coast. In the charming village of Seydisfjordur, with its picturesque timber buildings, art centre and selection of museums, overnight at Hotel Aldan. Days 7- 9 continue to the Myvatn region where you will spend a 3- night stay at Hotel Reykjahlid SkogafossEast Fjords SELF- DRIVE From £ 1804 ( tour) + £ 204 ( UK flights)* B& B 16 nights Jun - Aug ICELAND ODYSSEY Combine some of the best of Iceland's awe- inspiring scenery with a selection of its quaint and quirky hotels on this fantastic circular tour. This holiday is all about enjoying the true culture and genuine hospitality of Iceland's people as well as its stunning nature - from Myrdalsjokull icecap in the south to the shores of Lake Myvatn in the north. Who for? A full, circular itinerary for those who'd like to get to know the real Iceland Akureyri Gauksmyri Myvatn Breiddalsvik Skaftafell Hof Djupivogur Keflavik Seydisfjordur Reykjavik Skogar HORNSTRANDIR ISAFJARDARDJUP Hveragerdi Blue Lagoon Flatey Isafjordur Laugarholl Hellnar Breidavik Thingvellir BREIDAFJORDUR BAY * Per person, based on 2 sharing a category A vehicle from June to August and lowest UK- Iceland return airfare

tel. 01737 218 800 | discover- the- world. co. uk SELF- DRIVEICELAND 61 " 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 Dimmuborgir Namaskard Golden light at Olafsvik, great for photography Husavik on the northern shores of the lake. En route under big skies and even bigger scenery, take a little unpaved detour off Road 1 to visit Iceland's highest farm at Modrudalur. Here you'll fi nd a few turf buildings, a tiny church and a small, family- run café, perfect for a rest stop. At Myvatn, you will have plenty of time to explore the area and its volcanic wonders including the curious lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Perhaps stop at the Cow Shed Café for a bit to eat and a glass of warm milk straight from the cow! Or maybe head to Husavik for a whale watching trip - see pages 74- 75 for details. Day 10 stay overnight at Guesthouse Gauksmyri, which provides another opportunity to experience the pure- bred Icelandic horse thanks to its Horse Centre. Day 11 drive along the spectacular Strandir coast and overnight at the cosy log- cabin style Guesthouse Malarhorn in Drangsnes; the hot tubs in the village are perched on the water's edge and are a great place to end the day. Day 12 continue deep into the West Fjords taking the road that skirts the coastline to Hotel Isafjordur located in the town of the same name; fl anked by colossal, sheer- sided mountains. Should you wish to stay an extra night here then there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied; from day hikes to fi shing and kayak tours ( pre- bookable - contact our team). Day 13 travel south on a roller- coaster of a road, with stunning views as you cross up and over mountain tops and sweep around the shoreline. Stop off at the fan- shaped falls at Dynjandi then continue to your hotel, near the bird cliffs at Latrabjarg. This is the westernmost point of Iceland and these cliffs are a must- see for bird watchers. Overnight at Hotel Latrabjarg. Day 14 drive to Brjanslaekur and take a 3 hour ferry across Breidafjordur Bay to the dramatic Snaefellsnes Peninsula. You may wish to consider stopping off for the afternoon, or perhaps stay overnight, at the tiny island of Flatey in the middle of the bay. If crossing straight to Snaefellsnes, carry on almost to the tip of the peninsula and check in at Hotel Hellnar for a 2- night stay. Day 15 time to explore the volcanic landscape of Snaefellsnes National Park including a drive over or around the impressive glacier, a visit to the sea stacks at Arnarstapi and pretty fi shing villages dotted around the region. Day 16 on the fi nal leg of the odyssey, drive south towards Reykjavik, taking in the sights of Borgarfjordur including beautiful Hraunfossar falls which spill out from underneath lava formations; Iceland's most productive hot springs area at Deildatunguhver as well as the fascinating Settlement centre at Borgarnes ( entry fee applicable). Overnight at Hotel Cabin approximately a 20 minute walk from the city centre. Day 17 drive towards Kefl avik and time permitting, make a stop at the geothermal wonder that is the Blue Lagoon - just visit and take photos or perhaps go for a swim ( fee applicable). Drop off vehicle at the airport and fl y back to the UK. MORE TIME TO SPARE? At 16 nights this is already one of our longer itineraries and yet with such a delightful combination of properties, based in some superb locations, you may fi nd it diffi cult to tear yourself away! Of course all our itineraries may be tailored to suit individual needs but this trip in particular is one to consider extending. Feel free to discuss your options with one of our specialists. OVERNIGHT ON FLATEY Flatey has a scattering of photogenic timber structures, including the converted warehouses fl anking the old market square where Hotel Flatey is located. The rooms have shared facilities and the hotel's restaurant offers fi ne food with fi ne views. As no vehicles are allowed on this tiny island guests staying here must allow their vehicle to carry on with the ferry to Brjanslaekur where it may be collected the next day. If you would like to overnight on Flatey then please contact our team to adjust your itinerary ( additional cost for extra night and vehicle transfer to Brjanslaekur). " Our holiday to Iceland was a truly unique experience. The country was a place of spectacular scenery, hidden secrets and lovely people." R & C SIMMONS, MAY 2009