tel. 01737 218 800 | discover- the- world. co. uk Thingvellir View from Dyrholaey Olafsvik Lava House SELF- DRIVEICELAND 63 " A really laid back holiday and just what we needed! We all fell in love with the Lava House and didn't want to leave!" THE BAKER FAMILY, MAY 2009 WEST ICELAND ERPSSTADIR Located close to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, this is a great base for exploring. Visit snow capped Snaefellsjokull; stroll along sandy beaches; view bird cliffs and sea stacks along a craggy coastline; charming fi shing villages and expansive lava fi elds. Just north from here is the gateway to the remote and absolutely beautiful West Fjords, should you wish to explore further afi eld. Erpstadir is a traditional old style wooden cottage modernised to good standards, set on a hill with great views. This is also a working farm with cows, sheep and horses so you'll have the opportunity to get to know the wildlife! The cottage sleeps up to 9 and has a double bedroom and two twin bedrooms ( plus extra beds if needs be). There is a comfortable lounge and kitchen area, a washing machine in the bathroom and outside, a veranda with a seating area and hot tub. NORTH ICELAND THE LAVA HOUSE Decorated throughout in a modern Scandinavian style, this spacious, fully furnished family home sleeps up to 12 in 5 bedrooms. The Lava House, or Stadahraun, has a fully equipped kitchen, a very large open-plan living and dining area and two bathrooms with shower/ WC. There is a gas barbeque and two sets of golf clubs available for guests to use - the nearest golf club is a 16 mile drive. To the front of the house is a garden. To the back, which has an open area down to the river, a timber deck with a secluded hot tub provides a great place to end the day. The house is surrounded by sweeping views across the Adaldalur Valley. This is truly one of the best- appointed self- catering houses in Iceland and is owned by Discover the World and used solely for our clients ( on an exclusive use basis). www. stadarhraun. com Iceland's scenic north offers so much for visitors of all ages. Lake Myvatn is the magnet for most - the lake itself is beautiful and beyond that is a collection of curious volcanic and geothermal wonders including the Nature Baths. Husavik or Akureyri are the nearest large towns and both offer interesting days out, with whale watching available from the latter. Jokulsa National Park, the Tjornes Peninsula, Asbyrgi and magnifi cent Dettifoss are just a few of the other places in the area well worth visiting, although some of these places are only accessible in the summer. DEPARTURES & FLIGHT OPTIONS Call us to discuss your options and see pages 116- 117 for fl ight information.

Mjoeyri Cottages, Eskifjordur The charming village of Eskifjordur is reached from Reykjavik either by a short domestic fl ight via Egilsstadir, or a scenic few days' drive along the south coast, and from the summer of 2010, by direct fl ight between London Gatwick and Akureyri. Therefore, like our other self- drive itineraries, we can tailor- make your trip to suit. Originally a Danish trading post dating from 1798, one of the old merchant houses, Gamlabud has been restored and it houses the Maritime Museum. In Eskifjordur you'll also fi nd places displaying rock and gnome collections, a quirky take on village life past and present! The area is a geologist's dream and it is where the rare Icelandic feldspar crystal is found. Travel back to the late 1800' s at the lovingly restored Randulf's Seahouse, where adults can wash down morsels of rotten shark like a true Icelander with a slug of Brennivin ( schnapps known as ' Black Death')! Another delicacy to try - dried fi sh, is still made here using traditional methods. The accommodation on this trip comprises 5 newly built 39m2 cottages which have their own balcony and porch; an open plan kitchen, diner and living area with a double sofa bed; bathroom ( shower/ WC); plus 2 rooms on the second fl oor each with twin beds. From Eskifjordur you have plenty of day trips from which to take your pick: enjoy a lovely coastal drive to Djupivogur or take the route with breathtaking views up, over and down into quaint Seydisfjordur. Visit beautiful Lake Myvatn, renowned for its birdlife and perhaps take a dip in the Nature Baths; explore the myriad of geothermal and volcanic wonders in the area - see pseudocraters, lava stacks and Namaskard with its mud pools and steam vents. And of course there are several places around the lake where you can enjoy short walks and some delightful food. You may wish to hire a small boat and some fi shing rods or kayaks from Saevar and Berglind at Mjoeyri, or go horse riding - beginners and experienced riders alike can take to the saddle at nearby Neskaupstadur, where there is also a little pottery studio and shop. OUTLINE ITINERARY 780 km ( approx) Day 1 fl y from the UK to Kefl avik and transfer to Reykjavik for an overnight stay at Hotel Reykjavik Centrum. Day 2 take a short taxi ride ( payable locally) to Reykjavik City Airport for the one hour fl ight east to Egilsstadir. Collect rental vehicle from the airport and drive to Eskifjordur ( approximately 40 mins). Check- in for a 5- night stay. Days 3- 6 at leisure for optional activities and excursions around the settlement of Fjardabyggd ( book and pay locally) or enjoy the freedom to explore on day trips. Day 7 return rental vehicle to Egilsstadir airport and fl y to Reykjavik ( or opt to spend a few extra days driving back along the south coast). Overnight stay in the capital. Day 8 transfer to Kefl avik for return fl ight to the UK. Please note between October and April activities will be limited and car hire is with a minimum 4WD vehicle. During winter, visitors may enjoy downhill skiing at the Oddsskard Ski Area, and the town celebrates a ' Days of Darkness' festival during the second week of November. Wintertime also brings the chance of seeing the magical northern lights. HIKING WEEK, 19- 26 JUNE 2010 Each summer, keen walkers congregate at Eskifjordur for Hiking Week. Locals and visitors alike pay a nominal fee for each route and explore the stunning East Fjords together. There are longer ( 4- 7 hrs) and shorter ( 1- 3 hrs) walks each day; choose to do as few or as many as you wish! Nature study adventures for children and evening entertainment is organised throughout the week. Contact us or see our website for further details. SELF- DRIVE From £ 898 ( tour) + £ 204 ( UK flights)* B& B 7+ nights Year round EAST FJORDS RETREAT The Mjoeyri cottages are a perfect getaway for those wishing to explore the East Fjords. Perched on a secluded spit of land on the outskirts of charming Eskifjordur, they are surrounded by craggy mountains and long, green valleys. Take part in a number of great optional activities based around Mjoeyri or head off on day trips to some delightful places nearby. Who for? Those looking for a relaxing and informal scenic short break ICELANDSELF- DRIVE 64Why choose Discover the World - see page 4 For our office opening hours please visit our website Reykjavik = Overnight stay Kefl avik Myvatn Modrudalur ? Borgarfjordur Eystri Djupivogur Eskifjordur Seydisfjordur Egilsstadir * Per person, based on 2 sharing a category A vehicle from June to August and lowest UK- Iceland return airfare Akureyri ?