A Week in Iceland: 4 Unique Road Trips Filled with Highlights & Hidden Gems

Iceland | Jul 5 - Jul 20, 2018

Our 16 day self drive tour went off very well. It was well planned by Sveindis Maria and only once or twice did we feel that we could have traded a day or so in a particular area for a longer stay where we were. We felt that our consultant had heard our desires and heeded them well in her planning.
We discovered truly extraordinary food in Hotel Borealis. The hotel itself was a comfortable but not exceptional lodge - with a fabulous view down the valley - but the chef was a wonder with both vegetables and meat. The meal there was unmatched and I think will be unmatched long after we return home. To add to it, our waiter was a delight.
Our 2 most beautiful rooms were both in Fosshotels - at Hőfn and Eastfjords. The Eastfjords hotel has an intetesting museum attached and built into it. Though the weather was rainy, the fjords here were really beauffiful. We recommend exploring them all and not being deterred by gravel roads.
The lava flows and craters at Krafla, the one desolate and the other awe inspiring, were fascinating as was the intricate shoreline of the Myvatn lakes.
The slow reclamation of the lava fields by lichen, moss and wildflowers was interesting to see as we moved from very recent to very old fields. The coastline on the roads to the Westfjords is not to be missed.
We heartily recommend the Settlement Cafe and associated museum in Borganes and the food at the Reykholt Fosshotel. Best salad in Iceland.
Our only disappointments were 2 rainy days and the Fosshotel in Reykjavik. It was tired and grubby. That said, the staff there was pleasant, kind and helpful.