Using Reykjavik as our base, we spent a day exploring the Golden Circle, which is a round-trip route through some of Iceland´s most famous attractions. These are the classic guidebook destinations and, predictably, they were packed with selfie-stick toting tour groups. Of course I am aware of the irony in my being exasperated at the crowds because… we were there too, so we weren´t exactly “off the beaten track”.  However, the magic and wildness of these places (the reason they became famous in the first place) is definitely affected by the crowds so if you´re there during peak season and you aren´t a lover of the tour-bus hordes, go super early in the morning or don´t go at all.

We visited the Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall but the highlight of the day was several hours spent soaking in the geothermal hotsprings Fontana, on the Laugarvatn lake. It was so great in fact, that we went again on our last day on our way back to the airport.

Next destination: Snæfellsnes Peninsula