Before heading out on your road trip to the north, you have one day and night to explore what Iceland’s capital has to offer. So grab your keys and head over to your first stay at your perfectly located hotel in the midst of the bustling city, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina. After checking in, it’s time to hit the ground running, starting with a coffee at Kaffi O’le and a walk around the coastal side of the city, where you’ll find many brunch options and fun shops. Hope you have an appetite because today is a bit of a food tour and next up is Iceland’s best ice cream, Ísbúð Vesturbæjar. Try to save some appetite though as tonight’s fare is the city’s swankiest new spot in town, called Monkeys. Afterwards, head back to your hotel for a quality cocktail in one of their many lounges, or get a good night’s rest in order to prepare for your big drive to Blönduós tomorrow. 

Rise and shine, you’re headed for some sightseeing today on your travels from Reykjavik to Blönduós, starting with Barnafoss and Hraunfossar, a duo of low-lying falls with the bluest of water. It’s a very relaxed walk down a path, with quite a few viewpoints – perfect for a morning stroll to start the day after breakfast. Once you’re back on the road, you’ll head to one of the most wowing destinations yet, Grábrók Crater, which stands powerfully amongst the mossy marsland just outside of Blönduós, the town where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. You can make your way up the meandering staircase and walk the rim of the crater to get a view of the vast countryside from the top down. This crater is really unique to be able to hike so immersively, yet be so easy to access, just off the main road towards your guesthouse. Finally, you’ll arrive at Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse, just in time for a 3-course dinner ending in good conversation and a sorbet sunset outside the vast window of the restaurant along with your dessert.

Today is the biggest day of your tour because along with sightseeing around the unsuspecting and largely undiscovered, Blonduos, and what it has to offer, you’re going on a day trip up to Akureyri, the second largest city on the island. Your main stopping points up to the city are quite unique in their own way and offer a classic view of the northern energy. First up – Kolugljúfur Canyon, a gigantic winding river and towering canyon combo that is a real jaw-dropper. Once you’ve spent a good amount of time taking in the many views, pop over to Hvítserkur Rock to see a dragon drinking from the sea, or at least that’s how this landmark appears. You can view this spot from the top of the cliffs, or choose to take a little walk down to the beach for a more immersive view, but either way, both are great. Your last stop in this area before you get to Akureyri is at the Glaumbær Farmhouses, which are classically-built Icelandic houses topped with grass on the roof. This spot is a bit of a history museum, but a super interactive one where you can explore the houses. Finally in Akureyri, you’ll head over to GoHusky where you’ll get the chance to play, hike or sled with eighteen of the most well-behaved furballs you’ll ever meet, and their owners are pretty great too, welcoming you in like family, just like the true nature of the north. A couple of hours and a lot of fur later, head back over to your guesthouse and get ready for another fancy 3-course french Icelandic dinner.

After a few days of relaxing up north, it’s time to head over to the Bubbles for your final stay just outside of Selfoss. This up-and-coming area offers quite a bit – quieter than Reykjavik, with a more local feel. After grabbing some breakfast at the Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse, you start your drive towards the southside of Iceland. Along the way, you’ll get to see two incredible waterfalls, starting with Seljalandsfoss, one of the two most famous waterfalls in Iceland. This one is especially unique because you can go behind the falls. After checking out the views, head over to the secret falls next door, called Gljúfrabúi, the falls inside a cave left of Seljalandsfoss. Although it looks like you’d have to hike to the highlands for this kind of view, it’s very easily accessible if you know what you’re looking for and an amazing pin on the map. This is easily the most immersive waterfall spot on the itinerary, so just a head’s up, you’ll get wet at this one too, so bring your rain jacket! 

You’re likely pretty hungry after some trekking around the falls, so head back towards Selfoss, where you’ll grab an early dinner before settling into the Bubbles for the night. Arriving just before sunset, you’ll get to see the Bubbles transform into glowing spheres dotting the remote forest of the Bubble Hotel. Whichever Bubble you end up in, you’ll get a different vibe, but the same sleep under the quiet sounds of nature and fingers-crossed sky full of stars and dancing colors of the Northern Lights. 

Once you make it back to the city, congratulations, you’ve officially made it around the northwest side of the Ring Road. The city is your oyster, so go explore – check out the famous rainbow road on your way to Hallgrimskirkja, or check out the coastal gems, like Valdís ice cream and the many stores that line the harbor. Be sure to swing by Krua Thai for a nice lunch and the Jungle Cocktail Bar for the best cocktail of your life. Now feel free to catch up on your sleep and dream about your whirlwind adventure circling Iceland, and remember to continually seek out the wild.