Iceland winter adventure: Road trip to northern lights

The moment has finally arrived: your plane lands with a gentle bump, and you realise that you're actually in Iceland! Your wanderlust for volcanoes, geysers and waterfalls will soon be satisfied. First, you grab the keys to your hire car, then you're ready to go. As soon as you leave Keflavik behind, the full beauty of the country unfolds before you – pristine nature, endless expanses and jaw-dropping scenery. And the best part is, it's only just the beginning!

When you arrive in Reykholt, it's time to settle in and relax.

It's road trip time! The day's first rays accompany you on your way to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which is set to stun with its dramatic landscapes. Your first stop is Ytri-Tunga Beach, where a whole gang of seals is chilling in the sun – cuteness overload! Next up: Bjarnafoss, a cascading waterfall that plunges over 260 feet into the depths below. And then it's on to the lonely, mysterious and seriously impressive Black Church of Búðir. After cruising past mossy lava fields and through the Raudfeldsgjá gorge, you'll eventually reach the wild coast. Cliffs braced against the surf, a jet-black sandy beach at Djúpalónssandur and a rusty shipwreck create proper film-like vibes. And if you take a short hike to the Saxhóll crater, you'll be captivated by the view of the mighty Snæfellsjökull glacier. It's pure Icelandic magic! For the finale, it's off to Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss – a sight straight out of Game of Thrones.

As soon as the sun sets, you can hardly draw your eyes away from the window. You eagerly wait for the moment when the northern lights begin their dance in the night sky.

Rushing torrents of water and splashes of icy water – you can't miss a detour to the snowy Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls! At Hraunfossar, you'll discover a wall of small waterfalls flowing through a lava field into a river, and at Barnafoss, you'll find a series of rapids cascading into a narrow rocky valley. So keep your camera close by to capture all the memories!

First stop: Thingvellir. Nowhere else can you see so clearly just how our planet works. Hike through the dramatic Almannagjá gorge and check out the impressive Öxarárfoss waterfall before continuing on to the absolute showstopper: the geysers in the Haukadalur valley! Every few minutes, Strokkur, as it's called, sends a torrent of boiling water soaring into the air. It's dangerously hot and the smell of sulphur is intense, but the spectacle's a true 10/10! Then it's on to Gullfoss, where thundering masses of icy water cascade through a narrow gorge. Stand at the edge, feel the spray on your face and just marvel at Iceland's unreal sights.

At the end of the day, you'll be able to check all the Golden Circle's important highlights off your bucket list. And maybe you'll even have made it to the glowing Kerid Crater lake (entrance payable on site)!

The icy air whirls around you, the snow glitters like an Insta filter and it's adventure mode ON! You hop behind the wheel of your hire car and cruise towards the South Coast. The wild, frozen landscape instantly captivates you, and then the first highlight comes into view: Seljalandsfoss! The mighty waterfall cascades 197 feet into a plunge pool full of ice floes, and the coolest part is that you can even walk behind it! But be careful, it's slippery! And keep your camera at the ready, because this moment is one that's almost too good to be true. Afterwards, it's on to the absolute eye-catcher that is Skogafoss. Rushing water, snow, ice – it's totally film worthy! Finally, if you haven't visited the plane wreck at Sólheimasandur yet, it's high time you do. Whether at golden hour or under the northern lights, the sight of it is simply unbeatable.