In focus: The spell of the elemental forces

Depart from Reykjavik and head to the historic Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its geological wonders and as the site of the world's oldest democratic parliament. Continue to the Geysir high thermal area, home to the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur geyser. Next, visit Gullfoss, one of Europe's most impressive waterfalls. End the day in the western highlands at the rhyolite area of Kerlingarfjöll. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Kerlingarfjöll.

Start your day with a visit to the thermal area of Hveravellir for a hot bath. Experience the harsh living conditions of the 19th and early 20th centuries at the old Glaumbær peat farm and the small Víðimýri peat church. Continue through the small coastal village of Hofsos, known for its slender basalt columns. Your route takes you around the large Tröllaskagi peninsula and through the picturesque fishing villages of Siglufjörður and Olafsfjörður. End the day in Dalvik, where you will spend the night in a guesthouse.

Today offers an optional opportunity to observe humpback whales at close range at the large Eyarfjörður fjord. In the afternoon, visit Akureyri, often referred to as the capital of the north, and the horseshoe-shaped Goðafoss waterfall. From here, it's an hour's drive to the eastern shore of Mývatn, a stunning volcanic lake. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Spend the day discovering the unique natural beauty of Mývatn. The area is rich in unique volcanic phenomena including pseudocraters, deep fissures, explosion craters, active fissure volcanoes, and old lava lakes. Enjoy a few short walks and in the evening, relax in an exceptional thermal bath near Mývatn. Overnight stay in the same guesthouse as the previous day.

Set off early in the morning south past the ancient volcanoes Hrossaborg and Herdubreid through the Misseter Desert to the Askja volcanic massif in the central highlands. Begin your 2.5 km hike to the sulphur-filled Viti Crater, offering a unique view of the large crater lake Öskjuvatn and the almost 9-kilometer-wide volcanic caldera. In the afternoon, return to Mývatn for another relaxing bath. Overnight stay in the same guesthouse as the previous day.

From the impressive Mývatn area, continue to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Head east along the Jökulsá á Brú river gorge to one of Iceland's most beautiful basalt column gorges - Stuðlagil. After a short hike and a break in Egilsstaðir, travel on to the East Fjords. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Berunes.

Travel along the beautiful coastal road with views of the deep glacier valleys and the huge outwash plains. Reach the Stokksnes peninsula east of Höfn, where you can photograph the famous Vestruhorn mountain against the backdrop of the large black beach and small black sand dunes. Spend the rest of the day at the large ice lake 'Jökulsárlón' and its breathtaking surroundings such as the 'Diamond Beach'. Overnight stay in the same guesthouse as the previous day.

There are numerous wonderful photo opportunities in the local area. Depending on the weather and availability, you can head to the small mudflat island of Ingolfshöfði in the afternoon. This is home to many seabirds and, on a clear day, offers a fantastic view of Iceland's highest ice-covered mountain, Hvannadalshnukur. Overnight stay in the same guesthouse as the previous day.

Drive past the glacier lagoon on the way to Skaftafell National Park, home to an astonishing variety of species. The highlight is the Svartifoss waterfall, surrounded by basalt columns. Cross the expanses of the Skeiðarársandur sand plain. The route to the southern highlands leads through the 'fire fissure' Eldgjá, one of the largest volcanic fissures in the world. Arrive in Landmannalaugar in the evening. Overnight stay in a highland hotel.

Leave the spectacular highlands of the south and head to Cape Dyrhólaey, the huge rock arch at the southern tip of Iceland. Very close to the guesthouse is the large black beach Reynisfjara, which you can visit in the late afternoon and evening to take photos. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.