Iceland ranks in the top 5 bucket list destinations for even the most seasoned travelers. Even professional photographers can’t get enough of its enchanting, ever-changing landscape filled with glaciers, geysers and volcanoes. We had the opportunity to explore this stunning Scandinavian country during The National GT TOUR® ‘Exclusive Edition’ Iceland, the very first ‘exclusive edition GT Tour’ organised by the Belgian company Master Switch. An unforgettable six-day journey that you can relive yourself with the help of our useful tips.
Exploring Iceland on foot or by bike might sound liberating, but since the most beautiful locations are often remote and difficult to reach by the country’s limited public transport, having a (rental) car is truly essential for discovering this breathtaking land. The Golden Circle, a popular 300-kilometer tourist loop around the capital Reykjavik, served as the guiding route for our adventure. While it’s possible to complete the loop in a single day, doing so leaves little time to fully experience the sights — and that would be a shame. Especially since this route includes three of the country’s most spectacular natural attractions: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss.
One of the Most Beautiful Places on Earth
To get off the beaten path, on the day of our arrival in Reykjavik we drive via Borgarnes to Búðir on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which is sometimes called ‘mini-Iceland.’ Many of Iceland’s landscapes can be found here in a small area: volcanoes, lava fields, black beaches, caves, basalt formations, cliffs, waterfalls, lakes, hot and cold springs, and yes, even springs with real bubbling mineral water like Rauðamelsölkelda. If time is limited, you can make a round trip from the capital to this peninsula. This way, you get a fantastic preview of what Iceland has to offer.
Geological and Historical Wonder
Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir), one of Iceland’s three national parks, is both a geological and historical marvel. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, it holds the most significant historical site in the country — the location where Iceland’s very first parliament, the Alþingi, was founded in the year 930. This makes it one of the oldest parliamentary institutions in the world. From a geological perspective, the park is remarkable because it lies in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are drifting apart. If you look into the distance, you can see the evidence in the dramatic fissures and cracks that scar the landscape.
Golden Waterfall
The Gullfoss waterfall in the Hvítá glacial river in southern Iceland is once again one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. The enormous Gullfoss, which means ‘Golden Waterfall,’ is remarkable because of the way the water cascades down in two levels and you can view it both from above and below. In the gorge, the plunging water always creates a great deal of spray, and when the sun shines, rainbows appear. Magical! Inhale the mist if you can; they say it gives you energy. Ideally, you should climb stairs and paths, and descend mainly to all the viewpoints from which to visit this waterfall.
Another waterfall and a much smaller one but just as charming and far less touristy is Kvernufoss. This thirty-meter-high waterfall is hidden in a small gorge near the famous Skógafoss waterfall, but it is less well known than its famous neighbor and, in our opinion, at least as beautiful, if not more so. You can even compare the waterfall with Seljalandsfoss. It is even possible to walk behind this waterfall or even relax there. At the waterfall, there is a popular picnic spot for the locals. We even brought our own lunch! There is also a clearly marked path to Kvernufoss. Just walk eastwards from the Skógar museum, towards the fence, and then towards the gorge.
View of a Geyser
Not far from the Golden Waterfall, we pay a visit to the Geysir Geothermal Area. This highly active geothermal area is famous for its geysers, the most active of which is Strokkur, which shoots a column of hot water up to thirty meters high into the air every few minutes. The original geyser, from which the name ‘Geysir’ became the generic term for this natural phenomenon, is currently less active. We decide to stay at Hotel Geysir****, located right next to the park — a design hotel with nature as its main theme — where you can watch the activity of the Strokkur geyser from the bar. It’s something different from sipping a cocktail by the sea.
Paradise on Earth
As the cherry on top, we end our road trip with a stay in a hotel within the complex of the world-famous Blue Lagoon; according to Time magazine—and many others—one of the most beautiful places on earth! The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland is an acclaimed luxury resort with an underground spa and private lagoon where you can enjoy the same healing water as the Blue Lagoon. All this comes with a hefty price tag. However, you can also book a more budget-friendly hotel nearby and buy an entrance ticket to enjoy the warm water of the Blue Lagoon. You may not be in the private lagoon, but the water is ultimately the same. Due to the presence of silica mud and thousands of minerals, the water — which is largely artificially heated by the nearby geothermal Svartsengi power plant — is said to have purifying and healing properties. The ice-blue color is certainly remarkable, and with a temperature of 39°C, it is wonderfully relaxing. Iceland, by the way, prides itself on distributing the purest tap water in the world, and the air is so pure that upon our return, it was striking how dirty the air in Brussels smells. It gives you something to think about.
By MasterSwitch
The organizer behind this magical road trip is MasterSwitch, a company with 22 years of experience in organizing motorsport events — from their own classic car and automotive gatherings to bespoke rallies tailored for private clients, businesses, or clubs. For each event, they only work with top-tier partners for logistics, hotels, and more.
What makes this type of rally truly special is that while a structured program is provided, you have the freedom to explore beyond it — after all, you’ve got your own car. We often ventured off the beaten path in our Alpine A110 GT. It’s all about the joy of driving, soaking in the landscapes, and experiencing the local flavor. A journey where your passion for cars meets an appreciation for nature, fine dining, and wellness.
Useful Addresses in the Order in Which We Visited Them:
Day 1
Arrival and visit to Reykjavik, overnight stay and dinner at Hotel Reykjavik Edition*****, www.editionhotels.com/reykjavik/. Located in the historic center of Reykjavik along the Old Harbor, this hotel is a 45-minute drive from the airport and just a few steps away from Laugavegur Street, the bustling shopping district of the city. The sophisticated bedrooms offer spectacular views of the harbor, the Esja mountain, and the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier. We also had a view of the Harpa Concert and Conference Center.
Day 2
Stage Reykjavik – Borgarnes – Búðir
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Búðir****. This hotel, with the slogan “remote luxury,” is far from the city lights. As we were lucky enough to sleep under the stars, we could even see the northern lights at night through the skylights. The star restaurant is just as impressive as the surroundings. The kitchen uses only the best Iceland has to offer, with fresh ingredients sourced directly from fishermen or farms.
Day 3 + 4
Stage Búðir – Geysir
Dinner and overnight (2) at Hotel Geysir****, hotelgeysir.is.
From Geysir, the (paid) hot spring Hrunalaug near Fludir is an absolute topper. Small but with a great view!
Useful activities from Geysir via Eskimo:
- Snorkeling in Silfra: excursion of 2 hours, of which approximately 45 minutes in the water, including 1 hour transfer from Geysir. Enjoy a fantastic snorkeling experience in Silfra Fissure while you float calmly in the comfort of a warm drysuit under the guidance of skilled guides. Silfra, often considered one of the world’s top ten dive sites, lies between the tectonic plates of Europe and America.
- Horseback riding: excursion of 2 hours, 5 minutes transfer.
- Rafting: excursion of 3 hours, 15 minutes transfer.
- Buggy Tour: excursion of 1.5 hours or 3 hours.
- Secret Lagoon: 1 hour enjoying the warm water of the oldest natural pool in Iceland. Proper changing rooms and sanitation. https://secretlagoon.is | www.eskimos.is
If you spend two nights in Geysir, we also recommend staying at Yumi hotel, in the middle of nowhere, with delicious cuisine and the nearby Seljavallalaug hot spring. The experience of the hot spring in an abandoned swimming pool from 1932 is amazing, but unfortunately, during out trip, there was a lot of illegal dumping.
Day 5
Stage Geysir – Selfoss – Grindavík
Dinner and overnight (2) Retreat Blue Lagoon*****
Day 6
Grindavík – Reykjavik
