HIT THE OPEN ROAD ON ICELAND’S ROUTE ONE

There is zero chance of getting lost circumnavigating Iceland, because there is only one road around it. Route One circles the entire country for 821 miles, skirting the foothills of the central Highlands the whole way round and taking in many of the nation’s key sights.

The time-poor would rightly be attracted to stick within a day’s travel of the capital, Reykjavik, taking in a loop of the popular Golden Circle, too, but those with more freedom should head out along the south coast and not look back.

Not only does completing Route One mean you will witness all the dramatic sights – coal-black beaches, thundering waterfalls and desolate volcanic plains – that have made Iceland the film set of so many futuristic blockbusters (not to mention Game of Thrones), but it also affords a sense of how the country changes. The attraction-punctuated south is different to the lush east and lumpy north, with fewer and fewer tourists the farther from Reykjavik you go.

There is accommodation dotted all the way around, but for a truly revitalising experience, hire a camper van and remind yourself there are still parts of the world unspoilt by human hand.

YOU’LL NEVER FORGET

Going for a dip in a geothermal pool. Iceland is a swimmer’s paradise, with scores of “hot pots” and outdoor pools, heated by the country’s volcanic basement.

Regent Holidays (020 7666 1290; regent-holidays.co.uk) offers the 14-day, self-drive Iceland Full Circle Fly-Drive package from £1,735pp, including flights and all accommodation