The Golden Circle is, without doubt, the most popular tourist trail in the country and a must for travellers taking their first holiday to Iceland. Situated close to Reykjavik, it's a great outdoor excursion if you want to get away from town for a while.
I love the Golden Circle! It's a tour you can do in a day and at pretty much any time of year, thanks to good roads that cross a range of stunning landscapes. Imagine starting your day in a natural park formed by lava and tectonic faults, followed by a geyser and geothermic activity before ending up next to a thundering waterfall.
At the same time, I've always done this tour in my own car so that I could escape the hordes of tourists, stay as long as I liked at certain points and stop along the way to admire the scenery. For me it's the best (if not only) way to enjoy the most popular spots on the route.
Finally, there are lots of farms dotted around and, as it's a great place to go horse riding, you can always stay over and continue exploring the charming countryside: the perfect way to unwind during your holiday!