Into the wild: Icelandic adventure in a rooftop tent

Your heart pounds with joy with every passing second as you think about the land of volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls and glaciers. Just a moment later, you take a deep breath at the airport in Keflavik – the smell of adventure is in the air! You pick up your hire car, and then you're finally ready to go. And the best part about: thanks to the fully equipped roof tent strapped to the top of your hire car, from now on, you've always got your home with you. But before you make yourself comfortable in your home on wheels, you need to stock up on food first. The beauty of the country unfolds before you after just a few miles, and it's almost impossible to concentrate on the road. Iceland is just so gorgeous! The first leg of your road trip leaves you wanting more, and you can't help but wonder what awaits you in the days to come and be super excited. When you arrive at your campsite, it's time to put your feet up and rest.

The first morning in your rooftop tent is something magical! And then it's time.
Clear the stage for the Golden Circle! First stop: Thingvellir National Park, where the movements of the North American and Eurasian Plates have created the dramatic and rugged Almannagjá rift. And almost nowhere else in the world would you get such an unobstructed view of them as here – simply wow! Next, you're off to the roaring Öxarárfoss, which quickly sneaks its way into your photo album, before the boiling fountains of the Strokkur, Stóri and The Great Geysir shoot metres high into the air out of seemingly nowhere in the Haukadalur geothermal area. Suddenly, you can already hear waterfall number four. Thundering torrents of water provide a promising soundtrack that accompanies you on your way to the mighty Gullfoss.
The Seljalandsfoss waterfall is both mysterious and beautiful, with foaming waters that cascade 197 feet into the depths. You're burning to see what's behind the curtain. And you're in luck! You can actually go behind the fall's thundering curtain of water! But be careful, it's slippery back there! Can it get any more beautiful? Oh, yes, it can! The Skogafoss waterfall kicks it up a notch with a misty spray that, with the right lighting, creates two brightly shining rainbows – just like something out of a movie!

You climb out of your rooftop tent and enjoy the fresh morning air with a hot cup of coffee! Shortly after, you're back in the driver's seat of your home on wheels, cranking up your playlist to get you in the mood for the day ahead.
Opposites attract. And maybe they'll attract you, too! In Skaftafell National Park, you experience Iceland's contrasts in a truly impressive way. A vast network of hiking trails runs between plains of lava rock and numerous rivers that originate from the glacial tongues Skeidarárjökull, Morsárjökull and Skaftafellsjökull. Your destination: Svartifoss! The 'Black Falls' live up to their name with torrents of water that rush down from dark, snow-covered basalt columns. The mesmerising sight freezes you in your tracks, and after some time, you decide to continue along your journey before you get too cold. The hum of your engine fades into secluded tranquillity as the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon sinks into the icy distance. Gazing at what lies ahead, you're overcome with a mix of awe and disbelief: huge sparkling jewels washed ashore on the black sand beach. Welcome to Diamond Beach! Upon closer inspection, you realise that the giant icy gemstones are actually sparkling blocks of ice scattered all around.

Volcanoes and glaciers, mountains and black beaches, lakes and waterfalls – you've already ticked all that off your bucket list. But Iceland has even more to offer, for example, its vast region of forest! Yeah, you read that right! Further north, you'll find the largest forest area on the island: Hallormsstadaskogur. Leave your hire car in the car park, put on your hiking boots and make your way to the second largest waterfall in the country. On the way up, you'll be blown away by the snow-white falls and dark basalt rocks of the beautiful Litlanesfoss. And after three miles, you'll suddenly be standing in front of the unstoppable torrents of water at Hengifoss. Fortunately, the descent is no less spectacular. With a view of the valley and the calm Lake Lagarfjot at your feet, there's always something to see. Maybe you'll even spot the head of the legendary lake monster peeking up from the tranquil depths – the Icelandic equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster would make for an epic snapshot! And for the perfect backdrop for your last stop of the day, why not visit the charming village of Seyðisfjörður? Take a stroll along the local Rainbow Road towards the town's little chapel as the sun sets upon the fjord.