Northeast Iceland

Yes — it is the second city, and the only town outside the capital with the range to base a few days in. It also puts Mývatn, Goðafoss and Húsavík inside an easy drive.

Húsavík on Skjálfandi bay, by reputation and by sighting rates — humpbacks through the summer and blue whales in a good year. Akureyri's boats work Eyjafjörður and sail year-round, which Húsavík's largely do not.

Dimmuborgir's lava pillars, the boiling mud at Hverir, the Grjótagjá cave, the Krafla caldera and the Mývatn Nature Baths — the quieter northern answer to the Blue Lagoon. Allow a full day; the midge season peaks in June and July.

388 kilometres on Route 1, about five hours without stops. The domestic flight takes 45 minutes and runs several times a day, which is what most people do if they are not driving the Ring Road.

The northern counterpart to the Golden Circle: Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, the Ásbyrgi canyon and Húsavík. It is a 250-kilometre loop and a long day — two is better.

The east-bank road (864) is gravel and closes; the west-bank road (862) is paved and stays open longer, but not reliably through deep winter. Check road.is before setting out rather than assuming either.