Rift valley in the morning, a lagoon in the evening. This 11-hour day from BusTravel Iceland puts the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon on one ticket, and does it by minibus with a driver-guide instead of a full-size coach.

What you'll see on the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon tour

Þingvellir National Park comes first on the list: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic site of Iceland's parliament, and a spot where you can walk along the rift of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. At the Geysir geothermal area the ground steams and smells of sulphur, and Strokkur erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, so you won't be waiting long. Gullfoss is next, a big two-step waterfall on the Hvítá river. Then comes Kerið, a crater lake of milky blue-green water with black and deep-red slopes around it.

The day finishes at the Blue Lagoon, where you soak in geothermal water with your entrance ticket, towel and a free drink covered.

What's included

• Small-group tour with a professional guide
• Comfort admission ticket to the Blue Lagoon (entrance, towel and a drink)
• Admission to Kerið crater
• Wi-Fi on the bus

Good to know before you go

Food isn't included, but the tour stops at places where you can buy it. Bring warm clothing, good shoes and a swimsuit. Swimsuits can also be rented at the Blue Lagoon at your own expense. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This tour suits people short on days who want the Golden Circle's classic stops and a lagoon soak without driving themselves. Eleven hours is a long day, but you spend a good part of it sitting in warm water.

Pro tip: pack your swimsuit and a plastic bag for it in your day bag, not your suitcase. You'll be glad of the bag on the ride back to Reykjavík.