Islandia Occidental

Because the peninsula packs a glacier, volcano, lava fields, black beaches, waterfalls, fishing villages and birdlife into one compact, drivable loop.

Borgarnes is about 1 hour; the Snæfellsnes peninsula highlights are 2–2.5 hours from the capital, making it an easy day trip or overnight.

The 'Church Mountain' near Grundarfjörður — Iceland's most photographed peak, especially with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground (and a Game of Thrones filming location).

Yes — Víðgelmir (one of the world's largest lava tubes) and Vatnshellir under Snæfellsjökull both run guided tours year-round.

A 700,000-year-old glacier-capped volcano at the peninsula's tip — the setting of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth and the heart of a national park.

Borgarfjörður (Hraunfossar, Deildartunguhver, Krauma) works as a half-day; the full Snæfellsnes loop deserves a long day or overnight in Stykkishólmur.

The Krauma geothermal baths near Reykholt, fed by the mighty Deildartunguhver hot spring, plus the natural Landbrotalaug pool.

Yes — the Baldur ferry runs from Stykkishólmur across Breiðafjörður to the Westfjords, cutting hours off the drive north.

Summer (May–August) around the Snæfellsnes cliffs and on boat trips from the Breiðafjörður islands.

Borgarnes for a central Ring Road base, or Stykkishólmur and Grundarfjörður for the Snæfellsnes peninsula.