Travellers heading to Iceland this summer will find that the country is now home to the largest area of protected wilderness in Europe.

From June 7th, Vatnajokull National Park in south-east Iceland will cover an area of 13,000 sq km, including features such as volcanoes, lava flows, huge glaciers, waterfalls, canyons and calderas, sand flats, rivers, lakes and lush vegetation, according to the Iceland Tourist Board.

It will include land that was previously unprotected and incorporate the whole of the Vatnajokull glacier, which is the biggest in Europe.

Holidaymakers in Iceland will be able to check out the park's features through a number of visitor centres, from which they will be able to indulge in a wide range of activities.

"I see a myriad of possibilities for all sorts of activities opening up, such as action tours, eco-recreation, study visits and learning experiences, as well as the chance to experience the nurturing silence of Iceland's highlands," commented Olof Yrr Atladottir, director-general of the Icelandic Tourist Board.

Those heading to Iceland via a flight to Reykjavik can get to the highlands region via road from the city - take a look at the Icelandic Tourist Board website for more details.

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